Brand New Sinclair ZX80 Keyboard Membrane

We are pleased to be able to offer new replacement keyboards for the Sinclair ZX80 Home computer.

Easy to fit, this is the adhesive upper layer of the keyboard which sits on top of the contact patches built into the ZX80s motherboard. One of the pictures in the picture gallery shows a ZX80 motherboard and how the switches are built into the PCB layer rather than the keyboard membrane itself.

The keyboard membrane has been manufactured using the latest techniques to make them more resistant to UV light and long term storage, these new membranes will help keep the original ZX80 looking fresh and running for a good few more years.

The integrated keyboard is as close to the original as possible, with some improvement to legibility.

If you are lucky enough to own a Sinclair ZX80 home computer, then you may want a new keyboard to replace a damaged or dirty one, or just to make the machine look fresher. This should also fix problems with not all of the keys on the keyboard working, as the contact patches for each key are made up of two spirals of solder on the main motherboard, and the foil backing on the rear of each individual key (which connect the electrical circuit between the two spirals). The foil backing wears away over time and use.

Please note that if your ZX80 computer has been 'upgraded' to a Sinclair ZX81 (reducing its value substantially), this upgrade includes a replacement ZX81 keyboard layer which merely sits on top of the original ZX80 keyboard, and is held in place by two black plastic rivets. You can remove the rivets and slide out the replacement ZX81 keyboard which should reveal the original ZX80 keyboard underneath

This upgrade consisted not only of a new keyboard overlay which reflected the extra commands and facilities on the Sinclair ZX81 home computer, but also a replacement ROM chip.  You will therefore also need to replace the ROM chip - if you don't have this, then you can re-program the ROM onto a 2532 EPROM (or an EL-2364 EPROM). 

More details appear on the ZX80/ZX81 Forums

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have - a fitting service is available if required.

-- Buy with Confidence - RWAP Services have been supporting the Sinclair since 1987 --

Background Info: The Sinclair ZX80 was the first real home computer sold under the name Science of Cambridge, this was an early machine by Sir Clive Sinclair, with a design that has been heralded for its simplicity and general appearance with a classic white case, offset by its keyboard in black with blue touch keys. 

Unlike later "membrane" based technology, the ZX80 keyboard has a contact helix drawn onto the PCB.  These replacemetns consist of a foil layer which sits over the top of the PCB, so that when you press a key the foil completes the contact circuit.

The foils eventually wear away meaning that the keyboard may no longer work, and so by applying this self-adhesive ZX80 keyboard layer, you can rejuvenate your Sinclair ZX80.