Real life panel lights

[Bopop4]

Hello all, I've been having a few nagging questions on how to set up some things in DCS, and any help would be appreciated.

 

Specifically, I am wondering how to set up panel lights to turn on in real life. Landing gear, RWR etc

 

I think it would be nice to have the RWR right there in front of me, but don't know how to get an LED to light up.

I'm thinking that since DCS tells it to light up in-game, it should be possible to use that code to send a "on" signal to an LED, right?

 

Same with a warning buzzer.

 

 

The other question is how to make gauges for my cockpit.

I could pick up some small motors to attach to the back of a something like a car tach, but I have no idea on how to configure that with DCS.

 

Thanks.

[javelina1]

Hello all, I've been having a few nagging questions on how to set up some things in DCS, and any help would be appreciated.

 

Specifically, I am wondering how to set up panel lights to turn on in real life. Landing gear, RWR etc

 

I think it would be nice to have the RWR right there in front of me, but don't know how to get an LED to light up.

I'm thinking that since DCS tells it to light up in-game, it should be possible to use that code to send a "on" signal to an LED, right?

 

Same with a warning buzzer.

 

 

The other question is how to make gauges for my cockpit.

I could pick up some small motors to attach to the back of a something like a car tach, but I have no idea on how to configure that with DCS.

 

Thanks.

 

try here for gauges, switches, etc....

 

http://www.viperpits.org

[cichlidfan]

You might want to consider Helios.

 

http://gadrocsworkshop.com/helios/

 

You can put nearly anything in the cockpit onto a second monitor or use it as an interface to home built panels and gauges.

[Bopop4]

try here for gauges, switches, etc....

 

http://www.viperpits.org

 

I tried there, but I can't seem to find a good guide on the basics.

 

Seems that it's pretty advanced stuff they're talking about, and I just need a good guide on how to start from the bottom.

 

You might want to consider Helios.

 

http://gadrocsworkshop.com/helios/

 

You can put nearly anything in the cockpit onto a second monitor or use it as an interface to home built panels and gauges.

 

I would do that, but I don't have an extra monitor.

I also like having a physical gauge in front of me.

 

How do you use it to run panel lights?

 

I was talking to someone more knowledgeable with this stuff, and he was talking about having to buy boards and controllers to run this stuff. I would need to know what I would need to run an RWR, landing lights etc

 

 

Also, I'm currently using a 2nd monitor as a Shkval screen, I changed the settings so that it displays it properly, but whenever I take a screenshot, it only saves what's on the main monitor, and it leaves the Shkval space black, even if it was on.

[Warhog]

This is a very basic description of what to do to run LEDS. First get Helios set up. You need Helios to intercept, so to speak, the command from DCS to turn on an LED. Helios then sends a command to a Phidgets64 board (go to their web site to find out more) which in turn will illuminate an LED that you have attached to it.

 

http://www.robotshop.com/ca/en/phidgetled-64-advanced-led-controller-board.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=GoogleCanada

 

I have a caution panel for example which has a crap load of LEDs and each LED is attached to my Phidgets64 board. Helios runs the Phidgets board when my A10 is started and whenever a LED on the Caution Panel is turned on or off in DCS, Helios turns on or off the same LED on my Caution Panel.

 

Its rather easy to set up but expensive to implement. $125.00 for the board, a bunch of LEDs = ??$$ and whatever you plan on displaying them in ie Caution Panel.

 

BTW, the RWR isn't LED driven. Its a video display so you need another monitor to display it.

 

Hope that gives you a general understanding of the basic setup. Read all of the "make you own Panels" type of posts and it will give you more information as it sounds like your starting to think of building a cockpit of sorts.

 

A lot of people get disillusioned when they see what a cockpit, or a simpit can cost. I spent easily $1000.00 on my setup and I only have 10 panels out of I don't know how many the A10 has altogether. Add up the cost of switches, potentiometers, rotary switches, several boards to run it all, engraved panels, tons of LEDs and enclosures for all of it and the price rises dramatically. This is a labour of love and dedication so if money is at all an issue then its time to do a cost estimate of what you want to accomplish right at the beginning so you know what you are in for... a penny or a pound?

[Bopop4]

This is a very basic description ?

 

Ah, tha's what I wanted to know, thanks.

 

Guess it's no LED panels for me then, unless there's some way to make your own controller board?

 

Oh, I was talking about the SU-25T for the RWR panel, I haven't learned the A-10C yet, the T has been distracting me from it lol.

 

A thousand bucks? Eek, I think I've spent about $75 on my rig. (Ignoring the joystick, I just dusted it off maybe 2 months ago after sitting used for a few years.

 

But hey, it works.

 

Pic

Pic

 

Guess I'll have to stick with ripping thrift store joysticks apart for button boxs lol.

 

 

Also, I didn't see the 25T option in Helios. Do I have to use the FC3 or A-10 gauges for the T?