My A-10C preparation

[y2kiah]

Don't think its a solenoid that holds the switch, but an electromagnet. Basically you would just have to get the magnetic switches. They are momentary type and when they are flipped up, engage the electromagnet to hold them in place. If a failure occurs, disable the magnet and it will fall back. You can also force the switch to fall by overpowering the magnet. If it's an (on)-off type, you would only need 2 pins from your microcontroller board of choice, and probably a mosfet to step up the voltage for the electromagnet. Anyone have a good source on these switches?

Edited May 18, 2010 by y2kiah

[Avilator]

The flight manual refers to them as solenoid-held, though. (see the portion of the manual below) Although the behavior is exactly as you describe. If that is the case, then I'll go ahead with the magnet-held ones.

Here is at least one manufacturer (they don't sell directly) of them:

http://sensing.honeywell.com/index.cfm?ci_id=154286&la_id=1&Ne=70&sid=128AB8574224&ci_id=154286&ci_id=154344&N=3665+4294952585+4294959224&la_id=1&la_id=1

[Duckling]

Hi. Check out "art-in-part" on ebay for one of the sources of surplus switches. These are rather expensive, 50-70$ a piece

Driven 12-26 Volts (used 9 V earlier but had some problem to get em to latch with that).

 

Found this on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Aircraft-Honeywell-magnetic-Toggle-switch-F16-Simulator-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3cad44bc36QQitemZ260605000758QQptZMotorsQ5fAviationQ5fPartsQ5fGear

 

An example of how to connect'em: http://www.strandedduckling.com/html/quad_ref.html#QUADRedSAS

 

/Gus

[Avilator]

Thanks for the link, but that's just too expensive for one switch!

[Deadman]

Any thing going on with you guys? seams very quite for builder. I have picked up several new panels. I will try to post some pic soon.

[Avilator]

I've got a question to get the thread going: who has ideas on how to simulate the RWR as a physical instrument?

[Avilator]

There are two ways it has been done with another sim How it would work with DCS A-10C who knows?

 

With a real RWR scope http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/rwr_project.htm

 

Or by using an LCD display

http://www.viperpits.org/smf/index.php?topic=3560.msg75082#msg75082

That's interesting, I wasn't aware that screens that small were available as stand-alone units. The real RWR route won't really work for me, I plan to make cockpit kits/ instruments for sale.

[Deadman]

Well if i may be so bold to give you some advice if your going to sell parts for profit. You really should let people know before they give you their time researching or sharing their knowledge for free.It is a bit in bad taste just my 2 cents.

[Avilator]

Well if i may be so bold to give you some advice if your going to sell parts for profit. You really should let people know before they give you their time researching or sharing their knowledge for free.It is a bit in bad taste just my 2 cents.

Well, in my defense, I'm not using the forums as a place to rustle up free answers for all of my questions. I've done research myself and even helped others with theirs. Also, none of my designs are outright copies of other people's work. For example, y2kiah offered the CAM file for all of the pushbuttons (153 of them) to anyone who asked, and I say good work and more power to him. But I'm not going to ask him for that file and then use it to make anything for profit. It's not like I'm the only one benefiting from these peoples' answers, these forums are public. Someone else with the same intent could come by and glean information without asking, or donating of their own time.

My apologies to anyone that feels shortchanged because they posted ideas here.

Just trying to keep things fair.

I hope this doesn't generate any hard feelings, that is not my intent.

Avilator out.

[Deadman]

Well then we should share information would you happen to have information on the Horizontal Situation Indicator, and Attitude Director indicator?

You may not have this so I will share The specs on the AAU 34 A http://www.kollsman.com/downloads/Altimeter%20AAU%2034A.pdf

[Avilator]

Unfortunately, I don't have any information on either the ADI, or HSI beyond what is in the flight manual of the A-10A. I am waiting on the National Air and Space Museum to send me technical drawings of the cockpit.

[RipKirby]

wow, is that kind of material readily available through the mail?

[Deadman]

Well I hope the AAU 34 A information helps some I am still look for the mil specs on other gauges and instruments :thumbup:

[Avilator]

wow, is that kind of material readily available through the mail?

Yes it is, actually.

Here's the link:

http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/arch/

Well I hope the AAU 34 A information helps some I am still look for the mil specs on other gauges and instruments :thumbup:

It will help, espically for my Solidworks model. Thank you.:thumbup:

I'll see if I can find out the model numbers of the HSI and ADI.

[y2kiah]

I found the following site a pretty good reference for mil spec instrument cutouts, bezels, housings, etc.

http://www.msp-aviation.com/products_avionics_cases.aspx

 

open up the chart on the "View Complete Parts List and Specifications" link for any page to get dimensions for all common sizes.

 

I think the dimensions are

ADI 5 x 5.25"

HSI 5 x 4.25"

 

correct me if I'm wrong...

 

What I'm looking for is the height of the panel just below the HSI. I was thinking 2" ?

[sweinhart3]

Thats what I thought. I planned 2" on mine based off of generic specs.

[Avilator]

I found the following site a pretty good reference for mil spec instrument cutouts, bezels, housings, etc.

http://www.msp-aviation.com/products_avionics_cases.aspx

 

open up the chart on the "View Complete Parts List and Specifications" link for any page to get dimensions for all common sizes.

 

I think the dimensions are

ADI 5 x 5.25"

HSI 5 x 4.25"

 

correct me if I'm wrong...

 

What I'm looking for is the height of the panel just below the HSI. I was thinking 2" ?

Good link, thanks.:thumbup:

[Duckling]

What I'm looking for is the height of the panel just below the HSI. I was thinking 2" ?

 

Past midnight here and it's been a very long day, could you clarify what measurement specific you looking for ? (below the HSI is the NavMode panel and further down the "bottom" part of instrument panel as you seen is "cut" away. From a flat standing panel, the measurement from base ("floor") to the HSI lower cutout is 104 mm

[Deadman]

Hy Gus i think he means the depth of the main panel where it is stepped at different elevation off of the face of the main panel.

[y2kiah]

I mean the nav select panel, 2" seems about right. I left 2.25 on that step for some spacing

[Deadman]

What for the height of the Navigation mode select panel? I would give it 2 1/8 if I were you.

[sweinhart3]

Well if its 2 1/8" that sucks for me cause I already glued the stepping for it at 2"

[Duckling]

Hy Gus i think he means the depth of the main panel where it is stepped at different elevation off of the face of the main panel.

 

Ahum... Now I get it :-)

 

Elevation in metric from base.. (based on "A" version of Inst panel)

NavMode panel 32 mm

HSI 38 mm

ADI 45 mm (same for RWR Ctrl panel)

Altimeter/Speed 13 mm

VSI 26 mm (same for indicators Nosewheel/Gun/Beacon/Canopy...)

RWR Ind 37 mm

 

Cheers

Gus

 

(and to avoid that I miss the target again. My home built NavMode pan is 128*54 mm)

Edited August 11, 2010 by Duckling

[Avilator]

I recently e-mailed a local air museum with an A-10, and asked them the part numbers of various instruments. They replied, and said they would have the information within a week.

[rocketeer]

Two questions to pit builders.

1. In Hispapanels.com the parts sold look similar to OC so I thought they are related. even the pictures of the components look like OC's! But then at the simcard section the motherboard and daughter boards look completely different than OC's selections. If the two sites are related, does it mean OC has come up with new sim cards? I know OC cards are widely used with good reputation. Just wondering if anyone has tried these new looking red simcards. If this site is not related to OC then they are on their own, with no forum to provide support? I read the manual of one of the card, looks good. The only problem I have with OC is that some of the manuals and forum posts are in spanish, with no english translations. and the card design look a bit dated with those DB connectors, but hugely popular.

 

2. How are you guys connecting the individual panels to your I/O solution? What kind of wires and connectors? DB25/15/9 combination with ribbon cables? cat5/6 cables? then extending these wires to the I/O's mastercard? Or bringing the mastercard(s) to the panels, ie. short connection to the panels, but long extension from mastercards to the USB card and PC? I know all combinations are possible. Just wondering what's popular or proven methods. I was toying with a series of RJ45 connectors compared to DB connectors. What do you guys suggest? Any pictures to help illustrate your work?