Some v1.1 MiniSub users reported detaching USB connectors on their PCBs. A handful of boards had inadequate solder applied to the anchor legs of the USB connector during assembly. Users are advised to add additional solder to the four USB anchor points on the front of the PCB to reinforce the connector. Check the v1.1 section below for information.
Minisub is a MiniVan-compatible hotswap PCB designed by community member Rain.
The original group by for Minisub ran in June 2021 at Rainkeebs.mx. The PCBs were sold with an FR4 tray mount plate for $50 each.
A v2 PCB with underglow was designed by Rain and sold to P3DStore.com in early 2022. The updated PCBs went on sale in April 2022 for $50 each.
Discussion about the PCB can be followed in the #minisub channel on the 40% Keyboards Discord server and on the rainkeebs' Discord server.
¶ Design
| Designer | rainkeebs |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | MiniVan |
| Firmware | Trash Configurator |
| VIAL (download) | |
| Layouts | KLE link |
| Plate files | DXFs on the Files page |
| Switches | Hotswap MX |
| LEDs | Addon RGB strip (rev 1.1) |
| 20x RGB underglow (rev 2) | |
| Connection | Integrated USB-C |
| Controller | ATmega32u4 |
Check the MiniVan Compatibility Matrix for case compatibility
Minisub is a drop-in replacement PCB for MiniVan cases that supports multiple layouts with hotswap sockets. It was designed as an alternative to the MiniVan HS PCB and resolves some of the common complaints about that board. 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.
The board uses a USB-C connector to connect to the host. The port is located in the top-right to ensure compatibility with MiniVan cases. Tray-mount holes and the reset switch are positioned to maintain compatibility with tray-mount MiniVan cases.
¶ Layout
The PCB uses the same matrix layout and pinout as MiniVan PCBs, making it compatible with the
ArrowsMiniVan split space layout. The 6.25u spacebar is wired to the right MiniVan split spacebar switch position.
Minisub supports two layouts - a split-space layout with arrow keys and JetVan layout. The split-space layout uses 2.75u/2.25u spacebars with a 1.25u key to their right. JetVan layout replaces those three keys with a 6.25u spacebar.
¶ Revisions
¶ Rev 1.0
Prototype "v1" PCBs are blue with a white silk screen. A pair of through-hole pads for a reset switch are located on the far-left of the board. The hotswap sockets near the USB port interfered with surface-mount components, requiring a minor redesign before the board was ready for sale.
¶ Rev 1.1
Production boards received an updated "v1.1" designation with several small changes. The through-hole reset pads on the v1 board have been replaced with a reset button positioned to be compatible with the hole on existing MiniVan cases. Several small surface-mount components have been rearranged to resolve interference issues with hotswap sockets near the USB port.
Despite the rearranged components, Minisub R1 PCBs still have compatibility issues with some cases, namely Rackmount and PCrack. There are several small surface-mount components that can be knocked off of the PCB during installation. If this happens the PCB will still work but ESD protection will be negatively impacted.
Some users reported detaching USB connectors on their v1.1 PCBs. A handful of boards had inadequate solder applied to the anchor legs of the USB connector at the factory. Users are advised to add additional solder to the four USB anchor points on the back of the PCB if the connector feels loose
¶ Rev 2.0
An updated v2 PCB was created in early 2022 and the design was sold to P3DStore.com. The new revision includes two three notable changes. The first is the improved solder job on the anchor legs for the USB C port. The second is the addition of 20 RGB LEDs for underglow on the bottom of the PCB. The third is the color - the solder mask was updated to black and the rear of the PCB now includes a "P3DStore x Rainkeebs" logo in the bottom-left corner.
