rel4y
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Everything posted by rel4y
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As said earlier, I am experimenting with several major design options: Warthog, SergeyPe ALPs and other ALPs. Currently, I am testing several 9-way ALPS automotive switches, the drawback is that these will likely need some diode matrix or an extra IC. Looking at pictures I believe Virpil are using these as well, but without diodes... Not sure how that works. Talking in terms of sophistication though I would argue that the original OTTOs are also just 4 or 5 microswitches, either tactile or not, molded in a nice quality case. The only real difference in functionality is the force required to operate these, which is basically just a question of spring (plate) forces. There is no magic involved with OTTOs and off the shelf ALPs switches will probably outlast the OTTOs in a desktop environment, as they are rated for lower voltages and thus produce less wear on the metal contact parts.
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Today I have pretty much finished all the buttons, hatswitches and stuff I will need in the future. First is a picture of the OTTO trigger. I didnt invest too much time into the case, as I most likely wont be needing it. Second picture is the F-16 grip locking nut, which I have reworked and it should be to original specs now. (Huge thanks once again to Korbi!) The third picture displays all the trim hatswitches I have modeled to date. left: F-16 original trim hat, middle: large Mason trim hat, right: OTTO large T4 trim. I dont like the shape of the original large Mason trimmer, but the other two are sexy!
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Nice work and really clean looking prints!
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Thanks again for helping me out Phil! Yeah, the shift regs will be recognized by any TM base (incl. Warthog) as they are the same 4021 chips as on the TM vanilla shift regs. However, they are currently sold out and I have made a new & improved layout after some valid criticism. The new layout has all pin holes arranged to fit a standard 0.1 in matrix, so it can be stuck on top of eg a breadboard. Further, they now have two M2 mounting holes so they can be screwed onto something. The rework was quite extensive and I will make a batch of the new layout soon. Without context this post seems pretty out of the blue, so let me explain: As I knew of Hempsteads outstanding past CAD work on the F-16, I contacted him for help on the trimhat font via PM. And sure enough he was gracious enough to help me, and you all for that matter, with a good font and even provided his CAD model of the trim! Now, thats awesome! Thank you so much Hemp and great engineering btw! I might have to ask you one or two further questions in the future, so dont be surprised.. Now here is my take on the Mason Trim. While its not 100% finished yet, Ive had enough of it for a few days. The radius of the text is not the same as of the brim and thats correct btw. Modelling text based cut extrusions on a curved surface is an absolute nightmare... This has got to be the 8th plague to scourge mankind! I was so aggravated at one point, that I had to take a walk outside in the rain and cool my temper. Whoever programmed the text feature into CAD software must be an absolute misanthropist of most vicious character! Geez... Here are the pics.
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Not sure if you have already done so, but you can contact me under mtwsims @ tutamail . com.
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Not sure if thats exactly what you are looking for, but I could offer you this little MMJoy2 board. I made it for my BRD DS base and it supports 6 digital (14 Bit TLE5011) or analog axes (or a mix of both) as well as two shift reg inputs. The two shift reg inputs support the full 128 buttons and all Thrustmaster compatible sticks (4021 shift regs). I have currently uploaded the same firmware I am personally using on my BRD DS with a TM Warthog stick and two digital TLE5011. The PCB is a high quality US made (OSH Park) one with ENIG gold plating. (20€ complete with soldered Arduino and MMJoy2 flashed) You can also have two ready made TLE5011 GMR sensors with 0.1 in header pinout I have left over (hole spacing is the standard 34,4 mm, M3). The same ones I have also uploaded on OSH Park as open source files: https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/QlLrcnAk 15€ for both sensors. Dont worry, it actually works. I am kinda well known in the TM Cougar and CH mod scene, here is my thread: These are basically just spare parts from my own builds and I have too much stuff laying around. In case you or anyone else is interested, please email me at mtwsims@tutamail.com. Here are some pictures:
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Alright guys, I am back! Sorry about the long silence, life has a tendency to get in the way... Lately, I have been modeling a bunch of OTTO hats & buttons to original spec and this is where I am at currently. (Big thanks to DeadMeat!) All shown parts are 100% to OTTO spec (maybe except the CMS, working on it) and I am especially proud of the F-16 COM hat, which I believe is the most beautiful of all variants. (Huge thanks to Korbi!) The plan is to make a "universal" type hatswitch to real OTTO specs available at affordable cost and no soldering required. I have ordered all sorts of ALPS and OMRON switches to try and make the most realistic and reliable hatswitch I can. There are already several types of variants modeled in CAD that I wont showcase yet, like the TM style with a spring, the SergeyPe style and the CH style. I will also make a variety of CH aka APEM (like) hats available for a reasonable price and probably open source the STLs while I am at it, because thats just ridiculous... https://www.digikey.de/en/products/detail/apem-inc/500-526/2063280 In case anybody owns a real F-16 CMS hat or knows a guy that does, please contact me and receive my eternal gratitude. Late last year I got into MSLA printing and by now I have pretty much mastered it to the point I am churning out perfectly dimensioned parts. The printing mechanism allows me to manufacture parts to sub 0.02 mm precision, which is absolutely incredible. Here are my Cougar stick sensors printed with my lovely MSLA printer and I actually was able to tighten up the tolerances to pretty much null. Consistency is amazing after a few mods to the printer and a good understanding of what the heck I am doing. Honestly, I still believe there must be some black magic involved with this stuff! The only downsides are the quite involved clean up process as well as the likely toxic fumes of the resin... But damn, whats permanent lung damage in comparison to a bunch of perfectly printed parts?! Gotta have priorities!!
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Magnetic Base (HOTAS Warthog) replacement potentiometers
rel4y replied to Bergison's topic in Thrustmaster
Thank you for confirming! Btw I am a huge fan of your work on the RTOS based controllers! I had a chinese Due with your firmware running on my primary Stick for two years and its awesome. Still waiting on that MLX90363 integration though. Thank you for all your great work! -
Awesome, good job! Great to hear everything is working now.
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Does DCS recognize it now? I am more of a hardware guy, so I fear I cant help much with the Software side.
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Magnetic Base (HOTAS Warthog) replacement potentiometers
rel4y replied to Bergison's topic in Thrustmaster
Ah sorry, Joe! The Cougar throttle hall mods were out of stock and I marked you as preorder. I probably read your mail to literally and this was bad communication on my side. Currently, I only have time to respond to mails about twice a week and then I answer about 30-40 mails. This is just a hobby for me and not my main job, so please dont take the delays personally. Once the Force sensors ship out, I will probably have to scrap the Cougar sensors completely due to time constraints. Its also no fun procuring automotive parts like the ICs I use in these sensors anymore, total hogwash... Thanks mate, youre the best! I will soon post another update on the force sensing progress. I know its painful to be kept waiting like this, but I am really trying to get it ready before Christmas! Its been a big investment on my side - time and money, but I dont want to throw it on the market before I am 200% convinced its perfect. -
Magnetic Base (HOTAS Warthog) replacement potentiometers
rel4y replied to Bergison's topic in Thrustmaster
I am pretty sure the TM Warthog has the MLX sensor wired up in SPI (aka digital) mode. Could also be PWM or ratiometric looking at the sensor datasheet, but I sort of doubt it. On an unrelated note, how in the world does TM list the Warthog as 16 Bit res when the MLX spec sheet says 14 Bit over 360° in SPI mode. That would be like 9-10 Bit resolution at the actual 60°... WHAT?! I think I will have a peek into what mode is actually used next weekend, thats worth looking into concerning potential mods. Mine is also compatible with Warthog, Cougar and Simpits. Its the same exact base mod with different mounting plates. -
No, sadly I dont think that would have much benefit with this design. As you said one would have to rework the internal mechanism, as the lever that converts linear into rotational movement is not long enough to support that. Then you would have to cut down the internal plate that supports the Throttle grip, which first removes the dust protection of the slot and would probably make the grip really unstable and imprecise. A completely new design would make much more sense than going through the hassle of dremeling the Throttle base imho. It is a plug and play mod, you simply unplug the old pots and replug the new CH sensors. They have the same three spade connectors and dimensions. The CH upgrade mainboard is also plug and play and a direct replacement for the vanilla board with the exception of no CH control manager support. The only prerequisite really is having a Phillips screwdriver at home. Prices are listed in the first post.
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Hello, I am the guy who makes these Cougar sensors. My MR sensors actually have slightly increased electrical output range compared to the vanilla pots, about 0.3V more. Also they are automotive MR sensors instead of hall sensors and therefore dont have all the related calibration problems. The Vipergears generally have very limited range, thats due to the akward hall sensor orientation they chose. Currently I only have one single last MR sensor, so in case you are interested you can PM me or write an email. Cheers!
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Today, the TM adapter/ thread parts have finally arrived at my doorstep. The CNC job quality and fit is flawless and the aircraft grade Aluminium looks and feels amazing! I am very happy how these turned out! Here are some pictures so you can make up your own mind. I havent cleaned them yet, so there are still splashes from the cooling liquid visible. The final product will be assembled as shown in the earlier renders, it is very similar to the FCC to be able to fit F-16 spec simpits. However, the black magic electronics wont be visible on the finished product.
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Hey Icaro, Sadly not. I havent found a trottle quadrant to buy for a decent price tag. If anybody is interested to borrow me his throttle quadrant, then I will take a look at it and obviously give the finished mod for material price to the helping hand. Heres the current stock: 15x CH sensor (22€) 1x 12 Bit CH upgrade mainboard (32€)
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Yes, that's the "raw" force sensor, without all the electrical stuff. The plastic screw is just a placeholder, that's why I added the metal screw (TM adapter) part will arrive within the next days. That part is made from an aerospace grade 7000 type aluminum alloy with really high tensile strength and not the standard purpose 6000 type alloys. It's way overkill, but it's pure awesomeness!
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Hey guys, I just returned from three weeks summer vacation and I wanted to post two quick pictures that might be of interest! The bigger disc to the left is the Warthog adapter plate. The metal screw (TM adapter) parts will arrive within the next days and for production units I will obviously clean the protective foil grime off the lasercut parts. Ill start answering emails tomorrow and also post an update of whats in stock!
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Wow, just saw the throttle axis pot is SMD mounted on the PCB, thats a dick move.. Sadly, from this video its impossible to tell what pot type is used in the rocker mechanism.
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I have designed a contactless sensor replacement (magnetoresistive) for this pot type, which will solve spiking/ worn pot problems once and for all. Earlier I made a version based on an Allegro hall sensor, but that was more of a hassle than what it was worth. Only thing is I designed the axle to fit the Cougar & TM16000 sticks which have different shafts. I dont know what shaft type and length the TWCS throttle has. Could somebody send me pictures and/or check shaft diameter and length? The shafts are either ~4 or 5mm in diameter and 12 or 15mm long.
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The boards are back in town! Finally, a long awaited shipment of Arduinos arrived my doorstep and I can offer the USB adapters and CH mainboards again. The prices will increase by 2€ each, which is simply handing down the increased material cost of the boards themselves. Also a new and larger batch of Cougar ANT sensors is ready as well as new Cougar stick sensors and Cougar throttle hall sensors. Heres a list of the current stock: 7x Cougar Stick sensors (42€) 10x Cougar USB Throttle adapter + 14 GMR sensor (32€ + 20€) 10x Cougar Throttle hall sensor (22€) 4x Cougar Ministick (22€) 20x Cougar ANT sensors (22€) 10x CH sensor (22€) 5x 12 Bit CH upgrade mainboard (32€) 2x 4021 shift registers (10€) A bunch of emails have piled up once again and I will answer them now. Production updates about the Force Control unit are also inbound, stay tuned. Hey Aries, Have you perhaps removed the 22 pin header connector on the throttle mainboard at some point? Also check if the adapter is seated correctly on the 16 pin header.
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Sorry about the lack of updates recently. I have been pretty busy getting the force sensing base finished, as well as another awesome mystery mod. Very soon I can showcase the first full metal one. Just today I held a sample of the aircraft grade Aluminium (or Aluminum for you crazy Yanks) threaded TM Adapter in my hands and it felt amazing! Its made from very high strength & high toughness Al used routinely in aircraft wings and waaay overkill for home desktop use, but thats why I love it so much! This thing is gonna be awesome! Now I have to design the USB controller which runs uri_bas firmware and emulates all models (old analog, digital, custom) of the FLCS. This is not necessary if you simply want to hook it up to the Cougar base/ Cougar mainboard. Hey Wittman, How are you doing my friend? I hope your Cougar sensors are still going strong! Your throttle magnet was propably on the longest journey of all parts I have ever sent out. Unfortunately, the ANT sensors I had made are all sold out. I will make a new batch soon, but I had to change the supplier of the ICs as delivery wasnt expected for several months. Hard to say when they will be back, probably early July. Awesome, great to hear you are happy with the mods!
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The ANTs are here! Yay! After an eternity and two weeks, I can finally proudly present the new contactless Cougar Throttle ANT sensors. They are working very well and I am very excited about showing them off, although I have already messed up two sensors learning and playing around with the angle programming feature. This cool feature allows me to program the min/ max voltage output of the sensor to correspond to the exact min/ max angle actually used in practice. For the Cougar ANT pot this means 270° of rotation in total. The PCB design allows me to use them on 5V as well as 3.3V and to hardcode rotation direction either clockwise (CW) or CCW. It is possible to program them anywhere between 18° and 360° (but mostly suitable for angles above 90°), which opens up a whole world of new possibilities. The same PCB will be used on the RNG sensors which are the next sensor type I am planning to offer for the Cougar. Currently I only have 8 working sensors and therefore they are gonna be vaporware initially, as most of them are already reserved. Please keep in mind that these sensors do need to be soldered (and the vanilla pot needs to be desoldered first), so soldering is required for this sensor! --- I am glad you are happy with your purchase and great pictures! Enjoy your new mods!
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Are you using pullup resistors on the CS and DATA lines of the shift regs? I use 10k pullups on both and that solved some problems with long leads for me.
