PanelBuilder

Thanks pitbldr. Maybe a kit, down the road, if folks need it. Cheers, Colin

I'm sure it is strong. It even looks strong. The dificulty, I think, is that it's not hard. Cheers, Colin

It's a beautiful thing, man. Colin

Have you ever! This is fantastic work man. Cheers, Colin

I think this is brilliant. If nothing else, it defines the space, almost instantly. For switch panel reinforcement, clipboard generally works prettty good. I've gone through a lot of dollar store clipboards. Cheers, Colin

I think we're getting there. But this model servo is a little flakey at the top end of the gauge scale. Can't quite do 180 deg throw. Here's the vid: Cheers, Colin

Some pics of a new design: MKII1.bmp MKII2.bmp MKII3.bmp Cheers, Colin

Whatever. I have a distinct feeling that your definition of "exact" is a little more stringent than most of us. Cheers, Colin

I was thinking something like this: http://www.us.kingbright.com/images/catalog/SPEC/KB2885SGD.pdf Colin

Thanks man. Your panel's holding up fine. Basically indestructable I think. For the cutoffs, I decided to go with 4 latching pushbuttons untill I can get my hands on some push/pull switches. Cheers, Colin

Hi, These are still very much in development phase. Next up is a simpler design with a smaller servo. After that I've got to do one of the gauges with the little inset dial. I need to find out if the smaller servo will drive that whole gear train. Cheers, Colin

Thanks. For this one I just reprogrammed one of my input boards, but going forward I'm loooking at this: http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1352 I just have to make sure it will do 12 channels of 2400 us pulses. Cheers, Colin

Absolutley. It's driven by a servo, geared up from 180 deg. travel to 270 deg. travel. I used 27 tooth and 18 tooth gears but other combinations are possible. I'm experimenting right now with a smaller, cheaper servo. With 12 of them required, they're going to have to be under 10 bucks a shot. Cheers, Colin

Really, just a proof of concept. The graphics are from the Helios home page; but the sorry reproduction is all mine. Gauge.bmp Cheers, Colin

Splendid. That would also make that panel a nice even 16 digital inputs (by my count). Cheers, Colin

This is fantastic. One question out of curiosity: what dimensions are the individual indicators? Thanks, Colin

Also might want to have a look at Hagstrom: http://www.hagstromelectronics.com/products/modules.html Cheers, Colin

Very nice indeed. These are the exact two panels I was going to ask you about, except I know you've been swamped. On the AHCP, can I suggest that the bottom layers extend down past the HARS fast erect? Then the top layer for that could be a separate small piece. Cheers, Colin

This drawing should be the standard IMHO. Colin

Funny thing is in the picture of the Left Front Dash in the manual, there is actually a switch handle coming out of the gauge.

If that mini-stick is a 2-axis pot it's not going to be a drop in replacement for a hat switch. Cheers, Colin

But that is about using SOIC cards, isn't it? Is that what you have? Colin

What are you trying to control with the axis input ? Colin

Ingenious! Colin

Good plan. Not a good plan. DCS only allows you to do so much with keystrokes and button presses. OK for momentary pushbuttons but that's about it. You need to import the switch states with lua. Cheers, Colin