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

[urze]

 

FINALLY I get to actually try DCS Blackshark..! YAHOOO..!

 

I'm sitting "spiritually" right beside you! :thumbup:

 

...may the Force be with you!

[Swetrekki]

:(

Well I'm not a happy camper!!!

it now seems like the seller on Ebay wasn't too happy or something that i was the only one interested in buying the joystick, and does not want to sell it with the excuse that "Im not shipping to sweden"

 

With the risk of sounding like a Nigeria letter :(

Urze, I dont know you but i trust all you fellas here in the forum, is there any chance that I can have him send the stick to you (since you live in germany) and then you could put it in the mail to me, I'll pay all the expences ofcourse.

Please please please.....

 

edit: I must really want that stick since i overreacted like this... he just responded that he would check the freightcost to sweden tomorrow. boy am i embarrassed or what :o

Edited January 13, 2009 by Swetrekki

[Triggerhappy69]

Trigger, I seem to recall some postings from you (I don't remember if it was in this thread, or elsewhere) that indicated that your dual trigger setup had the larger trigger also operating the small one (underneath it when the large trigger is folded down). I think you wrote that back before the DCS: Black Shark pilot's manual became available, so I made a mental note to watch for subsequent message traffic on it. I don't think I have seen anything from you about changing that.

 

Do you still plan to have the larger (weapon release) trigger also depress the smaller (cannon) trigger underneath it? If so, that doesn't match what pages 2-7 and 2-8 indicate in the manual. It says the weapon release trigger, folded down, renders the cannon trigger inoperative. You have to fold the weapon release trigger up to operate the cannon trigger.

 

Just checking!

 

 

I've still got to design the Cannon trigger in such a way that it's possible to make. And then test it.. I can post the drawings for the mountng bracket and Launch trigger if you want?

[CyBerkut]

No need to do anything for me, Trigger. Of course, we are all happy to drool over whatever you create! I was just concerned, after remembering some older (pre-manual availability) message traffic about the triggers. Carry on, brother!

[Sokol1_br]

I can post the drawings for the mountng bracket and Launch trigger if you want?

Trigger,

 

If you have 2D drawings with dimensions, please post. :thumbup:

 

Sokol1

[Triggerhappy69]

Trigger,

 

If you have 2D drawings with dimensions, please post. :thumbup:

 

Sokol1

 

 

Will do..! Give me a couple of hours and I'll put it up here..:megalol:

[Triggerhappy69]

Panel Drawings

 

And the Pdf file is here: Left Lower Panel APU Panel Bottom 1mm Alu.PDF

 

And the Pdf file is here: Left Lower Panel APU Panel Print Face.PDF

 

And the Pdf file is here: APU Panel PCB 01.PDF

 

And the Pdf file is here: APU 4-way Rocker Plate.PDF

 

And the Pdf file is here: APU 4-way Bottom Contact Plate.PDF

[Triggerhappy69]

Panel Drawings

 

One last for the APU Panel:

 

 

And here is the Pdf file: 4-way rocker switch v2.PDF

[Triggerhappy69]

R-800 Panel

 

I am out of spave for the Pdf files, but here's the Jpg's:

 

 

[Triggerhappy69]

Wepon Control Panel

 

Again.. only Jpg's:

 

 

 

 

[Alex_rcpilot]

Dude you must have spent a lotta time working with solidworks...

[hannibal]

wow..i need to hit that guy up when dcs apache comes out... i am tempted to build an apache gunner/pilot combo setup, fully functional.... thats if i am crazy about it in that time...

[Triggerhappy69]

Dude you must have spent a lotta time working with solidworks...

 

You got me spot on there Alex.. (laughing) Sometimes I wonder if I should spend more time doin' it the Russian way, and make a lot of prototypes instead..? And THEN document the model that works in the end. But it has saved me a lot of time actually dawing up everything in SW and testing it there, and THEN make a prototype that doesn't work..!:doh:

 

I've been missing you on MSN lately btw..?

 

wow..i need to hit that guy up when dcs apache comes out... i am tempted to build an apache gunner/pilot combo setup, fully functional.... thats if i am crazy about it in that time...

 

Fully functional front seat - back seat cockpit for the Apache..!? Now that's a challenge..! :thumbup:

 

I've been briefly looking into the Ah-64 cockpit and allthough the panels are more uniform and as such easyer to make. I can just see myself

Sweating over making something like these babies for the Ah-64:

 

Pilots Collective:

 

 

Pilots Cyclic Stick:

 

Co-Pilot's folding Cyclic Stick:

 

(pictures from http://helosims.com)

 

Not to mention these gizmo's:

 

 

I think I have the drawings for the cyclic stick to, but I couldn't find it..

[Swetrekki]

that thing is just plain ridiculous !!!

[CAT_101st]

wow..i need to hit that guy up when dcs apache comes out... i am tempted to build an apache gunner/pilot combo setup, fully functional.... thats if i am crazy about it in that time...

 

I have already desided to do the same thing. As soon as I finish the pedals for BS. I am going to start the planning of the AH-64a. I have 2 PCs now that can run BS. I just need someone to come over and play. :pilotfly:

 

I will be cleaning out 1 of my extra rooms For this dule pit. have to put down hard floring to build on top of. Clear 1 wall for the dule projectors. Probly going to put up a concave curtan. 1 PC to run the main display and the Gunner will have his own view (LCD) to search on. This way he can see wht the pilot is doing as well as his own display. I am hoping to build the full pit befor the releas. So many things to work out.

Building the sticks will be the hardes part for me.

[Triggerhappy69]

Here you see the Collective at it's middle position:

 

 

 

 

And at it's max position:

 

 

 

and last but not least at minimum position..! And also Leo Bodnars BU0836 Joystick card with it's breakout board (not quite finished with that one yet). I've gotta say I just love this card..! It's all you need for joystick conversions, building simple panels or just making Flightsimming hardware in general..! And it has a big brother that you can connect rotary encoders to as well..! Da*n Good Job Leo Bodnar..! Thank you..!

 

 

 

The ball joint that connects the hydraulic actuator to the Stick needs to be attached directly to the Collective sticks pipe. Because there is quite a lot of force involved when you start jerking it arround in a desperate situation.! And you need a direct transfer of forces to the actuator.! And NO PLAY..! (I will probably rebuild the way it's attached though.. But within the same principles)

 

 

This is the valve that opens for the oil to run freely when I press the Collective brake handle in. There's a spring that helps return the valve rod to it's closed position, and another spring at tha collective brake handle to return it to. I went for the two spring system, because with only one spring it needed to be really strong. And that made flying for a long periode with the handle pressed in really painfull.!

Also notice the microswitch that is mountes so that when i press the handle in and then let go, it will send a signal to the simulator to reset the autopilots altitude referance point..

 

 

'Dunno why I posted this picture? But I'll leave it here and edit this text when I remember..!

 

 

 

 

A general overviuw of the system. I will mount a small resarvoir with a one-way valve later. Just waiting for the valve to come in the mail..

 

 

Again the Collective brake valve and microswitch:

 

 

 

Ball link detail..! (if you see an easy obvious way to improve this.. please give me a hint?!)

 

 

And naturally it's all rotating free in ball bearings:

 

 

 

.... just a little picture preview...:music_whistling:

Edited January 17, 2009 by Triggerhappy69

[Swetrekki]

hmmm i think that you dont actually need to bet the bigger one, just the program at leos site to enable 2 input channels to act as a rotary encoder...

[Triggerhappy69]

hmmm i think that you dont actually need to bet the bigger one, just the program at leos site to enable 2 input channels to act as a rotary encoder...

 

 

Really..? Have you tested it.? That would be even more amazing of it's right..:thumbup:

[hannibal]

do you have links for the collective mechanism?

man, one of the croix of my setup is building the right collective handling ability...

 

i seen people build there collectives with gas dampeners..i was like wholely cow..that is cool..but when i tried to implement...i was like, dampeners are NOT going to be feasible (unless i want to wear out my wrist)...

 

...would have be great to understand how your collective works, or even on a real life helicopter...

[hannibal]

I have already desided to do the same thing. As soon as I finish the pedals for BS. I am going to start the planning of the AH-64a. I have 2 PCs now that can run BS. I just need someone to come over and play.

where do you live? i am in new york city..

[Swetrekki]

Really..? Have you tested it.? That would be even more amazing of it's right..:thumbup:

 

well if i understood correctly (reading on his forum) all chips made after 2007 something had the encoder ability, but no i havn't tried it yet, im still waiting for the post office to deliver it :joystick:

 

I'll see if i can find that thread on his forum for you.

 

here we go : http://www.leobodnar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=125

and for the regular one: http://www.leobodnar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=115

 

and from the man himself "If you configure BU0836 into encoder mode http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU083 ... coders.exe you won't need this circuit (only works for post Dec'07 devices). Just connect one switch as normally to e.g. button 1 and leave button 2 unconnected. This is, basically, an encoder with two positions. In Windows you'll get pulse on button 1 when you close the switch and on button 2 when you open it. The downside is button 2 must remain unconnected and you won't have LEDs unless you use dual pole switches."

Edited January 17, 2009 by Swetrekki
link.

[Triggerhappy69]

I did some surfin today and came over this little thing..!

 

KeyWarrior20 Chips support keyboards with up to 20x12 keys.

• USB, PS/2, and ADB interfaces
  
• USB 1.1/2.0 compliant, Low Speed
  
• All three PS/2 codesets supported
  
• Power Key on separate input
  
• Customer specific key layout, either factory programmed or in-system
  
• Programming options: Flex, Operator, and Commander
  
• Direct outputs for Caps, Num, and Scroll LEDs
  
• Diodes in matrix possible
  
• Available in SSOP48 package
  

At this site: http://www.codemercs.com/index.php?id=38&L=1

 

Could this be a good keyboard card for use with DCS many functions? It does have 240 keys ?

[CyBerkut]

I did some surfin today and came over this little thing..!

 

 

 

 

KeyWarrior20 Chips support keyboards with up to 20x12 keys.

• USB, PS/2, and ADB interfaces
  
• USB 1.1/2.0 compliant, Low Speed
  
• All three PS/2 codesets supported
  
• Power Key on separate input
  
• Customer specific key layout, either factory programmed or in-system
  
• Programming options: Flex, Operator, and Commander
  
• Direct outputs for Caps, Num, and Scroll LEDs
  
• Diodes in matrix possible
  
• Available in SSOP48 package
  

At this site: http://www.codemercs.com/index.php?id=38&L=1

 

Could this be a good keyboard card for use with DCS many functions? It does have 240 keys ?

 

Taking a quick look at their KeyWarrior data sheet (some emphasis added):

 

Flex

KeyWarrior Flex controllers do have the same

functionality as the basic variants but store the

keycode table in an external EEPROM.

Operator

KeyWarrior Operator controllers are a more

sophisticated variant of the KeyWarrior Flex

controllers. KeyWarrior Operator uses a larger

external EEPROM to store up to 8 keycodes for

every key in the matrix. This allows to generate

key combinations from pressing a single key.

Commander

The KeyWarrior Commander chips are the most

flexible controllers in the KeyWarrior family.

KeyWarrior Commander use an external EEPROM

to store the keycode table and allows to assign one

of 48 macros to any key.

Each of the macros can be up to 31 keys long and

allows any combination of keycodes to shortcut

typing or generate special keys.

There is no KeyWarrior 8 Commander since

KeyWarrior 16 Commander does already support 2

Function-Shift keys.

 

and later in the document:

 

5.4 Key Rollover

KeyWarrior supports true n-key rollover. All keys

in the matrix may be pressed at the same time

without KeyWarrior missing any code. However

due to the phantom key effect it can not be

guaranteed that combinations of many keys are

properly reported (see 5.4.1).

USB has a limitation on how many keys can be

reported at the same time. On USB any six keys

plus all eight modifiers (GUI, Ctrl, Alt, Shift) may

be pressed at the same time. If more than six

ordinary keys are pressed an error state is reported.

So USB has a 6-key plus modifiers rollover

 

A careful choice of chip/package and software may be useful. It's not completely clear about whether it differentiates between Left and Right modifiers (Ctrl, Alt and Shift)... The reference to "all eight modifiers" makes me think that it probably does, but you better check it out before jumping on it. There is quite a family of chips to choose from, so that will bear careful consideration in combination with the software selection.

 

Nice find, Trigger! :book:

Edited January 18, 2009 by CyBerkut

[Triggerhappy69]

I HATE SOLDERING!

 

Guess how long this took to solder..?

 

[Swetrekki]

sure hope you got all the cables marked in both end buddy, or you will be sitting all night trying to find the proper ones (being all white, besides the two blue) ;P