using FS2Phidgets5 with 8/8/8 for TQ

[neuman5022]

Hello folks

I need some help here please.

I intend to use the 8/8/8 + servo controller and relays to control my TQ.

Most of the data I have shows that you need to use outside logic gates, to power on or off the servos according to the Auto Throttle commands.

What I wish to know is, can the 8/8/8 be programmed by the new FS2Phidgets5 to work as a logic board ? Or do I need to use logic gates anway.

What I mean is - Can I somehow program the 8/8/8 to send a value based on A/T FSVariables to a relay - to turn on or off the power to the servos according to the A/T commands ?

Or is there any other way to control the power to the servos in order to be able use the throttles manualy ?

Thanks in advance

Isaac

[CocnutAir]

Hi Isaac,

Yes. one can.

However, I would strongly recommend using Diego's autothrottle software.
It is designed to do what you require.
Has all the logic built in you need for TQ.

Regards,
Alan

[CocnutAir]

Isaac,

Isaac,

Just noticed that you're a Kiwi.
Do you think Springboks have any chance against the All Blacks in next World Cup?

Diego lives in Oz. (Wallaby!)

Regards,
Alan.

[neuman5022]

Hi Alan

Since I really need the SW from Diego - I will use my right to remain silent - Until I will see my throttles move

I will try to contact Diego to see how I can get the SW.

Thank you for your awesome support for the sim guys out there.


Isaac

[neuman5022]

Ok - Have found the SW - took me some time to figure this one out....

Is there any help file or tutorial, or maybe a readme file ?

Will be lot easier for me since I am not too much into progrming

Anyway - thanks for the support guys !


Isaac

[diegov]

Hi Isaac,

Hows it going? What part of NZ are you from. My girlfriends family lives in Wellington. Love going over there.

It looks like i forgot to drop the readme.txt in my latest upload. I need to upload a new version that has a small bug fix anyway, and will remember to stick the readme file in the upload. Either way the readme is pretty shocking.. and documentation is no where near as informative as Alans. The program is designed for tech savy people.. Either way hope i can get you started..


As Alan mentioned, the sole purpose of the program is to drive your 737 TQ with phidgets. The program is very specific. The hardware and logic cannot be varied like FS2Phidget. It will recognise your 8/8/8 and advanced servo card, also a HC motor card to drive your trim wheels. Relays are not needed. The power is cut to your servos when A/T is not in use. This is built into the logic of the program which leverages a power disconnect feature on your advance servo card.

You may connect a pot to any interface and then designate which FS values you would like the sensor to feed into. You will also see a section when configuring your interface card where you can select whether the sensor will be used for Flaps, Spoiler or reverse throttle. This will give you additional options...

The servos outputs however are hardcoded to specific functions. Servo output 0 and 1 must be connected to your servos which drive your throttle levers. Servo 2 needs to be connected to the servo which drivers your spoiler.

You should then calibrate the servos through the DVATX interface and specify min and max ranges. Best to do this without the levers connected first. Once this is done you can modify the smoothness of the movement through the ini file if you wish..

Hope that gets you started..

Let me know if you need any other help..

Cheers

Diego

[neuman5022]

Gidday Giego

I live in Wakefield which is a small beautiful village near Nelson - at the top of the SI. So whenever you cross the ditch - you are more then welcome to hop for a visit - coffee meals and accomodation on me - how about that ha ?

First - before I even start - I would like to thank you heaps for the time and effort you had put in this project - this is VERY helpful SW especialy for me since electronics and programming is not my cup of tea...

Once I will have all the data - with your permission and help - I am willing to spend some time to create a good tutorial/manual for your SW - this is where my skills are better


Few questions:

1. Do I need to to install and run FS2Phidets or DVATX only.

2. Do I need to install the Phidgets Library21 - or your DLL does it all ?

3. My reversers are switches not pots - I assume I can program the digital inputs via the INI file with the correct offsets - is that so ?

4. My 8/8/8 has a jack for power, 6-15V and 2 USB ports. To run the Servo card and the Motor card - can I hook the them to the 8/8/8 USB ports and power or each needs it's own power/USB to the PC ? (I know it's not a SW issue - but maybe you know someting about this too)


Cheers mate

Isaac

[diegov]

Hey Isaac,

Ill make sure i say hi next time im over, I love the south island too! and by all means if you want to write some doco, go for it!

In answer to your questions.

1. All you need is DVATX. If you run both on the same system, which ever program sees the phidgets hardware first will grab it and the other program will not detect it. You may want this if your using other hardware that FS2Phidget can take advantage of such as an LED board. In this case you would need to open up DVATX first, so it can grab the 8/8/8, servo and motor cards.

2. As long as you have the DLL ive included in the same directory as DVATX, you do not need to install the library seperately

3. So short answer for this is no. The reverser value is actually variable in FSX so i chose to use a pot. In saying this even though a digital input is programmable via the ini file, there is logic in DVATX which prevents the forward thrust value of 0 (when in idle) overwriting the reverser value and vise versa. I probably havent coded this the best way, but it works. So for now you will need a reverse pot or AUTOBRAKE = MAX when you land. You can just use one pot and link them together by using the OFFSET2= variable in the ini file. Have a look in the ini file, you will see how its used.

4. You have one of the newer 8/8/8 ifkits. I hope my program detects it. I assume the extra ports just extend the usb hub on the PC, so short answer is YES. You should be able to connect all your phidgets through the usb ports on the 8/8/8 and connect the 8/8/8 to the PC. You will need to provide seperate power to your advance servo card and hc card. Just use an ATX power supply. Both cards have a built in regulator so you can drive 12v in both and they will regulate voltage.

Good luck,

Diego

[neuman5022]

Hi Diego

Cheers for that.

The new ifkit works fine with your SW - as much as I can see. I am testing it with pots and switches on my desktop FS9 and non registerd FSUIPC (On my sim I have FSX, reg FSUIPC and PM)

As much as I am willing to do the documentation - I need to start somewhere - so I reckon your README file will be a good start when you will upload it. Then I will start writing and let you do the fixing. Its about time do do something for the community for a change.

One BIG problem though - I built my throttles handles so the Reverser switch is inside the handle (actually a micro-switch pushed by a lever actuated by the reversers handles) - no way I can change it now and there is no room for a pot even if I want to. I need a solution to activate the reversers via the microswitch so it will have 0 as OFF and -0496 as ON. In yor INI file the PARK brake and the TOGA have on values although they are digital inputs. Is there a way to do the same for the reversers ?

When playing with FS2Phidgets5 - I have noticed that you can change the ValueFunction from Proportional to Digital - can this help ?

After all the trouble I went into the reversers it will be a shame if I will have to do the AUTOBRAKE=MAX

Anyway - I hope you can find a solution

Cheers

Isaac

[CocnutAir]

Isaac,

You can control reversers with on-off switch using Fs2Phidget5.
I just sent an example to builder who wanted to control prop control with on-off switch.

Here's how to toggle analog (proportional) FSVariables, I will use the Engine 1 Throttle Lever as an example:
Create new circuit.
Add Fixed Value component and set the InitialValue property to -4096.
Add Digital Input (your on-off switch).
Add Text component (so we can see what circuit is doing).
Add FS Input component, do not set UsesRatio property to true and assign to Engine 1 Throttle.
Add Fixed Value component, in parallel to digital input and set the InitialValue property to 0.
Add Text component (so we can see what circuit is doing)..
Add FS Input component, do not set UsesRatio property to true and assign to Engine 1 Throttle.