Where Do I Start??

[walker450]

I really really want to build some sort of sim pit.... Just the other day I hooked up a 12" monitor that I haven't used in over a year and I am using it as my Shvkal/ABRIS screen and I love it!

 

I also may be getting some push-buttons from work to make some sort of control panel out of... I will definitely post pics if I am able to bring them home. :)

[Deadman]

First you need to make up your mind on witch aircraft. This is not a cheep hobby even if you make all your own panels. Then research until you know the cockpit of the chosen aircraft. Then do some more you rely have to know the project in side and out. even with that said you will probably build it at least twice good luck

[talisman]

have lots of fun. there is loads of info on these forums so do lots of reading. never be afraid to ask questions no matter how daft they seem.

[rocketeer]

You can pick a specific aircraft to build, or a generic one that can cater to several aircraft types. Then you should also consider whether to build a full pit or a partial pit or just a desktop pit.

 

Then you have to decide how to interface your pit to the PC. If you only plan for a small pit, then you can use the BU0836 or the CH MFP (but that is limited to push buttons and is quite expensive), or use the GoFlight panels. For a big pit, you'd have lots of push buttons, toggles, pots, encoders, displays etc. so you'd need IO solutions like Hagstrom, EPIC, Open Cockpits etc.

 

Do a lot of research, and then some more. Then design your pit on paper. Then enjoy the journey. You'd be acquiring skills and tools. After you've build it, you may initially be impressed with yourself. But your newfound skills may cause you to be disatisfied with some part of the pit and then you redo them. It's an ongoing progress to perfection. The pit is never done!

[CAT_101st]

Boy is that true I just bought another 8800 gt so I can run the bsvp and abris on the second card. I want to add more switches and togels the pvi 800 ans so on.

[walker450]

Thanks for the encouragement guys!!!!

 

I plan on doing a partial pit and the primary game will be dcs black shark and a-10 once it's released. I also enjoy lomac, il2, and fsx. :)

 

I will probably start on something in the next few weeks and I will post plenty of pics! :D

[CoNa]

Thanks for the encouragement guys!!!!

 

I plan on doing a partial pit and the primary game will be dcs black shark and a-10 once it's released. I also enjoy lomac, il2, and fsx.

 

I will probably start on something in the next few weeks and I will post plenty of pics!

 

That is probably the best way to go, making a generic pit that works for most sims as there is allways a new one comming around the corner. A tip is to do review and write down what features you want and what you can be without, and then possibly build in stages.

 

This way you won't be stuck in a half built pit (usually due to time, money and kids&wife) untill all is finished but can quickly "get up in the air".

 

I have rebuilt my pit 3 times, from a very small one, to ..well... a bigger ...and bigger one.

 

After every build I have said. Enough, this will satisfy my needs!

But I'm pretty satisfied now (just waiting for the kids to move out so I can use an entire room:music_whistling: )

 

1.st version

2:nd

..and current (won't say last:music_whistling:)

[RipKirby]

Nice!

[HitchHikingFlatlander]

Walker you might look at the route I'm going, I play roughly the same sims as you do and I'm going for a multi function pit. Right now I just have generic set-up of what I will eventually do in larger form (one project I'm getting closer to starting). Best advice I can give is set something up that you can fly right now so you're not trapped in the planning/building/can't fly it yet stage!

 

Here's a link to my generic set up using mostly off the shelf controllers and a couple home built contraptions.

 

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2217250/1/Joystick_Hack_and_More.html

 

That thread also covers my progress here and there when I had a camera to capture it!

[walker450]

That is probably the best way to go, making a generic pit that works for most sims as there is allways a new one comming around the corner. A tip is to do review and write down what features you want and what you can be without, and then possibly build in stages.

 

Thanks Cona! That is a nice pit you have yourself there!

 

Walker you might look at the route I'm going, I play roughly the same sims as you do and I'm going for a multi function pit.

 

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2217250/1/Joystick_Hack_and_More.html

 

Thank you very much for the link!! Something like that is exactly what I have had in mind. (hacking existing hardware) :thumbup:

 

 

My plans tonight are installing buttons on the bottom of my 2nd monitor I use for the ABRIS screen... I will probably hack an old keyboard to input the button functions though...

[walker450]

[walker450]

I started using another 19" LCD for the Shkval, and it is great! Now I just need a big flat screen for the cockpit, and I could put the Abris on the remaining 19".... I don't watch our 42" in the living room much.... think I could talk her into it? ;)

 

 

 

Here is a video of me doing a demonstration flight without using trim. (ST290 with spring removed and dampers added):

Edited February 22, 2010 by walker450

[walker450]

I enjoyed multiple monitors so much that I bought a new 23" widescreen.... :)

 

 

I also bought a Belkin Speedpad that has turned out to be really awesome. See my signature link for details.

 

My next modifications will be mounting my HOTAS to my chair....

[nippinpippin]

Very Impressive.