Hog's Pit

[hog_driver111th]

Before I start posting pictures of how the pit is coming (which is so far just the front panel), I have a question.

 

I just bought a real TACAN which should get here in a few days for me to take a better look at. Here's the question: How can I get a real panel to work with the sim, and will connecting it up to anything like the Leo Bodnar card work? I know that I can wire up each thing to a card and use helios, but not sure which card and how... and also with power and things. Here's a picture of the tacan I bought:

 

 

I also bought a bunch of panels from Pitbldr which should be on their way too. The main panel has been cut, and I'm currently working on the steps for the center T area, plus the pull handles. Nothing will be backlit for the moment as I can't afford the phidgets card. As such, most of the front panel panels will be carved out of wood. I just did the landing gear panel (will most likely replace these with Pit's panels later on). Here's a work in progress picture. The LDG panel is freshly painted with the labels stuck on. The AHCP is just a print out, as is the next to the right. This was taken just before I cut the MIP:

[Deadman]

I would not use leo,s boards to limited there is a guy in the EU making IO boards with over 200 switch inputs for $100 that is a good deal looking for his post now

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=80201

Or I would use open cockpits i think GUS is using that and is happy with them

Edited January 22, 2012 by Deadman

[Duckling]

..i think GUS is using that and is happy with them

 

Allmost, lol. Several users around and most of'em has better successrate then me currently, but I'll get there (hopefully).

Cheers

[Deadman]

Well at least you have some thing hooked up to a board lol Gus I have been waiting for the hot fixes to be finished and hove gotten busy with other things

[Duckling]

Haven't checked what encoding types the Tacan freq rotaries has. The X/Y band select is a simple (on/off) microswitch inside. If the freq's switches have binary outputs, they should be rather easy to adopt regardless of IO solution.

If I had a choise to start allover for a DCS only Pit, I'd probably go with Helios and Brydlings cards. No personal experience with either though. Choise of IOCards/SIOC is gain prepared suite of diffrent flavours of cards and the MS FlightSim "compability"

[hog_driver111th]

Once I get the panel I'll post some pictures inside and out. It might help some of you genius' out there to help me figure out how to get it all to work with DSCW (including the frequency being shown in the sim the same as what the panel says). I'm surprised that after all this time of people buying real parts (not meaning all of you) that it's so hard to get these things to work. How do they do it in the real sims?

[Deadman]

You will be surprised at the number of gears in there :smilewink:

Edited January 23, 2012 by Deadman

[hog_driver111th]

Little update

 

I finally finished cutting out the MIP. The cut came out good, but made a mess of the kitchen (sure glad the wife went out for the day...:doh:). I also added a couple pictures of my new TACAN. I'll be taking it to my wife's uncle since he works with electronics all the time to see if we can figure something out. I think panels like this or some of the others would be much easier than the gauges on the MIP.... but we'll see.

 

Time to go clean the dust out of the kitchen, and put a base color on the MIP.

[hog_driver111th]

Another little update

 

I added a coat of paint to the MIP. I've also started test fitting some images. The LDG panel is something I carved out of wood but is more of a prototype. I'll most likely buy one from Pitbldr when I can convince the wife I need more money. The piece of wood in the middle is the first layer of the steps, and will be 7 layers total. You can also see the bottom side of what I'm working on for where the pull handles are.

 

[avlolga]

looks great

[Mike Powell]

Yes, looking very good.

[avlolga]

Hello Mike,

 

how is your front console building progress ?

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1332635&postcount=18 - looking for your status on this thread.

[Mike Powell]

Hello Mike,

 

how is your front console building progress ?

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1332635&postcount=18 - looking for your status on this thread.

 

I have the structure together but have not added the threaded spacers into the corners. I ordered sheet aluminum to make the MIP sub-panels. I'm planning on cutting the sub-panels to size and using them to hold the threaded spacers in alignment as I epoxy them into place.

 

Well, the sheet aluminum arrived, the temperature in my unheated work area dropped uncomfortably low, and I was reminded that I hadn't been working on the manuscript for Building Simulator Display Systems.

 

Most of my time is currently focused on manuscript revision. I have a draft that doesn't suck too badly. In fact, I'm liking the direction I've finally got it heading, but there's a fair amount more to do before it's ready for publishing.

[hog_driver111th]

Here's an update I did. It took a good hour or two to get these cut the way they are. I'm only using a basic electric saw, but it's a good start I think. I need to clean up the edges, round the corners, get every layer to line up correctly, cut out the areas for the gauges, add some paint.... then it'll be finished.

 

 

[avlolga]

hi hog_driver111th

 

r you going to use real instruments?

r you going to use screen?

it is looking very high.

 

Avi

[hog_driver111th]

It's using the dimensions from Dimebug's plans, but due to the thickness of wood, they might be a little bit off. If so, only by a couple Millimeters. It will look better once the gauges are in. I do actually plan on using real instruments.

[avlolga]

If real instrument involved , it will look great !!!

[hog_driver111th]

I just got my package in the mail from Pitbldr with some panels. I already had the UFC from him, plus my TACAN. Although most of the others are prototypes, they work for me and look great! :thumbup:

 

[avlolga]

Yaaaa that is good-looking panels

 

i can help with some (don't have many left) very good looking Switches (On/Off)

 

 

[hog_driver111th]

Not a big update, but thought I would share pictures of my UFC, courtesy of Pitbldr. It's fully working except I have yet to solder the LEDs. I'm still waiting on my Phidgets card... hence the reason I have not secured the top portion. I also left this open for now to get access to the USB port for the Leo Bodnar card (makes it easier to store on the shelf when the wife wants the desk.)

 

 

[Cali]

Nice, I'm thinking of getting a CH MFP to use in BMS as my ICP.

[hog_driver111th]

Got my new toy. Here's a quick photo of my new Altimeter from Simmeters. It works great! A little pricey, but definitely worth it to have working gauges with DCS instead of a monitor. I did take a video (from my iphone) but I can't seem to upload it.

[Cali]

Nice, I don't mind using a monitor and having gauges on it, which is what I plan on doing. I want something that isn't dedicated to one airframe. But, if it's your main game then I understand.

[hog_driver111th]

Well, the nice thing about this and VVI, I can use them with anything. I can also use the gauges in FSX.

[avlolga]

Hi hog,

Very nice !!! what is pricey if i may ask?

Thanks