HOW TO: Ejection Seat Handle

[Shadow912]

Hi people!

 

As an aside to my FA18 Simpit thread (see below) I wanted to ask if anyone had come up with a way to override the need to 'pull' the ejection seat handle 3 times in controls. I was thinking of using a microswitche to activate the seat but I don't want to have to pull the handle 3 times to activate the ejection process. Does anyone know if the joystick/keyboard lua files can be edited to bypass the 3 pulls/3 button presses?

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=243783

 

Dave 'Shadow912' S

[MTFDarkEagle]

Maybe three microswitches work? All in parallel on seperate inputs which actuate together as you pull your ejection lever.

 

 

Not sure if the sim recognises three inputs on the ejection command as a valid eject command... Worth a try, you can do that quite quickly using keyboard commands.

[Shadow912]

Maybe three microswitches work? All in parallel on seperate inputs which actuate together as you pull your ejection lever.

 

 

Not sure if the sim recognises three inputs on the ejection command as a valid eject command... Worth a try, you can do that quite quickly using keyboard commands.

 

You mean like this? I guess it would work... :thumbup:

[Hansolo]

If you get an Arduino Nano you may be able to solve with this;

 

/*
 Tell DCS-BIOS to use a serial connection and use interrupt-driven
 communication. The main program will be interrupted to prioritize
 processing incoming data.

 This should work on any Arduino that has an ATMega328 controller
 (Uno, Pro Mini, many others).
*/
#define DCSBIOS_IRQ_SERIAL

#include "DcsBios.h"

/* paste code snippets from the reference documentation here */
const int ejectionPin = 5; // the pin you have added ejection handle

int buttonState = 0;         // current state of the switch
int lastButtonState = 0;     // previous state of the switch

void setup() {
 DcsBios::setup();
 pinMode(ejectionPin, INPUT_PULLUP); //sets pin no 5 as input with internal pullup
}

void loop() {
 buttonState = digitalRead(ejectionPin);
if (buttonState != lastButtonState) {
   // if ejectionPin state is different from last time then check if handle has been pulled
 if (buttonState == LOW) { //handle has been pulled
   sendDcsBiosMessage("EJECTION_HANDLE_SW", "1");
   delay(10);
   sendDcsBiosMessage("EJECTION_HANDLE_SW", "1");
   delay(10);
   sendDcsBiosMessage("EJECTION_HANDLE_SW", "1");
 }
 else { // handle has not been pulled 
     // don't do anything. 
   }
   // Delay a little bit to avoid bouncing
   delay(50);
 }
 // save the current state as the last state, for next time through the loop
 lastButtonState = buttonState;
}

 

Code works after correction

 

Cheers

Hans

Edited July 5, 2019 by Hansolo
The code didn't work. Missing stuff which has been corrected now

[Shadow912]

If you get an Arduino Nano you may be able to solve with this;

 

Hi Han,

 

Unfortunately I'm using LeoBodnar 64BBI boards. I was hoping there might me a 'hack' to LUA files to allow a single button press or I will have to go with the 3 microwitch setup....

[MTFDarkEagle]

You mean like this? I guess it would work... :thumbup:

Maybe... You've drawn the inputs series, I meant in parallel.

Maybe this'll work as well :)

[Baldawg]

I use joy2key to set a momentary toggle switch to send ctrl e e e as a keyboard command. I created a handle from some thick braided power cable approximately half inch in diameter. My profile pic shows the handle which i wrapped in black and yellow electrical tape. Im not at home to give more detail of my setup. It works flawlessly though.

[Hansolo]

Hi Han,

 

Unfortunately I'm using LeoBodnar 64BBI boards. I was hoping there might me a 'hack' to LUA files to allow a single button press or I will have to go with the 3 microwitch setup....

 

Ah my bad. Sorry for the trouble. Looks like Baldawg has a good idea though.

 

Cheers

Hans

[Goblin]

Here’s my Eject handle.

The thread covers the first and last version.

I basically set it up to send multiple button activations that then is assigned in DCS like a regular joystick input.

 

https://forums.mudspike.com/t/eject-eject-eject/2985/107

 

[Bullant]

Use my dcsbios library, it is already configured to send the command three times when you trip the switch ;)

 

sorry saw you aren't using dcsbios.

[Shadow912]

Hi guys, Thanks for all the suggestions. I've not used joy2key before so I'm going to take a look at that using one microswitch and failing that I'll try my 3 microswitch solution.

 

MFTDarkEagle,

 

Maybe... You've drawn the inputs series, I meant in parallel.

Maybe this'll work as well :)

 

I think that was just my dodgy drawing, the switched are definitely in parallel.. This pic shows it correctly..

[MTFDarkEagle]

Hi guys, Thanks for all the suggestions. I've not used joy2key before so I'm going to take a look at that using one microswitch and failing that I'll try my 3 microswitch solution.

 

MFTDarkEagle,

 

 

 

I think that was just my dodgy drawing, the switched are definitely in parallel.. This pic shows it correctly..

Still not what I've meant :P

Now it's all wired to a single input.

I mean each switch goes to a seperate input on the leo bodnar board.

[Shadow912]

Still not what I've meant :P

Now it's all wired to a single input.

I mean each switch goes to a seperate input on the leo bodnar board.

 

But I wouldn't be able to map the same command to 3 switches on the LeoB board which I would need to do..?

 

 

With my solution pulling the ejection seat handle would activate the same command (LCtrl + E) the 3 times (as each microswitch is triggered) and fire me into oblivion with a slightly compressed spinal column :cry:

 

Willing to be corrected if I'm wrong, it wouldnt be the first time... ask my wife :lol:

 

D

[Space Cadet]

Just a thought, use a simple voice attack script, set to a button binding rather than voice command.

Have an outstanding day y’all.

Edited July 10, 2019 by Space Cadet

[MTFDarkEagle]

But I wouldn't be able to map the same command to 3 switches on the LeoB board which I would need to do..?

 

 

 

With my solution pulling the ejection seat handle would activate the same command (LCtrl + E) the 3 times (as each microswitch is triggered) and fire me into oblivion with a slightly compressed spinal column :cry:

 

Willing to be corrected if I'm wrong, it wouldnt be the first time... ask my wife :lol:

 

D

You can assign multiple DX-keys (i.e. "joystick buttons") to a single command in the DCS input list.

[MilesD]

Hi guys, Thanks for all the suggestions. I've not used joy2key before so I'm going to take a look at that using one microswitch and failing that I'll try my 3 microswitch solution.

 

MFTDarkEagle,

 

 

 

I think that was just my dodgy drawing, the switched are definitely in parallel.. This pic shows it correctly..

 

I simple hardware solution could be something like this. One micro-switch is activated 3 times. Easy to cut out and make this the center of the sandwich.

 

Edit, I did the drawing quick and just noticed the bottom does not allow enough upward movement, But you get the idea.

Edited July 10, 2019 by MilesD

[Sokol1_br]

Hi guys, Thanks for all the suggestions. I've not used joy2key before so I'm going to take a look at that using one microswitch

 

JoyToKey do the trick, for the used button/switch set for:

 

Press "L-Ctrl+E" and set "Auto repeat" 3 times (or more) per second.

 

But I test setting 3 different keys (A,S,D) for "Eject" and send then simultaneous with JoyToKey and work, can test just pressing in keyboard. Each key send the "eject" command one time.

 

So if you are using a dedicated USB controller for your ejection handle can waste 3 buttons position - wired all in the same switch, so avoid use software.

 

 

 

But since you are build a ejection handle the solution proposed by Miles D is more "elegant", is like your initial simplified but with just one switch. :D

 

 

I was hoping there might me a 'hack' to LUA files to allow a single button press...

 

Thing is that LUA files only define what key/button will execute the command (Eject), the instruction for await 3 keypress is not there, but hard-coded in game code.

 

{combos = {{key = 'E', reformers = {'LCtrl'}}},		down = iCommandPlaneEject,					name = _('Eject (3 times)'),						category = _('Systems')},

Edited July 10, 2019 by Sokol1_br

[BULLITT83]

i used joytokey , it works perfectly for me . what is your problem with it ?

[Shadow912]

I simple hardware solution could be something like this. One micro-switch is activated 3 times. Easy to cut out and make this the center of the sandwich.

 

Edit, I did the drawing quick and just noticed the bottom does not allow enough upward movement, But you get the idea.

 

Miles!! That's it.... so simple really:doh::doh: I was trying to be too complicated! Thanks!:thumbup::thumbup:

 

i used joytokey , it works perfectly for me . what is your problem with it ?

 

Hi Bullitt..

 

I don't have a problem with it, its just something I've never used...

[TomVR]

Is there no way to do this with DCS-BIOS?

[Shadow912]

Hi Tom

 

Is there no way to do this with DCS-BIOS?

 

Use my dcsbios library, it is already configured to send the command three times when you trip the switch ;)

 

sorry saw you aren't using dcsbios.

 

Yes but I'm not currently using DCSBios... ;)

[Mr_Burns]

Miles!! That's it.... so simple really:doh::doh: I was trying to be too complicated! Thanks!:thumbup::thumbup:

 

 

 

 

Agree Miles a very simple solution, just a consideration though, if you pull it too hard it might not register.

[Shadow912]

Agree Miles a very simple solution, just a consideration though, if you pull it too hard it might not register.

 

Now then Mr B!

 

I will try it with different distances between the lugs on the microswitch activator (sounds like something from Star Trek!)... Hopefully I'll find something that works however hard it's pulled.. :D

[Gruman]

There are multiple way to get it working.

We have software (Joy2Key or any other macro software), electromechanical solution like the one from Miles or you could do a small electronic circuit which gives 3 pulses if triggered (Modulo).

Tbh, the software solution is probably the easiest and most stable variant.

If you are already using a programmable electronic controller for the other buttons, you are able to programm it within the "firmware".