Rick50 Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 I might be able to source a Pro Flight throttle quadrant, that normally is sold with and used with the Yoke. I saw a review of the yoke and throttle, and now I'm not sure if the throttle quadrant can be used by itself WITHOUT the yoke. I think it can, as I've seen that some people double them up and have six levers for various multi-engine aircraft. I want to use this throttle quadrant with other controllers, including joysticks from other brands... is this possible? Can i plug it directly into any USB port and expect it to work on its own? Or can it ONLY plug into the Saitek Pro Flight Yoke?? :huh:
Trubshaw Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 Hi Rick50, I have a Saitek throttle set up. You need to understand that there are two versions of the throttle quadrant. The one you get with the yoke has a round connecter that plugs into the yoke directly. I think that if you buy this one you will have to hack into the wires to fit a usb type plug but I am not sure. The second throttle quadrant is a separate buy it is meant be added alongside the yoke throttle to be used for two engine air craft. This second type has a usb connector and can be used completely separate in DCS. Does that make sense? You need to check exactly what you are buying. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] TrubshawRN -=SHREK 94=-
Rick50 Posted July 23, 2019 Author Posted July 23, 2019 Ah, perfect, that's EXACTLY the info I was looking for!! Thank you!!!
Sokol1_br Posted July 23, 2019 Posted July 23, 2019 The one you get with the yoke has a round connecter that plugs into the yoke directly. I think that if you buy this one you will have to hack into the wires to fit a usb type plug but I am not sure. Probable this version is "brainless" (like X-52 stick or X-45 throttle), and will be need an USB controller (Arduino, BU0836, DSD 12...) between the throttle and USB cable. An $5 Arduino PRO Micro solve this, but is an extra DIY work.
jmarso Posted July 25, 2019 Posted July 25, 2019 Anyone else have a problem with the throttle detents over time? I found a video for removing them completely, but found I didn't like that solution. The problem is that the detents start to get 'mushy', where you don't really go 'past' them anymore but sort of force the throttle into position (say, AB) and have to hold it there, as if its spring loaded. What I'd like is a way to get the detents working properly again. Anyone have any pointers on how to do that?
Drakoz Posted August 11, 2019 Posted August 11, 2019 The throttle quadrant that comes with the yoke has a 6 pin DIN connector. I took mine apart once but forgot the pinout. I couldn't find the pinout from an Internet search. However, because the USB Logitech/Saitek Throttle Quadrant sells for $60 retail. It is so cheap that your best bet is just go buy a new USB Quadrant. These are so cheap brand new, that I never even tried to buy one on eBay because used ones often are missing clamps or knobs, and replacing those parts is nearly impossible. You can get an Arduino or Bodnar board and make some or all of the Yoke's throttle quadrant work, but by the time you are done, you'll spend half the price of a new USB quadrant and still have to count your time. Do it only because it is a fun project, not because it'll save you anything. Anyway, for the adventurous... With only 6 pins on the connector, I think the 3 axis are brought out on 3 of the pins as analog signals, so you can make those work with an Arduino or Bodnar board with direct wiring to the analog inputs. But the buttons are encoded as a serial bit stream. I.e. they send the 9 button states as a bit stream on a single wire, and that bit stream must be decoded by the circuit in the yoke. This is exactly the same thing done with the DIN connector on a TM Warthog stick, for example. Very common in game controllers. The other 2 pins would be power (5V or 3.3V???), and Ground. I don't think a Bodnar board can be custom programmed to handle bit streams (by the user at least - maybe Bodnar added the feature to some of his products). An Arduino can certainly handle the task, but you have to write the software. Again, a fun project and very simple really. The (mildly) hard part is just decoding the pinout of the DIN, and decoding the bit stream. You'll need a simple logic analyzer or oscilloscope and a volt meter.
Sokol1_br Posted August 11, 2019 Posted August 11, 2019 (Bodnar) BU0836A or (derekspearedesigns) DSD12 cards is overkill in this case, since a $5 Arduino do the job in the same way. 6 pins connector suggest a kind of circuit internally, for code buttons press. If don't plan use this Quadrant anymore with Yoke, just remove any internal circuit and 6 pin cable and make new wiring direct to Arduino pins using a 1x1 matrix to the 6 buttons, more easy than try decode how work, and just need a iron solder.
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