Problem using Advanced Servo Phidget with FS2Phidget5

[CallingBarranca]

Hello, first time caller, and novice Phidget user here. I am trying to integrate a FlightDeck Solutions Rudder Trim Module into my B744 cockpit and have been unable to get the Phidget Advanced Servo to work. I have all the inputs working well through FDS InterfaceIT and FSIUPC.

My system is as follows seven networked PCs (all WinXP SP3), Server runs FSX and the visual, the clients run the various components of a Project Majenta Boeing Suite.

The InterfaceIT board, and Phidget Advancec Servo controller are connectec to the server directly via USB. I installed the Phidget Control Panel, Phidget21, Version 2.1.8, and it sees the Advanced Servo Controller. I then installed FS2Phidgets5 and built a circuit with a FSOutput [Rudder_Trim] connected to my motor. So far so good, but when I try to assign the Phidget to the output motor using the Phidget Drop Down menus I get an exception error - Arithmetic operation resulted in an overflow...

Tried uninstalling FS2Phidgets5 and working with an earlier version 4.3.65. Here the Advanced Servo Controller seems to cycle on and off, like to USB connection is disconnecting/reconnecting evert second or so with a associated beep. The servo moves but only drives one direction and cannot be stopped without killing the FS2Phidgets app.

Anybody out there have the answer/or ideas?

Thanks,

Dave

[CocnutAir]

Dave,

Are you using advanced servo to drive a rudder trim indicator?

Regards,
Alan

[CallingBarranca]

Yes. That is how it came from FDS. The servo drives a tape with the rudder position indicator index against a fixed index scale.

[CallingBarranca]

FDS provided code for Phidgets 4.3.8 I tried using it with 4.3.66 but the servo only cycled on and off moving the indicator to the righ. It almost seemed that the USB connection was cycling on and off.

[CocnutAir]

Was servo mechanically linked to indicator?
Send an email to alan@cococutair.com
Easier to work thru problem.
Also attach code that FDS provided.

[CocnutAir]

Dave,
I just tried the advanced servo controller assigned to the rudder trim.
I can assign the FsVariable to the motor, but I get an invalid property error when I click on the calibrate button.
This is because the number range of the sliders on the calibration form needs to be whole numbers.
The number range for the rudder trim is -0.4 to +0.4
I had similiar problem with the analog output calibration.
Will fix code and let you have an updated version once I receive your email.

Regards,
Alan

[CocnutAir]

Dave,

Here is quick workaround for now:
To force the rudder trim value into an integer range, the FsVariable values can be multiplied by 1000.
The easiest is to edit the ini file containing the fs2phidget rudder trim settings.
File is usually named something like FsVariable999.ini, but edit the file you have been using.

Edit the file with notepad.
Other text editors such as Wordpad and MS-Word write hidden formatting characters that screw up basic text files.
After opening file with Notepad, do a find on rudder_trim (note the underscore).
Change Multiplier value to 1000.
Move decimal point two places to the right for both HiValue and LoValue, so that they look like example below.
Save and close file.

Fire up Fs2Phidget and you should be able to calibrate the servo.

[RUDDER_TRIM]
Offset=2EC0
Length=8
FSType=Proportional
LoValue=-174.53292
HiValue=174.53292
Multiplier=1000
Divisor=1
Integer=False
NormalizeAngle=False
WriteOnly=False
Format=###########
LogicVar=False
FunctionVar=False
IRS=False
Enable=True
Internal=False

Regards,
Alan

[CocnutAir]

You should also download latest version 4.3.86 from this website.
Just replace your existing exe with downloaded one.
Looks like you have latest driver.
Latest version will indicate on the main screen if version is an issue.