AH-64D Simpit Project

[Heli Shed]

19 minutes ago, JohnnyChicago said:

DcsBios::LED pltMasterCautionL(AH_64D_PLT_MASTER_CAUTION_L_AM, 10);

 

DcsBios::LED pltMasterWarningL(AH_64D_PLT_MASTER_WARNING_L_AM, 2);

I get a define error when using these lines JC - hense direct use of Address Matrix

[JohnnyChicago]

DcsBios::LED pltMasterCautionL(0x8712, 0x800, 10);

 

DcsBios::LED pltMasterWarningL(0x8712, 0x0400, 2);

[Heli Shed]

7 hours ago, JohnnyChicago said:

DcsBios::LED pltMasterCautionL(0x8712, 0x800, 10);

 

DcsBios::LED pltMasterWarningL(0x8712, 0x0400, 2);

Interesting - thank you - now i cant find where i got my own AMs from!!!  Looking forward to trying this - thank you muchly!

 

(edit - ahhhhhhhhhhhh i see!  I used the AMs for the button and not the LED!  Thank you again - grateful)

Edited November 5, 2024 by Heli Shed

[pesbra]

Quick and dirty mount for testing the MFD screen mounts. The spacing for the HDMI port and the overall height of the mount needs to be modified. Will post a new file in a couple of days.

 

11 hours ago, JohnnyChicago said:

DcsBios::LED pltMasterCautionL(AH_64D_PLT_MASTER_CAUTION_L_AM, 10);

 

DcsBios::LED pltMasterWarningL(AH_64D_PLT_MASTER_WARNING_L_AM, 2);

Jonny,how did you get these lines of code to work? I get the same error as Heli Shed when using the new version of the code with macros.

Edited November 5, 2024 by pesbra

[JohnnyChicago]

vor 3 Stunden schrieb pesbra:

Quick and dirty mount for testing the MFD screen mounts. The spacing for the HDMI port and the overall height of the mount needs to be modified. Will post a new file in a couple of days.

 

Jonny,how did you get these lines of code to work? I get the same error as Heli Shed when using the new version of the code with macros.

 

Hi, use this code :

 

DcsBios::LED pltMasterCautionL(0x8712, 0x800, 10);

 

DcsBios::LED pltMasterWarningL(0x8712, 0x0400, 2);

Edited November 5, 2024 by JohnnyChicago

[pesbra]

5 hours ago, JohnnyChicago said:

Hi, use this code :

 

DcsBios::LED pltMasterCautionL(0x8712, 0x800, 10);

 

DcsBios::LED pltMasterWarningL(0x8712, 0x0400, 2);

 

That is the code I use. I’m just wondering how you got these lines of macros to work.

[JohnnyChicago]

i don't know, but they both works ..

[Heli Shed]

@pesbra - I cant get the L_AM codes to work at all - throws up an error and a half in the IDE for any board - i tried them all (!!).  I haven't tested the Address Masks yet but hoping this is correct.

Edited November 6, 2024 by Heli Shed

[pesbra]

10 hours ago, Heli Shed said:

@pesbra - I cant get the L_AM codes to work at all - throws up an error and a half in the IDE for any board - i tried them all (!!).  I haven't tested the Address Masks yet but hoping this is correct.

 

Those macros won’t work forme either. Using the address mask works for me fine 

Edited November 7, 2024 by pesbra

[Sigma40]

Hello,
what size is the main panel of the AH-64 Apache?
And isn't it bent in the middle by about 5 degrees?
I'm looking forward to your answer. Thanks in advance.

null

I have the problem of switching an LED on the ground override switch so that it comes on when pressed once and goes off when pressed twice. When I switch, it only flashes once and then goes off again.

[JohnnyChicago]

Ground Override Switch LED works fine on my side .. wrong code ?

[Sigma40]

This is my Code.

 

/*

  Tell DCS-BIOS to use a serial connection and use interrupt-driven

  communication. The main program will be interrupted to prioritize

  processing incoming data.

 

  This should work on any Arduino that has an ATMega328 controller

  (Uno, Pro Mini, many others).

 */

#define DCSBIOS_IRQ_SERIAL

 

#include "DcsBios.h"

 

/* paste code snippets from the reference documentation here */

DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltGroundOverrideBtn("PLT_GROUND_OVERRIDE_BTN", 6);

DcsBios::LED pltGroundOverrideBtn1(AH_64D_PLT_GROUND_OVERRIDE_BTN_AM, 4);

 

void setup() {

  DcsBios::setup();

}

 

void loop() {

  DcsBios::loop();

}

 

[JohnnyChicago]

I'm not on my Gaming-PC now but this is the wrong code : DcsBios::LED pltGroundOverrideBtn1(AH_64D_PLT_GROUND_OVERRIDE_BTN_AM, 4);

I'll check that when i am at home .

 

[Sigma40]

Hello,
this is the correct code that I uploaded. The first one was wrong.
Greetings

 

#define DCSBIOS_IRQ_SERIAL

#include "DcsBios.h"

 

/* paste code snippets from the reference documentation here */

DcsBios::ActionButton pltGroundOverrideBtnToggle("PLT_GROUND_OVERRIDE_BTN", "TOGGLE", 6);

DcsBios::LED pltGroundOverrideBtn(AH_64D_PLT_GROUND_OVERRIDE_BTN_AM, 4);

 

void setup() {

  DcsBios::setup();

}

 

void loop() {

  DcsBios::loop();

}

[No1sonuk]

Your LED code is reading the state of the button itself.
For the light, you need this from the "PLT Internal Lights" group:

DcsBios::LED pltGroundOverrideL(AH_64D_PLT_GROUND_OVERRIDE_L_AM, PIN);

 

[Sigma40]

Thank you very much JOHNNYCHIGAGO and NO1SONUK. My Mistake. Its run.

[pesbra]

On 1/1/2025 at 2:02 PM, Sigma40 said:

Hello,
what size is the main panel of the AH-64 Apache?
And isn't it bent in the middle by about 5 degrees?
I'm looking forward to your answer. Thanks in advance.

null

I have the problem of switching an LED on the ground override switch so that it comes on when pressed once and goes off when pressed twice. When I switch, it only flashes once and then goes off again.

Hello Sigma. I have not fully worked on the Pilot front panel as my deskpit will need the space for a TEDAC and therefore I have put more effort on doing a CPG station where I'll be flying both the Pilot and CPG seats. However when I began embarking on this project I did model a Pilot front panel. Attached is the Fusion file. You can also find it here https://a360.co/3DJb29s. You can take the measurements from those files using Fusion 360. The overall dimensions are extrapolated out of the size of the lever switches and MPD buttons, so although it may not be 1:1 to real life it should be close. I do not have good reference material to do a proper 1:1 scale. But my aim is not to have a perfect 1:1 cockpit but rather something that is close enough to have a good experience flying DCS whether on a screed or VR.  

As for the MPDs I did also model mounts that would have an inward bend which you can also find among the files I have in the google drive link in my first post. Those mounts are designed to mount the Total Controls MPDs with the screens they recommend. https://totalcontrols.eu/product/apache-mpd-frame/. Those mounts have been cut to be printed on an ENDER 3 Pro on 4 separate parts and glued together. If you have a bigger FDM printer its much better to print it in a single piece. 

I need to do some modifications to the mount though because they lack enough depth so that the whole screen sits flush with the mount and the openings for the cables connecting the screen and the MPD to the computer are too small. The Pilot front panel may also need some modification to take those MPD mounts well. You will loose however more of the 1:1 scale if you want to go down that road. Otherwise I would mount them on the square holes modeled in the file which are sized to take those screens (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09332N7MH/?th=1), (Note that the screens are bigger in the x axis and smaller in the y axis than the MPD frame) but you will loose the inward deflection. It is not a big deal either way in my humble opinion. 

I have not worked on the project for a couple of months now as I need some more hardware to order to begin building my prototypes. Some mistakes which are not apparent now will raise their ugly heads as I go through that process and some modifications will be needed. I hope to start working on the project again in a couple of weeks as I now have my K40 laser and the first panels I have cut have come out good enough that I'm satisfied. 

If you are building a pit with my stuff I would be over the moon if you can post some pics of your progress on the thread.

Hope this works for you and happy new year.

Pilot Front Panel.f3d

Edited January 7 by pesbra

[pesbra]

Finally got around tp restart work on the project. First tests with the K40 laser work pretty well. Also got a Bambu Lab P1s and started experimenting with multicolor FDM printed panels. First tests just came out the oven and am pretty satisfied with te results using a 0.4 nozzle. A 0.2 nozzle should increase the engravings quality significantly. Naturally the laser engraved is a bit better quality but the FDM printed panels with a good multicolor printer is not bad at all.

[Scooter401]

Am 12.9.2024 um 03:56 schrieb pesbra:

Bit of progress. Encountering space problems to fit the Ignition Panel PCB. May need to modify it.

 

 

Do you put a frame inside the case? the case has an inner diameter of 208mm the panels 160mm. I did´nt found any informations  how you mount the panels on the case.


best Regards

 

HPV

[pesbra]

On 2/1/2025 at 6:25 AM, Scooter401 said:

 

 

Do you put a frame inside the case? the case has an inner diameter of 208mm the panels 160mm. I did´nt found any informations  how you mount the panels on the case.


best Regards

 

HPV

Hey man, the panels are designed to be mounted on a shelf at the top of the case. You should be able to see treat in the Fusion files uploaded to the Google drive. I’ll try to upload a couple of fotos of the internal structure tomorrow but suffice it to say for now it is extremely simple

 

[pesbra]

On 2/1/2025 at 6:25 AM, Scooter401 said:

 

 

Do you put a frame inside the case? the case has an inner diameter of 208mm the panels 160mm. I did´nt found any informations  how you mount the panels on the case.


best Regards

 

HPV

Hey my man! so here are the files for the mounting shelf for the left console. I believe I neglected uploading them to the google drive. They are up now.  Panel Mounting Shelf.f3dPanel Mounting Shelf.3mfnull I have not got around to that stage of the build as I'm running out of disposable cash for the project and it's getting expensive. This however should give you a good start but naturally some dimensions may need revising upon testing. I will update files as I do modifications but as I said this should get you very close if not already there. Remember this plate is sized to fit a Wingwing supertaurus. I believe it will fit an Orion Throttle too.

I intend to make it either out of plywood or MDF or maybe acrylic. You could even do it out of aluminum. you just need a scroll saw to make those holes. It should be a fairly simple thing to do.

I'm about to start printing/machining the 737DIYsim  which is an amazing design which is much closer to real life. https://www.737diysim.com/product-page/apache-ah64-throttle-panel-cad. 

That plate will need to be resized to accommodate that throttle assembly and the ignition panel plate

Edited February 3 by pesbra

[pesbra]

New updated MPD mounts. They have been modified a bit to better accommodate the cables and the depth of the monitor screen. New files uploaded to the google drive.null

 

 

 

Edited February 5 by pesbra