Boltz's A-10 Build

[Boltz]

I have finished the electronics of the SAS panel now. I soldered the diodes and D-Sub connector which is going to be standard throughout my pit. Then I added the LEDs for the Takeoff Trim indicator when disaster struck: I spilt glue on the front of the panel!!! Cleaned it up as much as I could for these photos but I'm always going to notice that blotch in the paint. In taking off the glue I think I also took off the top clear coat I used to seal the labels. I am very annoyed at this careless mistake.

 

Anyway, on to some pics of the panel with electronics:

I just need to tidy up the wiring and attach the prototyping board and connector on the threaded rod stand-offs I have made.

I have also created the matrix for all the digital inputs of the cockpit. From this single Arduino I will be running up to 700 inputs and 16 potentiometers. The following pictures show the prototyping shield for Arduino I used to interface with the Mega 2560. There are only 9 inputs here at the moment so I will let you imagine the wiring for 700 :lol:

Boltz

[agrasyuk]

Wiring is a fun stage (even though my didn't get t that level f complexity), masochistic fun ).

Perhaps consider using ribbon cables more? I'm not getting rid of my old IDE cables for that specific reason, collected quite a stack :)

[Boltz]

Thanks Anton! I'll have a look at ribbon cables, I have some laying around.

 

I spent 5 hours troubleshooting the SAS panel and software till I have just discovered that the so called "Fully Wired" VGA cables I have been using have pins 6 ,7 and 8 shorted. That has been the source of all my problems. I should have had more faith in my wiring and electronics from the beginning. Now I know what the problem is I need to find some replacement cables that are in fact fully wired.

 

I'm going to dissect a VGA cable now to ensure that is in fact the problem.

 

Boltz

 

Edit: Just taken apart the VGA cable and it was the problem. All the ground pins were soldered to the casing so these VGA cables are unusable.

Edited December 19, 2014 by Boltz

[Boltz]

As you've probably noticed I'm spending a lot of time on the pit now since I have finished work for the year. It has also given me the time to catch up on other things. 3 days ago someone sent me a PM regarding the Donate button on my website. I believe people were unable to donate since it was a personal account and also you were being prompted for an address. Both were my fault since I had overlooked these parts when setting it up.

 

I'm happy to say it is now working and I was able to donate myself £1 to test it (but PayPal took £0.23 of it)

 

Any donations would be hugely appreciated.

 

http://it-eam.co.uk/boltz/

 

Boltz

Edited December 19, 2014 by Boltz

[Extranajero]

Is there an idiots guide to Arduino2DCS Boltz ? I can't make head or tail of it beyond basic installation ?

[Boltz]

Is there an idiots guide to Arduino2DCS Boltz ? I can't make head or tail of it beyond basic installation ?

 

Not at the moment. You just need to open the config.xml file and have a look. Edit the "Controllers" section to add the COM port your Arduino is on and the "Init" string to your pin layout. The following should help:

DI - Digital input (switches)

MI - Matrix input (switch matrices)

DO - Digital outputs (LEDs)

Only the Master Caution can be exported in the current release, but it is very out of date.

 

Then the "Inputs" section needs the Arduino ID, Pin number and value mapped to the Device ID, Clickable ID and Value for the DCS command. I have included all the UFC, there is not a complete list anywhere in the DCS file structure but I am working on it. PM me if you have specific panels in mind. I already have some of them done.

 

I know this is all easy for me to say since I wrote the software but I'm not sure what else I can say to help. I know video tutorials would be good but there is no point me making them for the current version, maybe the next though.

 

Boltz

[Extranajero]

:thumbup: Thanks Boltz, I'll wait for the next version then. Good luck with your build !

[Boltz]

Today, I added detailing to the left side of ACES II. O2 bottle I made over a year ago. If I had built it today I would have one it differently but had it laying around so decided to put it on for now.

I'm starting to find a lot more problems with the plans I used for the seat with parts not fitting. Doesn't look like I will be able to add the seat rails. I'm sure it is to do with the way oversized hoses and fittings I used but also the size of the seat.

Also I have made a quick version of the CRU-60/P oxygen regulator ad hoses for the system. Those parts are drying at the moment ready for assembly tomorrow.

 

Boltz

[Boltz]

4 new "Fully Wired VGA Cables" arrived today. Tested with my panels and they didn't work. Tested with a multimeter and I found 5 pins had no continuity across the cable and the 3 RGB ground pins were connected together to create a common ground. Hardly what I would call a "Fully Wired Cable." They will be going back for a refund after Christmas.

 

I need a supplier for fully wired D-sub 15 Male to Male cables. Anyone know of one in the UK?

 

I have tried 3 different companies and each time they have just sent me a variation of the previous. :helpsmilie:

 

Boltz

[MacFevre]

Hey Boltz. Happy holidays, btw. Not sure about the UK, you try Mouser? I've gotten from allelectronics before. You could try making your own. You can even get just the connectors at something local like radio shack. If you can wait a week or so I have a lot of cable I could send you. I bought an entire spool of it at a junk shop for under $10.

[Boltz]

Thanks for the offer Mac but I've got boxes of cable here and already being told to get rid of it so best not add any more ;)

 

I think you have a good idea about making my own. I will look and see how much the connectors will cost.

 

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

Boltz

[bnepethomas]

Hi Boltz

 

I've been through a few iterations of panel connectors with my projects, I've found Polarized Headers to be good.

http://www.futurlec.com/ConnPolHead.shtml

 

cheers

 

Peter

[Boltz]

Hi Boltz

 

I've been through a few iterations of panel connectors with my projects, I've found Polarized Headers to be good.

http://www.futurlec.com/ConnPolHead.shtml

 

cheers

 

Peter

 

Cheers Peter. I'll take a look at them.

 

Boltz

[Boltz]

New PC Enroute

 

I bought myself a Christmas present this year so that finally I will be able to use all 3 screens for the outside views. I bought the screens last Christmas so a year on I might be able to fly with them :)

 

Specs:

i7-4790k

Maximus VII Hero MB

Corsair Vengeance Pro Series 2133MHz 16GB RAM

Palit Jetstream GTX970

Corsair RM750 PSU

Corsair H100i Liquid Cooler

 

Probably use a Corsair 300R Case assuming the H100 fits with the MB.

 

Boltz

 

Edit: I decided that since I am upgrading I will do it right. Corsair C70 in Military Green on the way as well :D

Edited December 29, 2014 by Boltz

[weeb]

Nice rig Bro.

 

3 screens no probs. :pilotfly:

[Hansolo]

Nice Boltz. Congratulations on your new Rig :thumbup:

 

Happy New Year,

 

Cheers

Hans

[Nigel VP]

Hi Boltz,

What you have discovered is that VGA cables have at least three different specs and none are good for us. What you need and what I used to build my pit are cables called "VGA extension" cables. They will be male on one end and female on the other. You want them wired 1-to-1 straight through and all pins connected. I found them by searching for surplus computer cables and then dozens of calls and emails. It paid off though, I found 80 VGA cables for $1 each and another lot of DB25 extension cables for the same price. These work great because you cut the male end about six inches to wire a panel like Landing Gear for example, and the other is wired to your I/O interface cards. Strip the cut end for connection to your I/O then you just plug it in to you panel. If it's not long enough, use one as an extension. Simple and cheap.

[Deadman]

so do you have extra cable to get rid of Nigel?

[Boltz]

Thank you Nigel! I will see what I can find here.

[Boltz]

Building an A-10 SAS Panel Part 3

Wiring and electronics for the SAS panel. I start by preparing wire and then solder diodes for the matrix input, add crimps to connect to the switches, solder a D-Sub connector (each pin on the D-Sub is connected to a pin on the switch) and finally add all the wiring to the panel including the TO Trim LEDs.

 

This will then be connected to another D-Sub connector through a VGA cable and then will become a single "row" of the cockpit matrix. Each panel is a "row" and each switch on a panel corresponds to a different "column." All is the hooked up to an Arduino Mega through a custom protoshield and then I will configure A2DCS for the panel.

 

Note that the rudder trim switch is not a rotary action but just a standard (On)-Off-(On) toggle with the knob on top.

 

Next video will be about making switch covers for fake "flat top" switches which are found on the AHCP, CMSP, KY-58 and also the Monitor Test Switch of the SAS panel.

 

Have a happy new year everyone!

 

Boltz

[Cali]

Congrats on your new system, looks like a beast!

[Boltz]

Thanks Cali! Parts have started arriving and I can't wait to put it together :D

[Boltz]

I prepare the case yesterday which involved pulling out all the 3.5" bays which I don't need and adding the system fans and radiator. I've got 4 fans on The h100 in a push pull configuration. Then there are 5 more chassis fans. 4 input at front and bottom and 1 exhaust at the back plus the h100 setup as exhaust. Annoyingly I won't be able to connect the fans to a hardware controller since the pc will be hidden from view so they will either run through the MB or just he PSU with no speed control.

 

I'm expecting motherboard and ram today so will get it in with the cpu. Had to change to 850w PSU since no 750 was in stock so that will be. Few more days.

[Boltz]

Mobo and memory were delayed but arrived this morning. Now in place and it's looking good. I've cancelled the PSU and will pick one up in town this afternoon. All that is left is the graphics card which should be here at the end of the week.

 

I had to mount the 2 pull fans of the H100 on the outside of the case since there was not enough space inside. Can't wait to get flying!!!

 

Boltz

[Boltz]

Just a few pics of the rig being put together:

Started by removing the HDD ages and adding all fans and H100 radiator.

H100 radiator push pull setup with pull fans mounted outside the case. I cut out a few of the air holes to allow the fan cables to pass through:

And after adding the Mobo, CPU, memory and PSU:

 

I will add a 256GB SSD and Blu-ray drive this evening and install windows, drivers, DCS World. Just need that 970 to come now.

 

I will probably add a second 970 in a couple of months when I have recovered from some of the financial loss already.

 

Boltz