Making switchs and or pedals

[BSW727]

You're better off spending the money. While wasting time trying to pin out a hacked keyboard, you could already have your switches installed and working using a regular input card.

Leo Bodnar makes one of the best and simplest.

[JBaymore]

You're better off spending the money. While wasting time trying to pin out a hacked keyboard, you could already have your switches installed and working using a regular input card.

Leo Bodnar makes one of the best and simplest.

I agree.

[Romflyer]

Thanks guys that is exactly want I was interested in hearing, now are there any limitations on which type of buttons or toggles or dials that can cannot be used with these kind of boards? I'm mostly wondering about toggles, because switches in the game controlled with buttons that (toggle) things off and on, but an actual toggle switch performs either off or on........I hope that makes sense?....assuming my question makes sense  is there any special requirements when looking for toggles, buttons, dials,  etc?

[JBaymore]

romflyer,

Look at the stickies at the top of this forum section and explore the ones that are for controller hardware.  Read up on the specs on the hardware and what it handles.

Also start reading older threads here.  There is a LOT of information already in the forum section.  A goldmine actually.

I use Hagstrom keyboard encoders (2 x KE-72) for a lot of simple stuff.  They are bulletproof and flexible items...... but a bit pricey.  Combined with the payware FSUIPC...... you can do a LOT of stuff in the sim.  A KE-72 supports 72 discrete inputs.  I have toggles, momentaries, and rotary switches driving that.  Simple.

I think the Bodnar card will support similar....but is more "basic".

best,

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

[Mazza]

I just came back from holidays so not much was done, but before I left I cut out all the holes, it all fits nicely, I know it's like a (cool) keyboard is a new place, but I wanted to do something this holidays 

Just gotta frame and paint and configure 

[Tyler012]

If you don't mind spending a little money, Saitek makes a nice switch cluster you could give a look at: http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-PZ55-Fligh ... 513&sr=8-4

[Romflyer]

[quote]romflyer,

Look at the stickies at the top of this forum section and explore the ones that are for controller hardware.

[JBaymore]

The Hagstom ke73 software assigns its keys via specific keycodes.  So it should be able to do that.  I do not know about the Bodnar card's software.

best,

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

[Romflyer]

[quote]The Hagstom ke73 software assigns its keys via specific keycodes.

[zswobbie1]

Hi Guys,
We are using 2x Bodnar cards for 4x throttles, 4x pitch, the usual control surfaces & a bunch of push switches, toggles for flaps etc. Obviously using FSUIPC & can also use toggles. Awesome cards to use..no programming, just allocate assignments & off you go. We are using slider & rotary pots that can all be calibrated via FSUIPC.

BTW, this is a Schackleton sim, with actual seats, yoke, quadrant & canopy. All on a trailer! You can use a numeric keypad. Buy one (USB) & use FSUIPC & reassign keys, or make yr own with push buttons (connect buttons to bodnar card) & allocate via FSUIPC that allows for much more setting. Before all this, we used a 2nd USB keyboard & just remapped the keys we wanted & labled them. The Bodnar card allows for either 20 or 32 (cannot remember) buttons.

[zswobbie1]

Service re the Bodnar cards is awesome. Ordered via Paypal & got them 10 days later sent to Cape Town, South Africa. The sim sees the cards as joystick controllers. No programming, just  connect pots, switches etc, assign & calibrate.

[zswobbie1]

We did try the cheap route by stripping an old joystick & soldering leads onto the circuit board to push switches. A pain but it worked for a while. Very messy with spider webs of wires. So we went the Bodnar route- 2x BUO836x cards. Great to use with push buttons for connectivity. See their site.

[HarvesteR]

When I (if ever) start bulding my sim console (mainly a left-hand base with buttons to hold the throttle and stuff) I plan on using an Arduino board... it costs about the same as a regular controller, but every pin can be programmed to be either input or output (possibly even both, not sure)... Since it's all programmable (from a pin read/write level), you could make any sort of buttons, toggles and whatnot... even weird stuff like hard-built input combos (like hold this then press that while stepping on that other thing to make something happen)... the possibilities are endless