Ragtop

Leo Bodnar BU0836X. Why would I put a cap on them? I don't really understand all this electronics business!

Enlightening progress Further update on the lighting panel. Got the extra two pots I needed, the store was one short and I broke one so I had to wait for the internet to provide! I wired the toggles with a common ground which is much nicer to run wires for, but the pots run individual grounds, I don't know if they can use commons too? I used a dual gang pot for the flood light control, as I might play with some real flood lights in the future aswell, not sure yet, they work the same way and cost the same so why not I guess! Anyway, got it all finished and Gadroc was very helpful in getting the pots working properly in Helios. One issue I'm still encountering though is that when I'm in multiplayer sometimes it'll take a lifetime before they respond, even though gameplay is smooth, any ideas on that one? Heres some pics.

Is everyone else as excited as I am for a Red Flag server? Multiple Teamspeak channels, commander in the lobby using LOATC for brief/debriefs!

Like a real airline! :P

Lighting panel is all wired and working! I overtightened one of the pots and it broke, so I've got another one on the way, plus some more for other panels, stall warning/fuel rcvr lights etc. Next panel will be the fuel panel, but I'm gonna have to wait until payday in a week, because I'll be getting another Bodnar board and the other switches.

I'm the same dusan, I've used both, and have found no significant difference between the two. After my clip failed I was hesitant to use it again. Tried it out again to be sure I wasn't missing out, but I'm never wishing for it!

Excuse my ignorance, for I'm about to pickle 2000lbs of dumb question! What is the difference between matrix/non matrix wiring? Thanks!

Been looking at that recently, looks VERY tempting! The Bodnar boards are terrific quality but bang for buck there, can't argue!

Strix, I'm not so smart! I do what I can to help but remember I'm learning all this too :P I agree with shagrat, building the CDU is a very big undertaking and I think youd be happier with the UFC and MFD with displays.

Youre absolutely right, can't believe I neglected to think that! As Strix says, simply wire one of the terminals and the ground.

Avolga as I mentioned in my other thread, youd be much more efficient using ON/OFF and ON/OFF/ON switches. The simplest way I can explain it is that everytime you see an ON in the title, that is an input required. So if you need 5 ON/OFF switches itll need 5 imputs. If you use 5 ON/ON switches youll need 10. Helios allows you to use an OFF switch as an ON.

Good idea! Lots of controllers there, most of which are DT so you have a lot of potential! Increase/Decrease time/views could be useful!

I've attached a document highlighting each toggle switch required for building panels. I might look into doing the other buttons another night!

First post updated with information on toggle switches needed to build panels.

They will be used for any smooth motion rotators in the plane, ILS volume, lighting panel, Stall warning volume etc. For what you are talking about you will need rotary encoders. On an unrelated note, here is a list of inputs required for each panel, and what type of switch you need. I have not specified if they are Momentary or not however, so you will need to research that first. I'm actually surprised how many switches are required, but a lot of them aren't even remotely vital to playing. Toggle Switch Requirements.pdf

I'd say just got for 7 x64, you won't regret it. I made the jump from XP and I can't say a single bad thing about it. You're really just painting yourself into a corner with XP, as it'll eventually be phased out. If you have the option to upgrade to a known stable platform, it should be a no brainer IMO.

You'd be much better served over at viperpits.org, it's mostly Warthog and Blackshark builders here!

Useful info, jealous of you guys that get the proper stuff! Explanation of a couple of parts in my other thread here.

How to on assigning potentiometers using Helios. I touch on an issue that can occur when using virtual panels that are bound to the same thing as your potentiometers, which Gadroc explained very concisely. I simply chose to remove the virtual panel because, hey, I have a real one now, but if you choose to keep it, the bypass cascading triggers will solve the issue, which my video covers.

I'll be making a video shortly to help you guys out. Wiring pots is actually pretty simple after you understand the way the terminals work. Lay the pot on its back so it's got the shaft pointing up at you, with the terminals at the bottom. The one on the left (Minimum amount of the range) will be the ground. On the right side (Maximum range) will be the 5v send. Then the middle is connected to the axis input (RX etc) I'll get on with a video on programming it into Helios now.

Just picked up a potentiometer to test with the BU0836X and DCS, for the Lighting Panel. All works perfectly in Helios, so I'll be getting another 5 of them and some switches, and getting that panel completed. Shout out to Gadroc for clearing some niggles I had while setting up :)

Yes, an SPDT (ON/OFF/ON) Will only require two inputs - (ON - 1, OFF - Null, ON - 2), and the ground will be bound to the ground for either of the two inputs.

I'd start with two, that should be enough to get the consoles put together first. The boards take 32 buttons and 8 axes. Single throw switches (ON/OFF) are the most efficient because they only require one input, double throw, although easier to configure will require 2 inputs each. So get counting! I might put together a chart of requirements for switches and inputs on usb boards. Use the electrical panel as an example; Using ST (ON/OFF) where possible; ST switches = 5, required inputs = 5 DT swithes = 1, required inputs = 2 Total inputs required = 7 Remaining = 25. Using DT (ON/ON) DT switches = 5, required inputs = 10 DT (ON/OFF/ON) = 1, reqired inputs = 2 Total inputs required = 12 Remaining 20. You can see how much there is to be saved when using ST switches here, the cost in work is negligable! BUT: Remember DCS has the luxury of Helios and adaptable LUA files. Considering using other sims? Make sure you can make ST switches work with the sim or you could end up with useless panels.

Ah, understood! As long as youre using only switches which do not have an off state, you can map them directly with no lua midifications.

I'm afraid I'm not a pilot, so I'm not 100% on this, but it seems to me that you're confusing a camera with human vision. It says in the description that the video was made using an NV MONOcular on a camera. Camera's have a single circular lens, hence we see a circle from it. The NVG's a pilot uses however are BInoculars, two lenses, therefore giving a combined image from the left and right, which would appear as a joint oval to the human brain.