Hi Black_Ops7

To give you an idea about how I am using the string-pot, or more formally known as a position transducer, have a look at these;

http://ge-tec.dyndns.org:8080/download/Throttle.jpg

This is a grainy picture of the throttle. Hard to see, but there are holes halfway down each of the levers. I have attached the string-pot here, on the throttle lever. The other two levers are not attached, yet.

Some PDFs about the transducers here;

http://ge-tec.dyndns.org:8080/download/PositionTransducers.pdf
http://ge-tec.dyndns.org:8080/download/InstallationGuide.pdf

----

I am working on Mark II of my SimPit. My original SimPit was a bit of a mess and I want a more sleek design. To this end I have had a Spitfire instrument panel laser cut;

http://ge-tec.dyndns.org:8080/download/SpitfireMainPanel.jpg

and, for testing purposes, a sub-panel for mounting primary flight instruments;

http://ge-tec.dyndns.org:8080/download/Instruments.jpg

The two instruments are a custom made Flight Illusion Airspeed Indicator and a standard Flight Illusion Attitude Indicator. The AI is going to be replaced with a vintage style instrument soon; http://www.flightillusion.com/GSA36.htm. I have now got more instruments including an Altimeter and a custom made Slip/Turn Coordinator; http://www.flightillusion.com/projectpage.htm

I have also been collecting original Spitfire switches; http://ge-tec.dyndns.org:8080/download/Switches.jpg to fit in the instrument panel. Switches will be attached to one of these; http://www.flightillusion.com/GSA10.htm and custom programmed by me. In the past I have used www.phidgets.com interface kits for this sort of thing.

What I am currently trying to decide is which way to go with the SimPit's structure. I know I will never achieve a Spitfire replica on the lines of http://www.simhardware.org/ What I want is a SimPit that gives me the feel of an aircraft. I want to see instruments working and use well constructed flight controls to fly with. I want the design to be clean and tidy.

The cockpit will either be the wooden design a lot of people have used to good effect (can't remember the name) or based on a welded metal frame. Here is a very rough idea for the frame; http://ge-tec.dyndns.org:8080/download/FrameIdea.jpg

I know I have been lurking around on the forums for a long time, banging on about my FCIProject software, and I hope this goes to show my software and SimPit are not vaporware

All this stuff, as you all know, takes time. I think making a good SimPit is harder than building a kit car. The amount of thought that needs to go into design and construction is much greater than just bolting together a kit

I have also been working on other projects such as gSeat-2 and on a 'commercial' helicopter simulator for http://www.midlandsimulators.co.uk/ I wrote the software to get a R22 helicopter simulator working with X-Plane. This is a fully functioning simulator used for computer based instrument flight training.

More information about gSeat-2 will be posted soon. This is a great concept for a personal motion platform.

And I have written Throttle too; http://www.ge-tec.co.uk/FCIProject/fciproject_018.htm Which I am always trying to add features to

This should give you an idea of what I am up to in my shed

quote:

Originally posted by Lurch1962:
$300 for a pot!!! You're insane!

A $5 cheapo 100K linear pot and a plastic rack and pinion gear would work equally well in this application. Game controls don't need space flight precision.

I'm always amazed at the expenses non-inventiveness can incur. No offense intended, mate!

No I am not insane. I actually got the string-pot/position transducer on evaluation. So I haven't paid for it, yet

In the long run I will probably buy string-pots (possibly from another, cheaper, supplier) because they work incredibly well. These are high precision devices and will not wear out. This can't be said about a standard 'cheapo' pot.

If you don't believe good quality devices should be used have a look at this;

http://www.classicsim.com/update_may_2007.htm

This is where I got my 'non-inventive' idea from. IMHO I believe the way I have used the string-pot is a good application for this type of device. Yes, it is a shame they are expensive, but I want to build a SimPit that I can enjoy and works as well as I can manufacture it. If this means using some expensive parts, then so be it

Maybe I should get out of my shed more often and do less late night Java programming

I agree absolutely that a quality device is required for a motion platform, which must work reliably in a feedback type application. But for a human-operated control such as a throttle, the "cheapo" solution is quite good enough. After all, the justifiably top shelf CH devices use $5 pots and plastic gearing which work reliably over duty cycles of order 1 million. That's a lot of throttle adjustments!

I only chimed in on this issue of string pots to alleviate the heart palpitations of others like me for whom budget is a driving concern in this hobby.

Oh yes, your cockpit and motion platform project is impressive! Cheers!

The issue I had was attaching a real aircraft throttle to a Precision Joystick Controller. I have also had it working with a Phidget Interface Kit.

I believe in a real aircraft the throttle would be attached to the engine controls using push rods, using the pre-drilled holes in the levers.

I am not an engineer (software, possibly) so I had to find a solution to attach the throttle so it could be read electronically. The solution of using a string-pot appealed to me and seemed logical.

Don't worry, I am not getting on my high horse about this. Just trying to qualify my decision

The motion platform is not my work. This excellent system belongs to Kyle, in the US. I can't take credit for that one

PS I am on a tight budget too. Probably the main factor for taking so long to build a SimPit.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: FCIProject3,

Hi

Just a small reminder about the UK Cockpit Builders Forum. I setup the forum awhile ago to help builders in the UK have a meeting place to discuss ideas and showcase their SimPits/Flight Simulators.

The forum was not always available due to problems with my ADSL line. I have gone back to cable broadband. This should mean the forum is available 99% of the time.

Anyone is welcome to join the forum. I just felt there was a need for a forum for us Limeys. I was hoping, one day, the UK community would be large enough to have a meeting, somewhere in the UK.

http://www.ge-tec.co.uk/FCIProject/fciproject_015.htm

This message has been edited. Last edited by: FCIProject3,

Here's some information about the FCIProject and a module called gSeat-2;

http://ge-tec.dyndns.org:8080/UKCockpitBuildersForum/posts/list/31.page#80

The FCIProject/gSeat-2 module controls a personal flight simulator motion platform.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: FCIProject3,

If you want to get the other levers up and running cheaply, why not attach them using stiff wire to linear slider pots? My control box was built with space requirements in mind, I don't have the space for a large sim-pit and needed portability, so I wanted many functions in a small simple box. I used lollipop sticks mounted on a threaded bar (with nuts and rubber washers to adjust the tension), and bent paper slips to slider pots, as below:


If I understand the string pot principle correctly, this uses a simlar principle to your idea. The main disadvantage I've found is the translation of ratational movement of the lever to linear movement of the slider...the slider moves more quickly at the extreme ends of the lever's motion.

Anyway, I ended up with a small control box that does most of what I need.



Good luck with the project!

I can't stand it any more! I got to try a build my own pit. I love the inventiveness of you guys! This thread is the best one I've been following in years!

mmitch10

Your control box is sweet Really well thought out and executed. I love the solutions people come up with. Great work.

As mentioned previously, I am going to a friends next week to install and configure the gSeat-2 software, plus tryout the motion platform.

We have got a couple of days to chat about SimPits and find solutions to a couple of engineering questions I have. Paul, as you can see from his gSeat design, has a very inventive mind and is great with electronics. We will try some ideas to hookup the Throttle a bit more cost effectively

Everyone keep up the great work! I have seen some neat IL2/WWII based SimPits. This gives me that extra push to keep plugging away at my one

quote:

Originally posted by Codex1971:
I can't stand it any more! I got to try a build my own pit. I love the inventiveness of you guys! This thread is the best one I've been following in years!

You gotta do it man! It is a real challenge, harder than building a kit car, but it is worth the effort. The sense of achievement is a great feeling.

What aircraft would your SimPit be based on?

I went through every page of this forum thread, the other day, and saw some great SimPits/Simulators. I am glad I spent the time reviewing everyones projects. There is some excellent problem solving and engineering going on

quote:

Originally posted by FCIProject3:
Some PDFs about the transducers here;

http://ge-tec.dyndns.org:8080/download/PositionTransducers.pdf
http://ge-tec.dyndns.org:8080/download/InstallationGuide.pdf

DOOOD!

Thanks a mill!

I was looking for a transducer for an application at work!

And my GF say reading game forums is a waste of time!

AKA_TAGERT

You are welcome What would you use the transducer for?

They really are great devices. The engineering is top-notch.

quote:

Originally posted by FCIProject3:
AKA_TAGERT

You are welcome What would you use the transducer for?

Long story..

But need to know the position of a zoom lens on a remote cameara..

I was going to use this..

http://www.spectechind.com/Documents/gmco955sc.pdf

Until I saw your link!

Much cleaner..

And cheaper!

quote:

Originally posted by mmitch10:
If you want to get the other levers up and running cheaply, why not attach them using stiff wire to linear slider pots? My control box was built with space requirements in mind, I don't have the space for a large sim-pit and needed portability, so I wanted many functions in a small simple box. I used lollipop sticks mounted on a threaded bar (with nuts and rubber washers to adjust the tension), and bent paper slips to slider pots, as below:


If I understand the string pot principle correctly, this uses a simlar principle to your idea. The main disadvantage I've found is the translation of ratational movement of the lever to linear movement of the slider...the slider moves more quickly at the extreme ends of the lever's motion.

Anyway, I ended up with a small control box that does most of what I need.



Good luck with the project!

WOW!, How can i make something like this?..is there a good simple info anywhere?

Plenty of info in this thread, and you might also want to have a look here http://www.simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=81&page=1.


Mine was built using Leo Bodnar's BU086 USB controller, it gives you 8 analogue inputs and (I think) 32 switches, see http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU0836/

Last I heard, Leo is considering making a BU086 that does not require soldering, which would make it slightly easier to build, maybe it's already available http://www.simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&...=2475931#Post2475931

The levers are connected to 10kohm linear slider pots (you must get linear, not logarithmic), as shown in the picture. These are mapped to prop pitch, throttle, flaps and mixture. The mixture is a bit of a cheat since you can't really map a pot to mixture in game, but with third party software such as Autohotkey you can get the controller to send a keystroke mapped to a mixture position when the slider is moved to a certain position.

The three trim knobs are connected to 10 turn 10k linear rotational pots (10 turn gives a much better trimming resolution, if you connect to a 270° turn pot you'll find it difficult to trim accurately).

The switches are all push-to-make switches except for the bombs and rockets which are not, but I liked having the switch covers on those because I'm a big kid like that.

Whole lot is mounted in an ABS box.

You can get most of the parts relatively cheaply from places like Radio Shack in the US or Maplins in the UK, not sure about Australia. The only expensive parts in the whole thing were the 10-turn pots. The ones I used are discontinued but something like this http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.h...Product&R=2508978642 will do the job.

I'ts still a work in progress, when I get round to it I will be moving the whole lot into a bigger box and adding more buttons. I've recently started trying carrier missions, and would like buttons for chocks, arrestor hook, wing fold etc. I will also move the elevator trim knob so that it is mounted on the side of the box.

Good luck building it!

The non soldering version is already for sale (i have one)

http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU0836X/

quote:

The mixture is a bit of a cheat since you can't really map a pot to mixture in game,...

mmitch10

The BU0836 with firmware 11/07 or new, and BU0836X suport rotary encoders.

With encorder (button clockwise and button counterclockwise) in mixture control in IL2 dont need adictional software.

Sokol1

quote:

Originally posted by Sokol__1:
The BU0836 with firmware 11/07 or new, and BU0836X suport rotary encoders.

With encorder (button clockwise and button counterclockwise) in mixture control in IL2 dont need adictional software.

Hi Sokol_1.

I'm not sure I follow this. Are you saying that I can map a rotary to mixture (e.g. by setting 0-10% gives a key stroke of 1, 11-20% gives a key stroke of 2 etc) without using third party software? If so, I've missed a trick here and might be running additional software (Autohotkey) in the background when I don't need to. Would you mind explaining in a bit more detail how I can use a rotary for mixture using the BU0836? Am I right in thinking that you somehow get the BU086 to recognise a positive or negative movement of the rotary and map this to a mixture up/mixture down key? I'll need to do a bit of experimenting when I get home tonight, but I'd be grateful for any pointers you could give me!

a rotary encoder is the equivalent of 2 switches (+/-) enclosed in a package that looks like a pot. it is free to rotate indefinately, giving pulses on either the + or - output, depending on which way you rotate the shaft. they measure rotation NOT position, usually have detents and typically give 24 pulses per rotation- differing pulses/rotation are available.

they are useful for any ingame command that uses +/- controls, i use a couple for bombsite alt/speed -where the continuous rotation is useful.
mixture would be a bit more 'interesting' on your quadrant as you are trying to measure a position. get an encoder that gives 12? pulses in the range of movement you require, assign to +/- mixture, and you should have a working lever, once you have 'set' the mixture to the levers' position (keyboard?).

it's a possible way of doing mixture (please put mixture on an axis for BOB Oleg) and would get rid of need to run software. you should be able to find a suitable rotary encoder at RS for less than a fiver so an 'experiment' wouldn't break the bank. i think you might find some other uses they can be put to aswell

quote:

Originally posted by bolox00:
a rotary encoder is the equivalent of 2 switches (+/-) enclosed in a package that looks like a pot. it is free to rotate indefinately, giving pulses on either the + or - output, depending on which way you rotate the shaft. they measure rotation NOT position, usually have detents and typically give 24 pulses per rotation- differing pulses/rotation are available.

they are useful for any ingame command that uses +/- controls, i use a couple for bombsite alt/speed -where the continuous rotation is useful.
mixture would be a bit more 'interesting' on your quadrant as you are trying to measure a position. get an encoder that gives 12? pulses in the range of movement you require, assign to +/- mixture, and you should have a working lever, once you have 'set' the mixture to the levers' position (keyboard?).

it's a possible way of doing mixture (please put mixture on an axis for BOB Oleg) and would get rid of need to run software. you should be able to find a suitable rotary encoder at RS for less than a fiver so an 'experiment' wouldn't break the bank. i think you might find some other uses they can be put to aswell

Thanks for the explanation, I realise I had completely misunderstood Sokol_1's post


I'm due to upgrade the box over the next few weeks so I'll try using a rotary encoder for mixture and see how it works out. However, like you I'm hoping that when BoB comes out we'll be able to map mixture directly to a slider.

Other than bombsight controls (and I rarely fly bombers) what other uses have you found for rotary encoders? I guess they could be used for trim, but with nothing like the resolution of a 10-turn pot. The only one I can think of at the moment is supercharger up/down. And while we're on the subject, it would be nice if we could have better control (pot or encoder) for radiators too rather than cycling through all options!