PoKeys USB Interface

[Wendy]

Hello All,

If you have questions about my article, please feel free to ask.

I'm playing with several of these cards and right now I'm testing these with ProSim737 (version not yet released). Already tested digital inputs and analog inputs, wonderfull and very easy.

Tell me what you think of it.


Kind regards, Wendy

[metamarty]

I like the card very much. With phidgets, I always had 16 inputs and 16 unusable outputs on every cards. This card gives us 55 inputs and all ports can be configured to act as input or output depending on your needs. With the small form factor, you can interface an overhead panel with very little space and investment.

We will be releasing the new ProSim version with the PoKeys driver shortly.

[MarkL]

I posted earlier, but I guess it got lost.

I've been using the Pokeys for over a year now and really like the flexibility and low cost to this card and what you can do with it. While the out of the box software that comes with it is very good. A little programming that is very easy and straight forward like you said, you can really acheive some great results.

Over at Hangar45 http://www.hangar45.net I've written a utility to run the PoKeys to operate the RMU's for a LearJet 45 simpit and will eventually add in support for the DU's, lighting and other buttons and switches. The ease of this interfacing has made it easy for me to create and easier for the end user to practically plug and play with their components. Since the release of this video I have modified the app so it starts and runs minimized in the system tray. There's no need to call it up now except for configuration which can be done in minutes. I think this video shows how flexible and great this card is to use.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd1DJUEL-os

Mark

[Wendy]

Hey guys are you a sleep... :p
Don't you see the posibilities of this card ?

Let me show you how easy it is to connect a PoKeys device to ProSim737. ProSim supports this device natively. Also you do not have to worry about in or outs because ProSim sets the ports for you automatically.

Start by plugging in a PoKeys device into an USB plug and ProSim will recognize the module immediately. From then on all 55 ports are available for digital input, digital output or analog input. No need to configure anything with the PoKeys software. Simply take it out the delivery box, connect it and you are ready to assign switches and leds to ProSim. PoKeys devices are hot pluggable, that means you can add more devices while ProSim is running.

Now take a look at the ProSim screen below...
As you can see there are 2 devices connected, that is number 12054 and 12059.

http://www.flightsimparts.eu/images/Assign%20ports%200.jpg

Assign ports
Now open the "Config"-screen in ProSim and open the "Switches"-page. In this example I'm going to connect the "Parking brake".
Select the Pokeys device, in my case I used "12059" and selected ports 18 and 19. Press the "OK" button to close the screen and you are ready.

http://www.flightsimparts.eu/images/Assign%20ports%202.jpg

Overview
On the screen below you can see assigned ports and how it looks.

http://www.flightsimparts.eu/images/Assign%20ports%201.jpg

Regards, Wendy

[JWS]

Wendy,

This may sound stupid, but this device is something like the OpenCockpits cards, the SYS cards by FlightDeck Solutions or the Leo Bodnar cards? If so what are the differences and/or advantages with this card? Suppose I want to build an overhead panel, what can I do with these cards (and what not!)?

Thanks,

JWS

[Wendy]

Hello JWS,

To answer this question I need to make a difference between how you are going to use this card (joystick controller or real USB device).

1- Real USB device (it is real USB and not a virtual com port):

The biggest advantage is that you have a card with 55 ports. They are not preset to 20 digital inputs and 35 digital outputs or something else. No… it is the user that defines how the card is going to be used. As a result, if you need 55 inputs, then the card will handle only inputs. If you need 41 digital outputs, then the card will handle 41 digital outputs leaving you with another 14 ports that you are free to use for whatever you want… for example as 5 analog inputs and another 7 digital inputs.

So if you only need digital outputs, the card will give 55 of them. If you only need digital inputs, the card will handle them also. If you need a combination… the card will give them to you. So it is the user that decides what the card will be used for.

In combination with ProSim the configuration of the card is very simple, no scripts, nothing to define before you can use PoKeys, just plug it into USB. ProSim will do it all for you. You can use multiple cards and they are easy to identify.

Another nice advantage is the price for these 55 ports. Less then 1 euro per port.

Disadvantage is that the software you are using has to be able to talk to the card. Currently only Prosim supports PoKeys natively so that digital in, digital outputs and analog inputs could be used, all 55. I’m sure others will follow.

To answer your overhead question…
If you have ProSim you could use the card(s) for all your indicators, switches and analog inputs.


2 - Joystick controller:
Because you are limited here by the 32 inputs and 5 analog inputs, there is not much advantage over the normal joystick controllers. It is just a good alternative and the card can be used as other joystick controllers.

Advantage is that you have a user interface where it is possible to add for example keyboard shortcuts…


Does that answer your question, if not just let me know


Regards, Wendy

[JWS]

Wendy,

thank you. So if I was to wire an overhead panel I can connect the LED's to this card and also the toggle switches & rotaries?

JWS

PS So it does not work with PM Systems (yet)?

[MarkL]

I responded to this thread yesterday with a reply to my use of the Pokeys card and a video of the software I wrote which shows how easy it can be to use, but no idea where it went. I think it's related to my posts with links in it as straight text posts seem to work. Maybe someone will fix it and it will show up?

[Wendy]

@Jan Willem
I don't know which software you are planning to use but with the Prosim suite you can connect overhead switches, leds, toggles, rotaries without any problem and very easy.

@MarkL
Haven't seen your post. Maybe someone can check this. ... or maybe you can post it again.


Regards, Wendy

[MarkL]

@MarkL
Haven't seen your post. Maybe someone can check this. ... or maybe you can post it again.


Regards, Wendy

I've already posted it twice, I don't even see a 'post pending approval' if there is one. I even have posted in the support forum with no response. Seems odd on this big of a site to see no response to my issue. Anyway, don't want to hijack your thread on this. I've been using the Pokeys for over a year now and really like the card.

Mark

[Wendy]

Nice to hear Mark


Regards, Wendy

[737NUT]

Is it common ground or power? I am really interested as I am sick of the issues i'm having with SIOC and OC cards and no support. Half my cards I have to unplug the usb and replug just to get the pc to recognize them everytime i boot up my PC. Sorry for the rant there. Thanks for the info.
It looks promising!
Rob

[metamarty]

Is it common ground or power? I am really interested as I am sick of the issues i'm having with SIOC and OC cards and no support. Half my cards I have to unplug the usb and replug just to get the pc to recognize them everytime i boot up my PC. Sorry for the rant there. Thanks for the info.
It looks promising!
Rob

The manual has some nice electronics schematics that will tell you how to connect hardware to the card. For outputs it seems to have a common ground.

http://poscope.com/uploads/files/PoKeys.pdf

[Wendy]

Hello,

For all ports it is common ground. Like Marty says, with the schematics in the manual you are off in no time. And no scripting anymore:p


Regards, Wendy

[fly_ebos]

This looks like a really powerfull card at a great price! And I love the native support in ProSim
Before I make the switch, I have some questions:

1) On my FDS Sys card I can share 8 inputs/outputs with one common. Can this card do this aswell? (trying to keep wiring to a minimum)
2) I see this card supports HD44780 for LCD. Does Marty have any intentions to support this feature aswell? Could be usefull for elec panel, IRS...

Regards
Thomas

[Wendy]

Hello Thomas,

I don't know if I understand it correctly, if my answer is not clear to you please tell me.

All inputs and outputs on 1 card share the same common ground. Led's can be powered from the onboard supply, 3,3 Volt, also with the same common ground. If you have a lot of led's you should connect the card to a powered USB hub or maybe it is better to use the ethernet version as this one needs a separate 5 volt supply. However support for this card is not yet finished.

LCD, Led displays and the like... Yes I know this card has everything we need in cockpitbuilding. But for now only digital in/out and analog ins are supported in Prosim and tested for the USB version with multiple cards connected. All works great. That is already a lot to start with.

Maybe the rest... ah you never know.


Regards, Wendy

[metamarty]

I'd like to support the display interface, but I'll first need to find a display that I can connect to it. I can then add support for it. If anyone can supply one, that would be great.

[fly_ebos]

Wendy, a followup

1) does Prosim provide native support aswell for the ethernet version? Can I connect multiple ethernet version through a switch hub?
2) on the common ground: imagine I want to wire 55 input switches. So on switch 1 I connect the ground and input to the Pokeys and from switch 1 I connect the ground aswell in serie to switch 2, then to switch 3, all the way to switch 55?
That would be really neat to avoid messy cabling!

Thomas

[Wendy]

@ Thomas,

1/
I have an ethernet card ready to sent to Marty so that he can implement it.

2/
Yes, you can.


@Marty
I will add an LCD to the package that is ready for you


Regards, Wendy

[metamarty]

Wendy, a followup

1) does Prosim provide native support aswell for the ethernet version? Can I connect multiple ethernet version through a switch hub?
2) on the common ground: imagine I want to wire 55 input switches. So on switch 1 I connect the ground and input to the Pokeys and from switch 1 I connect the ground aswell in serie to switch 2, then to switch 3, all the way to switch 55?
That would be really neat to avoid messy cabling!

Thomas
As soon as my test ethernet device arrives, I will add the driver support. Support should be available this week. The ethernet version works just as easy as the USB version. There is no specific configuration in ProSim nessecary. ProSim will automatically detect all ethernet PoKeys cards in the network and connect to them. They are then identified by serial number like the USB version.

The common ground works that way. You make one long ground cable, running from the card and connecting all your switches. You then wire the signal cables from every switch to the card. It works identical to the phidgets setup.

[737NUT]

Marty,
Is the USB supported version now in the Prosim Pre-release? I just ordered 2 of these boards and anxious to try them out.
Thanks,
Rob

[Hessel Oosten]

Hi Wendy,

Coming slowly from a deep sleep.....:-).

It seems completely clear that the card is much cheaper than most other types.
But still not clear to me (although it may be answered implicite or explicite several times) if we need to see the card as an addendum or as an repacement or ... may be both ?

But can you tell in simple language ...:-) what's the place for:

Open Cockpits hardware users:

Replace mastercard ?
Replace the "only outputs card" ?
Replace joystick card ?
Replace USB keys card ?

FsBus hardware users:

No experience here, but probably you can make analoge questions and answers ?

Bodnar cards ?

In my specific position: Combination with 767 Level-d cockpitbuiling ?

Hessel

[fly_ebos]

@ Thomas,
@Marty
I will add an LCD to the package that is ready for you



Wendy, can you tell me what LCD it is? I'm looking for something to interface the IRS selector display

[JWS]

Led's can be powered from the onboard supply, 3,3 Volt, also with the same common ground. If you have a lot of led's you should connect the card to a powered USB hub or maybe it is better to use the ethernet version as this one needs a separate 5 volt supply.
Wendy

Wendy,

took a glance at the manual - and correct me if I'm wrong - but using the card for LED's still calls for soldering resistors between the particular LED and the card. If you take e.g. a card from CPFlight (MIP737) there is no need for resistors or anything, just hook up the wires. Which means if I was to use these cards for an overhead I still have a lot of soldering to do.

BTW, how many cards would I have to use for an (forward) overhead panel?

JWS

[metamarty]

Marty,
Is the USB supported version now in the Prosim Pre-release? I just ordered 2 of these boards and anxious to try them out.
Thanks,
Rob

It's not in the prerelease yet. We are aiming for a release this week. If your cards arrive earlier, please let me know and I will provide you with a new built that supports them.

[MarkL]

This thread seems to be turning into more about ProSim than the PoKeys IO card, so if this post was successful that I tried a couple days ago, I can show in a youtube video a sample of a simple application I wrote to handle components for a Learjet 45 simpit. While you don't have to write code, it didn't take much to write this app, I think I spent about 15 hours on it and gives you complete total control for serious customization. Specifically in the video it shows support for the RMU's which are manipulated by buttons and dual encoders. Since this video, the app has been modified to autoload/start, detect and run minimized in the system tray. The user only need open it to configure or reconfigure the settings. I'm working on adding modules to support the DU's and the AML pushbuttons, leds and switches of the lower MIP panel all supported via a single Pokeys card.

The card supports two 8x8 led matrix's and a 16x8 matrix for switches. So you can support 64 leds and 128 switches off of a few pins. But yes, the led support means you have to build some external circuitry to serialize the data (see user manual) and use an external power source and resistors. For the switches, you also are better off to support the tie in from the switches to the matrix grid via a interface board to connect to the Pokeys card. Ie: switch with connector to i/f board, i/f board to pokeys matrix pins. It makes for a cleaner solution anyway.

Mark

Another attempt to post video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd1DJUEL-os

[mondo50m]

This may have been asked before, but is this card available anywhere in the U.S.? Shipping would probably make the cost almost double to get one here.

Milt

[737NUT]

Yes, bought mine for 59.00us! Sorry Wendy but the exchange rate is killing us thanks to the jerks in washington!

http://www.saelig.com/

[737NUT]

It's not in the prerelease yet. We are aiming for a release this week. If your cards arrive earlier, please let me know and I will provide you with a new built that supports them.

My cards will be here tomorrow so anytime after tomorrow eveing would be great and i will test them out in my Simpit.
Thanks,
Rob

[iwik]

Milt,
Sent you a PM.
Les

[Wendy]

Hello All,

Was out last night, so here I am.

@Thomas
For the LCD, it should be a HD44780-based character LCD. HD44780 refers to a kind of standard for these displays.
Led's need a resistor, that is correct. I did'nt know that it is not necessary with the CPFlight card.
For a overhead I have no idea how many you need.

@737NUT
No problem, hope you like the cards

@Hessel
It could be a replacement for the OC input/output cards and keyboard card if you have ProSim.
I have no experience with Level D so I cannot tell anything about this.


Regards, Wendy

[Wendy]

One card for free...

I'm going to give 1 card for free among all the orders I receive during the month of august 2011. Beginning of september an innocent hand will decide who get's his/her money back for 1 card (excluding shippingcost). I will publish the winner here in this thread.

Regards, Wendy

[tiburon]

Yes, bought mine for 59.00us! Sorry Wendy but the exchange rate is killing us thanks to the jerks in washington!

http://www.saelig.com/

How did you do that ? It will cost me 70 euro's and I live next door !

[Perik]

Wendy,

From the manual:

Digital output
Any one of the 55 pins can be configured as digital output by selecting ‘Digital output’ option box. Each pin can sink or source up to 4 mA of current, with the limitation that the pins combined source or sink current does not exceed 100 mA. If the polarity of the pin is inverted, check the 'Invert pin' box.

I may have missed something, but have you consider adding a driver circuit?
To me it seems as 10 LED's at 10mA each is a kind of a limit and
I believe that 4mA is too low for a well driven LED.

[Wendy]

What they mean I think is if you power it from the USB port because the USB port has a current limit. I'll ask the manufacturer but it was definitily more with my tests.


Regards, Wendy

[Wendy]

About the Led's...

Waiting for my answer I have setup a small test.

I have powered 1 led directly from PoKeys, the right one in the picture:
Output 3,1 Volt - Led with 330 ohm resistor - current flow 3,7 mA - 1,85 Volt over the LED.

Powered other outputs through ULN2803A driver, 3 leds bottom left:
PoKeys output goes directly to the ULN
4 Volt output from the ULN with 330 ohm resistor to the LED - current flow 6,8 mA - 1,95 Volt over the LED.

See the picture for the result. There is a small difference in brightness, the ones powered from the ULN are a little bit brighter, not much however.

Changing the resistor on the Led that is connected to PoKeys to 100 ohm gives me a current of 8,61 mA through the LED. Now I don't see any difference in brightness with the one powered by the ULN.

http://www.flightsimparts.eu/downloads/Pokey_Leds_ULN2803.jpg

http://www.flightsimparts.eu/downloads/Pokey_Leds_Schematics.jpg



I'll come back on this as soon as I have more info.


Regards, Wendy

[Wendy]

Below is the answer from the manufacturer.
So the manual is correct.

Regards, Wendy


Hi!

4mA is maximum and from our experiences it is enough for modern LEDs.
If you need more current, you can use e.g. ULN2003 or ULN2803 to amplify it.

[Perik]

Hello Wendy,

Thanks for the verification.
My intention with the question was just to be sure about the 4mA/100mA
limitation so that people using the board for driving LED's install
an adequate resistor.

Anyway the board looks great, but one thing missing: SIOC support ;-)

[Wendy]

Hello Per-Erik,

In my setup I'm going to use the ULN2803A if I have to drive more leds from 1 port or if I need to use high current Led's. The ULN can sink 500 mA per port, I will probably never need that much current.



Regards, Wendy

[hexpope]

To us European customers, the price is only 50 EURO to your door from the main PoLabs website. I am going to order one today.

[Wendy]

It's up to you to make your choice how you want it to be sent out. For Belgium, Holland and Luxemburg I can sent it out with tracking for 8,00 euro, please mail or PM me.

=>By normal post no shipping cost but no insurance and tracking number, price on my website = 45 euro
=>Sent out by TNT, with tracking number and insurance = 45 euro + shipping cost.


Regards, Wendy

[hexpope]

Your prices do not include VAT as it states on your website, so it's 45 euro minus the vat. Including vat = 54.45 EUR

[Wendy]

@hexpope

Copied from my website

PoKeys 55 USB
Ordernumber: PoKeys USB
€ 45,00 (21% VAT included)
PROMO till 31 august 2011

Total price VAT Included: € 45,00
Tracked shipping cost Europe: € 15,00


Please if you don't want to order through my website, no problem for me.

Regards, Wendy

[hexpope]

Wierd...

I havent updated the page since this morning, so maybe you have updated your website in the mean time.

[Wendy]

Just a word of thanks to all who replied and in special to the people that have ordered their cards directly by me.

Thanks all,

Wendy

[JWS]

Wendy,

Do you have to connect the Pokeys interface to the FS pc or can you use a networked pc?

JWS

[Wendy]

For the USB PoKeys, you have to connect it directly to the PC where Flight simulator is installed or ProSim.

The Ethernet device is connected through a network switch and can be accessed from any pc connected to the network.
Right now testing the ProSim and Ethernet PoKeys.

Regards, Wendy

[ridgenj]

Milt!

CNC4PC.com is the US distributor.
Cheers
Luis

[ian@737ng.co.uk]

good day chaps (and ladies of course) :o
top marks to Wendy on delivery. ordered over last weekend, sent out monday and in under 48 hours the card was on my workbench in the UK.
now that's what i call service... well done Wendy.

right so the card is here, you have to have a play dont you. i think the hardest part of using this card is reading the manual
and working out how to use the configuration software, which incidentally is not playing ball, keeps 'locking up' on me. i installed the 'beta' of the new configuration software, so i may just remove it and go back to the previous version.

reading thru this post and the manual it seems to me that to use it for lighting up leds will need a bit of work with resistors,drivers and the soldering iron. but, as i already have a phidgets card, i think for me it would be wise to continue using that for outputs.

but the beauty of this card is 55 inputs from one card !

maybe a dumb question (i haven't read all the manual yet). will Prosim be able to see the analog inputs as well? (you know for dimming displays :o ) or natively supported is it only the inputs/outputs it will recognise?

looking forward to the weekend when i can do some serious playing......

rgds

ian

[metamarty]

Yes, ProSim supports the analog inputs. ProSim will also do the configuration for you, so you should not need to use any PoKeys software configuration tools. Just select the pins you want to use in the ProSim configuration, and the card will be configured for you, including analog inputs.

[Wendy]

Thanks Ian,

You can use the analog inputs, I'm using these to dim the displays. And it is correct with ProSim you don't need to use the configuration software just plug it in the Flightsim PC, enable the PoKeys cards on the hardware tab and you are ready and ProSim takes care of every input or output you select.

You only need the configuration software when you want to do special things are use it like a normal joystick controller.

If you have questions, just ask.


Regards, Wendy

[ian@737ng.co.uk]

Yes, ProSim supports the analog inputs. ProSim will also do the configuration for you, so you should not need to use any PoKeys software configuration tools. Just select the pins you want to use in the ProSim configuration, and the card will be configured for you, including analog inputs.

thanks marty......
didn't get that far yet. btw, i am so impressed with this software. and for Wendy 'If you have questions, just ask.' :o trust me, i will.
rgds

ian

[metamarty]

Thanks :p

We will continue to improve, so there's more on the way :D

[ridgenj]

US Distributor is ......


But I ordered mine from Wendy because postal services are fast to the US and she has helped to advance our hobby
Luis

[Wendy]

Thanks Luis,

It will leave this morning. I have sent a confirmation to your mailaddress.

[tlhflfsx]

Here is a simple lua script I created for the PoKeys55T device that turns three landing gear LED's on and off using lua events.

Hope this information is useful.

Terry

[Wendy]

Thanks Terry, did'nt know that you could make a connection via PoKeys with Lua script.

Very nice, do you mind if I put it in on my website giving credit to you ?

Regards, Wendy

[tlhflfsx]

Thanks Terry, did'nt know that you could make a connection via PoKeys with Lua script.

Very nice, do you mind if I put it in on my website giving credit to you ?

Regards, Wendy

Wndy,

You are more than welcome to post this info to your web site. Credit is not required. Just happy to be able to share with others.

Terry

[Wendy]

Much appreciated, thanks for sharing.


Regards, Wendy

[flatdog]

Wendy,

I have a couple of POKeys55 cards that I bought from you to use with ProSim and am really pleased with the results. Do you know if it is possible to connect a servo (for say the flaps guage) directly to the card or is it necessary to have a separate servo controller card for this job.

Thank you,

Philip

[Wendy]

Hey Philip,

Funny you ask because I'm writing a small program that can drive a servo directly connected to a PoKeys USB card. It is not yet completely finished but it works already. When changing the flap lever the servo moves slowly to the choosen flap setting. It will work with FSUIPC.

As soon as it is ready I'll post a link to the program.

Regards, Wendy

[flatdog]

Wendy,

That is great news - thank you. Is there a way forward for things like EGT, Fuel Temp and brake pressure? I can see the outputs in the ProSim737 interface but am not entirely sure how to make best use of them.

Regards,

Philip

[Wendy]

I don't know, I'm not that far. Maybe it is better to ask this question on the ProSim forum.

Regards, Wendy

[tlhflfsx]

Wendy,

I was able to get a poKeys55E (ethernet version) for testing and have created an updated lua script that shows how to connect to both the USB version and the ethernet version. The script also contains more examples of how to interface to the poKeys device that others may find useful.

Please remove the original file on your web site and replace it with this file.

Terry

[Wendy]

Thanks Terry for the updated script. You seem to have a very good understanding of LUA-scripting, very nice.

Regards, Wendy

[flatdog]

Wendy,

I am sorry to ask such a basic question but could you confirm the way to connect a servo to a POKeys55 card. I have a HiTec servo with red (+), black (-) and yellow (signal) wires. I am also a little unsure as how the pins should be configured in the POKeys software.

Many thanks,

Philip

[Wendy]

Hey Philip,

The black and red wire are the power, so + 5Volt. The black one goes to the ground on the PoKeys card. The red one I connect to a separate power supply of 5 Volt (because the Pokeys have only 3,3 Volt and that is not enough for the servo). Ground of servo and Pokeys have to be connected. Make sure you make no mistake, otherwise the PoKeys card goes to heaven. The yellow goes to a PWM output port on the PoKeys.

You can check the working of the servo via the included software "Peripherals - PWM outputs".

If you want to drive the servo via external programming (see also the PoKeys examples), here is which values to use.
RC servos require a pulse with the width between 1 and 2 ms, with 1.5 ms being the center position. Furthermore, these pulses must be sent at approximately 50 Hz (20ms period).
In order for this to work properly, use the following settings:
- PWM period: 20 ms * 12 000 cycles/ms = 240 000
- PWM duty: 1-2 ms * 12 000 cycles/ms = 12 000 (one end) to 24 000 (the other end)
The 'good' values for the PWM duty are therefore only between 12000 and 24000. Some servos may support signals that are out of the 1-2ms range. Adjust the duty cycle accordingly.

Hope this helps you.

Regards, Wendy

[flatdog]

Wendy,

Many thanks for your detailed reply. I had assumed that the '5v' port on the opposite side of the card from the '+3.3v' was a 5v supply but obviously not. Can you tell me what it is for?

Regards,

Philip

[Wendy]

Well it is indeed a 5 Volt connection, haven't noticed this before:idea:

You could use it if you're servo uses les power than the usb port can provide. For me I do not like to power them from the USB-bus.

Regards, Wendy

[flatdog]

Thank you. I hope you did not think I was trying to be 'clever', it was certainly not my intention. I am gradually getting to grips with these cards - I think they have huge potential. I have a slide potentiometer connected to the 5v port controlling a test throttle which seems to work well but I wasn't 100% sure what I was doing. I am keen to experiment but do not want to destroy the card so your advice is much appreciated. Out of interest what do you use for your 5v supply. I have been stripping a 350W PSU from an old PC but haven't quite finished it yet.

Regards,

Philip

[Wendy]

I hope you did not think I was trying to be 'clever',

No, not at all. We are here to help each other.

Besides my regulated lab power supply I'll use the ones mentioned in the link.

http://www.meanwell.nl/products/Meanwell-S-60-5---PSU-enclosed-5V-12A__S-60-5.aspx

These power supplies can be bought every where.

Regards, Wendy

[flatdog]

Brilliant - thank you.

[Bernie]

Hi Wendy,

I am nearly ready to start wiring some of my hardware to the Pokeys USB Card using Prosim737. The question I have is, how many LED's can I connect to one card using the 390ohm resistors. The LED's that I am using are a standard 5mm diffused type. I am trying to decide whether or not to use the Phidget LED-Advanced for the LED's or the Pokeys USB. Do you, off the top of your head, know how many can be used off one card. I am quite happy buying more of the cards for this purpose but would really need to be able to use the full 55 outputs for the LED's. Also, I gather the Ground and 3.3V can be routed through a PCB from the Pokeys card as there is only the one terminal for each on the card. (Basic question I guess). I understand how Prosim737 works, it is just working out the cheapest and most effective way of using the indicators from prosim. I will be using Open Cockpits cards for the 7 Segment displays required unless you know of any other way to use 7 segment displays.


Kind Regards

Bernie

[Wendy]

Hello Bernie,

To use all PoKeys ports to drive Led's there is only one way and that is use the circuit that is in the PoKeys manual (I think page 54). I have made a PCB drawing for this and it is freely available on my website.

Why can't you use just a limited number of ports to drive led's directly...

First of all there is also a limitation on the power you can draw from the USB port on your computer. Suppose you want to drive 50 Led's and each led takes about 10 mA that gives you 500 mA. To much to use directly from the USB port. That is a limitation on the USB port.

You also have to take into account the total power consumption from a Pokeys card that cannot be more than 100 mA with 4 mA per port.

So you can use all ports to drive led's if you use the driver PCB from my website. That way the power comes from a different powersupply and you can switch a few hundred of mA per port or 20 led's per port.
The board is very easy to build and components cost you only a few euro.


Regards, Wendy

[Bernie]

Hi Wendy,

Thanks for the prompt response, I will have a look at the PCB on your site and make the decision. If I only use a small number of the outputs on the pokeys card, I would have to have quite a few, considering the number that would be required to have the Overhead panel working correctly.

Kind Regards

Bernie.

[Bernie]

Hi Wendy,


Introduction: My overhead panel is made from printed panels between Clear Plastic and the finished product is not bad. Any indicators on that panel will be illuminated by an LED when Prosim737 calls for it to be illuminated.


In the Prosim737 Configuration, under the Tab "Indicators", as you know, you are presented with all or most of the indicators that will appear on the overhead. On my home made panel, I intend to use either an amber or blue LED for the corresponding indicators on the panel. Therefore, the way I see it, each entry in the list of the indicators section, would be attached to an individual LED for the particular indicator. If this is so, then each LED would have to be on a seperate output for it to mimic what Prosim is telling it to do. Again, if this is so, then how would your PCB know which LED is being called upon by Prosim 737. The way I am seeing it, every indicator on the overhead would have to have it's own output. If this is wrong, are you able to describe how your PCB would determine this instruction.

Kind Regards

Bernie.

[Wendy]

Hey Bernie,

your explanation of ProSim configuration for Leds is correct.

The PCB has 24 inputs and 24 outputs, every input is connected with a port on the PoKeys. The Leds are connected to the outputs of the PCB. The power on the PCB comes from a different power supply that can supply more Amps.
So if for example you connected the first 24 ports of the PoKeys to the inputs of the PCB then if you activate port 9 on the PoKeys then input 9 on the PCB is triggered and the respective led on output 9 lights up.

If this is not clear to you, please let me know.


Regards, Wendy

[Bernie]

Hi Wendy,

Thankyou for the detailed explanation, yes I now understand how it works, so I guess now it is just a matter of deciding what board to use. I think the Pokeys board will probably be the way to go for it's simplicity. Just one other question though if you don't mind answering another one, can I have a common ground external to the Pokeys Board for switch connections, meaning a piece of Vero Board that I can take the ground from. Again, thankyou for you valuable help. Finally, do you sell the completed LED boards? and if so, how much would they be into South Australia approximately and are there any power supply conditions, could I use and old 240v to various voltage power supply units.

Kind Regards

Bernie.

[AK Mongo]

Wendy,

I am a latecomer to this thread, but am very interested in this cards potential if it can drive servos for steam gauges.

This card seems to be able to drive servos...

If it takes 2 inputs per servo, does that mean it can actually drive 27?

Does it have a GUI that makes it easy to configure and calibrate servos? If not, how does one access the i/o information of the servo? Lua appears to be one option, but is there a more user friendly way?

Thanks for your time.

Reid

[Wendy]

Hello Bernie,

Yes you can use a common ground. The PoKeys cards have 3 of them all, It doesn't matter which one you use. I would recommend using a 5 Volt power supply with the driver PCB.
I can sell you a completed board if you let me know the value of the resistors you need. I have to calculate the price, I'll tell you later. They are home made, if in time enough people are interested in this board I can order a batch of factory made boards.

Hello Reid,

Welcome to the PoKeys fun.
Yes this board can drive servo's. You only need one PWM port for every servo. The PoKeys card has 6 of them. Configuration software is available to test. However if you want to use it in combination with a flightsim you need external software to drive them, currently ProSim does not yet support the servo's but I think this will not be a problem for you as a programmer ;)
I'm currently writing a piece of test software to drive them from FSUIPC and it already works and works fine for a flaplever 737 kind, but a little bit short of time to finish it. My software is written in Delphi and the connection method to the PoKeys is only a few lines of code. The programming is fully documented and easy to use. There are examples available in Delphi, C++, VB and C#, it's very easy.


Regards, Wendy

[Bernie]

Hi Wendy,

Perhaps then I should just purchase the bare PCB from you if that is OK with you. Are you happy to give me a price for the PCB only plus postage, and I will purchase components here in Australia. I thought the resistor value would be the same as the Pokeys recommended value, is this not always the case? (Depending on Powersupply used???? or LED type used????). If you would rather PM me that is Ok but here is fine by me.

Kind Regards

Bernie.

[Wendy]

Hi Bernie,

The resistor value to connect leds to the PoKeys is calculated for the PoKeys port and the 3.3 Volt it uses.

You should calculate the resistor value based on the power supply you use and the type of led that you use. An easy calculator is available here http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz

Price of the board made with photo resist method, CNC drilled and shipped to Australia = 10 euro (no components).



Regards, Wendy

[Bernie]

Hi Bernie,

The resistor value to connect leds to the PoKeys is calculated for the PoKeys port and the 3.3 Volt it uses.

You should calculate the resistor value based on the power supply you use and the type of led that you use. An easy calculator is available here http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz

Price of the board made with photo resist method, CNC drilled and shipped to Australia = 10 euro (no components).



Regards, Wendy


Hi Wendy,

I would be interested in purchasing 5 of your PCB's bare plus 2 more Pokeys USB cards. Are these the new type?. I have looked at the price on your site and it includes postage, is this correct?. I can pay via PayPal. If this is satisfactory, could you PM me with the details of how to organize this. I will return a PM to you with my details for delivery or do I do this all through your link below in your Signature. Also thanks for the link, it certainly make light work of it all. I had trouble coming up with the resistor value that Pokeys recommended with the link (using the single LED link also)Is the 390ohm value recommended for another reason?

Kind Regards

Bernie.

[Wendy]

Hi Bernie,

Please sent me a mail with your details, you will find my contact details on my website (top right "Contact"-button). After that I'll sent you a PayPal invitation for the total amount 2 x PoKeys 56U, new type (no shipping cost) and 5 x bare pcb.

The value of the resistor is based on the max. output per port and 3.3 volt.

Thanks, Wendy

[Bernie]

Hi Wendy,

I would like to thank you here for the very professional happy and prompt service I have received from you today. I would not hesitate to do business with you again. Thankyou.

Kind Regards

Bernie.

[Wendy]

Thank you Bernie, it's done with pleasure.


Kind regards, Wendy

[Bernie]

Hi Wendy,

Is it possible to use 9volt on your LED boards so I am able to use up the 390ohm resistors that I originally purchased for the PokeysUSB board. This is the link to the type of LED's I will be using. When I use the calculator the you pointed out to me, the result was near to the Spec. on the page. http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=ZD0160&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=976#1 Can you think of any problem arising from the 9V whether it be to the LED card or the PokeysUSB card, keeping in mind I will be connecting to your card. I was thinking of using one of those black plug in type power supplies which could be 5v or 9v @ 2Amps.

Kind Regards

Bernie.

[Wendy]

Hello Bernie,

You can use 9 Volt to power the board and switch the led's. No problem at all.

Regards, Wendy

[Bernie]

Hi All,

Just for those that may be interested in new developments in 7 Segment Displays for Pokeys that have not already seen this thanks to Wendy at http://www.flightsimparts.eu/simulator.html

Kind Regards

Bernie.

[Wendy]

Hey Bernie and all,

Indeed finished the 7 segment displays that work via PoKeys software. For those that are interested, I'll start a new thread about this in a couple of hours with the all the details about this.


Regards, Wendy

[Bernie]

Great Wendy,

I will be ready again with PayPal if this does the job, which I am sure it will.

Kind Regards

Bernie.

[Wendy]

Hello,

Showing you my new Led extension board and how to connect it. This board does not need extra software but can be connected directly to a PoKeys card giving you 24 high power outputs to drive led's.



http://www.flightsimparts.eu/images/Pokeys_Led_extension_board_Version_2_Explanation.jpg

http://www.flightsimparts.eu/images/Pokeys_Led_extension_board_Version_2_Connection.jpg


Regards, Wendy

[ian@737ng.co.uk]

Well all the jobs i have for other people are out of the way now, so it's back on my own project. PoKeys card working fine, so about time to think about getting ProSim fully installed and running in my cockpit. I'll be ordering another card and this board as well Wendy after christmas. Very neat job and so easy to connect up :o Have a great great holiday everybody.
rgds from wales

ian

[Wendy]

Hello All,

Despite the fact that it all looks a bit like a money maker by selling all these cards, I have to tell you that I’m not making any money on this for now and that it is not the reason why I’m doing all this.
I should not do it for the profit on the cards, because that is really almost nothing. But hey that is not a problem, it’s not about making money but to provide you with an easy to use interface system. Just consider all the research that is needed, sending samples to people who can support this hardware in their software package. Development of additions, and then it’s not working like it should be, or made a mistake in the design, so start all over. I think you all experienced this once or more times.

My only intentions are to provide you with a simple, click and go system to interface with ProSim 737, no scripting, just connect, configure, use. And yes my profit is also a little bit that I’m using this system myself.


Kind regards, Wendy

[Bernie]

Hi Wendy,

I for one am so greatful that you are prepared to spend so much time and money to make this hobby a much simpler and more enjoyable one for others. I came into this not knowing much and when I looked at all the quite complicated options, I wondered whether I had biiten off more than I could chew. Until, that is, I found the Pokeys cards. From this I found your site and have been amazed that it could all be so simple with your extra hardware. As I am using Prosim737 and Marty has been kind to incorporate these cards into his software, I have now realised it is not beyond me anymore. Wendy, I thank you.

Kind Regards

Bernie.

[flatdog]

I second that. I cannot wait to get my hands on some boards for the seven segment displays - they are a great step forward.

Kind regards,

Philip

[brynjames]

Showing you my new Led extension board and how to connect it. This board does not need extra software but can be connected directly to a PoKeys card giving you 24 high power outputs to drive led's.



A very interesting thread, which has come just at the right time for me as my overhead is on its way to me now (or more exactly, buried under piles of Xmas parcels in the courier's warehouse).

The cable sets available with the LED board are described as 6 colour coded cables with plugs - am I right that 3 of these go on the Pokeys side to connect to the Pokeys56U board, and the other 3 go on the output side to attach directly to LEDs? And how long are the cables provided?

Many thanks

--
Bryn

[brynjames]

I used to be indecisisive, but I now just say I want to build a multifunction generic pit, a sort of turbo prop Airbus 737NG.

So, ProSim and Pokeys solve the 737 problem superbly, but what options are there for interfacing to other aircraft, making use of Pokeys?

I had always assumed I would one day have to get to grips with the advanced facilities of FSUIPC, offsets, mouse macros etc . I realise I can use the joystick button emulation function of Pokeys to access standard FSX functions but I am not sure how to proceeed with non-standard functions - would I for instance have to get Pokeys and FSUIPC to talk to each other, and if so, how? I haven't phrased that very well but I hope you understand what I am trying to convey :)

--
Bryn

[Wendy]

Hello Bryn,

You are right about the cable connections. The cables are 20 cm so you will probably have to make them longer at the led side. Connect them as close to PoKeys as possible.

Currently PoKeys is focused on ProSim, but I know someone who's writing an interface so that it can be used for other things. Can't tell you more right now, and no it is not me.

Another way of connecting to PoKeys and FSUIPC is LUA scripting, there is a very good example here in the thread. The use of PoKeys as a joystick controller is also possible but that would limit yourself to digital input and analog inputs. Only a small part of what PoKeys is capable of.

Regards, Wendy

[Bernie]

Hi All,

For anyone who may be interested, the Prosim737 (Latest Pre_release) now caters for 3 different samplings for Rotary Encoders. 1, 2 & 4. Once you have your Pokeys Card connected and auto configure ticked, then go to the Encoders Tab and when you select the Pokeys card as the input, you are presented with a drop down menu of different samplings for each port you have available to you. (Oh So Simple). I personally feel that this has made the Pokeys Card, an incredibly versatile card to use, as it now allows anyone using Prosim737, to think about the Pokeys Cards as an alternative whilst being assured that their existing Rotary Encoders could most likely be used. I for one am thrilled by this as I had already ordered the Rotary Encoders for my Homemade MCP and hadn't given this much consideration. (Me being a newbie to cockpit building) Anyway, I was informed about this and thought I would share the information.

Kind Regards

Bernie.

[Masterploxis]

Hello All,

if somebody connected encoders to the pokeys 56e (Ethernet version) and got them running - please can you give me / us a detailed explanation how to do ?

I connected the pokeys card via ethernet to the computer, pokeys application recognized the card. I connected the encoder to the card (middle pin GND, other two pins to 2 inputs). I do not get a RAW out signal, it doesn´t matter what input pins i choose. Any help is higjly appreciated.

I posted this problem also in the Prosim forum - so please no offence with double posts....

Thanks
Andy

[Wendy]

Hello Andy,

I just did a test with a CTS288 set to 4 x on port 1 and 2 with a PoKeys 56 Ethernet. ProSim recognized the card immediately and in the "Config" screen, tab "Encoders" I activated the encoder for MCP ALT VAL encoder.

Everything works as expected, I can change the Altitude on the MCP with the encoder.

-Have you cleared the settings in the device ? This is very important.
-You should not configure anything on the PoKeys device via the PoKeys software, just connect the card to your network. ProSim will do it all for you. Can't be any simpler than that.
-In the MCP config screen, check that "Control via ProSim configuration" is checked.

Regards, Wendy

[Radar]

Well,I`m really glad to see a new product to help us dummies when it comes to wirering. Unfortunuitly Is to expencive to purchase for me here in my eglow in Canada. I ordered a Pokeys from the USA and heres what it cost.
The part (Great price)$61.00Shipping $30.00(ups basic) And our bullSh$t that we have to pay here, HST and duties of $40.01.
So, A great price $61.00 turned into $132.1 Unfortunitly I will not be abal to afford another one.
I`m really excited to start wirering my home made trottle.
Thanks for the great product.
Mike6062
6063

Mike

[LarsP]

Hello @ all...
Ordered a Pokeys 56 U on Thursday evening. Received it today and after the initial testing with Switches (On-On and On-Off) and rotary Encoders everything works really well. Configuered it on WinXP and even in Linux the board does what it has to. No problems at all - Thanx to Wendy!
I am working (to be honest - just started) on a general Cockpit, because I fly different and small planes like the C172, Citation-X or Beechcraft 1900d, but mostly the Citation. My aim is to make the flying a bit easier and maybe a bit mor realistic. And I think the pokeys will do the job for me, though I maybe need one or two more of them... ;-)
Lars

[737NUT]

I have 2 for sale, didn't need them on the new project. 80.00 for both.

[LarsP]

I have 2 for sale, didn't need them on the new project. 80.00 for both.

EUROS or US-Dollars. Nevertheless, thanks for the offer. But I consider the shipping-cost from Indianapolis to Germany too high... ;-)
Lars

[fsaviator]

EUROS or US-Dollars. Nevertheless, thanks for the offer. But I consider the shipping-cost from Indianapolis to Germany too high... ;-)
Lars

Lars, if you would prefer Eurozone shipping, try this site:

http://www.flightsimparts.eu/shop.html

I use them exclusively and ship to the US even. They are very trusted and easy to work with. 49 Euro a card if you buy 3!

[c172skyhawk]

Just got Some Questions Re- PoKeys USB,
1. has anyone come up with an interface for FSX yet as I would rather use USB than Ethernet ?
2. Is there an Australian Distributor for these?

[Philb737]

Hi Rob,
Can you please check your PM?
Phil

[Sammy-E]

Hi all,

As being very inexperienced in home cockpit building, I have tried some io boards to play with before deciding.

I have succesfully used the pokeys usb in my prototype setup! It can handle all switchtypes, rotaries, potentiometers.
I first used it to send keys to fsuipc and that is easy once you understand
Fsuipc.. Reading the manual of fsuipc does help..:p

Then, i wanted to use the ouputs to light up leds and digits. Thats when I realised I needed software to read data from fsx and send that to pokeys.. I had a copy of teach yourself Delphi in 24 hours, which actually cost me 3 years to get through, but with much appreciated and clear help from Wendy I got it running! My output now shows the nav1 standby freq, controlled by a rotary encoder, and three RGB leds to show the left, right and nose gear status.

I will post the how to another time, but i wanted to say that the pokeys are very easy, flexible and fast.

Greetings,
Eric

[OmniAtlas]

Does this work with the radio stack being sold at prosimparts? Is it hard to wire the radiostack to the board? I am completely new to sim cockpit building but would like to go by the most affordable route...

Which software to you use to program the radiostack to say, interface with the PMDG 737 NGX?

Can someone write an FAQ for newbies like me?? Thank you.

[DeckerZ]

I have been reading up on the PoKeys cards here, and as I am starting to wire up my MIP I thought this would be a viable option.
Can anyone tell me if the card is useable right out of the box, or do I need to start learning a programming language. That's what put me off
using my OC cards. Also could someone give an example code used to say light up the landing geat LED's.

Thanks

[flyinjake]

I have been reading up on the PoKeys cards here, and as I am starting to wire up my MIP I thought this would be a viable option.
Can anyone tell me if the card is useable right out of the box, or do I need to start learning a programming language. That's what put me off
using my OC cards. Also could someone give an example code used to say light up the landing geat LED's.

Thanks

DeckerZ,

I am currently working on a PoKeys 56e setup. Actually my Dad and I are both using PoKeys 56e on our respective simpits. Both of us are long time users of fSX but recently started building our panels. Basically we are begineers ourselves and are looking for ways to get around the programing languages. Its not that we cannot learn it but did not want to take the time the first go at it.

I am not sure about the USB version but the ethernet version is not useable right out of the box. Need to make the connection which may require to open ports on your router and LUA programming skills may be required if FSSymphony does not provide the functionality you are looking for.

Since we received ours my Dad has spent numerous hours trying to get a Lua script to work. Not succesful yet and these were scripts written by others and slightly modified to work on our systems. We do not think its a problem with the script but with the ability to communicate.

At this point we are still scratching our heads even though I was succesfull at connecting an encoder last night. Not sure what setting I changed to make it start working.

Again, my experience is with the 56e and not the 56u. The USB version may be simpler but I do not know if its "plug and assign as you are looking for.

Keep researching as there are several different avenues of approach.

flyinjake

[Wendy]

You did not tell us what you want to do with the card?

All depends on the program you want to interface to. As for ProSim nothing is needed, just connect the card, USB or ethernet, enable the PoKeys interface and the card is ready to be used.


Regards, Wendy

[DeckerZ]

Hey flyinjake, thanks for the info. I have ordered the PoKeys 56U card and I am in the process of ordering 2 x Led cards withe their cabling so I hope to use them for all the annunicators in my MIP. I am also considering purchasing ProSim737. Judging from this and other posts it is right out of the box useable with it, so I am playing around with the Demo. If it works so intuitively I will buy it. So far it is working with my CPFLight MCP and my FDS CDU. I just need to see it interfacing with the PoKeys hardware before I commit.

[DeckerZ]

I am just thinking of what I can use the PoKeys interface for, I know I can use it for Led's and switches, but and I am thinking of using it with ProSim737 as I amtesting it with my setup and the testing is coming on with positive results. What I am not sure about is the DU displays, and other potentiometers, how would I go about connecting these to my PoKeys card. I think per DU there are at least 5 wires I would need to connect, the on/off switch and the potentiometer, but I am not sure how would go about this. I would love to hear from someone who has achieved this.

[Bernie]

Hi DeckerZ,

I am using Prosim737 with Pokeys Cards and have used it to inteface my homemade MCP using Wendy's Led Extension Cards and 7 Segment Display Cards. Wendy can supply the software when you purchase her 7 Segment Hardware and this functions perfectly. I will also be running my Homemade CDU with the Pokeys cards and using the Matrix ability of the Pokeys Cards this is simple. What ever you set using the supplied Polabs software will not be touched by Prosim737.

Kind Regards

Bernie.

[Wendy]

Hello Decker,

Here is how to connect a rotary switch and a potentiometer.

Rotary switch connection
http://www.flightsimparts.eu/images/Pokeys_rotary_connection.jpg

Potentiometer connection
http://www.flightsimparts.eu/images/Potmeter connection.jpg

Regards, Wendy

[DeckerZ]

Hi Bernie, thanks for your info. I have a cpflight MCP & EFIS and a FDS CDU so I will be using the PoKeys card along with Wendys LED cards to light up my MIP. Wendy's cards arrived yesterday, but I am still waiting on my Pokeys card arriving before I can do anything with them. Here's hoping it brightens my MIP.
Also, thanks Wendy for the very fast delivery of the LED cards, and the info on how to connect pots and switches. Much appreciated.

[DeckerZ]

Hi Wendy, I have a question about connecting LED's to the LED cards. My PoKeys card arrived today, and I wanted to test out 2 LED's
so I looked at a previous thread in this post to see the wiring, which looks pretty straight forward, and I think I understand
what you explained to Bernie


Hey Bernie,

your explanation of ProSim configuration for Leds is correct.

The PCB has 24 inputs and 24 outputs, every input is connected with a port on the PoKeys. The Leds are connected to the outputs of the PCB. The power on the PCB comes from a different power supply that can supply more Amps.
So if for example you connected the first 24 ports of the PoKeys to the inputs of the PCB then if you activate port 9 on the PoKeys then input 9 on the PCB is triggered and the respective led on output 9 lights up.

If this is not clear to you, please let me know.


Regards, Wendy

I connected my LED card to the PoKey card and on the opposite side of the LED card I connected 2 LED's to test out ProSim737 indicators.
I connected what looks like a common anode to the GND, and the cathodes to outputs 7 & 8 of the LED card. When I tested both outputs via ProSim737
the same LED came on for both. I have used an old mobile phone charger for the 5v input, and I have a resistor attached to the LED so they don't
burn out. Am I doing something wrong? The photos are a bit dark as I had to turn off the flash on my camera as it was bleaching the photos with it on.

http://declan.dyndns-web.com/images/PoKeys/rsz_img_1133.jpg

http://declan.dyndns-web.com/images/PoKeys/rsz_img_1139.jpg

[Wendy]

Hello Decker,

First of all you do not need resistors as they are already on the board.

To test if the led's function leave ProSim out for the first test and start the PoKeys software.
Define a few digital outputs for the ports that go to the led board and have led's connected. Press "Send to device". Now go to the menu "Peripherals" and click on "Digital inputs/outputs". Check the box on the bottom of the window. Now by cliking with the mouse, left/right button, on the squares the led's should go on/off.

If this is ok then you probably did something wrong in ProSim. Before closing the PoKeys software first set the ports back to "inactive" in the PoKeys software, press "send to device" again and close the PoKeys software.

Regards, Wendy

[DeckerZ]

That worked a treat, thanks Wendy. My problem was a common cathode, and the PoKeys card seems to use a common anode. All my MIP annunciatiors are currently connected with a common cathode. So I now have a dilemma, do I rewire them all, or keep my new cards for additional switches and LEDS, like overhead? I will have to sit on that one for a while. Thanks for all your help Wendy.

I am now thinking about using it as a servo card and LCD display as I have an oc flaps indicator, how would I do this. I love the versatility of this card.

[Delphi]

I had the same proplem with migrating my B737 MIP from OC to PoKeys56E. I used 8 channel UDN 2981 A source drivers to connect the LED's. In this way I could avoid to re-wire my MIP. The only drawback with this solution is, that I had to replace some of the LED pre-resistors to a lower value, because with a 5V supply the UDN 2981 A delivers only approx. 3.8V with output state on 'high'. However this was not such a big deal. Material costs for 5 pices of UDN 2981 A + connectors + board less than 30.- EUR. Labor time 1.5h.

I will have some more information and pictures on my web-site soon.

Ruediger

http://www.flying-the-winglets.de

[DeckerZ]

I just received an order of 2 LCD Displays, but I need help to connect them to my PoKeys and make something useful out of them. Please help...

[Delphi]

Today I updated my web site with some information to the migration project from Opencockpits Mastercard to PoKeys56E and FSSymphony.

Read the story here: http://www.flying-the-winglets.de/Interfaces1.html

Ruediger

[Belga]

My Pokeys56U is on its way.
Hopefully ,it will arive some time next week.

Question:
I've seen tons of threads about pokeys and Microsoft flightsim.
I do not seem to find anything useable on the interface with X-Plane10

How do i read back X-Plane parameters ? (nav frequencies, annunciators, flaps position, etc.)

Any help is realy appreciated !

Thanks

Marc

[Basement_Pilot]

Hello,

I got my Pokeys 56U but have a problem with FSUIPC. I thought it should be possible that FSUIPC will see some switch on the Pokeys as an input. I tried but did not succed. Pokeys software and ProSim works well. Switch is defined as digital input without key macro.
Did I missunderstand something and it is ONLY working with ProSim and not with FSUIPC/FSX directly?

Thanks for help
Mirco

[flatdog]

Mirco,

You will need to use the PoScope software to assign a joystick button to an input you will then be able to see the button press in FSUIPC and assign an action to it. If you have a look at this thread on the FSUIPC forum it should help.

POKeys55 Card - FSUIPC Support Pete Dowson Modules - The simFlight Network Forums (http://forum.simflight.com/topic/69391-pokeys55-card/)

Regards,

Philip

[Basement_Pilot]

Ok thanks for the help, I think I switched from FSUIPC/FSX to ProSim/FSX, as it seems to be the best solution... expensive but good.
Somebody know how much Pokeys/LED boards you need for a complete overhead? I used one Pokey and one LED board now and haven't wired one third of the panel...

[DeckerZ]

Hey Basement_Pilot, I would also like to know that one. I have ordered an Overhead Panel from PROSIMPARTS (http://www.prosimparts.com) and I have 1 PoKeys and 2 of Wendy's Led cards, but don't know how man I will need in total. I also have a FDS SYS4X with lots of switches and some Leds unused as I use it in my MIP.

[Basement_Pilot]

In the meantime I made some progress of wiring my OVH (from Poldragonet).
I counted all the possible switch positions that you can connect, there should be around 133 different positions. That means 133 cables, 133 free ports in some IO cards. Together with 96 LEDs.

I tried to visualize the Pokeys / LED board connection, as it was unclear for me aswell.

http://imageshack.us/a/img521/4387/pokeysled.jpg


That means, if you use 2 Pokeys55 (with one card you have 54 free ports, one is reserved as a reset switch) and 4 LED boards from Wendy, then you just have all the LEDs connected.

If you want to connect all 133 switch positions, you would need ((133-12)/54 = 3) 3 more Pokeys Cards.

So all in all you need 4 LED boards and 5 Pokeys cards to connect a complete OVH panel!

[DeckerZ]

That's a lot of hardware required. I'm thinking of what I have already. I have
FDS-SYS4X High Capacity interface card 128 LEDs & 64 switches
PoKeys & 2 LED Cards
MCPEX1 RS232 (if I ever get it going with ProSim737)
im wondering if I rewire my MIP into the PoKeys and use the FDS card for my Overhead Panel. Just means a lot more work for me, but may solve my problem of having to buy more and more cards!

[DeckerZ]

S I know this is a simulated environment with the panels and cards etc. but I was over at Ian's web site and he has some very detailed wiring diagrams regarding hie overhead panel. I have started to look at the power distribution because its the first thing he talks about when wiring his overhead panel.
BOEING B737NG Overhead Panel (http://www.737ng.co.uk/overhead.htm)
Is this the way most people are wiring their power distribution panel when starting off their overhead panel, or are people just wiring the terminals of their switches to their chosen expansion cards and setting the function of that switch state via their software, e.g., ProSim:737?

[nolatron]

I've got my switches wired 1 switch directly to a input terminal.

Planes like the PMDG 737NGX and ProSim737 handle this kind logic in the software. The plane knows if you haven't done "A" yet you can't do "B". So why bother wiring up hardware to do the same?

It's redundant and not really needed in my opinion.... unless you like doing that kind of crazy wiring for fun. :)

[threegreens]

I have been thinking of building a nav/comm panel with a HD44780 LCD display driven by my Pokeys 56U.
Problem is I have no idea how to send a character string to the device. I may be naive but I am sure that there are Lua scripts around to do this. My Googling has not yielded anything obvious.
I favour Lua because I can easily run scripts from FSUIPC.

Would anybody here know the answer?

Thanks,

Phil

[UAL3212]

What wires come with the "Led extension board cable set"? Wondering if it the set include a 5v power source or am I still going to have to purchase that.

My plan is to use the PoKeys 56U and the LED extension board to power LEDs for gear indicators (Up/Down) and backlighting for MIP.

[Wendy]

The cable set is optional and consists of 6 cables with connectors. Power supply of 5 Volt is not included.

Regards, Wendy

[UAL3212]

thanks for the info.. Ordered my 56U today.

[KaffeeBart]

Hi there

how can i steer the PWM Outputs of Pokeys57E using LUA script?

i tried this


chk_pin_121_42, pin_121_42 = poKey121:GetAnalogInput(41)
if(pin_121_42 <= 15) then --Input 42 Poti (Analog In) max value 4080 min value 15
pin_121_42 = 0
end
poKey121:SetPWMOutputs(0,4080,pin_121_42)
--Output liegt auf Pin 22 bzw. Channel 0

but on line 5 Flight Simulator will crash down http://forum.simflight.com/public/style_emoticons/default/sad.png

Thanks for helping


Stefan

[captain23]

Hello Wendy,
Good Day to you. I am a new Micorsoft flight sim X user. I would like to use the Porkeys card to build my own cockpit. is this compatible with FSX. please comment. not sure if you require any other details to answer this question.

Mouli

[Wendy]

Hello Mouli,

You always need software that makes the link between FSX and the PoKeys cards. If you are going to use ProSim737 in combination with FSX than you could use PoKeys USB or Pokeys Ethernet cards. ProSim works with both cards and supports encoders, rotaries, switches, 7-segment, leds ...

If you are going to use FSX, and than I mean without ProSim, than I would suggest looking at FSSymphony as intermediate software between FSX and PoKeys cards. FSSympony is great and free to use, but only works with PoKeys ethernet cards (PoKeys 57E). With FSSymphony you could also use encoders, rotaries, switches, 7-segment, leds...

FSSympony is available http://www.flying-the-winglets.de/ReviewsHardware0.html#FSSymphony


Regards, Wendy

[captain23]

Hello Wendy,
Thank you very much for the super fast reply. This is really helpful. Will let you know how this goes.

Thanks a ton.

Regards
Mouli

[captain23]

Hello Wendy,
It is me again. Just wanted to take some advice on some confusing issues. I love the FSX Boeing 737 aircraft and wish to build a small home cockpit to give it some realism. Now I am confused which one to go with

1. PMDG software or Pro sim737.
2. The Promsim license seems to be very expensive for a beginner user like me.
3. Should I take one of the above after hearing from you, then which I/O card should I settle for?
4. I have a personal choice for Leobodnar and pokeys usb.
5. The idea is to develop homemade MCP adding switches, buttons, rotator encoders, 7 segment numeric for Alt, Speed etc.
6. If Prosim is the direction then the Just stream Flight Mode seems more affordable to me.

I am sure these question have been already asked before if so please give me the link to the Forum to refer.
Do you have a web site where also I can take ideas for the build? Like the design, which components to use etc.

Looking forward from hearing from you.

Regards
Mouli

[Wendy]

Hello,

1- If you go with ProSim... then interfacing is very easy. ProSim natively supports the PoKeys cards (and others) and they are easy to configure.

2- Cannot comment on that one

3- See my answer under 1-

4- Also my favorites

5- Can be done using PoKeys cards

6- Don't know "Just stream Flight Mode" ?

Regards, Wendy

[captain23]

Hello,

1- If you go with ProSim... then interfacing is very easy. ProSim natively supports the PoKeys cards (and others) and they are easy to configure.

2- Cannot comment on that one

3- See my answer under 1-

4- Also my favorites

5- Can be done using PoKeys cards

6- Don't know "Just stream Flight Mode" ?

Regards, Wendy

Thank you Wendy. Apreciated.

[Bernie]

Hi Mouli,

I have done what you are intending to do and have had no problems building the MCP, CDU and my MIP all with Pokeys Cards and Wendy's LED Extension cards and 7 Segment Cards. I am also using Prosim737. It was so simple and I have certainly had expert help from Wendy and wonderful after sales service.

Kind Regards

Bernie.

[captain23]

Hi Mouli,

I have done what you are intending to do and have had no problems building the MCP, CDU and my MIP all with Pokeys Cards and Wendy's LED Extension cards and 7 Segment Cards. I am also using Prosim737. It was so simple and I have certainly had expert help from Wendy and wonderful after sales service.

Kind Regards

Bernie.

Hello Bernie,
Thank you for the input. Just a question - can i only build the MCP first and then add on one by one later. Also would you mind if i ask you to share the way you did the MCP hardware build idea like schematic etc. Hope i am not asking for too much. Any help is greatly appreciated. Also where do i buy the hard ware like the Wendy's 7 segment cards.

Kindest Regards
Mouli

[Bernie]

Hi Mouli,

Yes you can build at your own pace as Prosim737 has a software module for each of the modules you would intend to build. I think you should join their Forum if you have not already done so. Wendy has all the information that you would need for building the MCP. I can continue to help at the Prosim737 Forum as there is already much information there that is easily found and many more people that have done this using Prosim737.

Kind Regards

Bernie.

[threegreens]

Hi Wendy,

Two questions regarding the Pokeys 56U.

1. I connect Pokeys to my hardware via a patch panel on which I have inserted 390 ohm resistors on some ports which I reserve for LED outputs. As I keep reconfiguring things back and forth, I wonder if there is a problem reassigning some of those ports for switch inputs, leaving the resistors in place. Could this cause missed triggers?

2. I would like to drive some (low power) LEDs directly from the 5V port (or 3.3V port) via a switch and resistor. What is the limitation?

Thanks and regards,

Philippe

[Wendy]

1
You cannot use resistors when you connect a switch, it is asking for unstable switch behavior.

2
Do not use leds directly from pokeys ports. Use my led extension board which can drive up to 200mA per port. Pokeys ports can only source 10 mA and 100mA in total. Not enough to light leds brightly.

Wendy

[anzabon]

Hi Wendy,
can i connect pokeys 57e to A320 fmgs from jehell ?
Maybe with FS symphony 2.0 ?
thanks
Bon

[Wendy]

No you cannot.

It can only be done when Jeehell implements the PoKeys interfaces in his program.
If he wants to support the PoKeys cards I will be glad to give him the information he needs.


Regards, Wendy

[anzabon]

Thats what I've expected. Maybe in the future.
Thank you Wendy :-)

Edit: hmm... as I can see, there is a SIOC interpreter in Jeehells FMGS. And FS Symphony seems to have the ability for SIOC scripts. Ok, sounds too complicate for me because I have low programming experiences.

Once again thank you

[Delphi]

With the FSSymphony expert mode you can access all published Jeehell offsets.

See: http://www.jeehell.org/Offsets.pdf

Regards, Ruediger

Visit: http://www.flying-the-winglets.de

[Wendy]

Thanks Ruediger, I did'nt know that.

[tiburon]

Wendy, I don't know if you're still monitoring this forum but I have a question.
Someone told me it is possible to connect 128 switches to just 24 pins on the Pokeys card by using a matrix scheme. Could you shed some light on that ?

thanks

Martin

[Belga]

Martin

Yes indeed this is possible
By the way, most keypads work on a matrix principle
You can look at it as it is a spreadsheet, rows and columns
Do a search for Arduino keypad or Arduino matrix switch

http://playground.arduino.cc/Main/KeypadTutorial

I have some pokeys and cockpit building stuff on this website (just look for Belga12345)
http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=17303&st

Enjoy

Groetjes vanuit zonnig Virginia

Marc (Belga12345)

[Wendy]

Hello Tiburon,

I will give you a basic schematic of a small matrix, this example can be extended the same way to reach 128 inputs, but that is the maximum.

Regards, Wendy

http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=11200&stc=1

[tiburon]

Not entirely clear to me : since pokeys inputs have a common ground does that mean that you connect all rows or all columns to 1 gnd ? And how do you extend this to reach 128 with 24 inputs? I could make 32 rows of 4 but that takes 32 inputs.
And what about toggle switches that remain closed ? Do I have to use diodes ?
Sorry about the many questions but I'm trying to get my head around this matrix thing.

[tiburon]

I think I found the answer : you connect 8 columns and 16 rows to pins of the Pokeys making 24 pins. No gnd is needed then ?

[Wendy]

you can read all about it in the Pokeys manual from page 37 on.
In short, to enable this function you need to go via the poscope software to "Perypherals - Matrix"

Regards, Wendy

[tiburon]

Ok, thanks Wendy and Marc, I'll look into it.

[giosue]

Hello Wandy
I would to like ask one question
In this thread i read and the information for connect potentiometer to Pokeys56U (page 12 of thread) this information are the same for Pokeys57E ??
thanks
Best Regards
Giosue

[Wendy]

Yes they are exactly the same for all the connections.
Somewhere in the back of the manual is a table for both types of card which lists all the possibilities for every port.

Regards, Wendy

[bloggo]

Hello Wendy,
I am intending to make a basic AP & EFIS panel for rotary encoders, selector switches and other switches, not elaborate, but just to save having to use the mouse all the time for FS9.
The PoKeys interface card appears to be what I require but I am unsure how the information is sent to FS9. Is it sent to FSUIPC and then to FS9 or do I have to make a Lua script for FSUIPC to convert to FS9 and does FSUIPC have the codes for all the controls or does the PoKey do this?
I have read the PoKey manual and numerous others and am now utterly confused.
I understand that the PoKey is configured initially but it is after this that I require guidance.
If it is not possible to use my stock & freeware planes, I was considering purchasing the IFLY 737 or the Wilco Airbus, so are either of these better for the PoKey?
I would appreciate some advice on this subject.
Peter.

[bloggo]

Hello Wendy,

I am intendingto make a basic AP & EFIS panel for rotary encoders, selector switches andother switches, not elaborate, but just to save having to use the mouse all thetime for FS9.
The PoKeysinterface card appears to be what I require but I am unsure how the informationis sent to FS9. Is it sent to FSUIPC and then to FS9 or do I have to make a Luascript for FSUIPC to convert to FS9 and does FSUIPC have the codes for all thecontrols or does the PoKey do this?
I have read thePoKey manual and numerous others and am now utterly confused.
I understandthat the PoKey is configured initially but it is after this that I requireguidance.
If it is notpossible to use my stock & freeware planes, I was considering purchasingthe IFLY 737 or the Wilco Airbus, so are either of these better for the PoKey?
I wouldappreciate some advice on this subject.
Peter.

[Wendy]

Hello,

There are a few possiblities by using FSUIPC and/or LUA scripting, if you read the following links then it will be much clearer.
http://www.hangar45.net/images/documents/programing_dus_via_pokeys.pdf
(http://www.flightsimparts.eu/Simulator_PoKeys_Encoders.html)http://www.flightsimparts.eu/Simulator_PoKeys_Encoders.html
(http://www.flightsimparts.eu/files/pokeys_fsx_2.pdf)http://www.flightsimparts.eu/files/pokeys_fsx_2.pdf

I'm not aware of a PoKeys solution for Airbus for now, but maybe someone else has done some work on this.

What I also can advice to use is
http://http://www.flying-the-winglets.de/ReviewsHardware0.html#FSSymphony
This is freeware software for 737 and this software supports all of the features of Pokeys and the extension boards including 7-segment displays. You need to contact the author to ask for a copy of the software.

I hope this helps, but if there are more questions, please feel free to ask.

regards, Wendy

[bloggo]

Thanks Wendy,

I will check out your suggestions.

Peter.

[bloggo]

Hello Wendy,

I have purchased a PoKeys 57U and I am unable to get any signals into Windows Game Controller, FS9, or FSUIPC. I have configured the card and it works on the I/O status display. It is recognised by FSUIPC.ini file, Windows and FS9 as a "Virtual Joystick".

Can you advise what I am doing wrong.

Thank you
Peter.

[bloggo]

EDIT: I am now able to see the signals by selecting "Direct Key Mapping", which I did not think was required.

[Wendy]

That is not needed but in the pokeys configuration utility, you need to set the "Joystick settings" via the menu "Perypherals". In this configuration screen you can map axis and buttons to ports.

Regards, Wendy

[bloggo]

I have tried this and it works OK thanks.

Is there a way to use more than the 32 inputs with the joystick configuration?

Peter.

[Wendy]

No 32 buttons is a windows limit.

Regards, Wendy

[bloggo]

Is there a way for FS or FSUIPC to detect inputs without having to do mapping?

I have used all 32 joystick inputs on encoders and want to use the remaining as button inputs.

Attempts to set the inputs as keyboard mapping in several configurations, is not entirely successful as some re causing conflicts.

Thanks
Peter.

[giosue]

Hello Wendy
News on the servo expansion card??
http://www.cockpitbuilders.com/community/index.php?topic=2951.0

I would like to use for overhead gauges set ;)
Thanks
Giosue

[Wendy]

Hello Bloggo,

If you have used the Pokeys card as Joystick than you have used the maximum possible with windows. 32 joystick buttons is the maximum on windows.
Maybe another question, which software are you using for the flightsimulator?

Regards, Wendy

[Wendy]

Hello Giosue,

I have abanded the servo extension for Pokeys. The best thing you can do is use Polulu servo cards.


Regards, Wendy

[giosue]

Hello Giosue,

I have abanded the servo extension for Pokeys. The best thing you can do is use Polulu servo cards.


Regards, Wendy

Thanks Wendy
Regards
Giosuè

[bloggo]

Hello Wendy,

I am using FS9.

I understand about the amount of joystick inputs and they are all used, but are you saying that the only way to achieve more inputs is by key mapping,

Thanks
Peter.

[bloggo]

Hello Wendy

I am using FS9 with Windows 7 64bit.

I understand about the amount of joystick inputs and I have used all 32, but are you saying that the only way to achieve more inputs is by key mapping.

Thanks
Peter.

[Wendy]

Hello Peter,

No, you will need to add a second joystick card which will give you again 32 inputs or you could also use FSSymphony which supports all of my PoKeys extensions. Only thing is it will only work with PoKeys Ethernet.

Regards, Wendy

[bloggo]

Hello Wendy,

I understand that if I want to use it as a joystick I will need another Pokey. I now just require to use the remaining inputs into FSUIPC and I can do this by key mapping. My problem, is that I am having to use numerous configurations for the 40 inputs and this is causing some conflicts. I have used 7 encoders which use 28 joystick settings.

The query is can I achieve this without key mapping?

A problem I have found is that if using selector switches, which have a permanent input, it causes all inputs to be locked.

I have not seen reference to this on any site and it means the Pokey can only issue one input at a time; perhaps this may help to save someone else wasting time, as I have done

I should imagine this applies to all interface cards.

Thanks
Peter.

[Wendy]

Hello Bloggo,

It is absolutely not true that PoKeys can only accept one input at a time. If one port is grounded with a switch everything stops... completely wrong!!!
If this was true you could not use this, as a interface card needs to be able to accept different inputs the same time, there are lots of people that are using only PoKeys cards for their simulator doing all different kind of things with it AT THE SAME TIME.

Sorry but your conclusion is wrong!

Regards, Wendy

[bloggo]

Hello Wendy,

I am able to operate some buttons at the same time but not all. The problem lies with the key mapping and this causes chaos in some instances and is why I was asking if there was another way to program the inputs. Obviously not.

If I had spare joystick inputs I don't imagine there would be a problem, but I have had to configure 40 inputs as key mapping for FSUIPC to recognise the input.

I have four selector switches which have permanent inputs, depending on their position, and I have had to set another switch to control the ground. This workaround has alleviated the problem.

So you are correct, but key mapping is the problem.

Thanks
Peter