skpg's cockpit sim [Archive] - The CH Hangar Forums

snomhf

13-10-2006, 06:16 PM

This is really cool skpg!

How much of this is functional? How on earth do you reach that keyboard or do you pull it around and lay it on your lap when you use it? You need a smoked glass bubble canopy so that it is totally dark inside while you're flying. :idea:

I can see why ButtKicker adds immersion to this environment for sure!

I just bought a couple more Logitech sticks and am looking for a good project to use them in. Looks like you've got possiblities there!

S! :cheers:

Walternowi

13-10-2006, 07:40 PM

:punk:

skpg

13-10-2006, 08:02 PM

its all fuctional. i Don't have to use keyboard when i fly but i can place it on my lap.

snomhf

13-10-2006, 09:00 PM

I'd love to see a description of your instruments. I assume each one connects USB to your computer. What was that web site you were mentioning where you can get these panels?

BTW, it would not be that difficult to use the electronics from one of these Logitech sticks and build a customized panel. For example, if you wanted a small panel with three thumb wheels on it for elevator, rudder, and aileron trim then these cheap little Logitech sticks would do that nicely: X axis could be "elevator trim", Y axis "rudder trim" and Throttle axis "aileron."

Let me know if you'd like my help on this. I could drive down and deliver it to you first hand provided you let me "fly it!" :D

LonelyJoe

13-10-2006, 09:54 PM

That is just great!!

Are those GoFlight panels I see in there? also curious what is your sim of choice??

skpg

13-10-2006, 10:20 PM

most of the modules are either Go Flight or CH
they are all usb am running out of ports
Imthinking of trying to install an MFP or hand built trim wheels
my favorate sim is aces high the past 5 yrs still try to fly Flt Sim 2004
2 to 3 hrs a week
have been working on the canopy but thats a lot harder than you"d think

Corsair8X

14-10-2006, 03:30 AM

That is simply incredible.

Triangle

14-10-2006, 11:55 AM

:drool:

That's a fantastic pit! Out of all of it my favourite feature is the green paint! I don't mean that facetiously - the controls and everything look great - it's just that the colour brings it all together in a way that most people seem to neglect.

Sumptuous! :salute:

B.

Corsair8X

14-10-2006, 08:55 PM

So how are you using this stuff, especially the gear lever in your sims? I know that MSFS uses some thing called Magenta but you are obviously doing something like IL-2 or some other WWII sim. Are you using GFKeys to program your stuff? I can't seem to find any detailed info on GFKeys at all. Even on the GoFlight forum there isn't anything.

skpg

15-10-2006, 01:52 AM

i fly aces high and flight sim 2004 on aces high i use go flight key mapping. Its really very simple you make a different map for each plane and go from there.

Corsair8X

15-10-2006, 08:13 PM

Can you answer a question about the flaps switch on the Landing gear panel? It is more of a toggle (flip it in one direction and it makes contact and then returns to a center position on it's own) or is it a switch (flip in a direction and it stays that position until you flip it in the opposite direction to return it to "normal"). It it is a switch type, how many positions does that switch have then, 2 or 3?

Thank you for any information you can give.

skpg

15-10-2006, 09:45 PM

flaps switch flips up or down and returns to center down extends flaps up retracts each flip gives u 1 notch of flaps gear handle is up for retract down for extend no neutueal position trim wheel rools down trims nose up up trims nose down the trim wheel works well in msfs poor in acec high

skpg

15-10-2006, 09:56 PM

all the goflight modules are usb plug and play they are very easy to program its mostly simple key stroke immulation. I am computer illiterate, so believe me it easy.

Corsair8X

16-10-2006, 12:15 AM

I really appreciate your answers. I too am fairly programming illiterate so this makes me really happy. I had completely forgot about the GoFlight stuff because I thought it only worked with MSFS. I think the one thing that my cockpit will need is a good sturdy gear-handle and I think that this may be just the thing I need.

Corsair8X

16-10-2006, 12:33 AM

Damn, sorry one more question. Does the trim wheel just move constantly around and around or are there stops at some point. I guess what I'm asking is could a person continuously turn the wheel in one particular direction until they became bored or is there eventually a point where it will refuse to move in that direction and must be turned in the opposite direction (I guess like with a screw)? Thanks again for any answers.

skpg

16-10-2006, 06:12 AM

the wheel turns contionusly no stops

Corsair8X

17-10-2006, 03:58 AM

Sorry, just one more question (I have to run out at somepoint :) )

Do the lights associated with the landing gear opperate independently of the flight sim? I guess what I'm asking is, regardless of what you use to program it (let's say GFkeys), when you move that landing gear handle, do the lights simply do their thing based on the position of the handle, or do they require some intervention by the flight sim in question? Will the lights work no matter what? Thank you again.

skpg

17-10-2006, 04:29 AM

not sure of the question the lights work just like real gear warning lights in msfs the dont work i aces high

snomhf

18-10-2006, 08:23 PM

skpg,
Here is a photo of the trim wheels in a real Mustang. I know the large one on the side is the elevator trim but I'm not sure if the back one is aileron or rudder. I think it is rudder actually. It will not be difficult to find out.

http://www.rccaraction.com/fj/images/plane_profiles/p-51/details_cockpit2_lg.jpg

When I come visit you, I will bring a simple little box with some trim wheels I will turn on my lathe and a Logitech JS circuit so we can actually plug it in and see how it's going to work. Since in the real aircraft, the trim wheels are atually part of the "arm rest" console, this looks like it would be difficult on yours and would involve more modification than you probably want to do. I'm thinking we could build a box that mounts on the side wall above the arm rest console.

Here's a bit of Paintshop magic to show how we might be able to do this.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n199/snomhf/skpgmod.jpg

Corsair8X

18-10-2006, 10:56 PM

It looks like all that needs to happen is for the 3 modules of switches behind the throttle to be relocated somewhere and then those controls you're making up will go right in there, which would be very similar to the real thing.

snomhf

21-10-2006, 08:21 PM

Here is my first attempt at these trim wheels. There is no electronics installed at this point. My plan is to paint the knobs to look like the bakealite plastic they used in the fourties. The elevator trim wheel is 6" in diameter and the other two knobs are 2 1/4". I think I made the knobs a little tall. They should be shorter and fatter. I think the elevator trim looks pretty decent. I may make another set of knobs.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n199/snomhf/P-51Trim-1.jpg

LonelyJoe

21-10-2006, 11:14 PM

are those wood?

snomhf

22-10-2006, 02:03 AM

Ok, second attempt is better I think. The knobs look more realistic (more of a 40s look).

I've also made some pulleys to "gear" the trim wheels so that they move more realistically. I'll show you pictures of that later. I'm quitting for the night and watch some hockey! [Go Canes!!]

Edit: Yes, these are wood

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n199/snomhf/P-51Trim2.jpg

snomhf

25-10-2006, 02:21 AM

Here is the interior of the trim unit showing the pots installed. Notice the two pulley wheels. The small pulley is attached to the 6" elevator trim wheel and the large pulley is attached to a pot. A rubber band connects the two. The purpose of this is to "gear" the elevator wheel so that it takes four full rotations on the elevator trim wheel to produce one revolution on the pot. Though I've never flown a P-51, I have flown a Cessna 172 and four revolutions from end-point to end-point of the trim is about right. If we decide that isn't right after some testing, I can always make another pulley of a different diameter to change the ratio.

The next task is to install the electronics from a Logitech Wingman Attack 3 USB joystick. The stick has three axes: X (to be used for rudder trim), Y (to be used for aileron trim) and Throttle (to be used for elevator trim). I'll probably hold off on installing this circuit board until after everything is painted.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n199/snomhf/P-51TrimInterior.jpg

Corsair8X

25-10-2006, 01:42 PM

I've never opened up a TQ, but if it uses pots, could you rip the insides out of that and use it's axis'. Then you may have another advantage because you could then mount the toggles to the board as well since you would be using the circuit board from the TQ. And... it would all be programmable with the CH software and used as another device.

snomhf

25-10-2006, 01:59 PM

Yes, the TQ uses pots, six of them to be exact. And, yes, I'd love to use TQ electronics on these projects. There's one BIG problem. They cost $150! I can buy a Logitech Wingman Attack for $8 which works perfectly for stuff like this. It's not a big deal not having the programmability with axes. Most games provide more than adequate axis programmability so that you don't really need to program the axes at the device driver level. As for pots (which is the most important element in all this), I try to buy up old CH gameport gear and steal the pots out of them for use on projects. Actually I found replacement pots that I can buy from Digi-Key for $3 each but I still come out better buying old CH sticks as they have three pots in them plus lots of other buttons and hats I like to have for replacement.

Triangle

25-10-2006, 03:47 PM

:salute: pit-makers :)

I've been watching - just don't have a lot to say except to drool!

Keep up the good work

Cheers,

Ross

Corsair8X

25-10-2006, 06:07 PM

They are expensive, but you would get the advantage of having them programmable in CM. If you keep the board and stuff intact, then it just becomes another device which CM thinks is a TQ. And it is, just in a different package :)

snomhf

26-10-2006, 04:28 AM

New design. Here's how it looks now without the knobs and elevator wheel (they're off being painted).

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n199/snomhf/P51TrimNewDesign.jpg

The internal parts are now complete with Logitech electronics installed. All three controls have been calibrated and tested for full movement and orientation.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n199/snomhf/P-51TrimElectronics.jpg

skpg

26-10-2006, 01:28 PM

looks great did some measurments last night. The top needs to be 7.25in. wide and the slot cut in approx 1 in. This looks like it will work fine. I will talk with you tonight.

snomhf

27-10-2006, 01:51 AM

Here it is ready to be installed. I'm checking it out here in Aces High. Everything is working well.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n199/snomhf/P-51TrimFinal.jpg

skpg

27-10-2006, 02:26 AM

wow looks great see u tomorrow night

snomhf

28-10-2006, 07:03 AM

Here it is installed (or rather temporarily duct-taped) in skpg's simulator.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n199/snomhf/P-51TrimInstalled.jpg

Here's yours truly struggling to fly right-handed!

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n199/snomhf/HomeBoyFlying2.jpg

Corsair8X

28-10-2006, 06:30 PM

You've taken a simply awesome cockpit and made it so much better. Congratulations to you both.

ruggbutt

28-10-2006, 07:02 PM

531_Ghost

28-10-2006, 09:17 PM

That's what I like about this community, they help each other out. Having spent alot of time using a lathe, those pieces aren't easy to make. The closeup shots show alot of patience and attention to detail.

I'm impressed with the pit, the new trim stuff but most of all I'm impressed how one virtual pilot will go way out of his way to help another.

<S!>

Here as it relates to CHProducts very true. Other sites that cater to another brand even in mislabeled forums, not so true. A work of art snomhf!

:cheers:

snomhf

29-10-2006, 05:33 AM

Thanks guys.
skpg has a great pit there. You really feel like you're flying sitting in that thing. Especially the Buttkicker (I've got to get me one of those).

Corsair8X

30-10-2006, 01:21 AM

I didn't realize he had buttkicker as well. The more I hear of it the more I think I need to get one. I have to admit, when I first heard of it my reaction was this: :rolleyes:. But more and more I'm thinking this: B).

Problem is there is a *lot* of stuff I think I need to get for flight sims before that. But it is on the list.

snomhf

30-10-2006, 03:28 PM

Here is skpg doing what he does best! If you fly Aces High, a common message you will see pop up in the messsage window is something like:

"SKPG landed 10 kills in a P-51D of the Hay Street Boys"

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n199/snomhf/skpgFlying.jpg

snomhf

06-11-2006, 04:04 PM

The finishing touches...

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p237/Haystboys/Skpgsim/DSC00003.jpg

ruggbutt

06-11-2006, 04:19 PM

That looks awesome. Pro installation!

Corsair8X

07-11-2006, 03:49 AM

yep, top notch work.

snomhf

11-11-2006, 05:38 AM

Thought you might like an update on the latest idea coming out of the heads of the skpg-snomhf cockpit mod team (oh brother!).

skpg has decided he wants to be able to program the axes on his trim wheels. Specifically, he wants the elevator trim to send keystroke commands rather than behave as a real axis. (BTW, that's what this thread is all about:

http://www.ch-hangar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3682 ). Guess what that means? You guessed it... Sacrifice a CH controller for the cause. In this case, I've used my old Pro Throttle with the home-made fiberglass lefty handle which I quite unceremoniously tossed into the trash.

We need three axes. The throttle axis is no problem as it uses a standard pot. The X and Y axes that the ministick uses however is a bit trickier. As you can see from this picture, I have very carefully desoldered the ministick from the circuit board and replaced them with standard pots. Now we just replace the existing Logitech board with this CH one and we now have a programmable trim wheel unit.

Cool.

Now if I can only get the programming right on that elevator trim wheel! :blush:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n199/snomhf/CircuitDescription.jpg

Triangle

14-11-2006, 02:55 AM

:salute: :salute:

Looking better every time I take a look, this pit is fabulous! But because I know you both like a challenge, here's a thought.....

How much better would that throttle look if it was set in flush to the surface that the trim wheels are in? Or maybe in an up-stand, like a step up to the front instrument panel, which would enclose the throttle base?

It would allow the use of a slot marked with the throttle settings, and offer the opportunity to dash on some more of that gorgeous green paint! :D

Wonderful work, keep it up.

Brando