I also put up a video on the exploration of whether or not this was possible, but it doesn't really cover the detail of the actual conversion:
Below is mostly a reproduction of the imgur album here https://imgur.com/dt9im6I with some additional notes added.
Because the module didn't work with keyboards that register as a keyboard and a mouse, I couldn't really use the module. Later, I wound up with this Topre board, and it identifies as a single device, so I wanted to see if this mod was possible
I need to desolder some of these taller items, but the rest should fit.
Lowest profile I can get after removing the USB, PS2, battery connector, and speaker, and it fits!
This layout means I can maintain the current button and USB charging port. Which is great, because I didn't want to have to move those.
Hot glue is mother's milk to makers. It holds everything in place. I've connected the on board USB mini connector to the former USB connector on the Bluetooth module using magnet wire.
There was some cutting involved on the supports to get everything to fit, but this thing is so overbuilt and so well fitted together it could probably lose half of its supports and be just as solid.
I was pretty worried the magnet wire wouldn't be enough to run USB's high frequency stuff, OR the whole thing would interfere with the Electrostatic capacitive switch sensing, OR the plate would kill the antenna range to uselessness. But all those concerns were unfounded!
So far I've only drilled ONE hole in the outer case...
There are two LEDs, and a charging port that I need to figure out how to expose those in a way that maintains this Leopold appearance. Still, it has a speaker that beeps in useful patterns so I can operate it without the LEDs for the most part.
I really couldn't believe it actually worked. I mean, technically it should have worked, but it was such a risky mod for such a nice and expensive board.
And it still runs wired!
This is a fun and risky little project that has brought back the usefulness of this board, and makes use of a bluetooth adapter that wouldn't work with my normal keyboards. I had one thing I wasn't using, and one thing I wanted to use more, and now I have something greater than the sum of its parts!
Remaining concerns and questions for the brilliant Deskthority minds:
1. Is enameled wire (motor/magnet wire) sufficient for this kind of USB connection?
2. I still need to make available the charging port for the BT module. What's the best way to cut a square hole that doesn't look horrific?
3. Should I expect any issues with the EC sensing in the future? There's a battery and a BT module down there now, pretty close to the board. I haven't really given it a prolonged test period yet.
4. Any ideas on where to put the status LEDs so they're very visible, and how to make them visible on the case without destroying the slick aesthetic of this Leopold design. (Some kind of smoked window install?
5. Any other sundry warnings or threats of violence for drilling holes in a lovely bit of kit.
