7.1 Swapping Microcontrollers: Bluetooth (Version 2022-07-01)

(10 min read)

QMK does not work well with Bluetooth. ZMK should be used instead.

7.1.1 Necessary tools and components

taikohub-dactyl-manuform-keyboard-bluetooth-lipo-battery-caution
Figure 7.1.1 Orient your JST connector same way as the photo above. The black wire should be on the right and red should be on the left.
taikohub-dactyl-manuform-keyboard-bluetooth-lipo-battery
Figure 7.1.2. This 3.7V 110mAh LiPo battery worked with nice!nano's during testing.

7.1.2 Adding Bluetooth

If your keyboard shipped after 2022-08-01, follow the steps below.

Step 1

Remove the plastic cover and take out the default microcontroller that came with the keyboard.

taikohub-dactyl-manuform-keyboard-bluetooth-nice-nanos-step-1
Figure 7.1.2.1 Step 1 - Take out the default microcontroller that came with the keyboard.

Step 2

Insert the Bluetooth enabled microcontroller.

Optional: If you want the USB-C port to be closer to the edge of the keyboard, you can loosen the screws counterclockwise with an 3mm Allen Key by a half circle. Then slide the PCB forward. Tighten the screw again afterwards by turning it clockwise.

taikohub-dactyl-manuform-keyboard-bluetooth-nice-nanos-step-2
Figure 7.1.2.2 Step 2 - Insert the new Bluetooth enabled microcontroller. If you want the USB-C port to be closer to the edge of the keyboard, you can loosen the screws.

Step 3

Insert the LiPo battery.

No special instructions for inserting the battery. As long as you obtained the correct battery, the connector will insert correctly. This is because the JST-PH socket can only accept the battery header in one direction.

taikohub-dactyl-manuform-keyboard-bluetooth-nice-nanos-step-3
Figure 7.1.2.3 Step 3 - Insert the new Bluetooth enabled microcontroller and the LiPo battery.

Step 4

Put the cover back on. You did it 🎉! Proceed to the section on flashing your keyboard with ZMK.

taikohub-dactyl-manuform-keyboard-bluetooth-nice-nanos-step-4
Figure 7.1.2.4 Step 4 - Put the cover back on.

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