Acer TimelineX 3820TG Backlit keyboard mod

[NoMa]

I've added a jumper (it looks big on the shot but it is not), so whenever i will ever disassembly again i can pull-off and remove the keyboard safely.

[elfwrath]

Hi guys! I've been following this thread for a while now and I read quite a bit of it but not everything. Anyway, I've decided to mod my 4820TG with a backlit keyboard as well. I bought the KB from the US but got shipped from Hong Kong. It's made by Compal. Looks good as far as I can tell. I've tested it at work with 5v and it works fine. The dilemma that I'm having now it where to hook it up to. One solution would be to solder it to USB or speaker and put a switch. Problem is that from what I can tell, the kensington port is very small inside for the 4820tg and I don't think I can remove it without destroying the hinge. So that kinda limits the switch option. The other option would be to take power from the bluetooth port. My laptop doesn't have a bt module so I can put it in there. I want to use the actual connector but I can't seem to find a male connector online (mainly because I have no idea what kind of connector it is). I could try to buy a bt module and piggy back the kb on it like it's been done on the 38xx. Can you guys help me out? Thanks.

[NoMa]

Hi guys! I've been following this thread for a while now and I read quite a bit of it but not everything. Anyway, I've decided to mod my 4820TG with a backlit keyboard as well. I bought the KB from the US but got shipped from Hong Kong. It's made by Compal. Looks good as far as I can tell. I've tested it at work with 5v and it works fine. The dilemma that I'm having now it where to hook it up to. One solution would be to solder it to USB or speaker and put a switch. Problem is that from what I can tell, the kensington port is very small inside for the 4820tg and I don't think I can remove it without destroying the hinge. So that kinda limits the switch option. The other option would be to take power from the bluetooth port. My laptop doesn't have a bt module so I can put it in there. I want to use the actual connector but I can't seem to find a male connector online (mainly because I have no idea what kind of connector it is). I could try to buy a bt module and piggy back the kb on it like it's been done on the 38xx. Can you guys help me out? Thanks.

Hope this link will help you recognize the Acer BT 4 pin out.
Add Internal Bluetooth to an Acer

It is for Travelmate series but sure you can recognize some of the components.

[elfwrath]

Hi NoMa, thanks for the reply. I thought that nobody follows this thread anymore for a sec there. The link you gave me describes a way to mod the mobo to add BT from what I can tell. I think I wasn't clear enough in my description. My 4820tg has build-in capability for a BT module. As you can see in the picture, the focused connector is where they attach the BT module on variants that have it, and then they screw it in the metal pin lower. So I was thinking about buying a BT module that's usually put in the 4820t (i think it's the BCM 92046) and then piggy back the kb power to it, like you did for yours.
http://cneacsu.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_0064.jpg

[maikvalberg]

Hi elfwrath, i think it's the BRM 2046 BT Module that fits into your 4820TG. The BCM 92046 is for pcie slot?

Take a look in the Acer Aspire 4820T Service Guide on page 141:

http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/Ma...T_20100525.pdf

BT module can be found on ebay f.e.:

BH.21100.004 Acer Ao531H-1077 Bluetooth Module Brm Foxconn | eBay

or

ACER Foxconn Bluetooth Daughter Card Module FOX BRM 2046 BT 2.1 T60H928.33 BT06 | eBay

But make sure that the BT cable is included!

Nevertheless, you should consider the fact, that the BT module only provides 3,3V which isn't as bright as 5V from a USB port.

[Bronsky]

I thought there was a discussion of the BT modification further back in this thread, but Maikvalberg has it right. If you buy the module, you might be able to resell it on ebay and keep the cable, which is really what you need. Then, just take power and ground off the fitting and wire it to the KB. I think this is the least invasive method for making a backlit KB on the Acer. I took power from the USB port but would serioiusly have to consider this if I was doing it today. Good luck. And, it takes some time, but we do read this thread when it comes up.

[elfwrath]

Hi elfwrath, i think it's the BRM 2046 BT Module that fits into your 4820TG. The BCM 92046 is for pcie slot?

Take a look in the Acer Aspire 4820T Service Guide on page 141:

http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/Ma...T_20100525.pdf

BT module can be found on ebay f.e.:

BH.21100.004 Acer Ao531H-1077 Bluetooth Module Brm Foxconn | eBay

or

ACER Foxconn Bluetooth Daughter Card Module FOX BRM 2046 BT 2.1 T60H928.33 BT06 | eBay

But make sure that the BT cable is included!

Nevertheless, you should consider the fact, that the BT module only provides 3,3V which isn't as bright as 5V from a USB port.

I've actually ordered one just like those and got it today. Now all I need is to figure out which pins to use for the power leads, as I'm not sure which is which. Regarding the voltage, I understand that it's only 3.3v but that's the only (easy) way to have a switch to turn the backlighting on/off. Since there's not enough room in the kensington port to put a switch that I can plug to one of the usb ports, it remains the only viable option. Plus, if after all of this I'm not satisfied with the intensity of the light, I can always try to get a higher voltage later on. Anyone know which pins are the power ones on the mobo connector?
http://cneacsu.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_0067.jpg

[maikvalberg]

I would measure the pins with a multimeter. But there is one thing i'm not sure about: Does the launch manager work, without proper installed bluetooth module?

[elfwrath]

Unfortunately I don't have easy access to a multimeter, so that's probably gonna take a while. Also, doesn't that mean that I need to power the laptop while it's open to get a reading on the multimeter? If that's the case, I'm not that comfortable with that, as I can mess something up quite easily. I'm not sure about the launch manager, but I guess it should work if it has a BT module installed as it should be the same software that's used for variants with BT installed from factory.
@Bronsky: I don't mind keeping the BT module as well, as I can use it for my phone and such.

[Bronsky]

If you can find a spec sheet for the module, it should tell you what the pins are so you won't have to wait for a multimeter. That is a damn good question about the launch manager. Since it has been done, there must be a way.