OutOnTheOP Posted December 25, 2010 Posted December 25, 2010 I'm starting a full-functioned A-10C cockpit build (currently crude; I'm getting all the wiring and whatnot built and mounted on a hardboard chassis before I even TRY making metal panels). Problem is, I can't seem to find momentary rockers. You know, three-position rocker switches like the "page" and "+/-" rockers on the CDU, or the rocker on the EW panel. All I seem to be able to find for purchase are 2-position rockers; they're all the "on-off" type, and not the momentary type. What are the rest of the cockpit builders here using for their momentary rockers?
Total Posted December 25, 2010 Posted December 25, 2010 I searched all over as well. I did find some, but I'm not going to pay around $10-20 for a switch only for it to have a 28 week lead time. I laid out my UFC with regular pushbutton momentaries and used two for the rockers. The UFC and the CDU both use a rubber membrane over tactcile switches, so they're not really using On-Off-On rocker momentaries either.
OutOnTheOP Posted December 25, 2010 Author Posted December 25, 2010 Aha. Didn't know they were rubber covers; in the game they look pretty, well.... solid. I was originally thinking to do two buttons as well; and build a fulcrum-and-lever style rocker cover, but if they're rubber, even easier. A bit of silicone in a mold, problem solved. Thanks!
Boot910 Posted December 25, 2010 Posted December 25, 2010 I'm in the process of building an UFC and I found these switches from C&K components at Digi-Key. http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?lang=en&site=US&WT.z_homepage_link=hp_go_button&KeyWords=7105J1ZQE2&x=20&y=18 The actuation force is a bit high but they work. I got mine when they still had some in stock but it looks like they're out right now. I don't know what the lead time is for more but I doubt it's 6 months. I think Total is 100% right about the actual construction. I have no idea where to go or what it would cost to get the rubber membrane made so I'm going with a combination of the momentary rockers, tact switches and a momentary LED pushbutton for my project. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
Total Posted December 25, 2010 Posted December 25, 2010 I'll be using these guys: http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=EG4614-ND Illuminated...and green too. Paint the caps, engrave the text, and voila :) They have green round ones in stock as well: for the Funct and LTR keys. http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=EG4681-5-ND Going with all square on mine as I'm not building a pit. Making a kind of universal DCS interface panel. So, I'm not going for tit for tat realism. Just don't have the room for a pit, but still tired of using the mouse lol!
OutOnTheOP Posted December 28, 2010 Author Posted December 28, 2010 thanks guys! I'm not actually doing a 100% true-to-spec cockpit either; but it's definitely an A-10C layout. Everything on the front console (not including UFC) will be touchscreen/ Helios, as it just takes too many monitors to do all the gauges and screens, and then it's ONLY useful for that simulation; a touchscreen is handy all around. And I'm simplifying a few things on the side consoles: they won't be backlit, and will have only the front tilt, not the inward tilt. Helps keep the CNC prices a little more manageable, since I don't have my own machine! Looks like 2 months for those rockers. Reasonable enough. The switch footprint is pretty big, so for now I can stick 2x spare momentary pushbuttons in to make it work, then later expand the hole for the rocker. I'll just have to make sure that I run the pushbuttons to easily accessible ports on the project boxes to facilitate switching them out later!
Alex_rcpilot Posted December 28, 2010 Posted December 28, 2010 A section starting from #183 of Rocketeer's thread might be helpful for you. Personally I've opted to use two ordinary push buttons and build a rocker cap on top of them with resin.
Boot910 Posted December 28, 2010 Posted December 28, 2010 I'm using 12mm tact switches for the buttons on my UFC project. They can fit the key caps I have that are just about the right size (round and square). If I was going to go the 2-button route for the rocker switches like you are which is a great idea then I think I'd look at the 6mm switches for those. Easier to fit in that configuration if you mount all your tact switches on a pcboard. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
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