Table of contents

  1. Table of contents
  2. Installing the per-key RGB
  3. Soldering the audio jacks and reset buttons
  4. Preparing the trackpad assembly
  5. Connecting the trackpad ribbon cable
  6. Connecting the trackpad assembly
  7. Test the PCB
  8. Soldering the switches
  9. Customize your firmware

Installing the per-key RGB

If you ordered a kit with per-key RGB, we will start by installing those. If you don’t have LEDs, you can skip to the next section.

The LEDs need to be installed in a very specific way. Read the following instructions carefully first, and then install them. If you don’t, they will not work!

Inspect the LED: there is one of the pins that has a slight chamfer in it. The plastic casing also has an indent. This is the GROUND pin.

  • Inspect the PCBs: for each LED footprint, there is one pin that has a white dot next to it
  • All the LEDs are installed in the same direction. If one dot is obscured by the silkscreen, just install the LED the same way as the others
  • We need to match the chamfered pin of the LED, with the marked pin on the PCB

The LEDs are sensitive to heat. Stay at most 2 seconds on each pad. If that doesn’t work, try slowly increasing the temperature of your soldering iron.

  • Install the LEDs
  • Solder them pad by pad
  • Go through the LEDs one by one

Soldering the audio jacks and reset buttons

  • There is only one way the components can be installed, so there’s no risk of messing up!
  • Solder in the audio jacks
  • Solder in the reset buttons- When installing the reset button, take care not to short the pads to the vias nearby.
  • The vias are the round metal holes.

Preparing the trackpad assembly

Install the 5 screw inserts:

  • Set your soldering iron temperature to 200 degrees Celsius
  • To make it easier, use pliers to hold the 3d print

  • Using the soldering iron, place the heated insert inside the hole
  • Apply little to no pressure, let the gravity do the work. Otherwise, you might push them too far
  • If the insert doesn’t fall into place, you can slowly increase the temperature, but don’t go over 300 degrees
  • Once the insert is 2/3 of the way in, stop
  • Flip over the print and gradually push it against a flat surface, to make the insert flush with the print
  • Move the parts aside and let them rest, while they cool down

The kit comes with grey screws. If you ordered a case, you will also get black screws. For this step, use the grey screws. 

  • Install the first part of the 3d print holder on the right side PCB. Do not screw it in completely, we will do this later.

  • Slide the trackpad into the assembly. Align the notch, just like on the picture below (at the bottom)
  • Screw in the retainer

Connecting the trackpad ribbon cable

Please note: you do not need to desolder any resistors on the trackpad. Just use it as it came in the kit!

  • On the Right side of the keyboard,
  • Open the FPC connector
  • Slide the cable in like on the picture below
  • Close the FPC connector

  • Slide the other end of the cable into the slot

Connecting the trackpad assembly

  • Connect the other side of the ribbon cable into the trackpad assembly
  • Make sure you install it like on the picture below - the blue part on the same side as the black dot

  • If you don’t have a case, screw in the 4 screws and tighten them like on the picture below
  • If you have a case, read the instructions in the case page, after installing the switches.

Test the PCB

This step is optional, but highly recommended.

  • Connect the keyboard to your computer - it comes pre-flashed with QMK
  • Check that the cursor moves when you use the trackpad
  • Using tweezers, short 2 pins of a switch. Check that it registers

Soldering the switches

Solder in your switches of preference. The Dilemma is compatible with MX (normal profile) and Choc V1 switches.

Choc V2 and low-profile MX switches are not compatible!

Customize your firmware

You’re all done!

Head over to Customize your Dilemma firmware to customize your keyboard to your needs.