IBM Beam Spring 5251-USB Converter

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• Apply for: ONLY work on IBM beam spring 5251 keyboard with original control board, original cable and harness, and original solenoid.

• Function: Convert proprietary DB25 interface of IBM 5251 keyboard to standard USB HID keyboard. Perfectly drive internal solenoid with external power supply. The solenoid on/off setting will be saved in Non-volatile memory, and the last status of solenoid on/off will be restored automatically from Non-volatile memory next power-up.

• Description:

  1. Only three keys can generate break code in IBM 5251 keyboard with original control board, which are configured as Ctrl/LeftShift/RightShift modifiers. So the left Alt key have to be emulated with one normal key. So, the functionality of Alt combination keys are restricted.
  2. Because the Alt key is emulated with one non-breakcode key, please follow this pressing sequence for Ctrl+Alt+Del combination keys: firstly, press and hold Ctrl key, and then press and hold Alt key, and last press Del key.
  3. The keymap of converter is fixed, see keymap diagram for details.
  4. This IBM 5251-USB converter use one external Power Adapter for fully drive solenoid. Notes that the modifiers keys (Ctrl/Shift/Alt) won't trigger solenoid action.
  5. If don’t use external Power Adapter, the IBM 5251-USB converter also works well except for solenoid clicking.

• NOTES: The converter just only offers one plug-and-play solution on modern PC for original vintage IBM beam spring keyboards. But because the original IBM beam spring keyboards are designed for speific IBM terminal system, and the keyboard original control board only generate break code for few key even none key, this converter solution is NOT perfect solution of original IBM beam spring keyboards converting for usage on modern PC. Please NOTE that the keymap of the converter is fixed and the converter doesn’t support keymap remapping function. If you need perfect keyboard function and keymap remapping for IBM beam spring keyboards, I recommended the-art-of-state Xwhatsit controller solution.

• Includes:

  • IBM 5251-USB Converter (1 pc)
  • Micro USB Cable (1 pc)
  • Power Adapter (1 pc)

• Price: $89.99 (without shipping cost)

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