AndrewW's F/A-18C cockpit build

[Battis]

Try these:

 

https://www.dogfightboss.com/product-page/instrument-panels-underlit

 

http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=94&products_id=180

 

Leo’s site has instructions how to wire switches.

 

This is as easy as it gets, and still quite involved :)

[Svsmokey]

In other words im screwed smokey?

 

Certainly not . It just means use baby steps . Learn what things like NC , NO , SPST , SPDT mean . All of these (and more) describe switch and relay configurations , the knowledge of which is essential for what you wish to do . You wire the switches into the usb controller , and Windows (thus DCS) will see it as a controller (think of it as joystick buttons) . Then you can learn about analogue potentiometers used for axis controls , and rotary encoders . Depending on which controller you use , you may be given the opportunity to learn some simple programming as well .

 

Select a usb interface , wire switches , test in Windows USB Devices , assign in DCS , and build from there . You CAN do it .

[ICEMAN2647]

I WILL GIVE IT THE OLD US ARMY TRY. TY sVSMOKEY.

[ICEMAN2647]

I SEE ON THAT SITE THAT I CAN BUY BBI-32 Button Box Interface - With Connectors OR BU0836X 12-Bit Joystick Board. TO MAKE THE F18 PANELING, WHICH ONE DO I USE . FOR SWITCHES LIKE FLAPS, COMMS, LANDING GEAR , LITES ETC.. ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS? TY IN ADVANCE. ICEMAN2647

[Svsmokey]

Both ! The latter offers more flexibility . It has the analogue inputs you need for radio volume controls , and the rotary encoders you need as well . Any multi-position switch (rotary) needs encoders , one for each switch (INS for example) . It has a buncha regular switch inputs as well .

HOWEVER

Baby steps...start with the button box controller and wire some simple switches , get them working in DCS first . You Will have to educate yourself even in the baby step stage . For example many button switches (not all) are momentary in operation , and many toggles (not all) are maintained . A house light switch is maintained , for example . The Fcs trim pushbutton for example , is momentary , it only makes a circuit as long as it is held down .

Baby steps , and educate yourself .

Edited September 27, 2018 by Svsmokey

[Mr_Burns]

Also, start your own thread if you must, not fair for us to drift Andrews thread off topic.

 

 

Or look for another thread asking similar questions such as where to start and resurrect it.

 

 

Also, do you need me to send you a CAPS LOCK button to turn off Capitals?

[ICEMAN2647]

u know i really appreciate ur helping me with this. im gonna start as u stated, with button box and take the time to educate myself with all that u had said. the good thing that i have going is that im advanced with arduino, making codes and switches. i build ground control stations as a hobby for flying my fixed wing planes from motion rc. i have a bunch. however im new to flight simming and i can tell u that the 2 are very different beasts. ur rite, baby steps. cuz in the end i may be advanced with pcb's, arduino's, building switches and codes for rc planes and quadcopters, but with flight simming, i know nothing. i will take ur advice and start with the button box. now let me ask u this last thing. do i buy the physical box or panel to insert the switches / buttons, ? or do i build one myself? would it be wise for me to do it in section? such as,start with the left side of the f18 panels and slowly progress to the right side until im complete with it all, or is there another way or point that i should begin with? btw, when u say button box. where exactly is that at. i think u mean where the left side of the panels below the throttle of f18? i call it the comms panel. or am i way off. sorry for bugging so much, i know ur doing it to help. i thank u again. can u help stupid (me). i think to many yrs in the army got to me and made me slower. or is that called an excuse for old age lol. being 42 sucks. ty again Svsmokey.

[NineLine]

Mr ICEMAN2647, thank you for your service, but we still have rules here, Windows has plenty of options to help make things like these forums more readable, also please don't give out your address, or disparage other users that are only trying to help you out.

 

If you have any concerns about this, please PM me, but let's not derail this thread any further.

 

Thanks

NineLine/Norm

[ICEMAN2647]

OK . I UNDERSTAND. I APOLOGIZE TO THIS THREAD. THANX AGAIN GUUYS, TTYL

[Bullant]

Ugh. What a mess. Missed all of this whilst busy with real life and work.

 

Anyways ... no real progress on the pit, but I have found the time to update to DCS-Bios library to work with the latest Beta of DCS. Can be found in the thread in F18 Controller Bugs, not sure why the mods moved it there, but that's where it is ...

[Bullant]

A bit of progress ...

 

While I try and work out how I am going to afford a full pit and where I am going to fit it, I've been doing a bit of prototyping:

 

I printed and assembled Brun's awesome UFC.

I attached two of the DDI screens behind cougar MFDs. They aren't as big as DDIs but they do the job for now.

I have a switch box (the blue box) that I use for testing and that has the most commonly used switches on it (gear, hook, flaps etc and lighting control pots on the side).

I have some OLED displays coming to sit behind the display windows on the UFC, which will really bring things to life!

 

I really like the look of the new aluminium skinned dogfight boss kit, but I'm a bit afraid to get a quote, especially with shipping to Australia ...

[streakeagle]

How could you go and get your own thread back on topic? Unruly concept! Love the latest progress pics. The latest dogfight boss kit does look great. But I would be happy with accurately dimensioned drawings of the real thing that I could adapt in sketchup so I could make something both reasonably accurate, within my budget, and meeting my needs.

[DeadMeat]

Looking good Andrew. No going back now

[Bullant]

Looking good Andrew. No going back now

 

It is so awesome, even with this minimal setup. You are right, there is no going back. I HAVE to have a full pit setup in my life :)

[ward8124]

What are those screens behind the MFDs?

[Bullant]

What are those screens behind the MFDs?

 

All the details are in the first post mate

 

- 3 x 8 Inch HJ0801A-01E LCD displays (US$135

[NightShiftNinja]

Andrew,

 

would you be so kind to share your wiring on how you managed to get the tablet screen running on an arduino?

 

Thanks

[Bullant]

Andrew,

 

would you be so kind to share your wiring on how you managed to get the tablet screen running on an arduino?

 

Thanks

 

The screens aren't attached to an arduino, they have an HDMI input and then I simply export the DDIs.

 

I do have a screen coming that has an Arduino interface that I plan to use behind the UFC, but it hasn't arrived yet.

[NightShiftNinja]

The screens aren't attached to an arduino, they have an HDMI input and then I simply export the DDIs.

 

I do have a screen coming that has an Arduino interface that I plan to use behind the UFC, but it hasn't arrived yet.

 

ok i guess ill have to look again, the only screens i could find witht he model number you posted were replacement tablet screens that would have had to be wired up. HDM is a way better option

 

(also check your pms)

[Bullant]

ok i guess ill have to look again, the only screens i could find witht he model number you posted were replacement tablet screens that would have had to be wired up. HDM is a way better option

 

These are the exact models (and seller) that I purchased

 

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HDMI-Control-board-8inch-HJ080IA-01E-1024x768-IPS-Lcd-Panel/312206144465?hash=item48b0efb3d1:g:KU4AAOSwgJ1bY9Iy:rk:1:pf:0

[ward8124]

All the details are in the first post mate

 

 

No worries - I missed it and now looking to get my own. I'll need three of them so need to figure out thew cables and what ports they will connect to etc.

[Warthog4569]

Did you die Andrew? Just starting to build my F-18 Cockpit and was looking for dimensions and cool ideas. Any updates would be greatly appreciated!!

[Bullant]

Still alive, just super busy.

 

Not really made any more progress on the pit unfortunately, but planning on probably building a version of the openhornet pit.

[Patmaster]

Hey how did you get these 8 inch LCDs to work? I don't see them sold with driver boards. Did you 3D print a customs houing for the TMFDs and screens?

[Fusedspine33]

Hey how did you get these 8 inch LCDs to work? I don't see them sold with driver boards. Did you 3D print a customs houing for the TMFDs and screens?

 

 

Sure there are..

 

 

VSDISPLAY 8 inch EJ080NA-05A LCD Screen 8" 800x600 Display Monitor Work with HDMI LCD Controller Driver Board https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SBYR523/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_Oxv6Eb8QG848J

 

 

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