I figured it out and made 2 versions 'control' had to be substituted for 'left_control':
{
"description": "control is backspace when pressed alone",
"manipulators": [
{
"from": {
"key_code": "left_control",
"modifiers": {
"optional": [
"any"
]
}
},
"parameters": {
"basic.to_if_alone_timeout_milliseconds": 300,
"basic.to_if_held_down_threshold_milliseconds":0
},
"to_if_alone": [
{
"key_code": "delete_or_backspace"
}
],
"to_if_held_down": [
{
"key_code": "left_control"
}
],
"type": "basic"
}
]
}
{
"description": "Change control to control if pressed with other keys, to backspace if pressed alone.",
"manipulators": [
{
"type": "basic",
"from": {
"key_code": "left_control",
"modifiers": {
"optional": [
"any"
]
}
},
"to": [
{
"key_code": "left_control"
}
],
"to_if_alone": [
{
"key_code": "delete_or_backspace"
}
]
}
]
}