Opencockpits overhead

[barkay]

Hello to everyone,

With the MCP and EFIS now fully working on open cockpits parts I am re/searching the possibility to add the overhead panel.

I have been looking at the overhead kits of the opencockpits for a while. They are just about to come up with a version 2 of that since the current one is not so much self explanatory. So the question is if the overhead panel and the necessary kit components, indicators and switches are purchased the most important part left will be the relevant boards to use for it.

If anyone used this solution the questions are;

1 - Which opencockpits cards (Master, usb etc) is needed and how many of them?

2 - What will be the connection methodology of the boards to each other?

3 - Any related SIOC config to go with it?

Second part is any other reccomendations will be appreciated.

Thank you in advance

Barkay

[marius]

Good question.

[QF6228]

Did anyone happen to have an answer to these questions?
I'm keen to know..

[kiek]

Did anyone happen to have an answer to these questions?
I'm keen to know..

1. Why don't you guys have a look at the OC website? In the shop you will find with article:

Kit 3D panels Overhead
[P738C3]

You can use the follow list of cards for connect all hardware :
- 1 USBExpansion card (http://www.opencockpits.com/catalog/expansion-card-p-37.html)
- 3 Master cards (http://www.opencockpits.com/catalog/master-card-p-29.html)
- 2 Display cards (http://www.opencockpits.com/catalog/displays-card-p-32.html)

Components needed for mount Overhead panel.

60 Switch caps
53 Big ON-OFF switches
12 Big ON-OFF-ON switches
5 Big MON-OFF-MON switches
3 30 degree rotary switches (12 pos)
8 45 degree rotary switches (8 pos)
8 Round switches buton
11 Switch safe guards
5 Pots 10K
22 Display digits 7 segments amber
2 Rotary encoders
154 Amber leds 5mm
12 Green leds 5mm
34 Blue leds 5mm


Indicators kit for Overhead panels. This kit include :

- 100 indicators with text engraved (5mm).
- 100 little box for mount. You can allow two leds in each box for the indicator.



2. Connection methodology?
Well you have to wire all theses switches and indicators to the Master Cards and Display Cards.

3. SIOC is the software tool to bring the Overhead to live, you have to write a Script or use and modify scripts from others. In the OC Forum you will most likely find examples.


Regards,
Nico Kaan

[barkay]

Dear Nico,

Thanks, by the time they replied to my e-mail they started posting the overhead panel based on my questions to them exactly as I needed. Looks like the full kit costs 1123€ i total with all the cards and stuff and with the additional connection and programming.

But I must admit as far as the pictures are concerned they have done a great job

Regards

Barkay

[QF6228]

1. Why don't you guys have a look at the OC website? In the shop you will find with article:

Kit 3D panels Overhead
[P738C3]

You can use the follow list of cards for connect all hardware :
- 1 USBExpansion card (http://www.opencockpits.com/catalog/expansion-card-p-37.html)
- 3 Master cards (http://www.opencockpits.com/catalog/master-card-p-29.html)
- 2 Display cards (http://www.opencockpits.com/catalog/displays-card-p-32.html)

Components needed for mount Overhead panel.

60 Switch caps
53 Big ON-OFF switches
12 Big ON-OFF-ON switches
5 Big MON-OFF-MON switches
3 30 degree rotary switches (12 pos)
8 45 degree rotary switches (8 pos)
8 Round switches buton
11 Switch safe guards
5 Pots 10K
22 Display digits 7 segments amber
2 Rotary encoders
154 Amber leds 5mm
12 Green leds 5mm
34 Blue leds 5mm


Indicators kit for Overhead panels. This kit include :

- 100 indicators with text engraved (5mm).
- 100 little box for mount. You can allow two leds in each box for the indicator.



2. Connection methodology?
Well you have to wire all theses switches and indicators to the Master Cards and Display Cards.

3. SIOC is the software tool to bring the Overhead to live, you have to write a Script or use and modify scripts from others. In the OC Forum you will most likely find examples.


Regards,
Nico Kaan

Nico Thanks Mate

Yes you are correct, Why didnt I go to OC for the Answer?
My reason is that I dont Understand Spanish, Each time I look for something the answer is in Spanish.....
Thanks for your help and pointing me to the Answers, I looked a while ago at OC and did not come across this...

Damien

[marius]

I found my answer on the OC shop right after I posted here :oops:

[kiek]

Nico Thanks Mate

Yes you are correct, Why didnt I go to OC for the Answer?
My reason is that I dont Understand Spanish, Each time I look for something the answer is in Spanish.....
Thanks for your help and pointing me to the Answers, I looked a while ago at OC and did not come across this...

Damien

You don't have to understand Spanish. The OC website has a language button, select English and you can read it...

The OC Forum is mixed language but most posts are in English.

[barkay]

Dear Nico,

One question though. As you know there are some state lights in the overhead. For example when you start the engines electrical part of the engines became brighter once the power is available from the engine. As far as I know there are no offsets to read the states of these light from PMDG(for example) in this case. So how will we make sure that the light will be in the same state with the one in overhead?

Best regards,

Barkay

[kiek]

Dear Nico,
As far as I know there are no offsets to read the states of these light from PMDG(for example) in this case. So how will we make sure that the light will be in the same state with the one in overhead?


In that case (PMDG) it will become difficult. You have to simulate almost all of your overhead logic in SIOC based on the triggers that you do have. In fact you have to build a sim on top of a sim. The synchronisation between the two is difficult. I believe however that some people have done this, look for instance to the ON737 info at Opencockpits.

If you build a cockpit around the Level-D 767 then this is a piece of cake, because the 767 is shipped with a SDK. (almost) all states are available.

Nico

[APAK]

Gentlemen ,

I am using the 737-800 PMDG and doing the following :
I will build a panel and the hardware as mentioned by Nico.
I am using a LCD monitor for the overhead panel ( 19 " ) behind the hardware and placing on each light of the OH panel a cell connected to a led .When the light is on in the plane OH panel the led is on too.
For PMDG this is the only way to turn on and off the lights of the PMDG .

regards

Alberto

[markusr]

Hi Alberto,

i dont understand your logic with the cells and the lights.
Can you post some pictures of it, so i fully understand how you will manage the annaunciator lights of PMDG Overhead?

Thanks,

Markus