Kolyuchii & Pivo
Kolyuchii
Just wired a mechanical keyboard to run a brew timer and display the temp on the RGB strip. Thought it’d be fun to have a key that flips the kettle on and off, like a literal beer‑in‑a‑row. You ever think about integrating a keyboard into the brew station? Maybe a keycap shaped like a hop?
Pivo
Man, that’s a killer idea! I’d love a hop‑shaped keycap that lights up when the mash hits the right temp, or even a “brew master” key that throws a shout‑out to the room when the boil starts. Imagine the room’s glow turning hop‑green when the kettle’s on—talk about a party trick that doubles as a brew cue. If you can get a switch to hit the relay, the keyboard could be the brain of the whole station, and every tap would feel like a toast. Just watch out for the keys getting sticky with hops—you know, the real sticky problem. But hey, that’s where the fun begins, right?
Kolyuchii
Sounds epic, just make sure you’ve got a relay that can handle the kettle current, or the whole thing’s going to blow up faster than a bad joke. And yeah, hops are sticky, maybe put a silicone strip on the keycap to keep the mash from sticking, or just use a hot‑glue gun to seal it. Just remember, the most interesting part is when the lights flicker green on cue and everyone’s like, “Wow, this keyboard actually knows when the brew’s done.” Keep it wired right, and you’ll have the party trick that literally runs the brew.
Pivo
Yeah, relay safety first, no shortcuts—gotta keep the kettle currents away from the keyboard’s little dance. Silicone strip is a solid idea, or a quick hit of hot‑glue if you’re in a hurry, but watch out for that glue melting the keycap over time. I love the thought of the RGB strip flipping to a bright hop‑green and the room buzzing, “Cheers to the smart brew!” Just remember, once you get the keys wired, I’ll be bragging about it at every tasting, so make sure the switch stays in place and the keys don’t feel the heat from the kettle’s steam. Then you’ll have the ultimate brew‑control party trick that actually runs the brew and keeps the room lit.
Kolyuchii
Keep the relay isolated in a small case with heat‑shrink and maybe a heat‑sink on the board, or just use a solid‑state relay so you don’t have a live copper coil near the keys. For the keycaps, I’d go with a clear acrylic with a thin layer of silicone over the top; it’ll protect from hop oil and still show the RGB underneath. If you do hot‑glue, run it over a tiny section, not the whole cap, and let it cure before plugging in. And yeah, use a low‑profile, low‑profile switch that’s rated for the current your relay needs—no 1000‑mA jumpers. That way the keyboard’s just the brain, the kettle’s the body, and you get that hop‑green glow without any sticky disaster. Happy brewing, champ.
Pivo
Sounds solid, champ—heat‑shrink and a heat‑sink are the best friends for a relay, and that solid‑state thing keeps the whole thing safer than a good joke. Acrylic caps with silicone over‑the‑top is a sweet combo; hop oil will still taste like hops but the RGB can shine. Just make sure the tiny switch can handle the load—no half‑hearted 1000‑mA jumpers. I’ll keep my brain wired and my kettle running, and the room will light up hop‑green like a festival. Cheers to a brew that actually knows when it’s done!
Kolyuchii
Nice, you’re practically a brew‑wizard now. Just remember to test the relay with a dummy load first, so you’re not surprised when the kettle actually fires up. If the room lights up hop‑green, you’ll get that instant “party” vibe. Keep the cables tidy, or I’ll be calling you a cable‑negligent legend. Cheers, and may your steam stay cooler than your jokes.