My A-10C preparation

[hassata]

Quality!

[rocketeer]

Ok I got these two knobs from Allied Electronics.

MS91528-1F2B

MS91528-1B2B

 

B means black. 2 means 1/4" size hole round and not D shaped hole.

They are black, as gray ones are hard to find. If the diameter of the shaft is not right (too big or small for your pot or rotary switch), you can make a replica and drill the reqeuired size. Of course it's best the find the exact size and color if you can. I only use 1/4" shaft for my pots and rotaries, and D shaped, so I always look for these type of knobs hole type and size.

 

Quite a number of knobs can be found in the link I gave above.

 

Hope this helps.

[Duckling]

Great progress Rocketeer. It's comming together beautifully

Gus

[rocketeer]

Forgot to add they charge quite a bit for shipping and handling, but at about $4 for each knob, I took it, plus I only had to get one each. then I made like 8 more later.

 

For MS91528-1F4G, they may have the type without the skirt base, which is required for one of the left bottom console panels.

[Feed]

Absolutely fantastic ... I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and buy, then cast as many as I actually need. I guess I'm just lazy ... AND cheap. :)

[rocketeer]

 

At first I thought these volume like switches will be pots, then thought they may be encoders if they rotate round and round. Reading the manual and trying it out in beta one shows them as in-out swithces, rotating doesn't matter! So to build this panel should I be using small push pull switches instead of pots or encoders?

[Feed]

I haven't taken it apart yet, but they appear to be VERY close to the knobs on a real panel I just picked up for parts. The ones I have are push on-push off, and turn like pots, as well. If only the push on-push off function is useful in-game, that makes things simpler.

[y2kiah]

they do rotate though so if you got some pots with push/pull switch you'd be closest to the real thing

[rocketeer]

Thats what I thought too, push pull and pot. But is there such a switch out there?

[Deadman]

must be its in the real panel

[y2kiah]

There are...

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/ATP-50KS/50K-AUDIO-POT-W/PUSH-PULL-SWITCH/1.html

 

I got a bunch a while back, linear pots though, not those exact ones. Their stock is always changing and they may get some more in the future. But since you won't be hooking up the rotation anyway it shouldn't matter if they are audio pots.

 

Thats what I thought too, push pull and pot. But is there such a switch out there?

[Feed]

Minor point, but again, they're push on, push off, like a latching pushbutton.

[rocketeer]

If they don't have to be push pull but just latched push on push off type, then can we just put a pot in front of a push button, secure them together and have both pot and push button functionality?

[Feed]

I suppose that would be one way to go ... but is there any need for the rotary function, anyway?

 

Also, while there are many "pot" type controls in the cockpit, I have to imagine that not many of them will actually work with an actual physical potentiometer. I suspect a rotary encoder will be a better choice, while saving the pots for common control axes like trim, flaps, rudder, brakes, etc. I don't know that for sure ...

[Avilator]

I suppose that would be one way to go ... but is there any need for the rotary function, anyway?

 

Also, while there are many "pot" type controls in the cockpit, I have to imagine that not many of them will actually work with an actual physical potentiometer. I suspect a rotary encoder will be a better choice, while saving the pots for common control axes like trim, flaps, rudder, brakes, etc. I don't know that for sure ...

 

They control the volume of the selected audio. Don't know if that works in the sim.

[Pogo]

If memory serves, the rotation does control the volume in the sim. I distinctly remember turning down the volume of a TACAN's ident code.

[rocketeer]

You guys will need several rotary switches for the pit. Some are at 45 degrees and some 30. Fry's sell them for $6.99 each. I bought a bunch at onlinecomponents.com. Their 45 degree ones are $4+ and 30 degree ones at $2+, much cheaper than Fry's. But they have minimum order of $35. That's ok since you'd be buying quite a few. Even after freight it'd still be cheaper than buying from Fry's. You might find it cheaper at other sites but this was the site I bought from.

 

part numbers

A12515RNZQ - 45 degree

A11215RNZQ - 30 degree

 

For the 30 degree ones there are several other models. Check the datasheet for variations. These are by C&K.

 

Fry's ones at from GC Electronics

35-1343

35-1324

 

The good thing about these rotary switches is that you can set them to the number of desired stops, just make sure you get the correct degree type, else they don't tally with the angle where the words are. If you are not sure how to set the number of stops see my earlier explanation several pages back.

 

I am just sharing the source of where I get some of my switches. I can't promise they are the cheapest source.

[rocketeer]

I'm still not sure if it should be a push/pull or push on/push off switch with pot. if the latter than will this do?

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3012598

or even place a normal pot infront of a latched push button.

 

please confirm what type of switch it should be.

[Krebs20]

Thanks for the rotary switch part numbers. I've been looking for a while and was afraid to order the wrong type. Feel free to drop the part numbers for anything. It's a huge help when just starting.

[Avilator]

This is the description of one knob, from the manual. All of the descriptions are similar.

FM Switch. This is a two position (in or out) button that enables you to monitor audio from the VHF/FM receivers. Rotary Selector position will not matter.

It does not say which position is which, but if I had to guess, I would say that pulling the knob out enables audio.

[rocketeer]

thanks Avilator. I wonder if that means we just need a push pull switch and not care about the pot, if ED is not going to make the rotary function in later versions, which we'd won't know.

 

You are welcome Krebs. I've spent a lot of time searching for the right knobs and switches myself so sharing would spare others the effort.

 

For pots I've learned from others in this forum to avoid audio taper type and to get the linear taper type. Fry's has two, PC24 (24mm) and PC74 (16mm) by Philmore. Both 1/4 D shaft. I believe these are the diameter of the pots, not the lenght of the shaft.

http://www.philmore-datak.com/mc/Page%20189.pdf

I usually take the specs from opencockpits.com as a guide. eg. they sell only one type of pot, 10k. So I get it elsewhere, at 10k ohms rather than something much smaller or larger in ohms, to play safe. I suppose this rating an ideal one and kinda 'endorsed' by OC.

 

another example is encoders. Leo sells two types one with switch and one without. Both are CTS288. OC also sells CTS288 encoder. So to play safe I'd get CTS288, but try it get it cheaper elsewhere like digikeys.

part number is 288T232R161A2 for the one without switch. Digikey number is CT3002-ND. Look here to see what 288T232R161A2 means.

http://datasheetz.com/data/Switches/Encoders/CT3002-datasheetz.html

this is a 4 bit gray type. Can someone confirm that this one will work ok for DCS?

 

The one at OC site is has the switch included, part is 288VCC0F161B2. this is a 2 bit binary type.

[Feed]

I just can't figure out why you'd choose pots when it'd be easier to use encoders - but I suppose it doesn't matter if they're not implemented, anyway? If there's something I'm missing, and I'm gonna feel stupid later on, I'd sure like to know now. :)

[Avilator]

No problem, rocketeer.

@Feed: I don't know what would be easier to implement, but I am pretty sure that the knobs move between two limits, which is a natural application of a pot.

[Duckling]

pots on the real inter panel moves aprox 300 degrees min-max. They're activated in the 'pulled' position. If used/enabled in the sim now or later and intended to connect to OC i'd think encoders would be the best option but kinda hard to pull though ;-)

Reason is they take 2 inputs on the mastercards (of the many) but a pot requires an A/D port. There are a few on the expansion and some of the add-on boards but kinda sparse.

[Avilator]

pots on the real inter panel moves aprox 300 degrees min-max. They're activated in the 'pulled' position. If used/enabled in the sim now or later and intended to connect to OC i'd think encoders would be the best option but kinda hard to pull though ;-)

Reason is they take 2 inputs on the mastercards (of the many) but a pot requires an A/D port. There are a few on the expansion and some of the add-on boards but kinda sparse.

 

So you're saying that the only thing against pots is the limited number of inputs?