DIY Throttle Quadrant - Cos i'm as cheap as a, well.. let's not go there.

[ATAG_Highseas]

Okey dokey

So I'm looking to make myself some trimmer adjusters and radiator (oil and water) controls all on axis settings rather than bound to keys, and also hook up some extra switches and what not...

I'm keen to make the keyboard redundant. Just looks weird in a WWII plane (i mean on a WWII cockpit table) , and i cant bring myself to actually buy a typewriter... which might also look a bit out of place.

The table doesn't bother me as I have my 6 year old imagination on full chatt when I'm flying. The keyboard does as my inner six year old cant type and thinks it looks a bit too... I dunno... futurey but without the robot friend.

Don't want to spend £80 on a plastic throttle quadrant....

Got a generic Xbox 360 controller from the neighbour. (or rather his bin) Oh yeah baby...! I'm CHEAP !!

Its all very straightforward except for one thing.

The two little thumb sticks which give me four axis to play with have tiny ickle potentiometers on.

Anybody know what value / linearity these normally have?

I'm thinking probably about 10k and is have thought linear taper.

I can measure it all... but figured if anyone has been down this road before I could just crack open a beer and puit in some overtime on the being cheap instead.


thanks in advance

'Seas

[1lokos]

I'm thinking probably about 10k and is have thought linear taper.

:

Yes, 10K B taper (linear) pot is OK for USB controllers.

But you need turn this pot all they course, typically 270 degress, what maybe require gears - depends on use.

Look for sliding pot, you need move then less.

[ATAG_Highseas]

Yes, 10K B taper (linear) pot is OK for USB controllers.

But you need turn this pot all they course, typically 270 degress, what maybe require gears - depends on use.

Look for sliding pot, you need move then less.

Tell me more 1Lokos !

I'm planing 180 degrees movement on one (ruder trim left to right on a dial) and on elavator probably between 90 and 95 degrees, on a lever.

will get a few 10k linear pots

[69th_Zeb]

After a few sliding pots, you're already in pricey territory.

Since it looks like you're tech savvy, you can also run an arduino micro (ATmega32U4 version) with 12 pots @10 bits + 8 buttons or 20 buttons if you like. A single one can go for $8 or so ($4 if you buy 5). You can also stack em' up.

~S~

[BOO]

[QUOTE=ATAG_Highseas;266305]

I'm thinking probably about 10k and is have thought linear taper.

QUOTE]

This degree of technical insight and aptitude is suspicious - who are you and what have done with Highseas?

[ATAG_Highseas]

This degree of technical insight and aptitude is suspicious - who are you and what have done with Highseas?

He's fine.

Probably.

I left the window slightly open and there is a bowl of water. So....

[ATAG_Highseas]

After a few sliding pots, you're already in pricey territory.

Since it looks like you're tech savvy, you can also run an arduino micro (ATmega32U4 version) with 12 pots @10 bits + 8 buttons or 20 buttons if you like. A single one can go for $8 or so ($4 if you buy 5). You can also stack em' up.

~S~

Ooooo.....

I'm gonna look that up. Cheers.

[ATAG_Highseas]

Mini update.

That was a lucky guess !

10k linear taper.

I had one in the garage... just wired it up now and its bang on perfect, no calibration required

So i need three more of those and i have the makings of a "3 lever and one dial" throttle quadrant and let me count.... 16 buttons / switches

for.... whatever the switches / buttons / etc cost.

i guess i'd best start sketching up a layout.

cool !

[ATAG_Highseas]

£2.96 for four 10k linear taper pots delivered to my door.

Now that's quite enough spending !!

[1lokos]

Related: https://theairtacticalassaultgroup.c...?t=7836&page=2

Idea for "trim box" layout, with some ON-OFF-ON switches:

http://www.aerosoft.de/packshots/gf_lgtii_200.jpg

Look at this box "Flight Sim Switch Panel" to 3D print:

http://www.yeggi.com/q/flight+sim/?s=tx

[ATAG_Highseas]

Cheers Lokos.

great food for thought there.

looks like the general consensus is using three turn post for the trimmers.

I have single turn on the way, but can alwasy switch them out at a later date. !

All good fun !

Thanks for your input !

[ATAG_Highseas]

Right.

Having throught this through a bit more im going with building a trimmer box, with a load more switches on it as well.

Still kinda been to get a three level throttle quadrand for rads and so on, but im damned if im going to let myself be tempted by saitek.... even if they are £60 on amazon right now.

Dont need the six levers of a CH.

Anyone know of any decent alternatives to Saitek and to CH? or am I into pulling another controller apart and doing two DIY's?

[Kendy for the State]

Right.

Dont need the six levers of a CH.

Anyone know of any decent alternatives to Saitek and to CH? or am I into pulling another controller apart and doing two DIY's?

I'm working on these, but they definitely won't be cheaper:

[ATAG_Highseas]

I'm working on these, but they definitely won't be cheaper:

So what?

They look better !

Better is what I'm after.

I've spent teh best p[art pf the day planing my trimmer box.

I'm not really any closer as i keep changing my mind !

hahah !!

[Kendy for the State]

So what?


I've spent teh best p[art pf the day planing my trimmer box.

I'm not really any closer as i keep changing my mind !

hahah !!

Tell me about it... I've been working on this for more than 3 years because I keep tweaking the design!

[ATAG_Highseas]

Tell me about it... I've been working on this for more than 3 years because I keep tweaking the design!

another two weeks wont hurt.

[ATAG_Highseas]

I've decided to stop with the indecision.



Rather than escalating the bill to infinity chasing after a, "but I could also... add " I'm working with what I have.


I have four axis. That's three dials for trimmers, and a spare which I will put on a slider. not sure if it will get used or what for but so what.

The rest of the inputs are getting mapped to switches. I have an old comms panel in the garage. no idea where it came from actually, or what plane, but it's loaded with toggle switches... so I'm using it.



I'm making a trimmer box (with a spare axis), incorporating a heap of toggle switches.



I do still want a three lever quadrant for rads and such... but I will be dammed if I'm handing over good cash for the crud that is available commercially. (Disclaimer.. CH isn't crud.... its great kit... but... kinda looks like it should be in the lego box)



keep ya posted.

[TWC_Mackers]

I'm looking to do something similar, but with Hall Sensors (2-3 quid from RS - so you know you can potentially get them cheaper else where).

Same for a rudder system. I need one for vertical feet position (Toes pointing up) - I use a foot-stall to keep my legs level with or above my hips (medical reason).

Eventually, I'd like to remove all visable plastic from my flying controls. Granted, I doubt I'll be able to lift them after contruction, but meh, any excuse to use my welder is a good thing.

[ATAG_Highseas]

I'm looking to do something similar, but with Hall Sensors (2-3 quid from RS - so you know you can potentially get them cheaper else where).

Same for a rudder system. I need one for vertical feet position (Toes pointing up) - I use a foot-stall to keep my legs level with or above my hips (medical reason).

Eventually, I'd like to remove all visable plastic from my flying controls. Granted, I doubt I'll be able to lift them after contruction, but meh, any excuse to use my welder is a good thing.

Ha !

My welding is rustic at best.

I also want zero plastic, which is where I'm a at the mo.

And I'd also rather have Hall sensors than pots. Just dont really know much about them or how to work with them. Also for the reclaimed board i have pots are just a straight swap.

The key with pots is not to buy really cheap ones (I bought really cheap ones... when they go bad i will replace with good ones... but only if i get on with the trimmer box !!)

[ATAG_Highseas]

https://www.xsimulator.net/community...tiometer.4948/

looks like a solution.....


http://uk.farnell.com/bi-technologies-tt-electronics/6127v1a180l-5/sensor-hall-0-2v-20v-to-10v-180deg/dp/2319661[/url]

[1lokos]

I use one this Bi-Tech 6127 in Cougar TQS:

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.ph...ut#Post4224293

Pay attention that are models with 30, 60, 90, 180, 300 degrees of "electric angle" to pic the right for your project.

In USB controllers the part of "electrical angle" not used reduce the controller resolution ("steeps" in axis course).

But for trim box this sensor is a bit overkill, good quality pot (Alps, Bours, Spectrol...) with 3:1 reduction do the job well.

[ATAG_Highseas]

I use one this Bi-Tech 6127 in Cougar TQS:

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.ph...ut#Post4224293

Pay attention that are models with 30, 60, 90, 180, 300 degrees of "electric angle" to pic the right for your project.

In USB controllers the part of "electrical angle" not use reduce the controller resolution ("steeps" in axis course).

But for trim box this sensor is a bit overkill, good quality pot (Alps, Bours, Spectrol...) with 3:1 reduction do the job well.

Great advise as per usual ! Cheers Lokos

My trim box is going to start out with the cheapest crummy pots money can buy, and if I grow fond of it will most likely get upgraded as and when they die.

These hall "pots" look ideal for making a decent throttle quadrant.

Unless I see one in the interim that I can afford already made.

[TWC_Mackers]

I found my old Genuino \ Arduino kit today by accident - totally ruined my 'work on the car' day.

However, I did eye up an old alternator - the casing looked very suspicious and a possible candidate for a lever barrel

Then I saw an old startermotor !

One should never think about these things when rebuilding a Mini...

Even the remote gear linkage looked interesting...

Then the handbrake for a radiator lever - maaai gawd...

Valve springs look handy for rudder pedal returns too.

[ATAG_Highseas]

I found my old Genuino \ Arduino kit today by accident - totally ruined my 'work on the car' day.

However, I did eye up an old alternator - the casing looked very suspicious and a possible candidate for a lever barrel

Then I saw an old startermotor !

One should never think about these things when rebuilding a Mini...

Even the remote gear linkage looked interesting...

Then the handbrake for a radiator lever - maaai gawd...

Valve springs look handy for rudder pedal returns too.

Carefull with that starter motor. If its the inertia type (which it is unless you have put a high torque one on) is almost certainly packed with asbestos.

i assume we are talking a real mini here.... done a few of those ! Woorst job ever was feedeing the hydro elastic syspension tbes through th erear subframe on a 1964 Austin MK2

no wonder they ditched that system !



Funny... I was also looking aournd the garage at various bits and bobs mulling over how they would fit into my lever box that i havent started inventing yet !

My wide says im a hoarder.

Too right I am !!

[TWC_Mackers]

Most certainly are real Mini's - none of that Bini stuffs.

'Trust in the Rust!'

Yeah, wet frames are terribad !

Hoading is a condition which I am attempting to over-come. I'm actually doing the projects I've got stored - thus removing the hoarded mass (winning).

Literally just binned (two tip runs) most of my old win9x to xp era stuffs - it was a brutally painful job to do. Howver, one xp machine remains with a couple of parts - it plays music\films and Silent Hunter 3 GWX in the front room.

As for the car parts, I would like to use some car parts (I do online racing aswell as fly). Plus, some old car stuff is nearly bomb-proof compared to modern day stuffs. That alternator looked ripe for the modding !

I had no idea about the asbestos in the starters - I wonder if the later pre-engaged had the same materials. Makes the alternator body much more logical ! Every starter I killed, I just chucked it into a box I can't even lift the box now.

At the moment, this construction project is more of a pipe-dream than a reality, but winter-shed-time wont be long. Got to finish my car for this years shows ! Brands Hatch by July !

[69th_Zeb]

Yeh, I think I spent about 200 hours hand-fitting my 11 axis, 4 encoder, 26 button twin engine dream machine. Doesn't even count designing and programming. Probably not good for mass-production (no worries Kendy, I can't compete!).

I like the mechanical pushrod and neatness in yours too lokos.

I'm seeing mission creep in these endless projects. So good to have CLOD to make it all happen though. Makes it a blast!

[ATAG_Highseas]

trim wheels to go on my pots

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3018869908...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

hehe... ideal !

[1lokos]

I like this for trim wheels

http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...w/DSC06445.jpg

[Marco]

You could also repurpose some other plastic items.

I used two 5 gallon swimming pool chemical container tops - the containers were empty and it wasn't my swimming pool!!

I also had a proper trim wheel (bought from Ebay some while ago) that got pressed into service and I kept on my Saitek throttle unit but left room for a second...



~S~

[ATAG_Highseas]

I like this for trim wheels

http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...w/DSC06445.jpg

Even I'M not THAT cheap !!

haha !