Simple Switch

[Mobius]

Alrighty folks, I've been thinking about a little project for a while now, and I was curious about the feasibility of it.  I want to build a small box with a working gear handle, and maybe a few buttons and toggle switches.  I have the mechanics mostly figured out, but what I don't really know much of anything about is wiring it so it is recognized by my computer.  I am just curious about how difficult it would be to wire just a switch or a dial, and have that be recognized as a joystick or something, so I could use it in FS, and other sims as well.

Thanks in advance.

[SilverFox441]

It needn't be very complex... basically you just need to gut a cheap USB joystick and you can assign all it's various buttons, switches, etc. within FS to accomplish whatever tasks you want. You also have available whatever joystick axis were available... so if you wanted to make a throttle assembly that's possible.

It's a little bit harder if you want to use toggle swtiches, but there is a tutorial available on another site that I can point you to if that's the case.

[JBaymore]

Mobius,

Welcome to the place we keep all the real addicts!

[Padser]

Hiya,

Your project sounds a lot like my first steps on the road to obsession, too...

You can see the switch box I made here: http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb2 ... 1145609154

I used toggle switches and some potentiometers (easily source-able from any online electronics store - I used Maplin in the UK). The circuitry comes from Leo Bodnar's Joystick controller: http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb2 ... 1145609154

When you plug the USB cable into your machine, the default Human Interface Device drivers in Windows XP recognise the controller and allow you to calibrate it, etc. It will simply be available to you as a joystick on your machine - couldn't be easier.

It all looks complicated, but it's really not! I knew nothing before I got started.

There's all sorts of info in this thread over at the UbiSoft site (Shhh! ): http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/ ... 081034/p/2

I'll be happy to help in anyway I can - so ask away!

Pads

[Mobius]

Thanks everyone.  Padser, that's pretty much what I'm looking to do.  Thanks for the heads up for everything.  This is looking better and better...

[JBaymore]

[quote]Thanks everyone.

[Mr Steve]

Adding switches to a computer input can be confusing; It was for me until I discovered a few very good articles on how to do it. They are:

http://www.desktopaviator.com/Articles/Toggle/index.htm
and
http://www.desktopaviator.com/Articles/ ... index3.htm

By incorporating the switch electronics into the Desktop Aviator's USB to 10 Button INTERFACE
(http://www.desktopaviator.com/Products/ ... 05/USB.htm), the job is quite easy and the finished project very rewarding.

[beaky]

Thanks everyone.  Padser, that's pretty much what I'm looking to do.  Thanks for the heads up for everything.  This is looking better and better...

Another life headed down the simpit drain............. such a waste!  

Tragic.

Slide over, fellas... make room on the Bench of Shame.