# elephant42 Keyboard Photo Build Log

The elephant42 (🐘42) keyboard is a 42-key ergonomic split mechanical keyboard designed by [illness072](https://github.com/illness072). It supports 4 thumb keys, with an aggressively staggered pinky column.

All the RGB LEDs are SK6812mini-e, which are easier to solder.

The keyboard is non-reversible, so it's less likely to make mistakes in soldering.

The official repo and build guide is at <https://github.com/illness072/elephant42>

More information about the firmware can be found at <https://docs.beekeeb.com/elephant42-keyboard-photo-build-log/elephant42-qmk-firmware-with-via>

Here are some photos of my build.

![](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FYmby2mgdtaplB3UF4RjN%2FIMG_0475.JPG?alt=media\&token=bb7723e2-7ff3-484b-a65d-fd6c66d1dded)

### elephant42 Front Side with Per-key RGB LEDs

![Left side (front)](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FlQgyAs7DBfDoDRnQ0ZUb%2FIMG_0477.jpg?alt=media\&token=391f1985-a4c9-4e42-9dfc-9f9d370cff90)

![Right side (front)](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2F5w5i4JlFbuWyPIPhQ9uy%2FIMG_0476.jpg?alt=media\&token=10a7cedf-16c8-4b8c-8158-704918f46712)

### elephant42 Back Side with 6 Underglow RGB LEDs on Each Side

![Left side (back)](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FBMgUQZ8nIQuzmwGT39lY%2FIMG_0480.jpg?alt=media\&token=08f08519-6430-41d3-a718-26422475d32e)

![Right side (back)](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2F6fz4H97nnl6S8D3sRfFJ%2FIMG_0483.jpg?alt=media\&token=2b656052-f46e-4b53-8c01-e4e491e26d44)

### RGB LEDs orientations

The sk6812mini-e corner should be aligned with G (GND).

All the per-key RGB LEDs should face the key switches (front) side, and the underglow RGB LEDs should face the back/bottom side.

![](https://310059516-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MipCDWiRJbsrF2klOWK%2Fuploads%2FC0MBsC9xFegT1KfUIKBB%2FIMG_0482.jpg?alt=media\&token=5263c1b4-1822-4ad5-9f73-354eda18e6ac)