Rotary instead Potentiometer for Throttle?

[skino]

In my 777 Throttle I would like to take encoder for the axes, no potentiometers. Encoders are better query with the Arduino. Is there a way to set about the FSUIPC?

[jonesthesoftware]

In my 777 Throttle I would like to take encoder for the axes, no potentiometers. Encoders are better query with the Arduino. Is there a way to set about the FSUIPC?
Hi
an encoder only gives pulses to indicate direction and count, how can you calibrate this to. throttle or lever position?
regards
geoff

[skino]

I've just tried to make it work with FSUIPC values "Throttle INC" and "Throttle DEC" I take the IDLE position as the zero point and increasing with every step to "1". So I always know exactly where the throttle is. It could work, even as I write the control software yourself. I will report on the success. For more suggestions, I'm open and grateful.

[Fan of Flying]

Highly recommend against this.

mitch

[Shawn]

Highly recommend against this.

mitch


This begs the question Mitch, why would you highly recommend against this? If Skino writes software that allows for it to work and their are no issues with making it work what could possibly happen that would make you "highly recommend" against this? It would certainly be cheaper and to be honest I never really calibrate throttles anyways. I would be interested in seeing how it all works, if for nothing else a learning experience.

Shawn

[dodiano]

I will suggest pots! It's like reinventing the wheel and pots work perfect!

[Fan of Flying]

I was under the impression you were attempting to build a high end home built sim. Most here are. Since you don't even worry about callabrating your throttles now, then yes I suppose your solution is workable. Program a percentage of thrust for each switch. Should work ok I suppose. But for the life of me, I don't know why you would want to do it this way. The hardware available today allows you to finely tune thrust using pots and Hall effect sensors.

[Shawn]

Ha, I love the reply; both condescending and rude at the same time. I know what Skino is capable of as far as simulation hardware and software goes so I'm not as concerned as you are with whether it will work or not I guess. I have software of Skino's running in my middling to mediocre sim right now and it does a great job.

Shawn

[Fan of Flying]

Wow, thin skin? I was trying to help.

Nevermind.

I'm sorry I made you feel that way. If it works for you and your satisfied that's all that matters. All the best.

[skino]

Please do not argue.

http://up.picr.de/22504894qi.jpg

Potentiometers are the proven solution for Throttle axes, but why not even something new? And the results are good. It works with sufficient accuracy. Since encoders sometimes "swallow" an input I use 2 Micro button (at idle and 50%), with the software automatically synchronizes itself and thus keeps the error rate low.

Hey Shawn, thanks for the nice words. I am pleased that with you my software has a warm place... :)

[Fan of Flying]

No argument.

but why? You have me scratching my head. It's a no brainer.

Encoders? Again, scratching my head. If you want the ultimate in throttle, spd brake, tiller, ailerons, elevators, rudder, etc etc. , you don't use switches. You use pots, or even better, Halls.

Now ow if that's "condescending" or "rude", so be it. I was of the opinion this website was for sharing of ideas, opinions, and proven methods to help others achieve their goals.

Mitch

[OmniAtlas]

Hello, currently using a Leo Bodnar card to wire in the pots for my airbus project.

Are there any (more affordable) alternative interface boards you can suggest?

Regards.

[Shawn]

I think you would be hard pressed to find an IO system that was cheaper and or easier than Leo's boards. Nothing I have run across anyways.

Shawn

[logic28]

I'm new to simulators but I have come to the same conclusion as Skino for my PMDG… never did like pots... unstable ... can react to temperature and humidity let alone wear & tear….


Encoders can also be magnetic or optical so minimum servicing is required.


Before someone says this……yes .. I did think of optical variable pots…. (photo-resistors) ... I’ve used them many of times in musical instrument and they are inaccurate for this purpose.


Beside, if one wants the full works with active auto-throttle, it makes more sense to have stepper / servo motors with internal encoders so that they serve both purposes at once.


I am not an electronic wizard but I am a racing mechanical engineer and I can use my brain a little, so today I quickly patched up a simple sketch for Arduino in conjunction with link2fs and it seem to work fine and accurately.


Just have to check a small flaw which seems to crash Link2fs after some time, possibly due to the high frequency of polling.


Will work something out where the micro will pause if changes don’t occur.


If anyone has already done so he/she would be very much appreciated for sharing it here thus saving us redesigning from scratch the same or a similar program.


Also if anyone can see any good reason why this should have an adverse effect in the sim, please come out with it, it would be silly not to listen to any good advise.

Regards

PS) As this is an old thread I smight re-post as new in case this topic is still been investigated.

[tiburon]

Why don't you try Hall-effect sensors ? Very accurate, no wear at all, no spiking, and you can connect them like a normal potmeter.

[logic28]

Hall Eff. sensors ?......very good too but there is no reason to have an unstable variable voltage when the flight sim is counting steps from 0 to 99.
A variable voltage may (and often does) result in a fluctuating readings and therefore erratic position of the throttle, even if by + - 1 step, ....been there.
With a detent at least it will tend to remain in the chosen position until otherwise instructed.

No big deal, just a thought... after all there are hall effect encoders too; the idea here was to simplify the design incorporating auto-throttle by having a motor encoder equipped, that does both the moving and the reading in one unit.

;)