Ignamious

I've been working on a pit as well, trying to figure getting the switches to the computer easily with the ability to switch computers without installing driver after driver. So far, ive found 4 different ways of doing it with Arduino the Teensy++ 2 with teensyduino makes it so one can easily make a "joystick" with 32 buttons. this also allows one to use rotary encoders to make an "Up" and "Down" Also using the Teensy++2 i found a program called Generic HID allowing one to make a VERY EASY HID device. it makes adding Joystick buttons and Potentiometers really easily. next i found a post here blackleg has a post about interfacing the Arduino and DCS for outputting info to an Arduino. and finally i found this: V-USB this allows a standard Atmel atmegaXYZ to be a USB 1.1 device. I JUST found this about 40 min ago and have done only a little info on it. but at this time it looks like another good solution, specifically because the ATTiny 2/4/8 is Arduino compatible!!! One thing i was looking to do was use the I2C Bus to add more inputs or outputs to the chips and make it so i don't have 45 USB devices. I can make my panels with I2C chips on them and use only a few wires to connect them to the main controllers. I'm still working out the bugs, but i just ordered my foot pedals and in a few weeks i will be ordering my Thrustmaster Warthog hotas and the actualy pit (hopefully) will be started with the month. I myself am building a pit, and sadly i've been stalled by duty, time and the lack of tools. i'm getting ready to start getting my Firmware ready, but am going to need to spitfire it with people who know more then me. http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=97477

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Control Boards: UPDATE 20 Feb 2013: So far, ive found 4 different ways of doing it with Arduino the Teensy++ 2 with teensyduino makes it so one can easily make a "joystick" with 32 buttons. this also allows one to use rotary encoders to make an "Up" and "Down" Also using the Teensy++2 i found a program called Generic HID allowing one to make a VERY EASY HID device. it makes adding Joystick buttons and Potentiometers really easily. next i found a post here blackleg has a post about interfacing the Arduino and DCS for outputting info to an Arduino. and finally i found this: V-USB this allows a standard Atmel atmegaXYZ to be a USB 1.1 device. I JUST found this about 40 min ago and have done only a little info on it. but at this time it looks like another good solution, specifically because the ATTiny 2/4/8 is Arduino compatible!!! One thing i was looking to do was use the I2C Bus to add more inputs or outputs to the chips and make it so i don't have 45 USB devices. I can make my panels with I2C chips on them and use only a few wires to connect them to the main controllers. I'm still working out the bugs, but i just ordered my foot pedals and in a few weeks i will be ordering my Thrustmaster Warthog hotas and the actualy pit (hopefully) will be started with the month.

After Months (ok years) of doing research and trying to figure it out, starting with xplane, and now DCS A-10C i have finally come to the point were i put metal to wood. I've been following y2kiah's thread here for a while now and really like the way that his pit looked, the cad files he created to CNC his build were perfect! and i plan on using them as a baseline to build mine. My intention on posting this is to document my progress, and to share the information that i have available and the sites i've used and any firmware / software that i use as well. including Part numbers of everything i use as well as WIP's Over the next few weeks i'll be building myself the frame and working on the panels, sadly i can only do the loud things on the weekends do to living conditions and the shift work. To start, i'd like to thank everyone who has come before me, and any suggestions to purposed questions is ALWAYS appreciated. Parts LIST: Part Number | Manufacturer | Description | Location AM23ESGC | kingbright | SMD RED/GREEN LED | Backlight for all panels [/font] WEB Links: Warning Panel: First i really like PITBLDR's Warning panel, with one modification it'll be perfect. the real one uses two lamps per warning, with a green filter paper on it. i'm trying to get my hands on one, but it's hard. it's easier to get one from an F-16C/D they are similar, and XB3 so easy to come across for a reference. if i'm lucky i'll be able keep it, and maybe get enough to make it real. in the mean time, i'll be using an SMD BI-Color LED in the form of a SOT-23 (Figure 1) that way i can change the color of the board from red/green or mix the two for an amber color. Authentic? No. but it's easy to do and adds flair, all my DIY panels will be made with this feature. all i have to do is run some 28 GA wire to each lead and one to ground, to a switch. The +DC will then be routed over to a 555 or something similar for some PWM to Dim the lights. That source will be controlled from the actual dimming light switches that are in the cockpit. (this includes the lights on the outside, i will be adding those in as well, with alum-sheeting on the outside. this panel will be made from a locally sourced Plexiglas / acrylic probably Lowe's or home depot so I can use my discount :D Figure 1 - Image may not last More to come. (I'm reassuring the next few posts for the ability to post more without spreading the info.