CR3W(van) is a MiniVan-compatible hotswap PCB designed by community member Nasp.
CR3W(van) PCBs were available for $55 throughout summer 2022. The base PCB did not include per-key RGB LEDs. Optional addons included per-key RGB LEDs (separate or installed by Nasp) and FR4 plates for multiple popular MiniVan cases.
Discussion around the CR3W(van) PCB can be found in the 40% Keyboards Discord server.
¶ Design
| Designer | CheckerBoards |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | MiniVan |
| Firmware | VIA |
| Layouts | KLE link |
| Plates | CheckerBoards |
| Switches | Hotswap MX |
| 3x rotary encoder | |
| LEDs | Per-key RGB (optional) |
| 16x underglow RGB | |
| Connection | Integrated USB-C |
| Daughterboard (JST/pins) | |
| Controller | ATmega32u4 |
CR3W(van) - pronounced "crew van" - is a drop-in hotswap PCB for MiniVan cases. The PCB supports multiple unique spacebar layouts and three rotary encoder positions. All hotswap sockets are positioned so switches are in the south-facing orientation; this resolves compatibility issues that some keycaps have with north-facing or rotated switches. PCB-mount stabilizers are supported for all three spacebars.
Sixteen (16) RGB underglow LEDs are installed around the edge of the PCB. Per-key LEDs are supported but not included. A pair of small solder pads labeled pkey RGB in the top-right corner must be bridged with solder to enable per-key backlighting.
The PCB uses a USB-C connector to connect to the host. The port is located in the top-right to ensure compatibility with MiniVan cases. An unpopulated JST header is located near the USB port to enable connectivity with cases that use USB daughterboards. Three USB pins are broken out to through-hole pads in the corner above the JST pads as an alternate connection option if the JST connector has interference issues with the case. A reset switch is positioned along the right edge on the rear of the board.
The hotswap socket for the left 3u spacebar interferes with the bottom-left standoff in tray mount cases. Check the MiniVan Compatibility Matrix for case compatibility
Six tray-mount holes are positioned to maintain compatibility with most tray-mount MiniVan cases. The seventh hole in the bottom-left corner is omitted as the screw hole would overlap the left 3u spacebar switch position. Additionally, the hotswap socket for that switch interferes with that standoff. 7u spacebar users can simply desolder the offending socket and omit the mounting screw. Split space users must remove that standoff from their tray-mount case, buy a different case that uses a different mounting style, or buy a different PCB that is compatible with their case.
¶ Layout
CR3W(van) supports two layouts - a split-space layout with a 3u-1u-3u arrangement and a 7u spacebar.
Each of the three rotary encoder positions is uniquely addressable in firmware.
