Best Firmware for Wireless (triple) split with PCA9555s

Hi there,

Currently I am diving into the software world of wireless split keyboards.

I am currently planning on retrofitting an existing split with a new microcontroller.

It's a 2 split which I intend to work with 3 splits (one dongle, to have it easily work with my KVM). Both halves have 3 PCA9555s.

I tried ZMK, but to be perfectly honest: I don't get it. I tried guides, AI, videos. Etc.

But as ZMK is going through a lot of changes in the recent time, most don't apply anymore. Then there is the whole entire file structure necessary...

On the plus side, ZMK-Studio looks great! But still: to me, as a non-dev (or alike) type of person, the setup appears to be for a different audience, than I am a part of.

For that reason I am checking out a bunch of other solutions.

QMK would be a solid wired option, and is not as rough for starters. Things like the QMKWizard of Robin Gosse look great for people like me!

I also saw RMK and REALLY liked it. It's a lot simpler, without the overly complex (imo) file structures of ZMK. I also LOVE the vial support.

But I was not able to find any support for a non-matrix/direct wired solution with the existing PCAs.

So it appears not to be a viable solution. Sadly.

TMK does not apply. KMK is dead.

What software would you use in this case? Did I miss any options?

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u/Frosted_Butt — 30 days ago

I have a Nocfree&. The PCB of the switches contains LEDs and shift registers.

This is enough so that it only needs 6 pogo-pins to talk to the "communication board" (the brain).

I want to replace the brain with a ProMicrov2 running ZMK and a new battery. There is 100% enough space for it all.

The issue is: how do I go about decoding the pogo-pins use?

Sure, VCC and Ground should be easy using a multimeter on a powered brain.

Currently, it is not possible to run the LEDs with the current brain. So I cannot just pick those up.

And how about the data wires? I assume, with the shift registers, I should be only using two, but how to figure out, which is which?

u/Frosted_Butt — 1 month ago