Adding two very simple switches with IO Cards?

[Buddym]

Thanks for that Mongo, very easy after watching the video.

Tons of hardware options out there... IOCards, FSBus, Bodnar, MJOY, Desktop Aviator... many more. The thing to do is decide what you want to do in the sim, long term. The Bodnar card is awesome, but has no outputs. The IOCards are great, but require additional software and can be intimidating. The FSBus stuff looks good, I have not played with it, but it looks like you have to build it all yourself.

I think the Bodnar card is a great card to start with. itcan read switches, encoders, and pots, all on a USB-based plug and play board that has push terminals for connections. It requires no drivers and no external power source. If you need outputs then probably add a USB expansion card and Mater card from OC after you play with the Bodnar card for a while. If funds are tight and you are handy with a soldering iron take a look at the MJOY 16 project. It's open source, very cheap to build and supports switches, encoders, and pots as well. It plugs in with USB and requires no drivers.

[Boeing 747 Flyer]

Right then. Lets say I bought an IOCard, and a USB Card. How would I connect these together?

Once connected, is that it for now unless I wish to add a switch (ie Yaw Damper)?

[AK Mongo]

The Leo Bodnar card is an input card. It accepts inputs from your hardware(switches, rotary switches, buttons, etc.) and outputs them to your computer and looks like a game controller in the control panel. You can then assign those switches functions via the flight sim settings for basic stuff, or through FSUIPC for more advanced options. I do not know why there are commands that can be used in FSX that are not available through their own configuration menu, but FSUIPC will allow you to access them. Most people on this forum seem to be using the Bodnar card for their inputs.

The opencockpits cards can be used for inputs and outputs. Outputs take signals from FSX and add them make something happen in your hardware. (light leds, turn switches, engage mechanical gizmos, etc.) these seem to be the best way to get these external world things done, but require programming in a basic language called SIOC. The programming seems to be the stumbling block for most (myself included.) to using these for inputs.

So bottom line: figure out whether you want inputs to the sim, or outputs from it, or both. That will determine which choices in hardware you need to look at.

Most start with inputs and may move on to outputs.

[Boeing 747 Flyer]

Right, I think I'm getting there.

For things like switches, knobs, buttons, the Leo Bodnar card is best.

For things like LEDs (which require an output from the Sim), Opencockpits IOCards are better.

Am I correct?

[AK Mongo]

You got it, although you may get arguments about brand x or y, most go the route I described.

If you are good at programming, you can do inputs on the open cockpits system, but that is jumping into the deep end for most....

[Boeing 747 Flyer]

Thanks Mongo,

When you say brand x or y, what exactly are you referring to?

Also, if I did purchase the Bodnar card, odes it come pre-built? What do I then need further to this before I start soldering on my own switches?

[AK Mongo]

Thanks Mongo,

When you say brand x or y, what exactly are you referring to?

Also, if I did purchase the Bodnar card, odes it come pre-built? What do I then need further to this before I start soldering on my own switches?

BuddyM had a post a few ago that lists some other brands.
For instance, I am only currently using input cards. My inputs are run off Desktop Aviator cards, and a hacked ch products yoke. Both work, did not know about the Bodnar cards before I purchased the Desktop Aviator stuff.

Were I to do it over, and I lived in Europe, i would definitely buy the Bodnar card. It does not require soldering. You plug the wires into the card, and can crimp terminals onto the switch ends.


It is a well though out, well supported piece of equipment.

It is built and plug and play into Windows.

[Boeing 747 Flyer]

This is fantastic. I am learning so much from you guys... Thanks so much!

Okay so let me get this straight.

Say I wanted to (keeping simple for now), wanted to attatch one single ON/OFF switch to the card. I buy an ON/OFF switch like this: http://www.opencockpits.com/catalog/...ml?cPath=24_55

I then solder one wire to each "leg" of the ON/OFF switch.

I then insert one wire into the ground, and the other into the "button" slot.

Then, connect to computer via USB and we're done. It will appear as button 35 (if I slotted it into button number 35 slot). This "button" (acutally switch) can be used however I feel within FSX, it appears as a game controller button so it easy to use. If I want to add more advanced switches, I use FSUIPC to do this.

Correct?

[AK Mongo]

Just that simple! Although 3 euros for the switch sounds high. It is not a special switch. Does the UK have Radio Shack?

[Boeing 747 Flyer]

Hi Mongo,

I won't necessarily be buying that switch, I just used it as an example. I will probably buy from a shop called "Maplin", they sell all sorts of electronics such as switches, rotaries, etc.