bnepethomas

Just checked out that el-wire looked very cool, wonder how easy it is to splice into multiple lengths?

Apparently the simmeters lighting is controllable, but the guys at Simmeters haven't found a simple way to monitor whether the lights should be on or off. Need to monitor both switch position and Bus Voltages, I have explored that yet. Pretty sure they aren't dimmable, but I found they aren't too hard on the eyes even in a dark room. The F16 build was a bunch of fun, but took a long time and some dosh, really hanging out for someone is DCS world to support the viper. A10 pit was going to be a quick and dirty, so we'll see how it goes. Hadn't heard of EL-wire time for some research ;), be a little careful, you probably want an inverter per panel (thats pretty much how they are sized), and thats how the noise build-ups up. Even if you find a large enough inverter, having that high voltage bouncing around the pit can be interesting, especially if it bites ;) cheers Peter

Good news - the Simmeters instruments have integrated lighting, so that is covered. Re EL sheets, I've got an F16 that I used EL sheets on. Whilst they did the job nicely, but there are a couple of considerations: 1. You need to get them commercially cut 2. The inverters are noisy, especially considering you'll have one per panel 3. The do degrade over time. So whilst I'm happy I got the F16 completed using El sheets for backlighting, this project will just use Leds. Still experimenting with options, but have testing SMD LEDs on veroboard, and they seem to work well. Cheers Peter

Will do, need to organise myself. cheers Peter

Awesome work dude!

Hopefully within three weeks for the RWR, for the switches my primary plan is to use a high capacity Joystick controller (Brydlings), as I want it to be able to use the pit across various sims. Unsure if Helios and the Simmeters wrapper would work, my take is it should, you'll just need to edit the LUA file. Cheers Peter

The Simmeters are a good buy, one little thing, the S/W for the RWR hasn't been released just yet, it lights up but not warnings, S/W should be landing soon. The Displays are from Vitrolight - http://www.ebay.com/usr/vitrolight, they are very crisp. 8.0inch TFT LCD Panel Screen, AT080TN52 V.1+VGA/AV/HDMI No tricks needed, just the usual monitor configuration, and a bit of woodwork :) My current plan is to drive the caution panel via the Open Cockpits output card. Cheers Peter

Progress over the weekend, some work on UFC components and caution panel. Have laser, acrylic and a spray paint, will build. Still have a few buttons to do on the UFC, but getting there. Add one - pre-aged caution panel :)

The S/W is supplied by Simmeters (Workspace - http://www.simmeters.com/software/62-workspace-gl.html), and should work with other modules. Whilst the instructions, could at times be clearer, I've been happy with stability, and they've been responsive to questions. Simmeters supply the LUA script, so there should be no coding needed on your front.

HI Guys Having trouble seeing the wood for the trees here. Modifying my DCS-A10C installation (pre-DCS World) to run against real switches. Have read the very useful thread on it but I'm missing the obvious. In the excerpt from a Joystick input LUA file, I trying to understand what the 922 in the line ["down"] = 922 comes from? I've checked out command_defs.lua and devices.lua, but no hits there. [243] = { ["combos"] = { [1] = { ["key"] = "JOY_BTN19", ["reformers"] = { }, -- end of ["reformers"] }, -- end of [1] }, -- end of ["combos"] ["name"] = "APU T-Handle Fire Extinguisher", ["category"] = "Fire Extinguishers System", ["down"] = 922, }, -- end of [243] Thanks Peter

Thanks Guys, 100% agree, there is nothing like a stream gauge. While you are saving for them save a bit extra for a two good USB hubs, I'd recommend driving them with two ManHattan Hubs, a single hub doesn't quite have enough juice. Cheers Peter

Have you found a good source for PSU's, they are not exactly the thing you find at your friendly corner store :)

The cabling isn't as tidy as it was before linking it all up, but its better than my earlier projects :) The ERWR looks good, haven't yet flown it into action, but if it is anything like the ADI and HSI it should be good. Cheers Peter

Well finally lights on, very happy with the Simmeters instruments.

This is a cool project, may bring a bunch of instruments to life. cheers Peter

Nice work, it was a real tragedy that Saitek never did an SDK, very cool you'd found a way to drive them. cheers Peter

Simmeter's RWR and Flap gauge have landed, now starting to tie it all together

Finally got a coat of paint onto the panel as well as have started playing with a laser to cut and engrave panels. Don't look to closely at the lettering another run is planed, cut a little deep when trying out backlights, and then managed to goof the width of a panel.. all good learnings.

A little more progress, the hard work has been done for the remaining panels of the front panel, cutting done, wiring next. Just ordered flap gauge from Simmeters, so the hole will be there for a couple of weeks :) The gear panel isn't an exact replica, moved the canopy switch and flaps and brakes switches to the panel.. The bottom center panel is the electrical panel. I haven't start on the side yet, so it has good as place an any to stick it. Updated the electronics for the fire extinguisher handles, added a 12-24V inverter.

A Viper would be a beautiful thing in DCS

HI Gus Nothing like playing in the dirt, or trench digging in a plane :) Here's the HSI http://www.simmeters.com/compass-and-hsi-indicators/111-80mm-ehsi-indicator.html and EADI http://www.simmeters.com/attitude-indicators/110-80mm-eadi-indicator.html I'll apologise to your family now re this hobby - its a ball of fun :) The fire handles where recused from an old 727, I was gong to use them on the 737 project, but found another set that worked in a little better. cheers Peter

Yes siree, I'd previously used Flight Illusions and Simkits, on my other sims, so far so good with Simmeters. Cheers Peter

Expensive is relative :) The two displays are the AI and HSI from Simmeters. Cheers Peter

Hi Guys Well as a true pit building tragic I've got another project running. This time for DCS A10C. I had a second unfinished F16 pit from another builder (Dave), decided its time to light up an A10. Tested the Simmeters gauges, they came up good, so game on. Started with a hunk of MDF and a screen for MFD Checked that ThrustMaster MFDs fit on the other side (lets hear it for routers) F16 is a little narrower than the A10 http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa273/bnepethomas/20130605a/P1000832_zps2cef7e9a.jpg New life for the viper And panel construction Fire handles from an old 727

Also interested, would the panel have two layers to give clearance for the mounting nuts for the pots and switches? Cheers Peter