Noob with Phidget LED-64 Advanced question

[binto100]

Greetings all.

I'm in the early stages of building my cockpit and have many irons in the fire at once; it's challenging but fun.

Can I use FS2Phidget to control several led lights at once on a LED-64 using a rotary knob or similar? The Phidgets software allows for setting the intensity of each individual light but I'd rather have the ability to lower or increase the intesity of serveral lights at once. I'm hoping this is not a big challenge for FS2Phidget?

I'm definitely not a programmer but I'm fairly computer capable.

I appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

Bruce
Mukilteo, WA

BTW - I'm in the early stage of building a 3dof platform as the basis for my cockpit. I have constructed a lightweight prototype and this weekend will introduce a center column spring and 3 small 12vdc gear motors. The prototype has allowed me to get a real-world feel for angles, sizing etc. The center column is actually one tube inside another so the prototype will create heave as well as pitch & roll. The final system will be significantly over built and use 220v AC gear motors, Galil controllers and Yaskawa power supplies. I'm currently using Ian's BFF software to calculate the platform forces and requirements in terms of motor torque, power, acceleration etc. Believe me, his calculation software is a gift to the sim community if you're a non-engineer like me.

Here is a quick vid:

I'm clearly a beginner welder and fabricator.

[CocnutAir]

Bruce,
Yes you can.
Figuring how to set up dimmers?
Regards,
Alan

[CocnutAir]

Of course, you will need a Phidget Interfacekit for the pot.

[binto100]

Of course, you will need a Phidget Interfacekit for the pot.

Hi Alan and thanks for your quick replies. Yes I want to create a dimmer system and I am completely phidget challenged. So I gather I will need both the LED-64 and an Interface kit? What type of pot should I get?

Regards,

Bruce

[CocnutAir]

Depends.

Is a general design question.
Best way to address:
(1) Read the Phidgets documentation. Homework assignment
(2) Have an idea of how many leds you will be using.
(3) You will want to come away with the following:
(a) number of leds each pot will control.
(b) Voltage you will be using for leds. (usually 5V if using Phidget-64).
(c) Total current leds will be drawing. Need this to figure out Watts (ballpark).
(4) Then with voltage and wattage in hand, drop a quick posting on Phidgets forum.
Folks not as electronically challenged as myself will rush in with recommendations.

[CocnutAir]

Previous response was more towards pots controlling incandescant lamps.
Cannot control leds directly with only a pot.

Your pot will be going to an Interfacekit.
FS2Phidget software will send appropriate signal to LED-64 to set brightness.

Therefore, pot can be low wattage and any voltage supported by Interfacekits.
I typically use 5V for my electronic components for following reasons:
- PhidgetLEDs supports up to 5V.
- I can use cannabilized PC power supplies.
- 5V power supplies are not that expensive.
- Voltage is compatible with some real aircraft parts I use.

One can use a cheap pot from radio shack.
Preferably around 10K or greater.
Radioshack has cheap pots rated at 110V (more than what you need)
and has an on-off-detent at the zero position.
i.e. rotate slightly out of a detent to switch on lights,
then continue rotating to set lights to maximum brighness,
or some brightness in between.

[CocnutAir]

Try and get pot that has linear resistance.

[binto100]

Okay Alan I am doing my reading homework to get a feel for phidgets.

If I bought an 8/8/8, an LED 64, and two pots can I have one pot control half of the led's and the 2nd pot control the other half? I'm trying to get a feel for the flexibility.

Thanks.

Bruce

[CocnutAir]

You can attach up to 8 pots with an Interfacekit.
You can attach up to 64 leds with a LED-64.
Of course, you could control 128 leds with 1 pot,
or you could control 67 with one pot, and 61 with another pot,
or 64 leds with 64 pots,
or 2 leds with 1 pot and 62 with another...

you get the idea.

Homework assignment: download FS2Phidget5 manual and read section on analog inputs and digital outputs , better yet, play with application.
Do not need to buy any Phidgets to try it out.

[binto100]

Hi Alan.

I've been reading and reading and a small light is turning on inside my head from time to time but I have a ways to go.

I took delivery today of an 8/8/8 and LED-64 so I'm proceeding the only way I ever known how; just jump in and start figuring it out!

I'll pickup up a couple pot and LED's from the Shack this weekend and start fiddling.

Bruce