How to build home made panels

[dvarrin]

Hi,

 

I see a lot of you guys creating home made panels with lots of switches and button.

 

- Where can we buy all those switches and buttons, Especially the buttons having a protection cover as in an aircraft?

 

- How do you do the connection with the computer. How many buttons can we have for a joystick and what do we need for the interface with the computer?

 

- How do you put lables on the metal plates?

 

- Where do we find gauges and how do we make them showing the same informations as the gauges in the game?

 

I hope you can open my eyes on all that :-)

 

Daniel

Edited January 24, 2011 by dvarrin

[TigersharkBAS]

Hi dvarrin,

 

As someone who has just embarked on this process myself I can offer you what I have learnt so far.

 

- Where can we buy all those switches and buttons, Especially the buttons having a protection cover as in an aircraft?

 

Any electronic component store really. I believe Radio Shack in the US sells some of this but a good site is RS Components or Farnell (google them). You are looking for Toggle Switches and more specifically, double throw toggle switches. The covers you speak can normally be found in the Accessories section of of the switches area.

 

- How do you do the connection with the computer. How many buttons can we have for a joystick and what do we need for the interface with the computer?

 

You need a USB interface. I got mine from GroovyGameGear.com and it will support 32 buttons as if you had a 32 button joystick.

 

 

- How do you put lables on the metal plates?

 

This one I am still trying to work out. Particularly since we are talking white writing on a black surface which is not common. Still working this one out I'm afraid.

 

- Where do we find gauges and how do we make them showing the same informations as the gauges in the game?

 

That is complex. Several gauges exist but they will require programing to get them to read and display values from A-10. If you feel you are up to it I might be able to provide a few links. But this is not for the faint hearted. Building a panel is one thing, getting interactive info from the sim to a gauge is whole other thing.

[pitbldr]

Where can we buy all those switches and buttons, Especially the buttons having a protection cover as in an aircraft?

 

You can find that actual mil spec switches on ebay. Some can be found individually, but I think you may save some cash if you can find a complete panel. You just have to be willing to scour through a lot of listings and check back often.

 

Another source would be surplus suppliers. One I know of is http://www.bpbsurplus.com. They have switches and panels, but it can get expensive depending on what you're looking for.

 

Be aware that some of the switches that are used in the real aircraft can cost over $100 each when they are new, so even when you find them used, some may cost as much as $20 a piece.

 

Good hunting! :)

[Boot910]

If you're looking for a good general supply of just about everything electrical and electronic, give Digikey a try. http://www.digikey.com You can either look online or download their huge 2000+ page pdf catalog. I've gotten most of my stuff from them.

As for labeling metal panels, there are 4 ways I can think of in increasing order of expense.

1. You can buy pre-made white dry transfer letter sheets from a hobby store and label your panel one letter at a time.

2. You can use white on clear P-Touch label maker tape if you own a P-Touch. If not, that's an added expense.

3. If you own or have a friend who has a laser printer, you can get a toner-transfer decal kit (available @ digikey by the way) and make your own dry-transfer sheets. This process not only requires a laser printer, but also a hot roll laminator and a heat gun to make the decal sheets so it can get a bit pricey.

4. Buy a desktop CNC machine and create/engrave your own panels. Would be the most fun and is easily the most expensive option.

[dvarrin]

Thank you very much for your answers! :-))

 

The links are great!!

 

For sure I would be interested to know a bit more on how to make a gauge show what the simulator is showing. Are there some examples and links to forum explaining how to do it?

 

For example for DCS-a-10C, I guess we have to use lua language. Is there some documentation?

[Jinja]

Hi dvarrin,

 

- Where can we buy all those switches and buttons, Especially the buttons having a protection cover as in an aircraft?

 

In the UK, I use Ebay, RS Online, Maplin

 

- How do you do the connection with the computer. How many buttons can we have for a joystick and what do we need for the interface with the computer?

 

Connect the switches to this: http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU0836X/

The Bu8036X appears a joystick in Windows.

Then use the fantastic XPadder software to do advanced 'switch to keyboard' mapping.

 

- How do you put lables on the metal plates?

I use Letraset transfers/decals.