/bento

Bento Mechanical Keyboard Macropad

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Bento Macropad

Bento

The Bento Macropad is a 5-key macropad with rotary encoder designed by Dwin17 (Discord: Dwin#3766, Reddit: nguyedt) with PCB designed by coarse (keyboard.coarse.tech).

Key features include:

  • Powered by QMK Firmware
  • EC11 Rotary Encoder
  • RGB Underglow
  • Per-key single color LEDs

Flashing a new layout

Please do not use QMK Configurator to create firmware for the Bento. The Bento located on QMK Configurator is only for the handwired version and will not work

Make example for this keyboard (after setting up your build environment):

make bento:default

See the build environment setup and the make instructions for more information. Brand new to QMK? Start with the Complete Newbs Guide.

Video Guide for creating macropad firmware manually

Video Guide to using QMK Toolbox to flash your macropad

To put your Bento into bootloader mode, please turn it over and press the reset button located through the cutout on the bottom plate.

Bill of Materials

Part Quantity
Bento Macropad PCB 1
Bento Macropad Case 1 (model available on Thingiverse)
Pro Micro (or equivalent) 1
EC11 Rotary Encoder 1
Rotary Encoder Knob (for 6mm shaft) 1
Reset Switch 1
Strip of 3x WS2812B RGB LEDs 1
Lead wire (for RGB underglow) As required
Cherry MX-compatible switches 5
Cherry MX-compatible keycaps 5

Optional for LED lighting

Part Quantity
Single color LED (2x3x4mm or 1.8mm) 5
330 Ohm Resistor 6
10k Ohm Resistor 1
MOSFET 1

Build Guide

Troubleshooting Guide

  • My Bento isn't registering ANY keypresses

    • Please ensure that your micro-USB cable is plugged all the way in and you are using a working USB port
    • Try a different cable. Make sure your cable can transfer data.
    • The controller may have gotten loose during transit. Please take off the bottom plate and push the Pro Micro controller into the PCB to ensure that it is fully inserted.

  • The keypresses work on some switches but not on others or my rotary encoder isn't working

    • Please ensure that the Bento is flashed with the provided default firmware when testing for functionality. DO NOT use QMK Configurator to create firmware for the Bento. The Bento located on QMK Configurator is only for the handwired version and will not work for keypresses or the rotary encoder. Please refer to this Video Guide for creating macropad firmware manually..

    If you cannot build your own firmware, please contact me with a screenshot of your desired keymap and I can make the firmware for you.

    • One of the Pro Micro's pins may not be properly contacting the PCB. To fix this, please take off the bottom plate, pull out the pro micro, and flip it over to the side where the pins meet the PCB. You'll want to bend the pins of the non-working switch(es) ever so slightly to make sure it contacts the PCB socket. You may want to use some tiny pliers or tweezers. Then push it back in making sure you didn't bend any other pins. It should work again!

Pin Configuration:

Pins

Example: If your bottom right key is not working, bend Pin 14 on the Pro Micro.

  • I can't flash the Bento on QMK Toolbox

    • If you're seeing an error message along the lines of "option requires an argument -- P", please restart your computer and try flashing again.
    • If it states that No Device is Available, please try my flashing method:
      • Open QMK Toolbox and select your Bento firmware ("Keyboard for qmk.fm" can be left blank)
      • Check "Auto-Flash"
      • Press the Reset button on the bottom of the Bento twice quickly - but on the second press, hold it down for 3 seconds before letting go.
      • After a few seconds, the Pro Micro should go into bootloader mode and automatically flash the firmware
      • If this is not the case, repeat the previous steps. It may be helpful to unplug/replug the Bento and exit/reopen QMK Toolbox. Caution: It may take several tries to work due to the finicky nature of Pro Micro clones.
    • If it states that Access is Denied please try the method stated in the previous bullet point. Again, it may take several tries to work.

  • The RGB lights aren't working

    • Ensure that you have not turned it off on accident via a keypress.
    • Make sure the Pro Micro is fully inserted by taking off the bottom plate and pushing the Pro Micro into the PCB.
    • The wiring for the lights may be damaged. Please contact me for further help.

NOTE: If you have received a built Bento Macropad from me, it will be flashed with this layout by default:

Layout