Avalanche v4.2 Photo Build Log

The Avalanche Keyboard is an open source keyboard designed by vitvlkv.

GitHub repo: https://github.com/vlkv/avalanche

Getting the Hardware

You can get the hardware from one of the following links.

• My Etsy Store: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1231647300/avalanche-v4-v42-40-or-60-split

• My Shop: https://shop.beekeeb.com/product/avalanche-v4-keyboard-kit/

• Gerber Files (if you order the PCBs by yourself): https://github.com/vlkv/avalanche#gerber-files

Flash the Firmware

Flash the following firmware on the both controller breakout boards by QMK Toolbox.

VIA Firmware

75KB

avalanche_v4_default_with_rgb_and_via.hex

Open

Vial Firmware

77KB

avalanche_v4_vial.hex

Open

Bridge Jumper Pads for OLED Displays and Serial

W1 is for serial. Bridge W1 on the left and right hand side.

For OLED displays, bridge the 4 jumper pads on the top side. Do not bridge them on the bottom side.

Top of Left and Right Hand Side

Top of the Left Hand Side

Top of the Right Hand Side

Bottom of the Right Hand Side

Diodes and Controller Board

Bottom of the Left Hand Side

Bottom of the Right Hand Side

Diodes are directional. Pay attention to the bottom row and the diodes placed horizontally.

Short pin headers vs standard pin headers

Short pin headers or sockets are recommended.

Top of the Left Hand Side

Top of the Right Hand Side

Top of the Left and Right Hand Sides

Bottom of the Left Hand Side

Bottom of the Right Hand Side

Insert the pin headers and controller boards according to the silk screen.

You can test the single side with VIA or a web-based keyboard tester by shorting the hotswap socket solder pads. It's recommended to test all key presses before moving to the next step.

Reset Buttons and TRRS Jacks

Top of the Left Hand Side

Bottom of the Left Hand Side

Top of the Right Hand Side

Bottom of the Right Hand Side

Now, you can connect the both halves and test if they are sending the right key presses.

OLED Displays

Top of the Left Hand Side

Bottom of the Left Hand Side

Bottom of the Right Hand Side

The switch is to to enable/disable the power supply for the OLED display and RGB LEDs.

Set it to the "on" state, and plug it into the computer. The OLED screen should display some text. If it doesn't work, toggle the switch and reconnect it to the computer. The on state for the left side is the opposite of that of the right side.

Hot Swap Sockets for Key Switches and Encoders

Bottom of the Left Hand Side

Bottom of the Right Hand Side

The switch sockets are directional. Leave the switch slot empty if you decide to use an encoder. Encoders are optional, and you can use at most one encoder on a single side.

Top of the Left and Right Hand Sides

RGB LEDs

RGB LEDs are optional. Before soldering the RGB LEDs, make sure you have a fully working keyboard.

RGB LEDs are Directional.

RGB LEDs are directional. Align the corner to the silk screen mark.

Bottom of the Left Hand Side

Solder the first RGB LED (L7). It should light it when you connect it to the computer.

Bottom of the Left Hand Si

Disconnect the keyboard from the computer. Repeat the above step for L8, L9, L10, ..., L38.

An RGB LED is also required when the slot is used for an encoder. Alternatively you can bridge the DIN/DOUT pins.

Bottom of the Left Hand Side

It's recommended to solder them in order, with 3-5 LEDs each time and test.