Custom Keyboard Cable for DROP CTRL

[MarvintheParrot]

Hi!

 

I recently got the DROP CTRL and I was looking at a custom keyboard cable. For most of the ones I found, they say that they won't work with power hungry borders like the DROP CTRL. I just want to make sure that any ones that I find will work with my keyboard. I would love not to return the CTRL. Any help is much appreciated!

[Eschew]

Hey there.

5 minutes ago, MarvintheParrot said:

I recently got the DROP CTRL and I was looking at a custom keyboard cable. For most of the ones I found, they say that they won't work with power hungry borders like the DROP CTRL. I just want to make sure that any ones that I find will work with my keyboard. I would love not to return the CTRL. Any help is much appreciated!

Methinks it's less of an issue with "it simply won't work," and more of a length thing.

On 6/25/2020 at 5:06 PM, Eschew said:

For those interested in custom cabling, cable vendors recommend keeping the total cable length below 9 ft (≈ 2.7 m) for keyboards with high power requirements, or below 13 ft (≈ 4 m) for all other keyboards. Longer cables may have issues delivering power to the board, and certain features (e.g. LED brightness, specific keys) may be diminished or disabled. Keyboards with high power requirements include: Drop CTRL, Drop ALT, Drop Shift, Ducky One 2 Mini, K-Type NOTE, and HHKB Keyboards.

You'll have fewer issues shopping if you're only looking at a single straight cable. If you're looking at coiled cables, take into account the total length of the coil. Most vendors will note the coil's total length somewhere on their site or product page, but if that info isn't readily available, you can always contact them on their store page, under their contact details, or on their Discord.

 

If you're worried about a specific product not being compatible with the Drop CTRL, you could post the product page and we could take a look-see?

[MarvintheParrot]

1 minute ago, Eschew said:

Hey there.

Methinks it's less of an issue with "it simply won't work," and more of a length thing.

You'll have fewer issues shopping if you're only looking at a single straight cable. If you're looking at coiled cables, take into account the total length of the coil. Most vendors will note the coil's total length somewhere on their site or product page, but if that info isn't readily available, you can always contact them on their store page, under their contact details, or on their Discord.

 

If you're worried about a specific product not being compatible with the Drop CTRL, you could post the product page and we could take a look-see?

Thanks for your response!

 

Here is the product page.

https://zapcables.com/neon-pink-teal-vapor-cable/

In the description it says

"Please note: The coiled versions of this cable have a 10-foot total cable run. If you are planning to use it with a high-demand board like an HHKB, CTRL, or ALT, it may not power the board properly. Please consult our FAQ for more information before you order."

https://zapcables.com/neon-pink-teal-vapor-cable/

[Eschew]

5 minutes ago, MarvintheParrot said:

Thanks for your response!

 

Here is the product page.

https://zapcables.com/neon-pink-teal-vapor-cable/

In the description it says

"Please note: The coiled versions of this cable have a 10-foot total cable run. If you are planning to use it with a high-demand board like an HHKB, CTRL, or ALT, it may not power the board properly. Please consult our FAQ for more information before you order."

https://zapcables.com/neon-pink-teal-vapor-cable/

Ah... You may have issues if you pick that specific cable. Although, Zap Cables allegedly has pretty good customer support and may be able to accommodate your needs if you leave them a note in the comments section and specifically state you're planning to use it with a Drop CTRL? No guarantees, however.

 

Account from Reddit (Note: 2 Years Ago):

Quote

I had a problem with my CTRL keyboard and a custom cable from Zap Cables. The cable caused the lighting to flicker and for key presses not to register. I emailed John over at Zap Cables, and he said he suspected a power problem. At his request, I tried totally disabling the lighting on the CTRL—not just turning brightness to zero—and it would then register keypresses. He ended up remaking the cable for me and taking out some length (fewer coils), and that did the trick.

Source: MechCables Cable Causing Lighting Issues? (Reddit Post).

[MarvintheParrot]

1 hour ago, Eschew said:

Ah... You may have issues if you pick that specific cable. Although, Zap Cables allegedly has pretty good customer support and may be able to accommodate your needs if you leave them a note in the comments section and specifically state you're planning to use it with a Drop CTRL? No guarantees, however.

 

Account from Reddit (Note: 2 Years Ago):

Source: MechCables Cable Causing Lighting Issues? (Reddit Post).

Hmmmm, I just though of something. I don't use the RGB on the sides of the DROP CTRL. If I don't use those, will the board no longer classify as a high-power board?

[Eschew]

12 minutes ago, MarvintheParrot said:

Hmmmm, I just though of something. I don't use the RGB on the sides of the DROP CTRL. If I don't use those, will the board no longer classify as a high-power board?

Doubtful. I suspect it's the individual LEDs for each key (87 keys for the Drop CTRL) that cause the board to draw a lot of power, not just the LEDs around the board's perimeter.

 

If you'd like aftermarket cables for your board, other vendors aside from Zap Cables sell custom cables as well. Off the top of my head (for U.S. stores), I know Rosecables, Winnja, and some Etsy stores do custom cables with customizable lengths and/or coil sizes (and customizable colors, of course). Expect a significant delay between ordering and shipping, however.

[MarvintheParrot]

5 minutes ago, Eschew said:

Doubtful. I suspect it's the individual LEDs for each key (87 keys for the Drop CTRL) that cause the board to draw a lot of power, not just the LEDs around the board's perimeter.

 

If you'd like aftermarket cables for your board, other vendors aside from Zap Cables sell custom cables as well. Off the top of my head (for U.S. stores), I know Rosecables, Winnja, and some Etsy stores do custom cables with customizable lengths and/or coil sizes (and customizable colors, of course). Expect a significant delay between ordering and shipping, however.

Thanks! I will take a look!