Uuuuaaaah..! I have started building now..!

[CAT_101st]

about time man.....:thumbup:

[Alex_rcpilot]

Glad to hear you're back, trigger. We've still got some work to do, lol.

[Triggerhappy69]

Glad to hear you're back, trigger. We've still got some work to do, lol.

 

Hey Alex.! And I have a stable internet line at home now to. :thumbup:

 

We need to update each other 'cause LOST has happened..! How about later tonight?

[Alex_rcpilot]

Well, bear in mind that I'm 7 hours ahead of you, "later tonight" for you will be early in the morning for me, and I often sleep in....:music_whistling:

 

Anyway, I'll try to catch you on. Need some feedback regarding the amplifier. There happens to be a local guy with the same PCB who requires a same amplifier. I will have the opportunity to test the circuit for myself with an oscilloscope, and take a look at the PWM.:)

[G3]

great to have this thread return to life,

as do others, i too thoroughly enjoy watching your build progress :thumbup:

[Swetrekki]

I can only agree with the rest, its good to have you back!

Now promise you wont go MIA again ;)

Edited February 20, 2010 by Swetrekki

[Triggerhappy69]

I promise...

 

I can only agree with the rest, its good to have you back!

Now promise you wont go MIA again ;)

 

I promise..!;)

 

I just HAD TO take some time away from pitbuilding because it was taking up way to much of my attention..?

I mean... I just simply love this whole learning process, and getting to know you guys more end more in RL to.. Honestly I have not once talked to anyone in the pitbuilding community, and thought "what an *ss" afterwards..!

And that says a lot about the intelectuall qualtity you all possess..!

 

But after almost a year of work it was time to get back into being serious again. And knowing myself, there was no other way than going "cold turkey" for a while..

 

..NEW CYCLIC STICK MECHANISM..

 

A friend of mine got me this joystick from a supply ship. And since I was about to build a new gimbal anyway, I decided to take it apart and use the mechanism for my new cyclic stick with Force trim.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The plan is this:

I will extend the axis with a 2mm aluminum plate (from the side opposite to where the sencors gear is) with approx 50mm. This plate will slide freely between the brakepads and calipter from a bicycle diskbrake. The calipter slides on the linear bearing from a drawer, and is springloaded so that it always returns to the center position.

When I push the trim button a solenoid (or servo) releases the disk brake, allowing me to move the stick to it's new position. And releasing the trim button locks the stick in place again..

 

My goal is having a much firmer center position with no deadzone.

 

I'll make some simple drawings explaining later tonight..

[C6_Hellfrog]

If you achieve this idea with success ... just to say bravo !!!

but won't be easy... precision and hardness of metal (aluminium is to elastic and may modify 3D structure under constraints with time ...(my own unlucky experience) ) ... these are the keys...

[Alex_rcpilot]

Saw your space navigator again. lol

[Jocman]

Thanx man..!:)

 

It's been a while now since I have been able to update this post. Mostly since my moving and starting a new job took ALL of my attention for a while. But now (read as "yesterday") I got my new cockpit building room sorted, and I'm back on track again..

 

Jocman, if you leave Stonehard a message at this link: http://www.computerpartner.no/shop/catalog/contact_us.php?osCsid=54629dccdb53c6aa991cd15221125462

He'll get back to you pretty quick.! I'll be sure to let him know when I talk to him on the phone later.

 

 

Thanks Trigger.

I left a message to C.A. Stonehard; now just waiting for reply (hopefully). Anyway I'll let you know.

Another question: can you provide the e-mail where to write to get spare parts of Thrustmaster's joy (cougar, etc)? I think I'll need some of them for my cyclic and collective.

 

By the way, I'm almost starting the build: just finishing the details of the draws, then ordering components, and I'll start building.

I'm just having trouble with TouchPal (I need it to show EKRAN on secondaruy monitor): win7-32 give me an error message "An error occurred. The application will be closed". I don't understand why....

 

Jocman

[C6_Hellfrog]

open the error.log file in touchpal directory to have informations about errors for TP

[C6_Hellfrog]

for cougar parts see here : http://cougar.flyfoxy.com/warranty_parts.php

[Jocman]

open the error.log file in touchpal directory to have informations about errors for TP

 

Hi.

No error.log file in TouchPal folder. I downloaded the zip file, then unzipped getting a folder with those files:

 

 

APACHE-LICENSE-2_0

CockpitXML.xsd

README.txt

TouchPal.exe (43 kb)

 

When I run the .exe, I get win error message (the one where win ask you if you want to forward the error log to Microsoft).

Any suggestion more?

 

Honestly I think 43 Kb for the exe are almost little, or not????

 

Thanks for the Thrustmaster link

 

Jocman

[Triggerhappy69]

Thanks Trigger.

I left a message to C.A. Stonehard; now just waiting for reply (hopefully). Anyway I'll let you know.

Another question: can you provide the e-mail where to write to get spare parts of Thrustmaster's joy (cougar, etc)? I think I'll need some of them for my cyclic and collective.

 

By the way, I'm almost starting the build: just finishing the details of the draws, then ordering components, and I'll start building.

I'm just having trouble with TouchPal (I need it to show EKRAN on secondaruy monitor): win7-32 give me an error message "An error occurred. The application will be closed". I don't understand why....

 

Jocman

 

I just talked to him on the phone an hour ago. And it seems he has'nt got got your request yet?

But he promised to read up on this forum after we hung up!

[C6_Hellfrog]

sorry : error.log file of txt type is in my documents folder (or where you placed touchpal profiles)

in cas of doubt about your exe, redownload it !

[Jocman]

I just talked to him on the phone an hour ago. And it seems he has'nt got got your request yet?

But he promised to read up on this forum after we hung up!

 

Well, Triggerhappy, don't know what to say. I wrote him using the module provided on the web address you gave me (this is the reason why I hate those pre-made modules: never the possibility to keep a copy). Anyway, let me know if he like to contact me via mail.

Thankyou

 

 

sorry : error.log file of txt type is in my documents folder (or where you placed touchpal profiles)

in cas of doubt about your exe, redownload it !

 

I downloaded several times the zip file, but nothing changes: always a little .exe. No profile folder.

I simply downloaded, unzipped, then run the exe. I read also the istallation note, but I didn't find anything particular to do.....

And this freacking error message still alive......

Need it some particular VB library or something else like?????

 

 

Jocman

[C6_Hellfrog]

I downloaded several times the zip file, but nothing changes: always a little .exe. No profile folder.

I simply downloaded, unzipped, then run the exe. I read also the istallation note, but I didn't find anything particular to do.....

And this freacking error message still alive......

Need it some particular VB library or something else like?????

 

- install or reinstall latest .NET Framework 3.5. libraries from microsoft (already specified in install instructions)

- copy or move your touchpal profiles = touchpal.xml and eventually sub directories with pictures if needed in your My Documents folder

that's all folks

 

- try this alternate one : http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=795212&postcount=117

 

 

- MD5 hash for original touchpal.exe in zip version 0.4 is

 

c8edff02ecdc1a6042291041bf193432

Edited March 1, 2010 by C6_Hellfrog

[Jocman]

- install or reinstall latest .NET Framework 3.5. libraries from microsoft (already specified in install instructions)

- copy or move your touchpal profiles = touchpal.xml and eventually sub directories with pictures if needed in your My Documents folder

that's all folks

 

- try this alternate one : http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=795212&postcount=117

 

 

- MD5 hash for original touchpal.exe in zip version 0.4 is

 

c8edff02ecdc1a6042291041bf193432

 

Hi Hellfrog.

Thanks for your suggestion.

I don't have any touchpal profile, as I never run it.....

 

Let me say that I checked again the installation note about Touchpal (I found it on http://code.google.com/p/touchpal) but no citations about Net framework.

Anyway, I downloaded once again from the link you provided me; this time, I got a bigger zip (I realized there is also a profile included); I've seen this time, after unzipping, that the .exe file is bigger: 80 kb (before I got always 40kb); more, I can see the Touchpal icon for the .exe (before I got the generic .exe icon used by win).

1) I run it: error message as always.....

2) I downloaded the Net framework 3.5 redistr. file (33 Mb), then installed, then run again touchpal: error message as always....

3) I downloaded from Microsoft the Frame 3.5 installer, wich installed a 72 Mb file; then run Tuochpal again: error message as always....

 

I don't know what to do. It 's possible I can't run touchpal? need it some monster PC to do it?????ù

 

By the way, I just need it to display EKRAN on a separate monitor (as BS does natively for the ABRIS and SHKVAL); is it (TouchPal) the only way to do it????

 

Sorry, I'm really pisxxd off for that....

 

Jocman

 

PS: what is usefull for knowing the MD5 hash????

[C6_Hellfrog]

MD5 is a control code for integrity of your file. a complex algorythm retruns a complex code whic is unique for each file. If yours is different, you won't have the same file than original : download is corrupted.

 

the alternative link I provided is not the original touchpal.exe but an updated version ... read the thread including the link and the inside documents.

 

I will repeat one more time but DID YOU copy the profiles in your MY Document folder ?

 

from project main page :

http://code.google.com/p/touchpal/

on the right you have links to documentation : http://code.google.com/p/touchpal/wiki/Installation

configuration :

http://code.google.com/p/touchpal/wiki/Configuration

 

and so on... if you want to achieve something with TP you have to read and understand all that things...

 

and downloading from http://touchpal.googlecode.com/files/TouchPal-0.4.zip is the normal default package...

 

you have to reboot after installing .Net before it may run ok.

 

post on original touchpal thread here for more help : http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=45721

[Jocman]

 

I will repeat one more time but DID YOU copy the profiles in your MY Document folder ?

 

from project main page :

http://code.google.com/p/touchpal/

on the right you have links to documentation : http://code.google.com/p/touchpal/wiki/Installation

configuration :

http://code.google.com/p/touchpal/wiki/Configuration

 

and so on... if you want to achieve something with TP you have to read and understand all that things...

 

and downloading from http://touchpal.googlecode.com/files/TouchPal-0.4.zip is the normal default package...

 

you have to reboot after installing .Net before it may run ok.

 

post on original touchpal thread here for more help : http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=45721

 

Well, Hellfrog, thanks always for you kindness.

actually I did as written in TouchPal installation guidelines, as below riported:

 

Installation

Installation instructions for TouchPal

Introduction

TouchPal does not require an installation and can be placed anywhere in your file system you like. Just create a

directory where you would like TouchPal installed and extract the zip file into the folder. The binary download

includes both the application and an XSD file. The XSD file is only for reference when creating your profiles.

Details

Download the latest binary from http://code.google.com/p/touchpal/downloads/list

Create a TouchPal folder where you want TouchPal location (ex: C:\Program Files (x86)\TouchPal)

Extract zip into TouchPal folder

 

nowhere is reported to put obligatorily the .xms files in my Document folder.

Anyway, I did as you once again told me, and put only the xlm files (i got some profile from other guys) in My Document folder, then run the exe.

Ok, now it works. more or less. In fact, I put the folders with the images in my document too, but the only thing I get is a grey square (i suppose it should be the interface)..

 

By the way, I forgot the exe is only an...interpreter of XLM files (normally I use Touch Buddy with its user interface).

 

Anyone knows if it will be possible to manage the EKRAN via LUA-SIOC? I'm building the cockpit using OC cards, and in that case I can use a 4 lines dot display to manage it, and this will be the best solution (actually, I've still to find the 4 lines dot display.....)

 

Thanks Hellfrog

 

Jocman

[C6_Hellfrog]

As said, soluce was to put the xml profile in MyDocs

 

next step is to edit the xml profile to adapt to your own taste (use notepad++ to do that)... a bit more complicated

 

and to do with SIOC you 'll have to create or edit or adapt the export.lua files provided with Oakes thread or touchpal zip, tha t is needed to extract from BS the strings to send to sioc for your EKRAN, and the syntax and way to do is already included in those export.lua...

 

you will do have to study that stuff a bit before continuing...

[Jocman]

As said, soluce was to put the xml profile in MyDocs

 

next step is to edit the xml profile to adapt to your own taste (use notepad++ to do that)... a bit more complicated

 

and to do with SIOC you 'll have to create or edit or adapt the export.lua files provided with Oakes thread or touchpal zip, tha t is needed to extract from BS the strings to send to sioc for your EKRAN, and the syntax and way to do is already included in those export.lua...

 

you will do have to study that stuff a bit before continuing...

 

Yep, I know, it will be quite complicated, but I think it could be an excellent solution to build the cockpit.

 

Ok, I'm going on with the project; now I'm waiting for some news (hopefully good news) from Triggerhappy concerning the cloche Suncom Talon; oterwhise, I think I'll have to build the cloche by myself....

 

Thanks a lot Hellfrog

 

Jocman

[Triggerhappy69]

Yep, I know, it will be quite complicated, but I think it could be an excellent solution to build the cockpit.

 

Ok, I'm going on with the project; now I'm waiting for some news (hopefully good news) from Triggerhappy concerning the cloche Suncom Talon; oterwhise, I think I'll have to build the cloche by myself....

 

Thanks a lot Hellfrog

 

Jocman

 

Hey Jocman.

 

Still haven't heard from Steinar? Let me know if not, and I'll give him another call.

 

Short Progress report from my side:

I have been thinking about this whole Force-Trim issue for quite some time now. And (as mentioned earlier) I just can not live with the feeling that FFB gives me after experiencing real life cyclic trim feel.

 

And since the aluminum profile support structure that will hold the pedals, cyclic and Collective is finished now (pictures later), I have ordered three of these thingies!

 

 

 

They are simple cable actuated brake calipers for mini motorcycles!?

And will serve the same function as the magnetic brake in RL helicopters Force Trim systems (See nr12 in picture below)

 

The Force gradient assembly I'll just build myself from springs and some aluminum tubes I've got here somewhere. It's so simple and uncomplicated that there is no point in looking for somewhere to buy them?

 

The calipters will be normaly closed by means of a spring. And the opened when the trim button is pushed by three solenoids (24V).

 

 

But before I start putting it all together, I have some news for all you desktop joystick users.

 

A couple of days ago I finally got this baby:

 

It's a disc brake assembly for a radio controlled motorcycle. And I wll be building it into an old Thrustmaster joystick mechanics. The calipers will be attached to the cyclics X and Y axis

And the disc's will rotate freely around the same axis with springs attached to return it to center.. The calipers will either be activated by a servo that is controlled by a very simple 555 microchip control, or a Solenoid (if you don't like electronics)

 

Do you get what I'm going for here now..!?:music_whistling:

 

Yes.. It's a desktop mechanical (absolutely no center deadzone) Force trim mechanic that most likely will be possible to build into a standard desktop HOTAS of your own choise.. And when you don't fly a helicopter simulator you simply just don't press that one button, or you can give it another function (again.. if you like to fiddle around with electronics)..

 

The first pictures of the desktop mechanics will be ready by wednesday I hope..

 

One major issue though. I need confirmation that it is possible to activate the Trim function WITHOUT a FFB joystick ID recognized by DSC!? Anyone ..?:helpsmilie:

[Jocman]

Hey Jocman.

 

Still haven't heard from Steinar? Let me know if not, and I'll give him another call.

 

 

Hi Triggerhappy.

Nope, any news.....

I asked 2 days ago a good swedish mate (my brother-in-arm during Kosovo war) if he can buy it for me online (as for the non norvegian-swedish-english people isn't allowed to buy online....) then send it to me. He sayd no problem, now I'm waiting for he gives me the OK to proceed.

BTW, I'm a little curious if Steinar got my message....

But if Steinar can really do it, let me know, I'll stop my swedish friend.

 

Thanks for all

 

Jocman

[Jocman]

Ok, short udate for Triggerhappy.

My swedish brother-in-arm mailed me yesterday, telling he made the order for the stick. Now is waiting to get it then resend it to me.

 

Jocman