Build your own button box easily!

[Pac-Man]

 

 

Another video will be coming showing the step by step process. But it really is just plug n' play.

[A2597]

I'm actually planning something nearly identical to this, using the zero delay. (I used one to build a virtual pinball cabinet last year. Very easy to use)

 

There's a second board that's just like the zero delay, but has two axis inputs for a proper joystick, which I was thinking of using for two rotory knobs.

 

Waiting to get my throttle before I start building though.

[Pac-Man]

I'm actually planning something nearly identical to this, using the zero delay. (I used one to build a virtual pinball cabinet last year. Very easy to use)

 

There's a second board that's just like the zero delay, but has two axis inputs for a proper joystick, which I was thinking of using for two rotory knobs.

 

Waiting to get my throttle before I start building though.

 

 

Can you link that board?

[A2597]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07744T6KQ/?coliid=I16298EEEJIE46&colid=3QT31JNF1EIYW&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

[DERacing]

You can use the three button toggles and the rotary with that board.

 

 

For the toggle, you have to use two inputs on the board. But you solder a common ground on the toggle that runs to both inputs. Same with the rotary. If you have a rotary with multiple clicks, then you have to use an input on the board for each position.

[FragBum]

Nice video, I do think a lot of people get caught up in either trying to replicate someone else 's design or get lost but really it's got to be functional for the users application. That said it can be daunting if you don't know your positive from a crimp and why you might need a common return,.. :D

 

I would recommend the use of at least suitable crimps for connection to the switches. Although for me soldering or crimping is fine. :)

 

I've been rolling with a Leo Bodnar 836 which will provide up to 8 analogue axis inputs and 36 buttons or combinations of rotary encoders or two way switches.

 

Actually I have no "bought" input devices for my VR sim pit but I do need to do a major rebuild going forward. :thumbup:

[farmertom]

I like it!

Can the zero delay controller boards be daisy chained together? That way you could get more than 10 buttons. Looking at the pictures from Amazon website, I see a 5 pin USB connector. Can that used for daisy chaining? Thanks :joystick:

[farmertom]

Another question. :book:

How does DCS recognize the new joystick/USB controller? Does it automatically show up in the controls section of the GUI? Can you point me towards any documentation using a USB controller?

 

Thank again.

[Sokol1_br]

How does DCS recognize the new joystick/USB controller?

 

Windows recognize and install this kind of USB controllers with their native HID drivers, so is just "plug-n-play", their appear in Games Controllers like a ordinary joystick.

 

Same happens in DCS.

 

But I find this Zero board too limited (for flight sim use).

- Use the same cheap micro controller used in cheap gamepads - that black circle in middle of board.

- Is only 6 MHZ.

- $10 for 10 buttons(?) looks cheap, but proportionally is more costly than the popular BU0836A ($36)- that additionally have 8x 12 bits axes inputs and encoder support.

[slowmover]

Windows recognize and install this kind of USB controllers with their native HID drivers, so is just "plug-n-play", their appear in Games Controllers like a ordinary joystick.

 

Same happens in DCS.

 

But I find this Zero board too limited (for flight sim use).

- Use the same cheap micro controller used in cheap gamepads - that black circle in middle of board.

- Is only 6 MHZ.

- $10 for 10 buttons(?) looks cheap, but proportionally is more costly than the popular BU0836A ($36)- that additionally have 8x 12 bits axes inputs and encoder support.

 

 

After make button boxes i have made i think leobodnar boards worth the money.Especially if you are at europe.

[Raisuli]

You can get completely carried away as well. I've already taken these boxes apart and should have the Mk 2 system up and running shortly after I get back from vacation; that has three MFDs with screens behind them and is configured for a few different aircraft.

 

 

I should add, as a public service, that yes, building a button box is easy, and you have a reasonably simple box with a couple switches that do the things you want done easily...but then watch out...because the next step is:

 

 

 

You know, it would be really easy to add...I'll bet I could... And you'd be right, but then you spend more time working on solutions to technical problems than flying. It's a trap!

 

 

 

 

Edited May 6, 2019 by Raisuli

[farmertom]

You can get completely carried away as well.....It's a trap!

 

Yeah, I understand mission/requirements creep.

 

Nice looking boxes of buttons... How do you get the printing on the bezel? Is it a DIY process?

[Raisuli]

Yeah, I understand mission/requirements creep.

 

Nice looking boxes of buttons... How do you get the printing on the bezel? Is it a DIY process?

 

 

Those are clear labels on white epoxy paint on red electrical fiberglass. I'm much smarter with version 2 and use white labels on white epoxy paint on red electrical fiberglass.

 

 

The plan is to resurrect one of them and use it for testing a few things, but the new version is much nicer. If I ever break down and build a real simpit (rather than sitting on my computer desk) I'll have someone make the labels and illuminate the whole thing. By then I'll know what I want.

 

 

<edit>

The UFC/IFIE labels are printed on plain white label paper, then alternately sprayed with shellac and lacquer until they look and feel like vinyl, cut to size, and set on NKK tactile switches

</edit>

 

 

 

The new set is specifically made for the F/A-18, F-5, F-86, and F-14, so there are lots of extra controls that are aircraft specific.

Edited May 6, 2019 by Raisuli

[Pac-Man]

You can get completely carried away as well. I've already taken these boxes apart and should have the Mk 2 system up and running shortly after I get back from vacation; that has three MFDs with screens behind them and is configured for a few different aircraft.

 

 

I should add, as a public service, that yes, building a button box is easy, and you have a reasonably simple box with a couple switches that do the things you want done easily...but then watch out...because the next step is:

 

 

 

You know, it would be really easy to add...I'll bet I could... And you'd be right, but then you spend more time working on solutions to technical problems than flying. It's a trap!

 

 

 

 

 

Are you using Arduino for the rotary dials?

[Marcq]

 

 

Another video will be coming showing the step by step process. But it really is just plug n' play.

Yup!! I have been using them, can't get easier then that

 

Marc..

[SOLIDKREATE]

Does anyone here have a link to a good store for button box supplies? My Google searches keep coming up short. Maybe Im not asking the right questions.

[Nightdare]

1 hour ago, SOLIDKREATE said:

Does anyone here have a link to a good store for button box supplies? My Google searches keep coming up short. Maybe Im not asking the right questions.

 

I get most generic switches, buttons wires, etc on Ali

[eatthis]

i use far too many bodnar boards, i never got arduino to work