AH-64D Simpit Project

[pesbra]

Hello Everyone, I've decided to embark on the wonderfull/nightmareish world of building my own simpit for the Apache.

I am no engineer nor do I have any background in electronics computer programming or the like. However, following a few simpole tutorials (mostly from A Hornets Nest, big shoutout btw) I've made quite some nice progress in just a week starting from zero.

 

I had no idea how to use Fusion at all, but am quite happy with these results.

For anyone who would like to use these files I'm uploading them here. The left console has been modified to be mounted on a Winwing Super Taurus throttle and from my understanding it should also fit the newer Orion2 Throttle base.  

Final versions of the Arduino code and any revisions to the panels will be posted here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17dTPCMDNkJ6jepkpSN8ijeW4TCJM2Hyt?usp=drive_link

 

 

 

Edited September 11, 2024 by pesbra

[pesbra]

I have also written Arduino code (again learining from scratch and following A Hornets Nest Tutorials), using an Arduino Mega, but this is where I have run into trouble.

My code when it comes to buttons switches and potentiometers compiles and uploads successfully and buttons and switches work as expected in the Sim. However when it comes to potentiometers for some reason I have not been able to figure out, turning the knob for one controls turns every single knob coded in the program.

Also, I cannot get the damn LED outputs to compile using the DCS BIOS code taken from Bort. I have reviewed the DCS Bios documentation and am at a loss as to what is wrong with the code. I just get the following error message:

 

C:\Users\pablo\Documents\Arduino\PEBTech_AH64D_PilotLeftConsole_V4\PEBTech_AH64D_PilotLeftConsole_V4.ino:170:31: error: 'AH_64D_PLT_APU_L_AM' was not declared in this scope
          DcsBios::LED pltApuL(AH_64D_PLT_APU_L_AM, apuLed);
                               ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
C:\Users\pablo\Documents\Arduino\PEBTech_AH64D_PilotLeftConsole_V4\PEBTech_AH64D_PilotLeftConsole_V4.ino:170:31: note: suggested alternative: 'AH_64D_PLT_APU_L_ADDR'
          DcsBios::LED pltApuL(AH_64D_PLT_APU_L_AM, apuLed);
                               ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                               AH_64D_PLT_APU_L_ADDR

exit status 1

Compilation error: 'AH_64D_PLT_APU_L_AM' was not declared in this scope

If any of you DCS BIOS wizkids out there willing to give me a hand I would greatly appreciate any input you can provide to turn this corner. This hobby is exiting, mesmerizing and frustrating all at the same time!

 

Edited September 2, 2024 by pesbra

[The_Nephilim]

you can buy most those panels online for the apache 64. if your interested I'll dig up the links

[pesbra]

Well I am. But still…. Need to figure this one out or it will eat me alive

[corbu1]

Looks great so far!

[pesbra]

Figured out the coding problem it has to do with a problem with the adresses.h file on DCS-BIOS. I have successfully compiled the arduino program with direct reference to addresses and masks instead of the new constants until that problem is resolved. in the meantime v.5 of the program has been tested and works fine in the sim.

 

Edited September 2, 2024 by pesbra

[No1sonuk]

19 hours ago, pesbra said:

I have also written Arduino code (again learining from scratch and following A Hornets Nest Tutorials), using an Arduino Mega, but this is where I have run into trouble.

My code when it comes to buttons switches and potentiometers compiles and uploads successfully and buttons and switches work as expected in the Sim. However when it comes to potentiometers for some reason I have not been able to figure out, turning the knob for one controls turns every single knob coded in the program

I can't see anything wrong with your code for the potentiometers, so that leads me to ask how you've wired them.

[pesbra]

Armament and Video panels arduino code done

 

Edited September 2, 2024 by pesbra

[pesbra]

3 hours ago, No1sonuk said:

I can't see anything wrong with your code for the potentiometers, so that leads me to ask how you've wired them.

right now I have a single pot wired on a breadboard.  null

 

From what I'm hearing in discord, it seems that the problem will go away when I wire the rest of the pots.  I'm waiting for my pots to arrive in the mail. I'll try it when I do.

 

 

[No1sonuk]

OK. It might be a sample-and-hold ADC, and the floating inputs aren't wiping out the input voltage from the single pot.

You could try connecting the unused inputs to ground. That should eliminate the problem. 

[pesbra]

3 hours ago, No1sonuk said:

OK. It might be a sample-and-hold ADC, and the floating inputs aren't wiping out the input voltage from the single pot.

You could try connecting the unused inputs to ground. That should eliminate the problem. 

Many thanks for your suggestion. 

[pesbra]

A bit more progress with the Fire Control panel. The Arduino code is programmed to work on both stations (pilot and CPG).

For the annunciator buttons across the cockpit I'm using these:

https://www.737diysim.com/product-page/heli-ah-64-master-caution-warning-annunciators

https://www.737diysim.com/product-page/ah64-apache-apu-korry-indicator-switch

https://www.737diysim.com/product-page/737-master-caution-fire-warning-stab-out-of-trim-annunicators-cad-1

https://www.737diysim.com/product-page/master-caution-fire-warning-stab-out-of-trim-annunciator

https://www.737diysim.com/product-page/737-mcp-korry-cad-stl

https://www.737diysim.com/product-page/dual-colour-korry-replica-pcb 

Need to do testing when they arrive but they look really good.

nullEUFD panel also done

 

 

 

 

For the EUFD Screen I'm using a 6.2 inch LCD screen:

https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005007231882058.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.47.2bb6194d8f4m1o&gatewayAdapt=glo2esp

 

 

Edited September 2, 2024 by pesbra

[pesbra]

These knobs for the Comms panel look exceptional:

https://www.737diysim.com/product-page/ah-64-pilots-lighting-panel-knobs

 

 

and this throttle looks like very well the effort:

https://www.737diysim.com/product-page/apache-ah64-throttle-panel

 

Edited September 2, 2024 by pesbra

[pesbra]

PCBs designs underway. This one is for the Comms panel.

[pesbra]

PCB design for comms panel done.

nullnull

 

Edited September 2, 2024 by pesbra

[pesbra]

EUFD modified to mount 6x6 tactile LEDs and included all buttons and engravings.null

 

Edited September 7, 2024 by pesbra

[pesbra]

PCBs for the Lighting, Stores, ignition, Emergency anullnd Night Vision panels done.nullnullnullnullnullnullnullnull

[OldFlyer]

Fantastic job! I followed a few Hornets Nest guides too but you seem to be learning far quicker than me 

[pesbra]

Bit more progress. I have done an Arduino Mega shield to connect all the panels on the Left Console together. I have also updated the PCBs to correct a couple of errors and added a Google Drive link in the first post to access all files to keep it all tidy.

null

 

 

[pesbra]

Hello everyone, I have finished modelling the EUFD, including buttons, PCBs, Arduino code, etc. All files are in the google drive in the first post. The screen I will be using is in this link:

 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007231882058.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.48.18821802OYCv1z

 

I have also included a lua file to export the screens for the MFDs, TEDAC and EUFD. 

Edited September 5, 2024 by pesbra

[pesbra]

for those wanting a TEDAC someone already beat me to the punch

https://srsosio.wixsite.com/ah-64d-tedac

[pesbra]

Fire Panel PCB finished. Files uploaded to the google drive in the first post.

 

[pesbra]

PCBs for Armament and video panels done.

[pesbra]

EUFD updated with a case. Files uploaded to Google drive. Had to modify the right side PCB. PCB  files to be uploaded tomorrow

Edited September 7, 2024 by pesbra

[JohnnyChicago]

Hi, this looks awesome ! I wish i could 3dprint that

btw, i have a 5inch ESP32-8048S050N Display (exists also in 7inch)  for the EUFD, so you dont need a hdmi port. 

Selfmade Sketch and Font. 

Cheers , looking forward for this project.