A new Simpit

[McLovin]

Hi Im new to the whole simpit thing, but I have a concept of how to put an extention on a joystick. The only thing I dont get is....here it goes....

how to make rudder peddls when you already have a joystick that u can move left to right for that command,

Making a throttle quadrent for a collective on a helo,

and connecting and programing little switches on the collective.

I have a crapy joystick(I have a better one but just practiceing on this one) that I'm using, and Ive made the extention. But the thing is, is that when I go and fly on FS9Pro it is sloppy--I have to move a foot left to get the helo to go left--AHHHHHH!! lol.

I am planning to start a sim training program up at collage but I just need to know how to do all of this. I can get pics along the way.

Thanks, Brett

[JBaymore]

Brett,

Hi and welcome to the "HomebuildForum".

There was some discussion here about helo cockpits a while back.  Check back in the pages of threads and you'll find some info.  If I remember correctly, some of it addresses just the issue you are having with the extended "lever arm" of the long handle joystick.

Helos are not my "cup of tea" so I really can't help you there... other than to say that the general concepts of interfacing and switches and such apply the same..... so check out the older threads.

Keep us posted on the project.

best,

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

[McLovin]

Thanks john. I went back in the forums and I cant seem to find anything that deals with helos. could you point me in the direction to installing switches and troubleshooting them to where they are in working condition?

Much appreciated, Brett

[JBaymore]

Texas_Raiders,

Getting switches and buttons to work is the province of items like Hagstrom Keyboard Encoders and Phidgets.  Go to the "Resources" sticky at the top to head to their websites and do some research on what/how they work.  That will get you started.

Check out this link for helo info:

http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=homebuild;action=display;num=1097179897


best,

.........john

[McLovin]

what is a potentiometer? Thanks John

[JBaymore]

A potentiometer is a variable resistor.  There are a number of types.  The most common in use for simpit construction are the rotary and slide types.  A rotary one will make a "knob" type control you turn.  A slider will make a tab you slide along a straight path.

Potentiometers form the main controls in a joystick.  The stick itself just moves the potentiometers thru a mechanical connection.

For most simpit use you want what is called "linear taper".  This means that the total resistance is evenl;y spread over the range of travel of the potentiometer.  Other types ... like audio taper.... puts a large part of the change into a small portion of the movement of the control.

Pots (short for potentiometer) come in different resistance values.  The resistance in measured in Ohms.  If you have a pot that you don't know the resistance vale for... a cheap multimeter will get you that info quickly.  Connect the meter to the variable wiper and the common pin and set the meter to measure resistance.  You might have to change the scale of themeter to match the resistance value of the pot to get a good reading.

Hope this helps.

best,

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

[McLovin]

WOW

Sure did! Now all I need is the materials hmmm Lets see where I can go for them.

Thanks agian OO Greatful one....lol

~Brett