How to connect all A-10C home built cockpit panels to A-10C DCS

[hawgmech]

Hi,

I'm new to home sims.  I can see from all the posts on how to build your home built versions of all the control panels.  My excitement is piqued and want to do this.  But the one thing I have not seen (or at least found in the forum) is how all of the panels are connected to and controlled by DCS itself.  I'm pretty sure you need DCS-Bios.  But if you have a fully built cockpit (left console, Main instrument panel, and right console), how are all of these electrically connected together.

 

Can someone point me to a thread or site that would explain al of this, I would really appreciate it.

 

Thanks

[Fusedspine33]

So many ways to skin this cat.

 

Leo Bodnar Cards for switches, rotaries , potentiometers this allows you to use your switches with any module. There are other brands but Bodnar allows you to flash the firmware assigning a specific number to each card preventing Windows from randomly reassigning input profiles between cards. 

 

and DCSBios for Displays. Lots of threads to be read here to get you started. 
 

You can use DCSBios for switches but it locks you into a single aircraft for now. 

[fenmonster]

For switches the easiest option in my opinion,  are the GP-40 input cards from Groovy game gear.  

-Fenmonster

[agrasyuk]

As was said a Lots of options. For button inputs BBI32 by leobodnar or GP-wiz controllers can be used . For analog axes the big bodnar card can be used. Other input cards exist. 

Read the sticky topic on top of this forum.

 

Arduino and DCS-BIOS is the way to deal with outputs such as indicators, dials and most screens (handles inputs as well). Gets quite a bit more technical so I'd say this will be your step 2 after you master the above. Again, the sticky topic describes DCS-BIOS in detail. 

 

What plane are you building?

 

Good luck

[hawgmech]

I plan on building an A-10C pit.  I am thinking on going the Arduino/DC Bios route.  There could be up to 22 home built panels.  This si the part where I am still not fully understanding how all of that connects to each other and the DCS simulator itself. Do I need some type of network hub or something else entirely.  The forum is great on how to build the individual panels but somewhat lacking on how to connect them all together to have a functional pit.

[crash test pilot]

For DCS-BIOS the way of connecting all is RS485. Watch here:

You need a master (must be a mega) to which the slaves (nanos, unos or megas) connect over Maxim max487 chips. A warning : do not buy the cheap chinese max487 from ebay; i bought a pack of 50 for 9$ and only one survived my testing phase. I bought the next batch from Reichelt for 2€ a piece, and none have failed me since then.

[hawgmech]

On 12/26/2020 at 1:31 PM, crash test pilot said:

For DCS-BIOS the way of connecting all is RS485. Watch here:

You need a master (must be a mega) to which the slaves (nanos, unos or megas) connect over Maxim max487 chips. A warning : do not buy the cheap chinese max487 from ebay; i bought a pack of 50 for 9$ and only one survived my testing phase. I bought the next batch from Reichelt for 2€ a piece, and none have failed me since then.

Crash test Pilot,

 

 Thanks for the information.  Very informative and I will put it to good use

[ESA_Angel]

Hello, you have several options. For switches, buttons and rotaries I would not use Dcsbios as that will limit its use to a single aircraft.

 

It is best to use usb controller boards so they are recognized as a keypad or joystick There are several options ...

 

Leo Bodnar, the simplest but most expensive.

 

Arduino with joystick library, very cheap but needs some programming.

 

My favorite Arduino + mmjoy2 + cheap shift register from aliexpress.

 

DcsBios is ideal for exporting led warnings lights, or radio frequencies to 7 segment panels.

Edited January 12, 2021 by e69_Ryouga