Problem autothrottle with the card Phidget

[cupaoloit]

hello,
I built the throttle of Simparts and is very well done, but I do not
understand how to make connections in handcuffs autothrottle for gas. I can
not understand the power and connecting cables were among the commands and
relais and between the relais and advanced-servo card. I read the
explanation on the forum (Rob Howard throttle construction) but without a
plan I can not understand well and then does not work. I have an MCP of
CPLIGHT and Project Magenta software.
Thanks for your patience, fs2phidget hours seems perfect but the electronic
part that I can not assemble.

Forgive my English but translate from google

Regards,
Paolo

PS: se cè qualche italiano che legge mi può rispondere?

[Rodney]

"understand how to make connections in handcuffs autothrottle for gas."

Perhaps he is asking how does the servo connect for the auto throttle?

"I can not understand the power and connecting cables were among the commands and
relais and between the relais and advanced-servo card."

Perhaps how do the relays connect to the servo card and power requirements.

I'm not a whiz at this stuff, so hopefully someone will peruse what Rob Howard wrote and give cupaoloit a hand.

[Rob's 747-400]

Hi,

As it happens I was just fiddling with my 747-400 AutoThrottles last night, using the latest FS2Phidget version and they are working very well!

It is VERY SIMPLE; especially with the outstanding features that Alan has built into more recent versions of the program.

All you have to do is start Flight Simulator and then FS2Phidgets. I found an easy way to set things up in a very practical manner... these instructions assume you have TWO throttles, '1' and '2':

i. Ensure the Thottle 1 lever is set up to control Throttle 1 (in the Simulator).

ii. Plug in ONLY the servo from Throttle 2.

iii. In FS2Phidget go to the settings for your Servo Card and select 'Engine_1_Throttle_Lever' for control of the Throttle 2 Servo (this is not an error; I want you to select Engine '1').

iv. Go the the 'Configure' window and set the direction of the servo (normal or 'inverted') and set the end stops.

v. Hit the little button to make this control GREEN, which means it is now connected.

vi. Now, assuming you have set the end stops and the direction correctly you should find that by manually moving Throttle 1 up and down Throttle 2 should follow its movement EXACTLY.

vii. If Throttle 2 does not exactly follow the movement, then go back to the 'Configure' window and readjust (you can do this with everything powered up which makes it VERY easy!).

viii. Repeat for the other throttle and then reassign the servo to its correct number.

By the way for my setup I use timing of around 120ms, and I also move the slider under 'Configuration' to its lowest setting (i.e. '1') for servo movement... this ensures smooth operation.

Good luck!!

Rob Howard

[cupaoloit]

Hi Rob,
Thanks for the explanation and try to do as you say, but my main problem is that I can not prove these settings, I must first understand how to set up the electronic parts.
I have these on TQ card:

Phidget 8/8/8
Phidget 0/0/4
Phidget advanced servant x 8 servant
Phidget motor control LV x DC motor that controls the trim.

I need to have a design easy to understand how to connect all this electronic parts together.

I do not understand electronics lot even though my build 737'm learning fast.

Thanks a lot if you could give me a hand on electronics and connections with servo Relay etc. ..

Regards, Paolo

[Rob's 747-400]

Paolo,

It is all surprisingly easy... but everybody's setup is different, so there is no 'standard' wiring diagram for connecting a cockpit to Phidgets.

If you could make and post a simple drawing that shows all Switches / Indicators / Relays / Servos / Potentiometers (in the simulator) that you want to connect, then perhaps I can offer some advise on what should go where?

Regards,

Rob

[cupaoloit]

Hi Rob,
I tried to do a design of electronic media that I made,
please see if there are errors.
My problem is not in the set FS2Phidget but mistaken belief that the electricity. The design is in jpg so if you want to change I think we can do.
Thank you, Paolo

[Trevor Hale]

I see only one thing missing.

On the advanced servo board you have a servo connector for 3 wires. + - and Control. Even though everything is being powered form the same Power supply, have you tried Commoning your - from your power supply to the - on the servo controller?

I am sure it is not isolated, but it may be, and that might help you.

Trev

[cupaoloit]

Good evening, Alan and Trevor,
I'm crazy, but everything worked only in the manual,
The software works but the move served only with the Phidget Manager.
We enclosed a picture if I say I made a mistake?
In FSPhidget if I go on this virtual servo moves but no real servo motor.
I use Project Magenta 737

Regards, Paolo

[Rob's 747-400]

Hello,

I think I see the issue...

I believe you should connect the BLACK and YELLOW leads from the Servo 'Y-splitters' to the Phidget Servo board, not the RED.

The output signal from the Phidget takes is referenced against 'zero' volts. The way you have connected it will definitely cause strange effects and could damage some of the electronics (because the two supplies will be 'fighting' with each other).

At least that is how things are wired on my setup.

Good luck!!

Rob

[cupaoloit]

Hi Rob,

what you tell me is the only test that I did not,
I would ask if you know of the MCP CpFlight and if he can go well with the phidget.
Regarding the change that you showed me if you have 5 minutes the change in the design and so I think it is exactly as you wish.

Thank you, Paolo

[cupaoloit]

Hi Rob,

I changed the picture let me know if it fits

Thank you,

[Rob's 747-400]

I don't use the CP Flight products so cannot advise if everything will work together; however so far I have not found anything which interferes with Phidgets or the FS2Phidget software.

Please find a modified wiring diagram attached... I hope this is what you were asking for?

Good luck...

Rob

[cupaoloit]

Hello Rob,
I have done everything as I have said and as you saw the picture.
Consider that my MCP is a CPFLIGHT connected with the MCP to PM.
Software FS2Phidget in controlling the Relais I had to insert the voice autothrottleRelais that I took from Simpart variables.
Only in this way Enabling servo, but remains firm and activated without performing any movement. By Phidget manager moving well
then everything worked while in flight autopilot and AT armed entered the Relais trigger servo but do not move. Maybe I have to change the ". Ini" of MCP PM? CPflight of opportunities?
One thing is sure I do not know what to do more.
Regards, Paolo

[Rob's 747-400]

I don't use the CPFlight hardware so I cannot offer any suggestions on how to set it up... however I think it is very important to get the system working one piece at a time before trying to connect everything.

For example I recommend that you just use a manual switch for sending power to the Throttle Servos and make sure that the throttles move correctly BEFORE attaching the Phidget Relay.

One other question is can you show us a photo of your FS2Phidget setup for the Throttle Servos; I would like to see the variables selected and the 'configuration' window?

Regards,

Rob

[AeroB737Sim]

Folks,

sorry if I wake up this old topic but I have exactly the same problem:
I have a Simparts Throttle and currently just problems to connect the throttle lever servo's to the computer correctly.

I use the 8/8/8, the 0/0/4 and two One Servo Motor Cards.
The One Servo Motor Cards are owning just the USB cable connector and the connectors for the servo, but no connectors for a extern power source (12V).

I do not understand what the "y-cable" element is. Is it just a wire bridge or a seperate device?

I understood now the drawings as follows:
I connect the yellow and the black wire of the servo directly to the servo card. I connect the red wire to the +5 V external power source and GND of the power supply to the Common of 0/0/4. You gave the hint that before using the 0/0/4 I chould use just a normal switch. But how should I connect the GND of the power supply with the servo? (that is refering to the question what "y-cable" is).

Thank you for your support.
Merry x-mas from Germany,

Robert

[AeroB737Sim]

I've just wanted to report that I've found the answer by my own. Its a cable included in the motors package. And there you have to cut the wires as stated in the pictures...