Autothrottles & servos disconnect

**eehalm** · 03-05-2009, 05:26 PM

Hello all,

My autothrottle works fine. The only problem I have now is that it always works - can not disengage the servos so it will move freely again by the pilot.
I saw all the posts here about using the 0/0/4 relay card and understand the idea of this implementation.

I was just wondering - When I double click on the Ph icon (the Phidgets driver) and then the AdvancedServo Phidgets card, I noticed it was possible to click or unclick the engage option (using FS2Phidgets version 4.3.8 - last version?).
When the servo is disengaged, it is possible to move the throttle freely.

I am asking myself why does one have to use the Phidgets 0/0/4 interface card, if its possible to give a software command to engage/disengage the servos???

I guess your answer will probably be - there's no such option in FS2Phidgets. But then again - is it really impossible to do that automatically via FS2Phidgets? That FS2Phidgets looks at a specific logical variable (coming from FSUIPC for example) and that the value TRUE or FALSE will determine if the specific servo will be powered or unpowered?
If this option is not available in FS2Phidgets - how much work will it be to add this feature to FS2Phidgets?

I was wondering since I am coming from the software side of computers - and if the simple Ph driver can engage/disengage the power to the servo, any software can - am I wrong?

Thanks in advance for your ideas about that thought,

Eyal

**eehalm** · 03-05-2009, 06:00 PM

What I actually mean to ask is:

Would it be possible for FS2Phidgets to simply call the function

CPhidgetAdvancedServo_setEngaged

Which is found in the Phidgets21 package (see phidgets21.h in C:\Program Files\Phidgets\)

Whether it calls this function with a TRUE or FALSE in the engagedState parameter is up to the decision logical variable, that has to be possible to define through the user interface in FS2Phidgets (my impression until now is that it is still impossible to do this via the user interface of FS2Phidgets).

Is it lots of work to add this feature to the user interface and the implementation of FS2Pidgets.

Thanks again,

Eyal

**CocnutAir** · 03-06-2009, 09:04 PM

Eyal,

Would take a about weekend of my time.

I have lost track of the number of times I have given up my weekends and never heard back from a builder or had to send a number of "Did update work?" emails to evoke a response.

Give me a good reason why I sould give up another of my weekends?

Regards,
Alan.

**eehalm** · 03-07-2009, 04:56 PM

Hi Alan,

Thank you very much for your reply.
Well, there might be some good reasons for giving up another weekend:

1) I promise to let you know if the update worked out.
2) I think this small change can make many builders quite
happy (if this will work, the state-of-the-art
FS2Phidgets will be even more versatile).
In my opinion this servo engage/disengage problem
really cries out for an elegant software solution.
3) I'll be more than thankful ?

Curiously waiting for your reply,

Eyal Halm

**Melnato** · 03-07-2009, 07:31 PM

Id like to take this opportunity to thank Alan for his work on FS2Phidegets.
We(people with TQ'S) would be history if it wasnt for this marvelous software.
I'm sure Ive thanked Alan in the past, but if I haven't for a while....then...THANK YOU!

Any chance of a Xplane2Phidgets?

Nat

**eehalm** · 03-09-2009, 05:57 AM

I agree,

This is indeed a very fine piece of software Alan!
You did a very good job!

Many thanks in the meantime,

Eyal

**CocnutAir** · 03-13-2009, 12:18 AM

Eyal,

The folks at Phidgets have added some nice properties to servos.
The acceleration and speed properties, when fully utilized should make servo operation a lot smoother.
I already use the Engaged property, you highlighted, to disengage servos when the fs2phidget program terminates.
I may currently also disengage when the servo is "idle" to prevent servo overheating. Been a while since I looked at that code.
But disengage-engage functionality driven by user definable rules is on the cards. (see below).
You are now officially an alpha tester. We'll do servos and autopilots first.

Currently I am reworking the FS2Phidget program to move away from the current clumsy circuit and logic variable implementation to a more intuitive interface where a user will be able to construct simple circuit "schematics" using a combination of real devices (phidgets) and virtual devices (electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic) that function like their real-world counterparts in a graphical real-time interactive representation.
Also, exploring X-Plane integration.

Next week is my daughter's 21st birthday and my Mom is visiting for a few week's from Africa, and I am currently working away from home.

How soon do you need upgrade? I would like to suggest that I have something in, say, 3-4 weeks? Will that work for you?

Ek kan Hollands goed verstaan.
Ek gee nie om nie as jy wil jou huis taal gebruik in die toekoms.

Groete,
Alan

**eehalm** · 03-13-2009, 09:07 AM

Hi Alan,

Again thanks for your reply and the extra info.

But disengage-engage functionality driven by user definable rules is on the cards. (see below).

Do you mean the Phidgets 0/0/4 should be used for that?

You are now officially an alpha tester. We'll do servos and autopilots first.

I am more than glad to be defined as an alpha tester

Currently I am reworking the FS2Phidget program to move away from the current clumsy circuit and logic variable implementation to a more intuitive interface where a user will be able to construct simple circuit "schematics" using a combination of real devices (phidgets) and virtual devices (electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic) that function like their real-world counterparts in a graphical real-time interactive representation.
Also, exploring X-Plane integration.

Sounds really innovative! I wonder how this interface will look like...

Next week is my daughter's 21st birthday and my Mom is visiting for a few week's from Africa, and I am currently working away from home.

Greetings for you daughter's birthday!

How soon do you need upgrade? I would like to suggest that I have something in, say, 3-4 weeks? Will that work for you?

Well, the sooner the better but of course your family matters will go first

I also read somewhere that it is possible to download the source code somewhere on the site but couldn't find it.
The best solution will be if you can add the "user defined engage-disengage feature" to the software, so that all other 737TQ builders can enjoy that feature - but if you can tell me where I can download the code / you send it to me - maybe I can look into it as well (as a temporary solution).

Ek kan Hollands goed verstaan.
Ek gee nie om nie as jy wil jou huis taal gebruik in die toekoms.

Grappig, is dat afrikaans trouwens? Woont je moeder in Zuid-Afrika? Wat een toeval

Goed - we kunnen gewoon in het Engels verder - helemaal geen probleem - maar wel grappig dat je nederlands kan!

So thanks Alan for your reply,

Looking forward for your next one,

Groetjes,

Eyal

**CocnutAir** · 03-13-2009, 11:15 PM