Need Help with Interfacing a Switch Panel with DCS.

[SuperCadet63]

I have started trying to build my own home cockpit panels for the F-5 as a fun project. I have heard that DCS BIOS is what I should be using but after hours and hours of trying to understand and trying to get DCS-BIOS to work I am stuck. I have no clue what I'm doing. I have a Teensy 3.5 and an Arduino Uno to use. I know there is some way to just use the Teensy as a HID but I don't know how to code at all and the internet was not helpful. 

Thanks for the help.

-Ben

(I'm really cheap so it is not a perfect replica.)

[Fusedspine33]

Make life easy for yourself. DCSBIOS is a great way to interface and have the sim talk to your pit, gauges, displays, but it only works with one module at a time at present.

The boards below will allow you to use your switches with any module you buy. You can flash the boards to uniquely ID each board so as you add more Windows won't reassign switches between boards.

There is no wrong way to make a pit, just a suggestion for ease of building.

If you are using potentiometers:
http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=94&products_id=180&zenid=f25a5458457153568df4c15090da37c2

No potentiometers:
http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=94&products_id=300&zenid=f25a5458457153568df4c15090da37c2


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Edited July 11, 2021 by Fusedspine33

[SuperCadet63]

54 minutes ago, Fusedspine33 said:

but it only works with one module at present.

Wow thanks for the fast reply and response! I did not know that they only support only the A-10. I was wondering why it seemed to be focused on the A-10. I think I may just have to go with the Leo Bodnar boards. They are just very expensive. Hopefully there is a cheaper way. May just have to bite the bullet and get one lol.

Edited July 8, 2021 by SuperCadet63

[Fusedspine33]

DCSBios has interfaces for more than one module, to change between modules requires a new sketch to be uploaded for each card used.

With the Bodnar cards you just assign your switches from within DCS.

Buy a quality product and you only feel the pain of purchase once.


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[LASooner]

I recommend Gear Falcon's boards, they're really easy to use.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/794934352/gear-falcon-joystick-controller-micro?ref=shop_home_recs_8&frs=1

He also makes these interface boards for rotary switches that makes setting those up really easy too

https://www.etsy.com/listing/969109964/encoder-board?ref=shop_home_recs_11



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[rubbra]

I use bodnar boards. They are quite literally plug and play, easy to wire up (if you get the one with the push connector header soldered on, it’s just strip end of wire, push in) and no programming required.

My only beef is that DCS doesn’t have a “on release” option in keybinds. So if you have a 2 way switch, most modules will only let you bind the “On” whereas what you want is “off unless On” or “on release of DX4, trigger Master Arm Off”.

Hornet is a bit better than most module as there are some On/Off binds.

You can achieve the desired effect in Lua though.


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[No1sonuk]

19 hours ago, SuperCadet63 said:

Wow thanks for the fast reply and response! I did not know that they only support only the A-10. I was wondering why it seemed to be focused on the A-10. I think I may just have to go with the Leo Bodnar boards. They are just very expensive. Hopefully there is a cheaper way. May just have to bite the bullet and get one lol.

 

He wasn't all that clear in his statement about "only one" module.
DCS-BIOS covers most of the modules available, but because of the way it works, your Arduino can only be coded to work with one at a time.

The best bet is to use the Teensy as a HID for your switches.  Then you can bind them any way you want in the modules you have.
To do that, you'll need to look into keyboard and/or joystick examples.

The Arduino Pro Micro and Leonardo can work as HIDs too - It needs to have a "32u4" processor to work properly as a HID.

The Bodnar boards just remove the programming aspect from the project.

[SuperCadet63]

Thanks for all the responses. It helps a lot. I think I am going to try to use stuff as a HID. I would really like to get DCS bios working too but I just cant figure it out. I dont think I even installed it correctly.