Toggle Switch Question

[CaptainXion]

I found some old toggle switches in my pile of hardware, but I'm not sure if they can be used with a computer. They're just plain old toggle switches with contact points for wires. Here's a picture similar to them:

http://www.northerntool.com/images/prod ... 678_lg.jpg

[Fozzer]

I use them to switch my off brain every now and again, load Microsoft Flight Simulator up, and pretend I am flying a real aeroplane...

Its called a Virtual Reality Switch... ...!

Paul...G-BPLF... ... ... ...!

Electrician Extraordinaire!... 8-)...!

[CaptainXion]

Not exactaly the answer I was looking for...

[Fozzer]

Not exactaly the answer I was looking for...

Humour is the spice of life...

...trust me.... ...!

Paul...G-BPLF... 8-)...!

[JSpahn]

Those toggles will work but you need to interface them with a keyboard controller like a Hagstrom KE72. so there is a bit more involved then switches.

And take it from Fozzer, never lose your humor I make sure and get a good laugh in every day.

P.S. Im glad to hear you have a switch , I don't think this guy does or is defective:

[npbosch]

you could also use these devices:
http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU0836/

Is ia

[JSpahn]

you could also use these devices:
http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU0836/

Is ia  USB joystick controllercard and can accept 32 switches and 8 potmeters. You can connect the switches you showed in your link to this device. I have 3 of these cards and they work great.

Regards
Norbert

But Im pretty certain you need to hook up a relay circuit in order to keep constant pulses from polling on the sim.

[CaptainXion]

That Hagstrom thing requires a PS/2 port open, and I still want to have my mouse and keyboard plugged in. Where can I get an adapter to split one of the ports?

[beaky]

That Hagstrom thing requires a PS/2 port open, and I still want to have my mouse and keyboard plugged in. Where can I get an adapter to split one of the ports?

Look again- Hagstrom makes USB devices.

http://www.hagstromelectronics.com/

[npbosch]

But Im pretty certain you need to hook up a relay circuit in order to keep constant pulses from polling on the sim.

No, thats not necessary. FSUIPC takes care of that.

Norbert

[SilverFox441]

FSUIPC can stop the signal being sent to the sim... but it can't stop the constant pulse in hardware.

Most hardware designed for simpit use has the ability to manage the hardware end (like the Hagstrom boards), even a lot on non-specific stuff can deal with it internally. The BU0836 is one notable piece of hardware that will not interrupt the constant input of a toggle switch

The problem arises if you let the computer see the constant input, this eats cpu cycles and can affect framerates. Dealing with the problem in software only stops the signal from affecting the sim... does nothing about what it's doing to the input lines on the computer.

[CaptainXion]

I was looking into that Hagstrom USB device and.....$170.00?!?! Is there a cheaper alternative?

[beaky]

I was looking into that Hagstrom USB device and.....$170.00?!?! Is there a cheaper alternative?

For 108 switches or buttons, joystick axes, trackball input, and rotary switches? I'm not sure...
It's more than I needed, but it has more than enough button inputs, I needed a few more pot inputs, and there'll be room to expand a little. I thought of Leo's units, which eliminate the latching command problem, but needed more channels without spending a lot more, ultimately...and in my case, the latching-command thing may not be a problem.

To overcome the CPU clogging possible with several latching toggles, I plan to toss some of the (free) rotary switches I had planned for gear switch, flaps, fuel selectors, etc. and go back to my idea of making simple mechanisms that will trip momentary buttons (I got a bag of 100 of them for less than 50 cents each). A little fab work there, but it'll be easy, and not much more trouble than working with the rotary switches, in terms of mounting them, etc.

I have so much labor to do on this 'pit in general that I've been trying to minimize the electronics tinkering. I don't mind paying a little to save time and labor here and there.
I work with electronics a lot, but as a fabricator, I'm better with structural and mechanical stuff, and I can work pretty quickly on that stuff.


If the remaining toggles (master, lights, etc) cause a problem, I will then look into adding isolators.

[nemesis19]

Yeah,

have a look at OpenCockpits they're cheaper than Hagstrom and if programmed through SIOC the continuous pulse from the switch poses no problems

Regards
............Adrian W

[CaptainXion]

I'll look into that. All I need is a USB device that will let the system recognize and respond to the changes in the state of the switch.

EDIT:

I just looked at the OpenCockpits website and realized that I have no idea what I am looking for. I am completley new to this, and have no idea what any of the components are called. Can somebody tell me what exactly they call this:

"...A USB device that will let the system recognize and respond to the changes in the state of the [toggle] switch."