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Hardware Modders..suggestion request..MFD project.

hannibal
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hannibal

hannibal

Posted
Posted (edited)

ok..

im getting a modding bug...

 

it will be a simple mod...

i want to make a control panel similar to what is on the ABRIS..

http://avia.transas.com/eng/downloads/pdf/ABRIS_eng.pdf

 

just a panel that has 2 knobs and 5 buttons...

 

im going for 5 large rectangular momentary push buttons...

but i am stuck with the situation with the knobs...

 

i need a part for the control knobs...its obvious that it will be not potentiometers.. some kind of knob that creates a scroll like function, similar to a mousewheel...

 

owe man...thinking about this now, how can i even facilitate this function electrically, unless i chop up 2 usb mice.. so, what kind of usb board can do this function of scrolling mouse wheels, let alone how to setup controls in the black shark program...

 

ok, looking at the key assignment...it is just a key, so then it means i need some kind of dial shaft that creates pulse input in a certain direction when the shaft is rotated......

 

comments?

 

thanks!

Edited by hannibal

find me on steam! username: Hannibal_A101A

http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197969447179

urze

urze

Posted
Posted

Hi ,

 

Using two usb mice and taking them apart should be no problem. (they could be wireless -so you would get a really "clean" device that you could place anywhere you want.

 

Or use a old joystick:

The x and y pot for the rotating knobs - make only sure that the stick you will take apart has sufficient buttons.

 

I wish you success!:thumbup:

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Leftside Limited - ideas and solutions

urze

urze

Posted
Posted
ok, looking at the key assignment...it is just a key, so then it means i need some kind of dial shaft that creates pulse input in a certain direction when the shaft is rotated......

 

Sorry - please forget what I wrote about the axis - I Looked it also up now...

...i wrote it because I hardly use the keyboard in BS- and also forgot most of the key bindings in the last couple of months...:music_whistling:

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Leftside Limited - ideas and solutions

hannibal

hannibal

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

yes..i just realized that too, when i looked at the key chart...

i want two knobs that faciliate the following...

 

first knob,

clockwise = 7 ( axis inc )

counterclockwise = 8 ( axis dec )

second knob

clockwise = 9 ( brightness inc )

counterclockwise = 0 ( brightness dec )

 

the question i have is...(being that i do not have the game), how does abris work with these keys?

 

say if you were at minimum brightness...

and you want to increase it to maximum brightness,

do you HOLD DOWN '0', or do you have to press '0' a couple of times before it goes from min to max brightness?

 

anyways, i think i need some kind of shaft switch that creates a pulse output, of 2 output pulse for clockewsie and counter...

 

also, i do not have a cougar...how does the rotaries on the throttle work? after seeing some F4AF setups, it seems like it does NOT function like a typical axis pot...as if you can continuously turn the rotary in one direction to facilitate input... (not like a pot which is limited to a degree range, like 270 degrees)

 

sounds like an encoder rather than a pot..

 

whats up urze..you are the man..i am so jealous u have that whole ultimate hardware setup....i havent played the game yet!..i have been just lookin at everyones videos

Edited by hannibal

find me on steam! username: Hannibal_A101A

http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197969447179

rocketeer

rocketeer

Posted
Posted

You should consult Oakes on this. He has done this for the ABRIS. He is using the BU0836 card to do the job, using rotary encoders instead of pots.

 

I think the knob on the left you can use a normal encoder. The one on the right you should get an encoder with a push butto build it, as per the function in ABRIS. I think you can get the encoder with the push button at the Bu0836 Leo's site.

My A10C cockpit thread
Oakes

Oakes

Posted
Posted
You should consult Oakes on this. He has done this for the ABRIS. He is using the BU0836 card to do the job, using rotary encoders instead of pots.

 

I think the knob on the left you can use a normal encoder. The one on the right you should get an encoder with a push butto build it, as per the function in ABRIS. I think you can get the encoder with the push button at the Bu0836 Leo's site.

 

 

Yep, 1 BU0836, two rotaries (one with pushbutton) and 5 buttons and you are done. I've tested it and it works as intended.

 

/Oakes

hannibal

hannibal

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
Looking at this link:

http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU0836/

 

Scroll to the bottom and you'd see:

Rotary encoder CTS288 model 288V232R161B2 : £4.49

integrated momentary push switch

 

I am getting this for the right rotary on the ABRIS and it requires a pusb button.

I'd also get the normal rotary without the PB for the rotary on the left of ABRIS.

 

wow..awesome info...

but i have to ask...how do you wire up an encoder?

im not sure how it functions wit the BU0836 controller board..in terms of contact connection...

 

on that the regular encoder (non- integrated pushbotton,) i see 3 terminal legs..

i would guess the center is for ground, one side for input A and the other input B..

so that clockwise rotation engages input A, and counter clockwise rotation triggers input B???

 

is that how this thing works???

Edited by hannibal

find me on steam! username: Hannibal_A101A

http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197969447179

hannibal

hannibal

Posted
  • Author
Posted

ok, i ordered the some parts from leobodnar... i went for 2 pushbutton rotaries + usb controller bd, and ordered arcade style rectangular pushbutton switches..

 

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/LPS-6W/12V-LIGHTED-PUSHBUTTON-WHITE-RECTANGLE/-/1.html

 

got some knobs from digikey...

 

lets see how this goes...

find me on steam! username: Hannibal_A101A

http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197969447179

rocketeer

rocketeer

Posted
Posted

Yes Oakes, please help us understand how to wire the 3 legs of the encoder to the two pins on the BU0836. Do you use some component to link two legs together? Do you have schematic diagram, or better still, photo of your wiring from your encoder to the card? That'll clear things up a lot.

My A10C cockpit thread
AR_Mikeloto

AR_Mikeloto

Posted
Posted (edited)

Abris Buttons

 

Hi All,

 

Is possible to develop an Abris control panel with no problems I'm are working on this for my cockpit with all functions implemented.

 

This device have two rotary encoders with push button and five push buttons and power switch of the abris.

 

I will develop two solutions one with 10.4" TFT screen and other with only the buttons to put on the monitor with "velcro" in a little box.

 

The device is based on Input Board but are all on the circuit board implemented ready to fly....

 

There is a sample of input board MFD wiring

 

MFD Sample

 

linkt to SimMeters Web.

http://www.simmeters.com

 

To the guys of ED i like to know if is possible to get raw bitmap data for the HUD like shkyval and Abris. this is for the HUD I develop to use with lomac..

 

 

Best Regards,

Mike

Edited by AR_Mikeloto

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rocketeer

rocketeer

Posted
Posted

That MDF video is impressive.

 

What I don't like about the simmeters website is that the link to the documentation for the client Workspace is always pointing to the iboard, not the workspace itself. It has never been corrected.

 

Then the link to the client workspace demo is always broken. So potential buyers can't even try the demo or check out the documentation. They should always check all links are working.

My A10C cockpit thread
Oakes

Oakes

Posted
Posted
i ended up getting another rotary encoder with integrated pushbutton...and also knobs from digi-key...

 

YES... OAKES..HOW DO YOU WIRE UP THE ROTARIES TO THE BU0836 BOARD???

 

WELL, FIRST I START BY SCREAMING A LITTLE.....:cry:

 

Here is a good write up on how to connect several encoders to the BU0836 (with diodes):book:

http://www.737ng.co.uk/EFIS_BU0836_HOWTO.pdf

 

 

You can connect up to 6 encoders to the card without using any diodes (which is what I did to test).

 

For an encoder with center axle push there are three pins on one side and two pins on the other. The three pins are for the encoder part and the two pins are for the pushbutton.

 

To do this connect the middle pin of the encoder to one of the analog ground (GND) pins. Then connect the outer pins of the encoder to Column 1 (C1) and Column 2 (C2) respectively.

 

See image here for location of GND, Columns and Rows http://www.lbodnar.dsl.pipex.com/joystick/BU0836pot.png

 

Also, you will need this software to configure the card for encoders.

http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU0836/BU0836_encoders.exe

 

Set the "1-2" type to x1, x2, or x4 transitions (1:1, 1:2 or 1:4) per detent until you get 1 joy input per detent. Use DIView to check this -> http://www.aqza37.dsl.pipex.com/joystick/DIView.zip

 

Now, when you turn the encoder you will get Joy 1 inputs if you turn it one way and Joy 2 if you turn it the other. If you want to reverse this, simply exchange the outer pins with each other.

 

---------------------------------------------

 

To connect more encoders.

 

Connect the middle pin to any GND (or the same GND as in the example above), then connect the outer pins of the encoder to C3 and C4.

 

Then for Encoder 3 it's GND, C5 and C6

Encoder 4 it's GND, Row 1 (R1) and Row 2 (R2)

Encoder 5 it's GND, R3 and R4

Encoder 6 it's GND, R5 and R6

 

Always remember that an encoder must be connected to consecutive inputs (C1 and C3 wont work for instance).

 

-------------------------

 

To connect the center axle pushbutton

 

Connect one pin to GND and the other pin to any Column or Row pin not occupied by any encoder (again this is without diodes).

 

/Oakes

hannibal

hannibal

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

oakes..you are the greatest..i hope to have this ABRIS sub panel up...

 

about the encoders..do you have to have the program utility running if you intend to use the encoder? or is it that i just set it up once, and thats it?

EDIT: never mind..i read the pdf...looks like you flash it once, and thats it...YEAAAA

 

now that i have the parts on order...im trying to design something that incorporates a frame on to a monitor..the monitor might be widescreen or setup sideways in portrait mode... this frame will be a sort of monitor stand at the same time have a one unit stack, in which i while have this ABRIS sub panel in a box like form factor...

 

any suggestions?

Edited by hannibal

find me on steam! username: Hannibal_A101A

http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197969447179

  • 2 weeks later...
H-street

H-street

Posted
Posted

nice job,

 

I found the best way is to find a controller company with good software.

 

i made a Falcon4.0 MFD out of a pair fo Saitek 990 controllers.. At the top you'll see my prototype and at the bottom the Version 2 (the one i have used for hte last 3 months). On page 2 is another persons build using the LeoBodnars

 

the Handheld arcadey controls are great because you have a good mix of buttons and rotaries, and most is already to go.... and the rotaries can easily be used as straight up buttons using the SST software...

 

the reason i chose saitek is because they are cheap (the 990 i got 2 for 20$) and their software allows for complete custom mapping of both the buttons and rotaries.

 

eg.. the Saitek990 has 18 buttons and 4 rotaries, and 2 shiftstates (i use it to switch between left and right MFD control)

 

 

I see you found the joy of allelectronics.. lol i got my buttons and switches from their too.. Great price and fast shipping.

 

 

 

infact half the fun of a good sim is building your own controllers.. Makes playing the games so much more fun :)

hannibal

hannibal

Posted
  • Author
Posted

i agree..its fun making a concept, putting it on paper..finding the materials and then see what you imagined come together in real life...

 

other half is actually using what you made...

 

i planning to wire it up this weekend..

I HOPE I DONT HAVE TO get diodes dealing with the BU0836...i hear people complain about pressing two buttons and the result is the input of another button...

find me on steam! username: Hannibal_A101A

http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197969447179

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