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Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Hi everyone,
I'm new at this forum, so I'll start with a short introduction. I'm Bart, I'm 22 years old and live in Belgium (sorry, can't help that ;) ). I play flight simulator since FS95, so that's for many years! Now I've decided to make my own home cockpit of the Boeing 737NG using real panels. The panels can be bought from many companies all over the world, I just pick the cheapest ones. Let's list what I have so far!
- Autopilot module (MCP) €345
- Throttle quadrant 737 €500
- Landing gear 737 €159
- Rudder pedals €135
- Overhead panel (*) €1233
- Flaps indicator €57
(*) This is made by a kit, which means I have to assemble it myself. The price includes the panel (prob PVC), the knobs, switches, gauges and leds, it just needs some electronic cards and wiring.
Now I'm not sure what to do with the Primary Flight Display (PFD), Multi Funcion Display (MFD) and the Engine Instrument (EICAS), should I buy them as hardware (if yes, where can I buy them?), or should I just put some LCD's there and let FSX display them in those LCD's (so just rendered by software)?
I started a blog where people that are interested can follow-up my work in progress, so if you're interested, here it is:
http://homeflightsim.wordpress.com/
I made in sketchup a quick very first 3D model of my thoughts, but it need some tweaks ofcourse ;)
http://homeflightsim.files.wordpress...flight-sim.png
Feedback, tips or other comments appreciated! 8)
Kind regards,
Bart
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
You should try prosim737.com its in a beta stage so you can download for free and play around with PFD ECAS and MFD, it is the best software out there i think it is very easy to use. I would recomend just using LCD monitors and networking couple of computers...
Have fun!!!!
Tony
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Anybody had experience with Mycockpit harware and especially the SIOC codes?
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
At first i had some trouble with setting up my opencockpits EFIS,, chekc out my Thread that i posted here to get some help with it
http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/show...tup?highlight=
Tony
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Hi Bart,
Nice start of your NG.
Some things to consider:
- There is no place for a CDU. This is an essential part of your cockpit. In prosim737 you have software CDU so you can display it on an ipad or touchpanel and use it with the touchpanel.
- You are about to spend a lot of money, so why not make a more realistic MIP stand? I made a MIP stand out of MDF. It does not cost much but it is way more realistic.
I hope it works well. It is a very nice hobby and you can put all your knowledge into it.
Steef
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
I'm sorry for my late reply! Well actually i'm trying to create a as-good-as-possible cockpit of a 737 but with a low budget. I should be able to get everything I want with €3000, that would be perfect! I ordered my MCP by Opencockpits, I hope it'll arrive soon! Next thing is the overhead panel! I decided to create the FWD Overhead panel with the kit that Opencockpits offers (so, the pvc, buttons, switches,.. separated). But can anybody help me with that? Are there manuals included in the kit of how to wire it all up? And secondly, anybody that can provide the SIOC for the overhead please?
I'll post some pictures soon! :)
Bart
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
As promised here some pictures:
http://homeflightsim.files.wordpress...pg?w=614&h=409
As you can see it's still nothling like a cockpit. It's because the room where my cockpit will come is only available from April 2012, so untill then I stack everything in my rather small room.
Here a close-up of the 737 MCP:
http://homeflightsim.files.wordpress...pg?w=614&h=409
Bart
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Hello Bart, I see you purchased the OC MCP. I was wondering if you like it so far and whether the VOR LOC and APP buttons have both the amber and green leds in them?
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Hi Bas
As far as I've tested it only has the green led's. It's the cheapest MCP around so don't expect miracles, but it works good! I enjoyed it! :D
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Hi Bart,
Thanks. One has to start somewhere, the price difference allows for other panels, so that wasn't a hard decision :)
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bas_v
Hi Bart,
Thanks. One has to start somewhere, the price difference allows for other panels, so that wasn't a hard decision :)
True! As far as I've calculated my cockpit will cost me about 3500 Euro, which is reasonable I think.
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Today I’ve backlighted my MCP panel. I used a warm light LED strip of 98cm and warped it around the electronic board and taped it with black tape, to prevent that most of the light goes out the MCP. Then I hooked a 12VDC power supply to it, and there it is! It’s a rather cheap solution, but hey, it does the trick!
Some photos:
http://homeflightsim.files.wordpress...1/img_0062.jpg
http://homeflightsim.files.wordpress...1/img_0063.jpg
http://homeflightsim.files.wordpress...1/img_0067.jpg
http://homeflightsim.files.wordpress...1/img_0070.jpg
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Looking good! Maybe you can fight the leakage around the digits with some thick black paper?
Did you use just one strip?
A few months ago, I came across this: http://www.kennair.com.au/backlight.html it might be of use to you, too.
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Yes, one strip without the need of cutting. Indeed, I have to work on those leakage. I'm pleased with the result, keeping in mind that I actually wasn't planning to backlight it.
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
I do think you found a way that is much less labour intensive :)
Where did you get the strip?
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
It took about 2 minutes to put them into place, they only consume 3 Watts and they last 30.000 hours, that so awsome!
I bought the strip (98cm) + transformator at the 'Weba' it's a little like 'Ikea' shop for 35 Euro which is pretty reasonable!
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Today I hooked up 2 screens to my Mac Mini. These screens will be used for my MIP to display everything that is necessary. I use ProSim737 for this. It's maybe not the cheapest solution, but they have an excellent support system and their quality is unbeatable! Stunning sharp graphics with a nice framerate. I run it on a 2 year old Mac Mini (Windows 7 via BootCamp) with 2 screens (one Full HD and one HD Ready) and still a good performance! Here some photos:
http://homeflightsim.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/1.jpg
http://homeflightsim.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/2.jpg
http://homeflightsim.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/3.jpg
http://homeflightsim.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/4.jpg
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Nice :) But how do you have think to build glareshield?
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
I will most probably build my glareshield with parts of sismo soliciones. I'll order them in march and I will see how that turns out. More to come!
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Aha but did you buy this mip from simworld? do you hava a link?
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Yes I bought the MIP panels + electronics etc with Simworld.
Link: http://www.simworld.pl/shop/index.php?cPath=1_4_10
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Hi Bart,
I'm planning to buy the pannels from Simworld and I have some question:
what do you think about their quality?
have you bought also the MIP Panel electronic components set (full) and MIP annunciators set (full)?
how do you have placed the MCP and Efis modules?
Thanks in advance
Antonio
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
The quality of Simworld is good! They have also a very great support! I also bought their electronics kit and that was also very good! Look a few posts back where I posted some pictures. For the MCP and EFIS I still have to search a way to mount them into the glareshield. I bought the glareshield from Sismo Soluciones. I'll post some pictures soon.
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jumbo0
The quality of Simworld is good! They have also a very great support! I also bought their electronics kit and that was also very good! Look a few posts back where I posted some pictures. For the MCP and EFIS I still have to search a way to mount them into the glareshield. I bought the glareshield from Sismo Soluciones. I'll post some pictures soon.
Thank you Bart, I'll stay tuned!
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
That was nice! did you cut out for the glareshield? how did you build the glareshield? can we have some pictures from behind the mip?
Regards
younas
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
I didn't cut anything, but I drilled holes at the top of the MIP and I mounted the (rather heavy) glareshield to it. I will make some pictures of the back tomorrow and post them, but nothing is wired yet.
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jumbo0
I didn't cut anything, but I drilled holes at the top of the MIP and I mounted the (rather heavy) glareshield to it. I will make some pictures of the back tomorrow and post them, but nothing is wired yet.
Thanks for help :)
Where is the picture? :P
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Because of my work I had no time yet :( Tomorrow should work, I will do it asap! :)
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jumbo0
I didn't cut anything, but I drilled holes at the top of the MIP and I mounted the (rather heavy) glareshield to it. I will make some pictures of the back tomorrow and post them, but nothing is wired yet.
Very nice job. Looks great.
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Here the photo of a piece of the backside of my MIP! :)
Attachment 6443
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
You have put the Annunciator holders on the wrong side!
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Well, I was not sure how to do it :(
But just wired the LED's and it looks pretty good after all I think.. For the overhead I'll have a good look at it to mount them in the right way!
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Sudden81
You have put the Annunciator holders on the wrong side!
What exactly is wrong with the annunciators in this picture?
I will receive the simworld mip and annunciator set also in some weeks so i would like to understand what to do different as i agree with Jumbo0 this already looks very impressive. can you point out more what you mean exactly?
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jumbo0
It should look like this:
Attachment 6547
In real life, you can push in all annunciators to see if the bulbs work!
Therefore, it is the part you put on the inside to sit on the outside and the other small part on the inside!
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Sudden81
It should look like this:
Attachment 6547
In real life, you can push in all annunciators to see if the bulbs work!
Therefore, it is the part you put on the inside to sit on the outside and the other small part on the inside!
Thanks
i think this will be very helpfull when the mip with annunciators arrive. I will post pictures once complete in my own thread
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Re: Started on a Boeing 737NG cockpit
Hmm I see... Well maybe one day I'll order new annunciators and remount them in the good way. Thanks for sharing, Sudden81!
The past days I worked a little on my cockpit, mounted on a frame made my own CDU and throttle bay out of wood, painted everything, mounted my LCD,... It start to look a little like a cockpit :D
http://homeflightsim.files.wordpress...4/cockpit1.jpg
http://homeflightsim.files.wordpress...4/cockpit2.jpg
http://homeflightsim.files.wordpress...4/cockpit3.jpg
http://homeflightsim.files.wordpress...4/cockpit4.jpg
