Custom Autopilot Panel

[gokhotit]

I use phidgets for my interface, so FS2PHIDGET is used as well.  I have the mixture controls hooked up to slider pots (see my sig for details), I just reassigned the handle to offset 07D4 (autopilot altitude).  just moved the pot and there it is.  works like a charm, a little bit on the sensitive side (small altitude changes are hard to do).  Assuming all is the same I don't see any reason why it sould not work with any other offset.

[gokhotit]

I ordered my panel from frontpaneldesigner.  Will be here around APR 12.  Will post a pic when it gets here..hope it is as good a quality as everyone is saying..

[BTilson]

Hey good. I look forward to seeing what kind of work they do. Please post some nice up close detail shots as well. It will be nice to see a customers panel up close, instead of the "examples" on the web site.

[JBaymore]

Hey good. I look forward to seeing what kind of work they do. Please post some nice up close detail shots as well. It will be nice to see a customers panel up close, instead of the "examples" on the web site.

I agree completely.  Thinking of using them for some stuff.  

best,

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

[gokhotit]

oh good...Im the guinea pig..

[gokhotit]

Well, my panel came in today, and it looks GOOD>> 8-).

[BTilson]

Looks like they do pretty clean work! I work in steel manufacturing myself, so the questions that come to mind for me, is there any burring anywhere? Are all the edges broken and smooth, or did they leave them at raw sharp corners?

[gokhotit]

all the edges are smooth and sharp, and the engraving is clean and straight.  VERY GOOD WORK, I would use them again.

[gokhotit]

TO BTilson, I am sorry if i hijcked your thread, but I figures it would fit here

i have an update on my panel.
Got the switches in place and the push buttons wired.

[BTilson]

Hey, no prob on the hijacking. You're the one who has the actual panel made, which looks very nice by the way.

[gokhotit]

got the power wired up.

[beaky]

Very nice; what do they charge for one of these one-offs?

[gokhotit]

I dont know how much "they" would charge.  I have about $150 invested in it (switches were free, and the I/O card that will be on it is a spare).

[gokhotit]

I have run into a snag .  I get the panel powered up, got 35v output  (phidgets handle a max output of 30v)  on one light, ok, no problem just add a resistor and be done with it.  Problem is,  the more lights I turn on the more it loads and the lower my voltage goes.  I need a variable type of resistor that adjusts itself to maintain 28-30v no matte what the load is.

I know that people will say "change the i/o card""buy a new power supply", etc.  i dont have a lot of money to get stuff like that, I am trying to do this as cheaply as possible.  

What I am asking,  is if anyone has any ideas how I can control current cheaply?

[SilverFox441]

gokhotit, if you could describe your wiring in a bit more detail it should be possible to help you...

I have two questions off the top of my head..

1. Why are you using 30 volts?
2. What are you using for a power supply?