building cockpit

[WilloUK]

Hi guys

i am looking to build a cockpit, but as a beginner it feels like a daunting task, so have been reading and looking at what you guys have been doing...

my question i hope is a simple 1, due to money i want to do a bit at a time..

my 1st part is the electrical panel, what i want to know is... is it easy to add to this once i have built it and have it up and running?

cheers Phil

[Feed]

You're in good company, Tiny - many folks here just do what we can as time and money allow.

 

Do yourself a favor and decide right up front whether you're going to want output from the sim, to drive indicator lights or physical gauges (as opposed to just seeing them on a monitor).

 

If you're fine using just simulated gauges and indicators on a monitor screen, then you'd be hard pressed to do better than going with cards from Leo Bodnar (or Hagstrom, or any number of other suppliers) that simply connect as if they were another joystick. Software like Helios or LOVP can be used to display graphic gauges on a secondary monitor, if you like.

 

If you do want more control over the output, you're better off starting with a system that has that capability right from the start, and I'd suggest you check out OpenCockpits.com and start with a MasterCard and USB Expansion.

 

These are by no means the only way to go, as there are tons of folks around here doing amazing stuff. If you've got a spare joystick around, hack it! In any case, do your research and plan out what you're going to do. Most of all, have fun ... good luck, and welcome to the club!

[WilloUK]

cheers Feed,

looking forward to getting stuck in and seeing what happens

[WilloUK]

ok stage 1 done :) left/right panels laid out and mounted on cardboard.

Big thanks to Rocketeer for supplying me the layout pics ( cheers mate)

will upload pics as an when i can..

next step im going to do the electrical panel, have found a couple of good switch suppliers in the UK, fingers crossed all goes well