Acer TimelineX 3820TG Backlit keyboard mod

[Bronsky]

Hi!

Although I've eaten the 31 pages, I couldn't find anywhere mention of something that I wonder about:

How bad is the backlit KB impacting the battery life?

One more thing: is there, finally, any self-powered backlit KB sold somewhere? I mean taking power from the main ribon.

Thanks guys!

I haven't measured it on mine. Hendrickson thinks you loose about 1/2 hour on a 6 hour charge. And, no, there is no self powered BL KB that I have seen.

Bronsky

[Ninj]

Oh, well, 30min on 6 hours is more than acceptable. I just bought the 4820 with a 9-cell battery though. So I may survive the impact

About the slef-powered BLKB, it's surprising they didn't yet build that. Or is the voltage too low in that ribon?

Thank you!

[norgos]

is the quality of the keyboard from 3810 better than 3820? I noticed that in the video there's no flex.

I'm not really that interested in doing any soldering for the backlit features but just want to have a normal US keyboard [mine is Canadian/French with that annoying small shift key]. If all I need to do is pop out the keyboard and then pop in another one, should be easy.

I'm looking on eBay and the 3810 keyboard is cheaper than a 3820 replacement Is the 3810 keyboard really "higher' that it would touch the screen? Wouldn't want to damage it everytime I close my laptop.

still nothing on whether it's possible to use the 3810 BL KB without plugging in the backlit wires?

[martijn_mf]

Hi!

Although I've eaten the 31 pages, I couldn't find anywhere mention of something that I wonder about: How bad is the backlit KB impacting the battery life?
Thanks guys!

150mA@5V=0.75W
8.1W consumption for the entire machine on low settings. (Battery is 64800mWh which runs for 8 hours (yeah right) so 8.1W consumption on average).

If you are on low settings 0.75/8=9,4%
If you are on high settings 0.75/40=1.8% (40W is a guestimate for gaming)
So on low settings it will have more impact and it will cost you 10% battery time. When gaming your battery will die fast anyway...

[martijn_mf]

still nothing on whether it's possible to use the 3810 BL KB without plugging in the backlit wires?

Sure you could do that, but you would still have to file down the tabs.

[Bronsky]

It's not worth the work. You can use the BL KB without wiring it but it is a bear to fit. If I was not using the BL capability, I would get the 3820TG US KB on sale on EBay.

Bronsky

[toxicrat2]

Thanks for this guide, it was really easy to follow and mine now works great. At first I just wanted to switch out my bilingual keyboard, but I decided to install the backlight as well. Worked perfectly considering it's only my third time soldering anything :P

[svp50]

Any more info on the Bluetooth power option. I just ordered the 4820(without BT) and would like the BL keyboard switchable. Has this been confirmed? Can i wire directly to the port or do i need a BT card first?

[KendiKong]

Godam. You guys have no idea how much of a hassle it took me to do this mod. So hard taking the keyboard and the case off, and putting it on is impossible. I still haven't been able to put it on. Anybody want to help me here?

[martijn_mf]

Any more info on the Bluetooth power option. I just ordered the 4820(without BT) and would like the BL keyboard switchable. Has this been confirmed? Can i wire directly to the port or do i need a BT card first?

I think the FN+3 combi will only turn on the bluetooth if you have a compatible module installed, so you would need to have a module to be able to switch it on/off. There have been some posts in the 3820TG owners thread (last 3 pages I believe)(last 6 when you read this probably, that thing grows like cabbage)

Godam. You guys have no idea how much of a hassle it took me to do this mod. So hard taking the keyboard and the case off, and putting it on is impossible. I still haven't been able to put it on. Anybody want to help me here?

Taking the old KB out should be a breeze... Putting in a BL KB is supposed to suck. Just keep removing material (using knife/file/dremel) from the tabs on the BL KB. It is normal that it takes time. Good luck! I you want more specific help you need to be more specific.