servo instruments?

[747sim]

I'm kinda new and I was wondering if anyone has information such as how to home build servo instruments and how to modify servos and the best interface board to use with fs2phidgets.

[AndyT]

Well, I would suggest you read the entire thread: Burning Question but that might take a few months. So, here is a link to one of the best sources of info on that you can get.

http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/mfdbooks.htm

[747sim]

Thank you, I had been looking at that but I wasn't sure whether because of my extremely tight budget but now I have had a reference on it I will buy it. but I wanted to know if there was anything else that would be handy to know. The hardware situation and calibration is my biggest worry.

[AndyT]

For FS2Phidgets you use a phidget board.

[747sim]

I know I shouldn't be posting this back on this thread but I'm too tired to bother with a new one and I can't get it out of my head. Does anyone have diagrams or really simple descriptions on how to wire circuits for toggle and bumper switches for a phidgets board.

[AndyT]

Its OK if you post on this thread. It might have been better to put it in a new one but its not a problem.

Ok, I realize that this is a block diagram, but its really all you need.
A basic switch will have two contacts on the bottom. One for Positive and one for negative. How do you know which is which? Simple. It does not matter. Just mount it so that when it is 'on' the toggle is facing up or in the case of a button, that does'nt even matter.

How do I know where to connect it on the interface board?
Well, there are way too many interface boards out there to give details on that but all of them should come with a simple diagram that shows you where the positive and negative ('ground' or 'earth' depending on your area of the world) terminals are. Simply connect your wires there and you should be all set. (I know you said Phidgets, which one?)

Now, some hardware will suggest you use a diode or a capacitor in-line on your circut. For just a few switches or buttons, this is not a requirement, but it helps with 'ghosting' which some interface boards have problems with. If that is the case, Then they should provide a simple circuit diagram like the one I placed here to show you where the components should go.

Hope that helps.

Questions?
Comments?
Anyone?

[747sim]

I found a complex circuit from desktop aviator ( http://desktopaviator2.tripod.com/Instructions/Model_2040/image015.gif ) but there are many different diagrams and I dont understand really what to do. I have a phidgets 8/8/8 and I thought it would be the same as connecting one to that as it would be on a usb-20 button interface from desktop aviator :|

[venenoso]

Hello,
I saw your post and question , I attached some pics from my engine cluster , it is in the final stage (paint here and there , and lights ) this works with hispapaneles gears and opencockpits USB Servo card , all under SIOC , for me it is the best and inexpensive way to do this. hope this could help you.

regards

[Michael Carter]

That is an ingenious idea for setting up instrument clusters of like-gauges.

A word of warning though. That grease can be absorbed by the wood and cause it to swell.

[venenoso]

Hi,
this is vaseline , and used on purpose , I don't think it could be absorbed by the wood , also my hand skills are very bad so I decided on this materials and a lot of cianocrilato help.

regards.

[Matt Olieman]

WOW, looks too easy!!!! I'm impressed Venenoso. Thanks for sharing that with us :) :) :)

Matt Olieman

[747sim]

these instrument pictures are the most helpful thing I've seen. but one question, how did you program the software to get the servo movements correct?

[venenoso]

Hi,
attached is a pic of SIOC software programing for my engine cluster (a part of it) , there are a lot of information about it in www.opencockpits.com (http://www.opencockpits.com) there you can find the hardware , the software and also a lot of examples in the forum area , other web with very good information on this subject is www.baron58.com (http://www.baron58.com) who use this software and hardware combination in his engine cluster via simkits engine instruments.

regards.