Generic DCS control panel

[Abburo]

Hi all,

 

I would like to build a generic control panel based on Leo Bodnar BU0836X 12-Bit Joystick Board which should be mapped to any DCS module. I am not searching for reality like CP but more for an home general usage.

 

So I am looking forward for your help and suggestions in order to be able to identify the right controls which will be found on most modules, so that I will always have the autopilot for example, in the same place. Same will apply to all mappings (eg. start engine, APU and so on)

 

As you maybe are already aware, that board supports combinations of encoders, analog axis, switches following the below matrix (not all same time):

- 32 truly independent digital inputs for buttons and switches

- Support for up to 16 rotary encoders

- 8 analog inputs with true 12-bit resolution and independent wiring

- 8-direction POV hat switch

 

Please feel free to suggest anything so that in final to be able to have a nice drawing for a generic CP. I will use this in conjunction with a G940 HOTAS, which is already handling the most needed controls.

 

Being not an experienced user is the main reason for which I opened this thread.

Thank you all in advance!

[PureEvil]

- 8 analog inputs with true 12-bit resolution and independent wiring

- 8-direction POV hat switch

 

will be cheaper without those, if you planning to buy the board for buttons mostly. something like this: http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86&products_id=205

 

other option is to find some1 who can make you a board (mJoy16, arduino or something) for 64 or 128 buttons, might be even cheaper.

Edited January 2, 2014 by PureEvil

[Abburo]

I have in plan to replace the pedals electronics and this is the main reason for which I have chosen this board.

[PureEvil]

I have in plan to replace the pedals electronics and this is the main reason for which I have chosen this board.

 

fair enough, in that case the rest of the analog inputs can be used for trim wheels (where available) on the control panel and other things that can use analog axis.

 

"So I am looking forward for your help and suggestions in order to be able to identify the right controls which will be found on most modules, so that I will always have the autopilot for example, in the same place. Same will apply to all mappings (eg. start engine, APU and so on)"

 

i think things like gear, flaps, arrester hook, refueling boom, auto pilot, A-A A-G (and sub modes for those) selector, NAV modes selector. not sure if you need anything related to engine, it's not used that often. some sort of weapon panel. those are few that come to my mind. i myself thinking of making something like this, but first need to finish joystick mod. i've got 2 boards, 8 axis 32 buttons and 8 axis 64 buttons, so in the near future (hopefully))) i'll be in the same position you are right now :joystick:

[Abburo]

I have gathered togehther all key mapping in a pivot table somehere back in September. This is very helpful (for those not very experienced players) to check when a function is mapping to multiple DCS modules.

I think it will be useful this time so I will share here with you.

KeyMappings.rar

Edited January 2, 2014 by Abburo

[Abburo]

So, time have passed and I managed to make some improvements to my G940... which BTW, I am enjoying it very much.

 

First think was to replace the main pot for the rudder with a hall sensor. Of course I did not reinvent the wheel, I just found on internet some great ideeas and put in place my own findings.

 

So, for changing main pot for G940 pedals I used:

- 22x8 mm ball bearing - wide spread type of ball bearing used in roller skates as standard

- 8x6 tube - I used carbon fiber tube due it's strength and because was already available in my personal hobby home store

- hall sensor - from Leo Bodnar site

- HDD strong neodyum magnet

- hobby models servo mechanism arm (in my case this arm is a disc)

 

The above ball bearing is fitting perfect and tight in the same location as original pot. No extra glue or any other mechanical artifact required. I also have sacrificed the original pot to extract its rod. This rod have to be a bit sanded in order to go into the 8x6 tube.

 

The functional assembly can be seen in below pictures. What is very important is the fact that the hall sensor is always in touch with the plastic side of plastic disc so that that distance between it and magnet to be always the same and to not vary at all. Any smaller space variation can lead to random moving of rudder axis. My build is not aestetically nice, but it works flawlesly

[Abburo]

I also built an generic button box and added to my hotas as in picture.

On this panel I have 3 axis, 4 encoders and 16 push buttons and switches. The controller inside is of course Leo's device. The 2 main throttle axis and the pedals are connected to this controller in order to get rid of reversal bug.

 

But more important then reversal bug is that the original G940 pedals and throttle axis are on 8 bits (256 maximum positions) while Leo's board is on 12 bits (4096 positions), meaning a greater accuracy.

[PureEvil]

12 bits (4096 positions), meaning a greater accuracy.

 

how many positions does DCS support?

[Abburo]

Nice joke ! :)

[lunaticfringe]

how many positions does DCS support?

 

All of them. Unless they're political, then none of them. :D

[dorsh]

One way you can make the generic box "non" generic is to create a printed/laminated overlay that slips (and velcro's on) over the buttons and switches.

 

This overlay will indicate what the buttons do for each specific aircraft. (for example, a one engine aircraft wont have a "L" and "R" engine starter switches)

 

Then create a different overlay for each aircraft. So when you change planes, just rip off that overlay and slip on the appropriate one.

 

Can easily be achieved using a printer, a metal ruler and a sharp razor. Velcro is optional. Laminator is optional. Perhaps a "matte finishing" spray from your local art store to reduce reflection.

[absolut79]

I also built an generic button box and added to my hotas as in picture.

On this panel I have 3 axis, 4 encoders and 16 push buttons and switches. The controller inside is of course Leo's device. The 2 main throttle axis and the pedals are connected to this controller in order to get rid of reversal bug.

 

But more important then reversal bug is that the original G940 pedals and throttle axis are on 8 bits (256 maximum positions) while Leo's board is on 12 bits (4096 positions), meaning a greater accuracy.

 

Hi Mate,

 

I want to build Control Panel for DCS modules.

Can You recommend which add-ons should I buy

Push Buttons

Rotary Encoders

Potentiometers

 

Why You didn't choose "BBI-32 Button Box Interface". It's a cheaper.

 

Regards,

Zorik K

[Abburo]

The white box here is my first variant. It contains the followings:

 

- 4 rotary encoders - 8 inputs on Leo's board

- 6 lever switches ON-ON - 12 inputs on board

- 2 lever switches ON-OFF-ON - 4 inputs

- 6 push buttons (4 small + 2 large on the bottom) - 6 inputs

- 2 push switches with retention (red + green on the bottom)- 2 inputs

- 3 potentiometers - in a trimmer ergonomy

- 2 external conectors on the back to link pedals and throttle

 

Meanwhile I build a second variant which has as source inspiration the Saitek X-65 throttle panel and the android app Touch Pilot (http://touchpilot.com/touch-pilot-one/). I will come back later with some pictures from the new one which is (i hope) more generic then first one.

 

BTW, Touch Pilot app is a very nice addition to DCS or any other flight sim just because it is seen as a virtual joystick by the opearting system. From here your imagination is the limit. Why I don't like it... well i don't like to not really feel the physycal button and the tablet is more usefull for gauges or maps.

 

The reason I used for these boxes the BU036X and BU036A boards is that I need to correct the G940 reversal bug, and to add in future some levers for mixture, radiators etc (WW2 style) so I just need some more axis. But, if you don't have such needs then BBI-32 Button Box Interface is doing exactly the same job. I do also plan to add a BBI-32 for some rotary buttons in future... if I will really think I will need.

Edited March 25, 2014 by Abburo

[Abburo]

Here is my second attempt for having a generic panel which can apply to any flight sim.

 

The idea for this box is to be permanently attached to G940 throttle like the X-65 style. It will be powered by BU036A board because this one can be easily mounted inside the throttle box, unlike the BU036X.

 

Behind is the inspiration source application : TouchPilot

Edited March 25, 2014 by Abburo

[Abburo]

Here is the mounted panel. I am thinking to add some paint on the gray plastic box, or even some black/yellow masking tape.

 

I managed to change also the throttle lousy potentiometer with the ones bought from Leo's site.

[cichlidfan]

That is very nice. :thumbup::thumbup:

[Mr_Burns]

Love it!!

[doveman]

Very nice Abburo.

 

You've inspired me to try and make a nice switch box for my Dad for his 70th Birthday in July. He only flies X-Plane but it will still be nice for him. I was planning on just buying a tablet and some apps like touchpilot but as you say, real buttons/switches are much nicer and it's better to use the tablet just as a display for gauges/maps.

 

It doesn't seem that complex but I'm not that handy with woodworking, so hopefully I can find a suitable plastic box that will be easy enough to drill some holes in, rather than make a box from scratch, which would be nicer in theory but would probably turn out rather badly if I try and make it!

[Abburo]

I did not bother either to build the box from scratch. I just went to some electronic parts shops and made visual appreciation on their typical boxes. Choose one and then create the layout on the fly... for both panels.

 

Is not complex at all and by now I found them being very handy. "TouchPilot" layout was mainly created for civil simulator so I am sure this will fit your dad needs very well.

 

Thanks for appreciation to all of you and I am glad someone time to time can use them to inspire.

[doveman]

I'm pretty keen on getting a sloped box as I think it will present the controls nicely. I'm sure Maplin used to sell one but they don't anymore.

 

Something like these:

http://www.iprojectbox.com/serpac-sloped-project-enclosure-p-10.html?osCsid=040a88936c026651c7f4de800d0c9f1a

 

http://www.boss-enclosures.co.uk/Enclosures/Desktop_Enclosures/Terminal_Case

 

http://www.boss-enclosures.co.uk/Enclosures/Desktop_Enclosures/Desktop_Consoles

 

but I'd prefer it to be all ABS rather than aluminium as it will probably be easier for me to work with. I guess alu isn't really any harder to drill, it's just a bit more fiddly deburring the holes to get rid of any sharp edges and make sure there's no metal bits floating about!

 

I need a UK source anyway. I found this EU one which looked promising

http://www.altinkaya.eu/9-desktop-enclosures

 

and was looking at this

http://www.altinkaya.eu/desktop-enclosures/55-dt-260.html

 

until I found that with shipping it would come to about 30 euros! So if anyone knows of somewhere in the UK I can get something similar, please let me know.

 

TouchPilot looks OK but isn't customisable at all, which is a shame. I've been looking for apps that just display the gauges as well but haven't found much, for Android at least.

[doveman]

I don't know if any of it will translate to DCS but I found this very nice guide to using an Arduino with X-Plane http://svglobe.com/arduino/index.html

[Abburo]

I recently get an old Saitek X35 and X45 pair in order to tune my son Sidewinder FFB. Initial idea was to change the sidewinder joystick handle with the X45 one, but I had to cancel this because the grip of my son hand is by far better on the smaller Microsoft joystick.

 

But, the need of more buttons and a proper throttle remain and so I have started to change that one. Of course an Leo board is the new brain for it. Also I had different modding plans for X35, but after opening I found out a sturdy construction and the original ergonomy is just excellent. What I found wrong positioned are the only two potentiometers.

 

The final box looks as in below pics and it contains also an minijoystick for the left thumb. I am posting here to have an idea for those who might want try some customizations too.

 

PS: the throttle is completely repainted due to lousy initial condition.

Edited July 2, 2014 by Abburo