New Found Enthusiasm Is Killing Me! DIY MCDU Build

So my new found(re-kindled) enthusiasm for sim building is getting serious. Among the projects I have in the works is a new MCDU, built from scratch. I am working on the CAD files to laser cut the keys, panels, etc. When it comes to the monitor, I am looking at 4.3 - 5 inch VGA LCD monitors on Ebay. Does anyone have experience with doing this? I am thinking that I can use a USB keys card like the one from OC, or similar. My biggest concern is can I interface that with the MCDU in Jeheel's software, and will his software drive the display for the MCDU on the little 4.3 inch monitor? My design is going to be very similar to the OC MCDU. If it comes out good I will offer the CAD files to the community, and pre-cut cut panels for the cost of the plastic and shipping. But let's not get the cart before the horse.... If anyone else has done this, and has information to share on the interfacing with Jeheel, please tell me about it.


Thanks,

Buddy

Buddy,
If you use USB keys from oc jl has sioc creator that maps these keys to his MCDU.So you should be able to move the
MCDU display to your display as part of the extended desktop. Just have to make sure your panel keys align with the
display messages. I have built a Hispanels MCDU which uses USB keys card and all this will require is to use SIOC Creator
to do the mapping. have a look at the Hardware modules in JL soft and see what the setup is.
Hope this helps.
Les

Thanks, I will do so right now. I just made some test cuts on the laser to see how well I could cut out the key tops and the panels, looks like it wont to difficult. I am curious, do you have any pictures of how the Hispanels assemble?

Thanks,

Buddy

While on this subject, I have noticed a few slightly different MCDU designs out there.... Will I run into trouble using one vs. anther?

Still more questions..... I want to run the MCDU on a VGA monitor, but I am pretty sure that I tossed my PS One monitor long ago. Does anyone have any suggestions for a modern TFT display of the correct dimensions? I looked a bunch on Ebay, but the all seem to be widescreen, so a bit to short from top to bottom... I can redesign the MCDU panels easy enough to fit a different screen, but would prefer to find the correct one......

The Hispanels MCDU had an acrylic back plate that the switches were supposed to be attached to and then hand wired.
There was a guy once that did a pcb for the Boeing one which made life easier. I bought one and fitted it to the Hispanel
A320 mcdu, it was a bit of a fiddle but got a reasonable look. Unfortunately he does not make them anymore.
If you do a search for diy mcdu some assembly options pop up.
Here is what I think used and the image was great.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VGA-AV-drive...item4ac9664bfc

Hope this helps.

Les

Thanks for the info! I had actually been looking at that unit. I am so anxious to cut the panels it's killing me, but better to wait to I can make the LCD cutout perfect. I made some test cuts for key tops and they came out great! Very cool stuff....

Ordered the VGA display, now the long and painful waiting.... More questions... has anyone ever tried adding an audible feedback to the MCDU keys? Like a short "beep" each time a key is pressed? Heck, for all I know it already does it. I don't have JL's FMGS software loaded yet.

BTW, for anyone else that has built a MCDU, did you make the key tops from clear acrylic or white translucent acrylic? I am experimenting with both. Kinda seems like a tie so far, but I saw a A-10 FMC with clear keys and green backlights that looked incredible..... I was going to backlight mine with amber LEDs.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by iwik

...

There was a guy once that did a pcb for the Boeing one which made life easier. I bought one and fitted it to the Hispanel
A320 mcdu, it was a bit of a fiddle but got a reasonable look. Unfortunately he does not make them anymore.
Les

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@buddym:

I happen to have one of these boards lying around, which I will not be using in my build. Are you interested?

Hans

Hans! I very well might be interested. Could you send me a picture of it, or link to a picture of it?

Hi, I sent you a PM. Regards,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Buddym

Hans! I very well might be interested. Could you send me a picture of it, or link to a picture of it?

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Hello Bud,

I found the PCB and made a picture of it. Here it is!

Regards,

Hi Hans,

If this board is not wanted by Buddy would you consider selling it to me.

Kind Regards

Bernie.

If it's of any interest I bought one of these boards from Marius many years ago and combined it with an open cockpits USB Keyboard emulator. The panel kit was also from Open cockpits and I used the screen from a Sony PS1 Playstation. The only small problem with this board is that the 40 way connector protrudes from the bottom of the board, so you have to make space for that in the housing you build.

Pictures attached.

Attachment 10044Attachment 10045Attachment 10046

these are all awesome! I got the 5" monitor in the mail today, it works great! I hope to have a picture or 2 in a day or so!

Hello Bernie,

I would, but the board is not available anymore; BuddyM is buying it from me.

Sorry for the delay in answering!

Hi Bernie,
I will have the board soon I hope. If I end up not using it I will let you know ASAP.
Also, I would be happy to cut you a set of panels and keytops if you want. They came out really nice.
BuddyM

Hi Buddy,

Thankyou for the offer of the Panels, I must let you know that this would be for a second CDU as I also built my first. If you are happy for me to buy the PCB if you don't use it that would be great.

Kind Regards

Bernie

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HansJansen

Hello Bernie,

I would, but the board is not available anymore; BuddyM is buying it from me.

Sorry for the delay in answering!

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Hi Hans

That is not a problem, I miss posts as well.

Kind Regards

Bernie.