Ramp start training: Master Caution keeps going off

Hey guys, I'm new to DCS but have been flying Falcon BMS for a while and wanted to try the A-10 as well.

I've been going through the ramp start training but I keep getting audible warning tones and a Master Caution light when I shouldn't be. I'm following the instructor's directions "to the letter."

When I turn oxygen on, audible warning comes on for about a second.

When I test oxygen low, audible warning comes on for a few seconds then turns itself off.

When I turn on APU GEN PWR audible warning comes on for about a second.

When I advance the left throttle to idle the warning comes on until the engine RPM is stable. Same for the right engine.

From watching YouTube videos this should not be happening. What is going wrong?

Do it again and put up a Track for us to see.

As i understand:

APU provides pover for your engines (to turn them on).

APU Gen provides power to your electrical systems when APU is @100%.

(Turning on APU gen before APU is @100% will give Master Caution)

A/C GEN: Will provide power to your system when the engine(s) are running. When a Engine is up and running(With A/C GEN on) and provides power Master Caution will go off till APU GEN is off.

After your engines are running you can turn off the APU.

In short: Battery PWR, Converter STDBY, APU On(wait till it runs up to 100% you can do other stuff in that time), APU GEN on, Engine Switches (Pumps, A/C GEN etc)- and start up Engines. There should be no major warnings then.

Alternatively, ignore the cautions, however I would not normally recommend this. Some times they are there as a reminder that something is not right, and can be ignored (such as APU gen running with engines on).

Also keep in mind that the start up video is from a much, much older version (beta, actually, I believe.), and does not accurately represent the conditions that you will encounter in-game. Things will be different. A lot of those warnings on start up are part of those changes.

 

APU Gen provides power to your electrical systems when APU is @100%.

(Turning on APU gen before APU is @100% will give Master Caution)

 

A/C GEN: Will provide power to your system when the engine(s) are running. When a Engine is up and running(With A/C GEN on) and provides power Master Caution will go off till APU GEN is off.

 

Warning occurs for me when APU is 100%, and I get no warning when APU GEN is running while engines are running.

I'm also not getting any reply from Batumi in the landing training. I'm starting to think there's an issue with my install.

Warning occurs for me when APU is 100%, and I get no warning when APU GEN is running while engines are running.

 

I'm also not getting any reply from Batumi in the landing training. I'm starting to think there's an issue with my install.

That may be the case, but in my experience this type of strange things happening is not usually related to software problems.

You should really post a track so that we can take a look.

(If I understand you correctly, the problems occur within the training missions that come with DCS A-10C. There's no built-in method to save tracks of these training missions, so from the DCS main menu you'll have to select "Mission" and then navigate to the training missions in order to fly them so that you can save the track afterwards).

To post a track, you should first fly/start a mission and reproduce the problem. Once that's done, quit the mission. In the debriefing screen, click "Save Track" and save the track file so some place on your harddisc.

Then reply to this thread, look for "Manage Attachments" and upload the previously saved track file.

Please also write down which version of A-10C you used when recording the track (like "1.1.1.1 standalone" or "Steam version" or "1.2.2 for DCS World") because playback doesn't work well between versions and there are also known bugs that apply to one version but not the other.

My guess would be that your tutorial is either outdated or plain wrong or you're not following it correctly.

There are a few instances in which Master Caution will come on during a regular startup (as suggested before, this will happen when the AC Generators are switched on with the APU Generator still on), but for instance I've never had it come on when switching the Oxygen Supply Lever to on.

But it's really next to impossible for us to tell whether your installation is buggy or you follow the wrong procedure unless you allow us to look over your shoulder.

I'll post a track tomorrow, but I'm not following the procedure incorrectly unless the tutorial itself is incorrect. I'm following the "instructor's" instructions and only working the highlighted switches/buttons when requested.

Here are my comments that may or may not help -

1) There was an update to the training pack for v1.2.2. If you have the same version then try installing them as it might contain bug fixes/updates

http://files.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/250461/

2) IIRC, the ramp start training didn't show the Master Caution light appearing when your engine spools up whilst you have your APU GEN on and your L/R gen's on. However, I believe this is perfectly normal and part of the standard startup. You can dismiss it safely and proceed with the ramp start.

3) IIRC, I think one version of the ramp start mission skipped the bit about turning your MFD's on (rotary switch on bottom left of each screen. Turn them to 'Day')

4) Classic problem with no communications

• Radios turned on?
  
• Radio set to correct freq's?
  
• Correctly set manual/preset mode?
  
• Selecting the correct radio when communicating!! You get the same menu options for each of the 3 radios (you'll see a title at the top of the radio menu that will say something like VHF, UHF etc..). This one had me stumped for a long time, it's subtle but will 100% guarantee no communication if you use the wrong radio!
  

If you use the easy radio communications option to start with then that will take the workload off of you for the time being and it will auto-tune and select the correct radio for you.

Keep going, you will definitely crack it and once you do it's a pretty good feeling.

Cheers, and good luck!

That's probably why, I think I have a much older version....had the game sitting on my desktop forever because I didn't have headtracking and couldn't really play it until now.

And I also bet I was using the wrong radio.

Still no joy with the new training mission. Attached is the track file (I think it's v1.1.1 but I have no idea).

I'm going to try the checklist in the manual instead and see if that makes any difference.

I think my training missions are just porked. With the updated training missions, the landing mission training script refused to advance after setting 110 on the ILS frequency. I had to revert back to the old training mission for it to advance and finish. Upon shutdown alarms starting going off when turning off anti-skid, CICU, and IFFCC, as well as when I turned off the engines.

Next I tried the DSMS training mission and the training script refused to advance past clicking the Waypoint OSB when setting up the LOC power mode for the Mavericks.

If you have version 1.1.1.1, it was fixed in later versions. Old stand a lone versions are no longer updated.

Download DCS World

Download A-10C Module

Install DCS World

Install A-10C Module

Current DCS World & A-10C is 1.2.3

1.1.1.1 was a stand a lone version and is very old now.

That's probably why, I think I have a much older version....had the game sitting on my desktop forever because I didn't have headtracking and couldn't really play it until now.

 

And I also bet I was using the wrong radio.

 

Still no joy with the new training mission. Attached is the track file (I think it's v1.1.1 but I have no idea).

 

I'm going to try the checklist in the manual instead and see if that makes any difference.

I watched the track in the oldest version I still have installed, which is 1.1.1.1.

Whatever startup procedure you were following, it's bad. It' really bad. No wonder Master Caution is going off all the time.

In the current release of A-10C (and in all releases at least reaching back to 1.1.1.1), the startup training mission shows a procedure where Master Caution rarely goes off, and I'm certain that's not the procedure you followed in the track.

In 1.1.1.1 there was an additional bug where right at the beginning of the startup sequence, Master Caution would go off if you switched on the battery and then the inverter. This bug has been fixed in A-10C for DCS World.

As Quirkitized said, you should simply upgrade to the latest version which, as of today, is 1.2.3.

In 1.2.2 there were a few bugs in the A-10C training missions (this had been mentioned before). I heard that the updated training mission would be included in 1.2.3, but the patch notes don't say anything about that and I can't test because the download servers are currently overloaded, so I'm stuck with 1.2.2 for another day or so. Anyways, if in the training missions you get stuck because the instructor goes mute, try the updated training missions for 1.2.2.

Two suggestions...

1. As has been suggested multiple times already, update to DCS World and the latest A-10C module (1.2.3.)

2. Follow a checklist, you can download the checklist I created which mirrors the real world 1A-10C-1CL.

http://www.476vfightergroup.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=29

Whatever startup procedure you were following, it's bad. It' really bad. No wonder Master Caution is going off all the time.

So why was the training script telling me to do a bad procedure...?

I'm a bit confused with this DCS World thing. When I purchased DCS: A-10C it was standalone software. If I'm understanding this correctly, today's DCS: A-10C is a module of DCS World and I need both?

So why was the training script telling me to do a bad procedure...?

I don't know. Was it a beta version? And which training were you following exactly? Did you load it from the in-game main menu "Training", Training Task "Aircraft Operation", Lesson "Aircraft Start-up"?

This may have changed sometime after the first release, or you may have an early beta version. That's a bit hard to tell if you don't even know what version you have installed.

I'm a bit confused with this DCS World thing. When I purchased DCS: A-10C it was standalone software. If I'm understanding this correctly, today's DCS: A-10C is a module of DCS World and I need both?

Absolutely correct. Just follow post #11 and you should be good to go.

Well, I was hoping to do without more downloads and installations but after trying the checklist that paulrkiii provided I still have the same problems. One interesting thing I noticed is that the checklist says to check fuel quantity and oxygen quantity before powering up the APU, but in the version I have that isn't possible: the APU has to be powered on before the fuel and oxygen gauges work. The older version's ramp start must have been messed up. I guess I have no choice.

One quick Q though, about views. The throttle quadrant blocks my view of the VHF/AM radio when at off/idle and thus I cannot tune to tower frequency. Any work around for this?

Well, I was hoping to do without more downloads and installations but after trying the checklist that paulrkiii provided I still have the same problems. One interesting thing I noticed is that the checklist says to check fuel quantity and oxygen quantity before powering up the APU, but in the version I have that isn't possible: the APU has to be powered on before the fuel and oxygen gauges work. The older version's ramp start must have been messed up. I guess I have no choice.

 

One quick Q though, about views. The throttle quadrant blocks my view of the VHF/AM radio when at off/idle and thus I cannot tune to tower frequency. Any work around for this?

Strange, I've been flying DCS A-10C since beta 1 and if I remember correctly the fuel and oxygen gauges have always worked like they do real world, only only Battery and Inverter power. But then again that was over two years ago.

As to viewing the VHF/AM radio, you can do one of two things. Prior to starting the APU move the throttles so you can see, or do like I do, damn near break my neck to view the freqs :D.

I tried moving the throttles but they won't move until after I've brought them out of idle...which I guess wouldn't hurt if I have the fuel pumps and APU off, right?

Yeah the fuel gauge thing confuses the hell out of me. Battery power is on, inverter is on, but the fuel gauge and oxy gauge still read 0...

I tried moving the throttles but they won't move until after I've brought them out of idle...which I guess wouldn't hurt if I have the fuel pumps and APU off, right?

As long as the APU is off you can move the throttles all day and nothing will happen.

Master Caution keeps going off

Pop the master caution CB and #YOLO.

:devil:

Neat trick: LEFT WIN + NUMPAD 1 is a snap view that enables you to see all radio dials unencumbered by the position of the throttle. Take your finger off the WIN key but hold the NUMPAD 1 down while you enter all desired freqs.

Also, I can confirm Snoopy's assertion: Ever since early Beta and up to and including 1.2.3, Emergency Light Panel, Oxygen and Fuel guage test functions operate on battery and inverter power alone.

Interestingly, I tried following a checklist on an iPhone app and the oxy and fuel gauges came to life. I must have missed something before.

Well, I was hoping to do without more downloads and installations [...]

When I watched your track, you didn't switch on the MFCDs. In my version, they stayed black all the time (while your kept hovering the mouse cursor to indicate INS alignment and stuff).

I think you'd be really doing yourself a favor by upgrading to the latest version. Just imagine the zombocalypse is just a little late, you find yourself in a real A-10C ready to blast them to oblivion and then the MFCDs won't come on... :music_whistling:

Pop the master caution CB and #YOLO.

 

:devil:

Hahaha, okay, that will work just as well. :D

When I started with the A-10C, I'd mis-configured my controls, instead of acknowledging Master Caution, I always popped its circuit breaker. Did make for a nice and quiet ride. :megalol:

I didn't switch the MFCDs on because the knobs were already in the "Day" position ;)

I can post a YouTube video instead? It looks like the track isn't being faithful when played on other versions.

I didn't switch the MFCDs on because the knobs were already in the "Day" position ;)

 

I can post a YouTube video instead? It looks like the track isn't being faithful when played on other versions.

Track playback is actually like flying a live mission, but in the playback, the input doesn't come from keyboard, HOTAS and so on - it comes from the inputs recorded in the track file.

Since you never switched the MFCDs to day mode, "my" version never recorded them being switched on and thus my MFCDs stayed off because that's their default in 1.1.1.1.

And that's one of the better playbacks. I've watched playbacks where an A-10C or a Ka-50 crashed right after takeoff in the most current version. Playing the track in the old version where it was recorded, it shows exactly what was described by the pilot.

I wouldn't call playback between different versions "unfaithful" (*). It may work well in some instances and may be way off in others.

Video recordings don't suffer from this, but we won't be able to take control mid-flight and see if we can reproduce the problem.

I'd like to reiterate that you should get the most current release and retry. It's quite possible that the problem won't even exist in that version.

But of course a video recording should be very helpful as well.

Edit (*): But I've also played tracks in the exact same version they were recorded in and see them play out very differently than they should. I think this problem was more pronounced in the past, but it may have been boosted by the relatively slow CPU I had when I watched them.