Rotary Switches

[heclak]

Hi guys,
i'm planning to build a mcp with IOCards and i'm looking out for rotary switches. Do i use these for the knobs on the mcp? or do i use something else? I've been reading on lots of places to use a 1x12 rotary but i chanced upon a place that says to use a 3x4 as it has much simpler wiring. no need to connect pins. is this true? What would be the difference? can someone mind explaining the wiring to me? thanks.

Hector

[Bob Reed]

Hi Hecktor.. No hold on here.... Are you talking about switches or since you are talking about the MCP you are going to need rotary encoders for that! These are differant beasts!!! Which do you mean?

[heclak]

i'm not too sure actually. I read the tutorial on Opencockpits on building a mcp and they used a 1x12 rotary switch and modded it. Should i use a rotary encoder instead? i need some help here. My plan is to build a mcp. the electronic components are so confusing. And i am refering to the knobs. not the push buttons. I'll scout for that at a later time. I'll need some help with the vs wheel too.

sorry for the confusing post.

Hector

[bowingic]

Hi Hector
The first thing you need to work out is what interface software/hardware you are going to use ie. FSbus, IO cards or whatever.
Rotary encoders are definitely preferable to rotary switches (feel and operation) for an MCP.
Once you determine the interface eiher myself or someone else can probably advise suitable rotary encoders to use.

[heclak]

I'm going to use IOCards.

[bowingic]

In that case FDS have very reasonably priced rotaries that work beautifully with IO cards. Check Nico Kaan's site...he has some information on using these rotaries with IO cards.

[heclak]

thanks for your help. I'll be waiting for december then. I've heard news that opencockpits are getting encoders during december. I'm going to wait so i can save some on shipping. Thanks for your help. Just need to figure out how to wire the display cards to my 7-segments displays. I've found out that they are multiplexed. But i don't know if i should split the wire or solder the displays in chains. Anyone has any recommendations?

[dnoize]

what i did was take 16 row flatcable and put 16 pin connectors on it (2x8).

you push one end on the 8 pin connector on the display card and can daisy chain all others with the flat cable. Works very easy.

If you dont want to use rotary encoders you can covert a rotary switch to act as an encoder with the mastercard. Cheap, but the feel is not quite the same. Better wait for the encoders Opencockpits will offer.

Stef

[heclak]

I'm sorry i don't quite understand how this is done? This is for the Display II card right? Do you have some photos to help me understand better?Thanks

Hector

[warvet]

If you dont want to use rotary encoders you can covert a rotary switch to act as an encoder with the mastercard. Cheap, but the feel is not quite the same. Better wait for the encoders Opencockpits will offer.

Hey Stef can you use a VISA instead of a MASTERCARD LOL jjking :wink:

Tim
A340
Canada

[dnoize]

I'm sorry i don't quite understand how this is done? This is for the Display II card right? Do you have some photos to help me understand better?Thanks

Hector

My Ped is allready closed up, but i will check on my hardrive to see if i have any pictures. In the galery of opencockpits you can find pictures of what i mean. when i find the pictures i will post them.

Stef

[dnoize]

If you dont want to use rotary encoders you can covert a rotary switch to act as an encoder with the mastercard. Cheap, but the feel is not quite the same. Better wait for the encoders Opencockpits will offer.

Hey Stef can you use a VISA instead of a MASTERCARD LOL jjking :wink:

Tim
A340
Canada

Tim ! Good to see you here too buddy....will platinum american express do aswell ? :-P ;-)

Stef

[Matt Olieman]

How about "Green Stamps"

[warvet]

Green Stamps LMAO :D:D You guys kill me. Great to see ya too Stef, pleasure is always mine. Oh Matt answer your dang phone once in awhile lol

Tim
a340
Canada

[Matt Olieman]

Call me sometime when I'm home:)

[heclak]

I'll try and explain what i can make out of it.

I'll need a 16 row flat cable and two 2by8 connector.

I'll make a cable which looks like

2x8 connector -> 16 row flat cable -> 2x8 connector.

I'll need to fold the cable in half to solder the connector on right?

Connect one end to the 8 pins on the Display II card.

Thats about all i get. I don't understand the daisy chain part. Are u using the opencockpits pcb for mounting the 7-segments displays?

Do i connect it to the pcb with the 2x8 connector?

Hector

[heclak]

Hey guys,
i think i've found the photo which you were talking about.

http://www.opencockpits.com/modules.php?name=coppermine&cat=10728

Is this it? I finally understand. Thanks for all your help.

Hector

[dnoize]

yep...thats exactly the picture that i meannt and exactly the way i did it !

Makes a perfect tidy solution. Its a 16 line flatcable, and a 2*8 connector.

Stef