# Avalanche v4.2 Photo Build Log The Avalanche Keyboard is an open source keyboard designed by [vitvlkv](https://github.com/vlkv). GitHub repo: ### Getting the Hardware You can get the hardware from one of the following links. * My Etsy Store: * My Shop: * Gerber Files (if you order the PCBs by yourself): ### Flash the Firmware Flash the following firmware on the both controller breakout boards by QMK Toolbox. #### VIA Firmware {% file src="" %} #### Vial Firmware {% file src="" %} ![](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FQLo8HX2tBSdGbQBlf9k4%2FIMG_3822.jpg?alt=media\&token=83696a78-c5b3-44c6-b7d0-9f966df9c0d2) ### 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](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FxL9RcClOGBa5I7fiyxhq%2FIMG_3823.jpg?alt=media\&token=c88a55ad-8699-409b-8d00-edba5546e5e6) ![Top of the Left Hand Side](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2F7NZGIZqNJPrveW5mdoOi%2FIMG_3824.jpg?alt=media\&token=a460424a-7b8d-4122-acbe-043c9ce3d240) ![Top of the Right Hand Side](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FuNm9aZvMbpqF5GJaTzLQ%2FIMG_3825.jpg?alt=media\&token=8ccdd8b5-ceff-4b36-85f8-c3ff44a4f9a8) ![Bottom of the Right Hand Side](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FfApMkBrY560OUeKuzzqa%2FIMG_3826.jpg?alt=media\&token=3eefeef5-02c2-4287-9ab5-073be299728e) ### Diodes and Controller Board ![Bottom of the Left Hand Side](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FdCt5jybLJA2gTurLwkKD%2FIMG_3831.jpg?alt=media\&token=6820e679-893e-4e60-b7c8-e455b62d771f) ![Bottom of the Right Hand Side](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2Fz2UftnzNgNoM1JDpmdma%2FIMG_3832.jpg?alt=media\&token=636f3824-f50b-47c6-9f07-4e39512ff460) Diodes are directional. Pay attention to the bottom row and the diodes placed horizontally. ![Short pin headers vs standard pin headers ](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FOTWN55vmirKWyadC8RvW%2FIMG_3827.jpg?alt=media\&token=f26b46b9-035e-49f5-ab7f-3072ca3765ee) Short pin headers or sockets are recommended. ![Top of the Left Hand Side](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FNqEflIAIMAoCbhDGg9VA%2FIMG_3828.jpg?alt=media\&token=610d5ceb-16a9-47d9-8d0b-2e79fa469327) ![Top of the Right Hand Side](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FmZNT9JU95jBdtZBkjKPh%2FIMG_3829.jpg?alt=media\&token=13de2405-06e0-4e43-bb36-275435131ce5) ![Top of the Left and Right Hand Sides](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2F7IRsbHqQbXgeizZqQaib%2FIMG_3830.jpg?alt=media\&token=64c7a0d0-cbf2-4e82-b0cb-9b6ef060407b) ![Bottom of the Left Hand Side](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FTVxTrK1ZE01AG8YFv963%2FIMG_3831.jpg?alt=media\&token=77cb90cd-2158-4d7a-99dc-f94e2be65ec8) ![Bottom of the Right Hand Side](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FPtFtTaWCxEMyPNSjxMNN%2FIMG_3832.jpg?alt=media\&token=72bb1f0c-8767-40ef-9efd-8ddc97c4a1e3) 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](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FPmnXk1LzWnUBqhx098Xm%2FIMG_3833.jpg?alt=media\&token=364a31a4-fa53-463c-aa1a-8447f58f3ede) ![Bottom of the Left Hand Side](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FTnNhTfLk4SrfAvi0DkQX%2FIMG_3834.jpg?alt=media\&token=f99c3015-09b0-4535-a2dc-c8fbebb73ce1) ![Top of the Right Hand Side](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FwZX9rbbG4Eh5R2NKOEcb%2FIMG_3835.jpg?alt=media\&token=267eafaf-c0fd-4a53-a805-616941355051) ![Bottom of the Right Hand Side](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2F4bTZZijTPQhc41iXOeSS%2FIMG_3836.jpg?alt=media\&token=4bd4a9d4-a9f8-432d-a6e9-11a635812920) 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](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FF01oivjcktpAC7rNbW3d%2FIMG_3837.jpg?alt=media\&token=2d9760a9-967e-4934-9596-6930aa9cdc04) ![Bottom of the Left Hand Side](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FI2bFO5JhhNnoUg6IPh34%2FIMG_3838.jpg?alt=media\&token=8a30dcd9-7cc4-4b17-8e9f-0cea58d1fc6d) ![Bottom of the Right Hand Side](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2F2rqpoCzsxpi1q5MMF34K%2FIMG_3842.jpg?alt=media\&token=949032f0-300e-4524-9919-6f5b7b407e12) 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](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FhDQzIieNMdNITv5kCQRc%2FIMG_3843.jpg?alt=media\&token=a87b39a4-dd5b-4915-9801-767c62d57b7c) ![Bottom of the Right Hand Side](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2Fw64GmXs718MSMcwIE1KK%2FIMG_3844.jpg?alt=media\&token=ea46ca57-70be-4f73-9c61-5a0593cf3eeb) 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](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FAyRQQOQfEOPEJyToHUSo%2FIMG_3845.jpg?alt=media\&token=ed38e099-2fae-4dc5-aa56-b84ac63f1cfc) ### RGB LEDs RGB LEDs are optional. Before soldering the RGB LEDs, make sure you have a fully working keyboard. ![RGB LEDs are Directional.](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FACNfRDeMIEuFfwPXj8wB%2FIMG_3847.jpg?alt=media\&token=3b897540-3853-4e21-9583-01970d41e41a) RGB LEDs are directional. Align the corner to the silk screen mark. ![Bottom of the Left Hand Side](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FA4xkGBl3aBeh8LR7Umc3%2FIMG_3846.jpg?alt=media\&token=39fdc6df-863b-4324-8aa2-8c24844e1cf3) Solder the first RGB LED (L7). It should light it when you connect it to the computer. ![Bottom of the Left Hand Si](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FUwgFsVada9s19eUF1fim%2FIMG_3848.jpg?alt=media\&token=6a5bae2b-57b7-43b9-b11d-f41f51608502) 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](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FM91sUM9mqYEVygVzlxcA%2FIMG_3849.jpg?alt=media\&token=a4c5da79-29ea-4903-b8d0-ae6511a70e2d) It's recommended to solder them in order, with 3-5 LEDs each time and test. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.beekeeb.com/build-guide/avalanche-v4.2-photo-build-log.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. 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