Cockpit Dials.

[Davii]

Okay, I have aload of dials lying around..
I was going to take the fronts off them and display a monitor behind them showing the correct dial.

But it would be so cool if I could get the dials working using servos etc..

(abit like simkits)

Only problem is, I have no Idea whatsoever about servos or anything like that.

Any Ideas?

Please Reply, Davii

[AndyT]

Go to your local hobby store and ask for information on race car servos. Same thing. The clerks usually build either cars or planes and can give you all kinds of good info.

[Davii]

Go to your local hobby store and ask for information on race car servos. Same thing. The clerks usually build either cars or planes and can give you all kinds of good info.


What exactly do Servos do though??

[AndyT]

They are small motors. They are used to turn dials and stuff.

For example, In a remote controlled plane, a servo is used to pull or push the stick/yoke forward or back.
A servo controlls the rudder.

When you move the remote control, it sends a signal to the servo controller and that makes the servo turn.

[turbopropdriver]

If there is room to physically fit servos, then you can use a Simkits multicontroller to run any instrument that is listed in FSUIPC. Obviously you will have to engineer your own internal instrument faceplates, but that shouldn't be too difficult using sheet aluminium or plastic.

I've made my own faceplates using Coreldraw for Simkits instruments and used their multicontroller myself, first for the engine instruments on my Beech Queenair and now on my F27 sim.

It's far more work than setting up an LCD behind behind a panel, but pretty satisfying.

Regards, Dean

[Kennair]

Davii,

Have a look at Mikes Flightdeck (http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/) website and learn all about making cockpit instruments.

Ken.

[Westozy]

Thanks guys,

Youve answered this one for me!!!

Gwyn

[Davii]

If there is room to physically fit servos, then you can use a Simkits multicontroller to run any instrument that is listed in FSUIPC. Obviously you will have to engineer your own internal instrument faceplates, but that shouldn't be too difficult using sheet aluminium or plastic.

I've made my own faceplates using Coreldraw for Simkits instruments and used their multicontroller myself, first for the engine instruments on my Beech Queenair and now on my F27 sim.

It's far more work than setting up an LCD behind behind a panel, but pretty satisfying.

Regards, Dean



''Simkits Multicontroller'' sounds interesting.. However I cannot find them anywhere on the Simkits site.. Any help?

Plus.. most Simkits stuff seems pretty expensive..

I was thinking of a monitor because
1) Its the only way I know how to actually get them working
2) Its cheaper than Simkits.

However, if there was any cheapish.. easy way to get real dials working.. That'd be excellent.
Thats why I wanted to know how Servos work and making my own dials.. It would be cheaper.

[JBaymore]

However, if there was any cheapish.. easy way to get real dials working.. That'd be excellent.
Thats why I wanted to know how Servos work and making my own dials.. It would be cheaper.

Davii,

The words "cheapish" and "cheaper" and the word "Simpit" do not go in the same sentence together. That have major systems conflicts. ;)

For another option on controlling servos, see the Phidgets forum section here.

best,

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

[turbopropdriver]

Simkits might have stopped selling the multicontroller because they have started selling USB instruments, but you could contact them to see if they have any old stock.

Making your instruments servo driven if you use say a full set of primary flight instruments and for arguments sake just 6 other engine/systems instruments, is always going to cost more than a cheap secondhand 15" monitor to put behind a panel. Servos alone will cost you between 7 and 10 pounds each and you're going to require probably 16 for a very basic set up.

So far, I have 29 servos in my F27 with another 10 waiting to be used and that will just get my main panel done, not the overheads etc !

What type of aircraft would you like to build ? It may be worth researching other people's projects and see if anything takes your fancy.
You have to balance cost and also your abilities, and the best bit of advice that I can give you is, be careful about being over ambitious. Remember that we do this to "fly". I tend to get a few things working on my sims then fly for a while and enjoy before I move onto the next task. The first thing that I always do is link up the yoke and rudder pedals, get the sound system in and some kind of visuals and enjoy simming for a while before moving onto the engine controls and instruments.

Good luck, Dean

[Davii]

Simkits might have stopped selling the multicontroller because they have started selling USB instruments, but you could contact them to see if they have any old stock.

Making your instruments servo driven if you use say a full set of primary flight instruments and for arguments sake just 6 other engine/systems instruments, is always going to cost more than a cheap secondhand 15" monitor to put behind a panel. Servos alone will cost you between 7 and 10 pounds each and you're going to require probably 16 for a very basic set up.

So far, I have 29 servos in my F27 with another 10 waiting to be used and that will just get my main panel done, not the overheads etc !

What type of aircraft would you like to build ? It may be worth researching other people's projects and see if anything takes your fancy.
You have to balance cost and also your abilities, and the best bit of advice that I can give you is, be careful about being over ambitious. Remember that we do this to "fly". I tend to get a few things working on my sims then fly for a while and enjoy before I move onto the next task. The first thing that I always do is link up the yoke and rudder pedals, get the sound system in and some kind of visuals and enjoy simming for a while before moving onto the engine controls and instruments.

Good luck, Dean

£7-£10 Per servo seems okay.
I want to build a Spitfire Mk 9; Not that many dials and instruments really, as of its simplicity.
First thing I am building is the pilots seat, which will house a custom built PC case underneath. Then from that I'll be building the throttles/chassis lever and then onto Control column.

The last thing I am doing is the instrument panel, So I have plenty of time to research.

Where did you buy your servos from?

I will take your idea on contacting Simkits; Hopefully they will have some spare. What exactly is the Multi controller though? I have a rough Idea..

And when I say cheap, I mean minimum price I can find them. I don't like wasting money.

And a good site I found for someone building a spitfire Simulator is www.simhardware.org
He has some amazing work, He also made a working gauge using servos.. However only shows pictures and has no walkthroughs or guides.

Davii.