Button box with axis input

[Verde]

Hello pilots!

I have little problem. I want a simple solution for making button box, I found several ways doing it, but the question is how to make not only switchable buttons but an axis wheel thing as well. I saw a guy on the internet who dissasambled used joystick and converted stock potencometers to other. This is trhe hard part, vidoe doesn`t reveal what are they. And i quess every joystick has their own. There are universal PCB for buttons but i havent found for axis. I would like the interface to be straight to USB. This is an axample of simple button PCB, would like to find something for axis as well:

[bohemond]

Check out Leo Bodnar's boards. Pricey, but foolproof. I've three of them.

[Sokol1_br]

Avoid arcade control boards - arcade in general don't need axis - and get a "joystick" control board. :)

 

Besides the suggest L. Bodnar BU0836A you can use DSD (free shipping) boards.

 

http://www.derekspearedesigns.com/12-bit-controllers.html

http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU0836/

 

Are several other "joystick" board options, but the 2 above is well know and used.

 

Or get a Arduino PRO Micro, Teensy for little money and flash with MMJoy2 firmware - topic there - a customisable joystick controller.

Edited December 19, 2016 by Sokol1_br

[Verde]

Thanks guys for your answers. Anybody else has any suggestions?

[Braeden108]

I'd go for a leo bodnar board. Gives you plenty of buttons and easy axies. An arduino and mmjoy is also an option. But it takes a little more work.

 

You need 100k ohm potentiometers. They should be abundant at. Your local electronics store. If you need help sourcing parts from digikey I'd be happy to help. They rotate 270 degrees usually. But what exactly are you doing with the axis. There might be something that fits your needs better than a pot.

Edited December 19, 2016 by Braeden108

[Sokol1_br]

You need 100k ohm potentiometers

 

For use in USB cards better use pot between 10 and 50K. 100k tends pick noise.

 

For trim purpose use geared potentiomer, but don't go above 3:1 or you will take a half hour to trim a elevator. :)

Edited December 19, 2016 by Sokol1_br

[Johnny Dioxin]

Check out Leo Bodnar's boards. Pricey, but foolproof. I've three of them.

 

Really? So have I! :thumbup:

 

Can't go wrong - really simple (especially if you buy the no-soldering version, tho it is expensive), last for years and very simple.

 

I have one as a A-10C UFC copy, with a trim wheel and pedals also running off it.

Another used for a 12 button box, plus a 18 switch box and 6 rotating knobs.

And a third for my sim racing pedals.

 

No need to mess with any software at all.

[Goblin]

If you want to do trims, I can recommend using rotary encoders. They output a button press for each 'detent' they are turned, either way. It's like using a PoV hat for trimming, but with a wheel.

Works great!

[Verde]

Rotary encoders sounds good, good hou give a example please?

[Abburo]

Leo Bodnar ;)

Attached a picture of my button box with 3xLeo's boards

Edited December 19, 2016 by Abburo

[Braeden108]

Here's a nice encoded with pushbutton

https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/tt-electronics-bi/EN11-HSM1AF15/987-1188-ND/2408766

You might not need the push button though

[Goblin]

Rotary encoders sounds good, good hou give a example please?

 

I just used encoders like these

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10pcs-12mm-Rotary-Encoder-Push-Button-Switch-Keyswitch-Electronic-Components-/121993737161?hash=item1c6764b3c9:g:GowAAOSwU1FXQL76

[Verde]

Thx guys for your answers;)