tips for original keyboard

[msknight]

The first zeddy I had, I ripped the old ribbon on opening it. I'm wondering if there are any tips on handling the ribbon cables please for removal and re-insertion, and any recommendations for new replacement membrane keyboards, as I believe there are some out there.

[Paul]

There is nothing preventing the ribbon to break if it's original. It's brittle and can't be rescued.
A replacement is the best you can do.
Warm up the old membrane with a hair dryer then fiddle it of beginning at one edge of the left side.
Most probably there will be glue sticking on the case, it can be rubbed away with alcohol or isopropanol. Make sure to do so before applying a new membrane. The best replacement membranes are those sold by Rich Mellor via his website sellmyretro.com.
Actually they are thinner and better to use than the original.
Do not buy original membranes. They won't last.

[msknight]

Many thanks for the advice.

[Lardo Boffin]

The shop is shut for holidays but there is a clicky keyboard to be had here:

https://www.ginger-electronic.com/en/re ... model-zx81

They are excellent and make using the zeddy a lot easier.

[msknight]

Cheers. Out of stock at the moment, but I've signed up for a notification. Looks good.

[Moggy]

They are good, I have five of the buggers as well as external keyboards and wouldn't go back to membrane now. One problem I do have with them is trying to get the ribbon into the sockets so I found it was just as easy to solder the tails to the underside of the m/board, very good product.

[1024MAK]

If you do want a new membrane keyboard, in the UK, a recommended seller is Rich Mellor, trading as RWAP. I have used these myself.

There are other sellers.

Mark

[Lardo Boffin]

They are good, I have five of the buggers as well as external keyboards and wouldn't go back to membrane now. One problem I do have with them is trying to get the ribbon into the sockets so I found it was just as easy to solder the tails to the underside of the m/board, very good product.

There is a knack to it which I now have after much practice.

They are supplied with little boards now to make fitting easier.

[Moggy]

Thanks Lardo good to know.

However his site doesn't mention or show this in the description.

[Lardo Boffin]

They come with these now:

The shop is open again.