Sinclair ZX80 / ZX81 / Z88 Forums

I have now managed to find another supply of Molex keyboard connectors.

These will unfortunately be the last ones, as Molex have decided to stop making the 8 way connector for some reason (and no-one seems to have any stocks hanging about).

http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/detail ... -ZX81-2014

I recently ordered the ZX80Core kit - I wonder how easy it would be to attach one of these connectors somewhere on the board so that a genuine ZX81 membrane could be used when running the ZX81 ROM?

There are several solutions for this.
First - the keyboard table of the ZX80 rom or ZX81 rom could be patched.

Second - the ZX81 membrane can be used with overlayed on the ZX80 membrane when using the (optional) SMD tactile switches.
I tested this and it is very easy to press the keys through both membranes, one over the other.

Third - you could use a ZX81 mouse pad with the correct keyboard layout, like here (don't know if there are still mouse pads left):

http://forum.tlienhard.com/phpBB3/viewt ... pad#p11140

Fourth - there is a separate keyboard connector on the board (J95) which can be connected to the ZX81 membrane with MOLEX connectors but there is cabling necessary as well. So this might be used - be careful to solder cables directly into the boards connector cause otherwise it wouldn't fit into the case.

Wow, options galore! Thanks for the fast reply!
Won't fit in the case, eh?

poglad wrote: Won't fit in the case, eh?

You will see when you put the board into a case.
If you solder small cables instead of a pin connector it may fit.
Just keep it in your mind.

Oh okay - I thought maybe you were hinting that the new transparent case was about to be revealed!

Yes it is - I am looking for a free CAD program to make some nice drawings ...
Any hints welcome.

In one of my ZX projects I used these from RS Components:

718-8769 Recept pcb horiz 5 way 2.54mm Trio-Mate

and

718-8668 Recept pcb horiz 8 way 2.54mm Trio-Mate
The membrane foils fit in there perfectly.
Difference with the original ZX connectors is that the pins are not in a straight line but zigzag pattern.

good evening,

the first computer of my life was the legendary sinclair zx81 (when i was about 10 years old in 1982),
i did not forget the computer of my childhood, so finally i managed to buy an old timex 1000 in the last week after 35 years.
it is not functioning unfortunately ...and this is the point why i found this forum.

I have keybord connector problems also like you (the old keyboard connectors are totally destroyed by someone).. i decided to buy new ones.
i was searching for new molex connectors on the net without success ...until now.

maybe the following link will be useful for people with the same problem:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/232301363949?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

enjoy it!

They are quite cheap available here as well:
http://www.tme.eu/de/details/ds1020-05s ... m/connfly/#

http://www.tme.eu/de/details/ds1020-08s ... m/connfly/#