Making switchs and or pedals

[Mazza]

Hello 

Mazza thinks I would like to make some switches for FS9, I mean like 4 or 5 just on-off switches, really cheap 

I know this is possible, but is it really hard and maybe some links to how to build them?



Also I would like some pedals, anyone wanna donate? 

Or could I make some? (Need something to do for holidays)

Thanks 

[BSW727]

I don't know of any builder who builds their own switches.
Buy some at the electronics store.

If you want aircraft accurate pedals you can build those yourself or drop several hundred on an accurate set. That is my spring project for my 727.

If you just want yaw control any old set will do.

[Mazza]

No I mean making the switches do something to the Flight sim  Like lights, fuel pumps, gear ect.

[machineman9]

Have you considered buying an old/cheap joystick and then taking that apart to make all your buttons? If it has twist rudder then you could look into making a rudder housing and then wire the rudder controls up to that.

[Mazza]

Have you considered buying an old/cheap joystick and then taking that apart to make all your buttons? If it has twist rudder then you could look into making a rudder housing and then wire the rudder controls up to that.

Where could I find an old joystick? Maybe my mates has some broken ones...

[Zooloo99]

Well Mazza, it's not as simple as you'd like to think it is.
Wiring random switches and buttons is one thing, but how would you make it interface with the computer?

[Diesel]

Mazza. Here you go. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU1e-UuUSywThis board is cheap and easy to interface to flightsim. Also, theres Leo's boards http://www.leobodnar.com/which are great also.

Enjoy
Mike

[Mazza]

Thanks for the links, but I have came up with a FREE solution, it wont look THAT great but will work, no LEDS to tell if it's on or off but I don't care

(Still working on it)

I got an Old keyboard, pulled off all the keys I don't wanna use (I left about 20 on it) and basically make a frame around the left keys, simple, cheap and easy 

[Romflyer]

[quote]Thanks for the links, but I have came up with a FREE solution, it wont look THAT great but will work, no LEDS to tell if it's on or off but I don't care

(Still working on it)

I got an Old keyboard, pulled off all the keys I don't wanna use (I left about 20 on it) and basically make a frame around the left keys, simple, cheap and easy

[Mazza]

Thanks and I will 

[JBaymore]

That "keyboard hack" is where a lot of people get started down the dark road to the cockpit building abbys!   ;)   Soon you'll want more.   There is no end. 

best,

.................john

[Mazza]

[quote]That "keyboard hack" is where a lot of people get started down the dark road to the cockpit building abbys!

[Romflyer]

Mazza. Here you go. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU1e-UuUSywThis board is cheap and easy to interface to flightsim. Also, theres Leo's boards http://www.leobodnar.com/which are great also.

Enjoy
Mike

There does seems to be more than a few options when it comes to choosing one of these joystick or keyboard emulation circuit boards, does anyone have any words of wisdom about which one to choose, or for that matter, not to choose,
-will all of them work with rotary knobs, pushbuttons, and toggles?
-is there any choice that is easier to figure out than the other......(I'm a woodworker not an electronics guy )
-making a functioning trim wheel is paramount for me, if I make up a wheel and attach it to a rotary pot will I be able to get trim-up one way, and trim down the other way on the rotation of the pot OR should/can this be accomplished assigning an axis??

[JBaymore]

You can assign an axis.  Best for this is using a multi-turn pot for good sensitivity.  Or using gearing on the trim wheel to the pot connection.

best,

.............john

[Romflyer]

How difficult is it to dissasemble an old keyboard and use it for a controller......is it fairly obvious once you open it up, or is it just a little circuit board tiny leads that are next impossible to figure out, and I'll need a degree in soldering to connect to them?......or am I better to just spend the 50 bucks on a controller?