Triggerhappy69

LED Disaster.... My Bad.! .... DAMN..! I was preparing to write an update with pics of panels with working switches and LED's.. But then after some frantic soldering and finally connecting the 5V and 12V powersources to the panels, it all said POOF..! For some strange reason I had designed the PCB's with the LED's in series instead of paralell as my plan originally was..! I had them set up like this: The were supposed to be connected like this: Having 14 LED's on the APU panel alone that would require a powersource of 50 Volt at least..! Well... Back to the PCB designing and new update tomorrow.. (after I have stock up on LED's again.):doh:

R-800 Panel PCB update. Added 09.04.08: New PCB Layout..! It should work now..! This is next in line. Situated to the left of the APU Panel It was naturall to build it next. All the banels, prints and backplates are allready made (no pics yet.. waiting for camera untill later tonight remember..). But it will look like this: All the parts. Rendering of the layout. PCB with components. PCB Top Layer. And finally the bottom layer..

APU Panel PCB Update Fixed the PCB's now.. They Work..! After making three PCB's that did'nt fit (the LED's where out of line from they're backplate holes). I found a way to scan the backplate and import into the Eagle PCB software. And now I have a working layout fot the APU Panel: Both layers with the components. Top layer. And the Bottom Layer. Edit 09. june 2008: I have added seperate resistors for each Backlight LED now. And made the tracks and solderpads a bit wider. The board has been made, assembled, soldered and tested. And it works just fine-- c",)

I whish of all my heart that I could get hold of a set of original pedals like these mate.. But they're pics from the www.sukhoi.ru forum.. I stop by there as often as I can to check out the updates on what these guys are developing.. And they keep impressing me every time.! I have no idea what they are writing. This partly because unfrtunately I don't speak or read russian. And also Babelfish screw up the frames on the forum, so it's no good here.. :cry: But still I look at the pics and that alone is well worth the time spent..! Whish I could give a shout to the members and let them know that they're frigging ingenious... But I can't.. :( I use Hall Effect sencors on all axes on my cougar, and my DIY pedals,. I converted the cougar to hall-effect a long time ago after getting tired of having to open the pometers and clean the wiper-pad to get rid of spiking. And now I am NEVER going back to potensiometers again. Hall effect sencors are easy to install, more exact and the NEVER wear out..! (and dirt cheap as well). I use the Honeywell SS495A1 sencors now. Started of with the Honeywell SS494A, but the A1 is MUCH more precise.. Since they're in my Cougar today I don't use a USB Controller. But I will connect them to Opencockpit's card in the Ka-50 Pit. There are a lot of different USB Controllers out there. And they are all quite easy to set up. However, if you plan on using hall-effect sencors remember that they require a constant 5V source to work. So make sure you find a USB controller that has a 5V output.. The cool thing with Hall-Effect Sencors is that you can set up different type curves just by placing the magnets and sencors differently. Check the pic belos from Honeywell: And here's how they work in general: If you want to do a Hall-effect mod just follow this link to the french Check-Six Forum: http://www.checksix-forums.com/showpost.php?p=635933&postcount=31 Somewhere in that thread there is even a Pdf file that show you in detail what to do.:thumbup: Ps. When modding the throttle it's imeprative that you DO NOT FORGET the resistor.. Forgetting it, or getting all exited will fry your throttle electronics..!

Mystery Panel Designing.. I think it's a combination of several things judging from what i could guess after "babelfishing" the ciryllic..? After finishing the APU panel (Yes, pics are on the way.. just thought i'de use a proper camera to get the details of the consruction). I have been scanning the Internet for a more simple way to design the other panels. By simple I mean having to fabricate fewer parts. And with a method that doesn't require acsess to a CnC router or anything fancy.. Just your everyday garage variety tools..! Here's the general layout. It consists of a 1mm bacplate to fit the toggle swiches on, and to the leftside module of the Pit. On top of that is a 4mm Polycarbonate plate that have all the cutouts for switches, push-buttons and backlighting LED's. It might seem like an impossible job to get the cut-outs right. But as long as you move ahead slowly and always make shure to cool down the poly plate with a mix of water and soap when drilling holes, you'll be good..! Be prepared for a nightly raid into your wifes beautybag to steal her manicure kit though...:music_whistling: 25mm spacers hold the PCB in place, and give some room to solder wires and such (I wish I had done that on the APU panel..) I'm designing the PCB layout still, so I'll have to get back to that.! The Push-buttons are 15x15mm with a 19x19mm backplate to prevent them from moving forwards. On top of the backplate is a 5mm thick 15x15mm Poly-plate with holes for the 3mm LED's and fixing-peg (6mm). Then the print will be glued on, and on top a 2mm thick poly-plate. The sides will be painted white, and then black. White to reflect the light from the LED's back into the push-button, and the black coat is .. well you're not THAT stupid, so I'll leave it at that.. LoL The push-buttons press down a 8mm plastic pipe with a 6mm inner diameter. This fit snuggly over the OMRON tactile switches and are just flexible enough to give a "right" feel. I use the same kind of pipe that you use for aquaruim pumps (or as in my case computer watercooling).

.. sniff.. sniff.. Thanx guys.. I really do appreciate all your feed back..! Hell..! I'd go as far as to say that without it I would have given up ages ago..! You guys RULE..!

Always a pleasure to watch your tutorials Ironhand. Rep inbound..! Although this one brought me right back to VVS504th Cadet training, and smudge's "let's all land our frog's in zero visibility and sidewind" check-flights..! (..dreaming..) Those were the days... c",)

Another Panel Update.. Well just thought I'd share the first drawings for the .. eeehh.. DAMMIT..! I'm completely blank as far as what the panel is called right now.. :music_whistling:

Collective Stick Building Update.. Finished the shroud that cover the Rotor Speed Governor Handles. And also function as guide-slots for the handles. The Collective is slowly but surely starting to look like something now don't you think? The cover that roll over the guide slots will be added later.. Now I'm just pushing forwards for functionality AND form. Because I really want to get started on the Cyclic stick and all it's bellcrancs and solenoid activated "force trim" mechanics.. :helpsmilie: The APU Panel is as near to complete as it can get without having the PCB etched out. Maybe I'm just to picky, but I want every panel to function as seperate units, so that if on breaks down it will not affect the others.. And PCB designing and etching might be easy to learn. But it's damn hard to be good at..! (And so far I'n NOT good..) Also the mechanichs of the rotorbrake handle is an ongoing prosess. I have so far tried maybe three or four different designs that didn't work. But I have high hopes for number four.! It will be a 6mm steel rod that is connected between the rotorbrake handle on the collective and a simple spring-loaded friction brake behind the collective's pivot point.. But more on that later..!

I came accross a guy here in Norway that was stuck with a bunch of SunCom HOTAS he wanted to sell me.. I'll post the link to he's webshop: http://www.computerpartner.no/frame_uk.html

The original Rudder Pedals Here are some pics of the pedals used in most Russian planes.. The KA-50 I think use an other type, but I have no pics of those..

Thank you ..! I will have those m isprints fixed ASAP..! Do you have any idea what the different things stand for?

APU Panel done.. Just a bit of paint, and some soldering of wires now. The 4-Way switch works like a charm..

Will this be available in DCS? Check out the link. And read the last part about force trim in FSX.. http://www.fs-force.com/help2/trim_system.htm

Oh you had better belive that I am interested..! Please send me a copy..!

Re-centering Mechanism Here's an idea that I am working on to make the center point for Cyclic and Yaw axis controllable both mechanicly and Autopilot centerpoint wise.. The green botomplate follows the pedals arround the centerpoint. And the brakepads are fixed with a spring in the front, and another in the rear. Brakepads pivot around the blue peg in the rear. The springs should keep the mechanism slop-free.. The red actuator rotates arround a 4mm hole in the bottom and another (not shown in drawing) in the top. It is activated when I hit the recenter button on the stick. This triggers two events. 1. It sends a signal to the sim by SIOC to recenter the atopilot zeropoint. 2. it also triggers a relay from IOCard that opens up a 12V current to three solenoids (the kind that you use for remotely opening your trunk.. The after-marked kits are dirt cheap, and the solenoids are quite strong and reliable). These are set on all three axis (pitch, roll and yaw) and allow the stick to settle in a new physical zero-point. And it shouldn't be to hard to build from matereal that I have in my garage..?

I am so glad to see you here.. You guys from 3rd Wing have a development zone that is just AMAZING..! I hope we can ask your help when it comes to Gauge Composer and such..? Check out what these guys are up to on : http://www.3rd-wing.net/index.php?showforum=72 And if you REALLY want to ballistic check out what's coming in the new LOSIOC version at: http://charles.contact.free.fr/index.html

Maraudeur..? Are you the same Maraudeur from 3rd Wing..?

Interresting link about Force Feedback Mechanics and electronics: http://www.simprojects.nl/adding_force_feedback.htm

Pitbuilder..! Check this guys site out..! LOTS of reallty good and siple sollutions here.. http://www.computerrepairs.ca/Simulator.htm And also: http://www.computerrepairs.ca/Simulator_Parts_Fabrication.htm

Damn ..! I like them both..! Whats the make and model of that switch? And the LED..? It runs on 3V, But What's the voltage drop and how many mAmps does it require?

.. Jumping up and down in anticipation... I am green of envy.. That setup is just amazing.! I see future nights being spent dreaming of Touchscreens and VGA extensions... c",)

New Update PCB making for DIY'er.. Just added a few pics from tonight..

I can only DREAM of reaching the level of building this guy is on.! I've followed this model for a while now. DAMN it is soooo incredible sweeet..! (.. thinking ..) But of course you were talking about the WEB Page..? I have absolutely no idea whatsoever of how to make a web page..? (Added later... oh say about 4 minutes later..): URZE..? I keep getting a notice that some Explorer Add-On has been deactivated, and that I must avtivate it before using any of the buttons on he's page..? Now that's not a problem in itself, but then the bloddy thing serves me a list of ... say maybe a gazillon add-ons that are de-activated..? And I have no idea witch one to re-activate..? Is it just me..? "Should I know this" I ask Mr. Microsoft..? Do you get the same on your Pc? Do you now this guy? If you do. Tell him from me that he rocks..!

Update Building KA-50 Cockpit 30/3-08 I have been thinking..! (yeah yeah.. I know what you all mumble to yourself now.. ):megalol: Since I have at least three different parts of the Pit I am building at once. And I keep updating the thread sporadicly and with no plan whatsoever. I have decided to add the updates to the already started post on the subject in my thread. Now wasn't that just friggin SMART..? However. It will require whoever bothers to read to do a little flipping between pages to find for instance the "Collective" post...? Any coments on this? I'll always add a post letting you know the thread has been updated, and what post it conserns.. (Damn I am just sooo proud of myself now.. But I am a sucker for a strong argument, so give me feedback:music_whistling:) And naturally I forgot to mention that todays update is in the PCB making and Collective building posts... Well at least that makes the whole argument on my intelligence final.. And all you who voted "noipe, the dude is not the sharpest knife in the drawer". CONGRATULATIONS..! It feels good to right... LMAO