bnepethomas Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 (edited) Hi Guys Thought it must be time to get A-into-G and build another pit. I'm cheating a little as I have a 'prebuilt' cardboard/fluteboard (Dogfight Boss) pit to start with. The plan is to light it with with live panels and displays. I fully expect a bunch of pieces of the pit frame will be replaced as the project progresses, but it is a great starting point. For those interested in grabbing dodgy code and drawings - I'm throwing them up onto github as I go. https://github.com/bnepethomas/bne-arduino-flight-simulator-interfaces Day 0 Edited September 15, 2019 by bnepethomas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnepethomas Posted September 15, 2019 Author Share Posted September 15, 2019 (edited) I'd built out some indicators for other pits - been a 'learning' experience. The first set was based off the NATOPS pictures but managed to get the scale terribly wrong. Doh! Then got the scale right - and was pretty happy with them And then saw a set that looked to have come from the real thing. The reverse engraving with orange filters sitting behind really bring it to life Edited September 15, 2019 by bnepethomas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnepethomas Posted September 15, 2019 Author Share Posted September 15, 2019 (edited) And here's the latest version of the caution display disassembled. Edited September 15, 2019 by bnepethomas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnepethomas Posted September 15, 2019 Author Share Posted September 15, 2019 And the latest addition to the pit building toolset - a Prusa Mk3S - arrived as a kit last week, the very first print being John's work of art. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue73 Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 This is a great start! Your caution panel looks very tidy. I assume you had the PCB made? Subscribed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tekadept Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 Looks good, what are those bulbs you are using? "Lead me, follow me, or get the hell out of my way" (Gen. George Patton) https://www.tekcreations.space Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G00dnight Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 Hi great work where did the Jett switch come from, Love the caution panel aswell. AMD A8-5600K @ 4GHz, Radeon 7970 6Gig, 16 Gig Ram, Win 10 , 250 gig SSD, 40" Screen + 22 inch below, Track Ir, TMWH, Saitek combat pedals & a loose nut behind the stick :thumbup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnepethomas Posted September 15, 2019 Author Share Posted September 15, 2019 This is a great start! Your caution panel looks very tidy. I assume you had the PCB made? Subscribed. Yes siree. Just recently started using kicad (free and multi-platform) - slight learning curve - but everything you need to know is out there. Using pcbgogo for PCB manufacturing - if you keep your board below 100mm*100mm its $5 for 5 (or 10).. with a number of choices for shipping. Nice quick turnaround as well. https://www.pcbgogo.com/pcb-board-quote.html Cheers Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnepethomas Posted September 15, 2019 Author Share Posted September 15, 2019 Looks good, what are those bulbs you are using? Thanks - the caution panel uses orange 5mm flat top leds Cheers Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnepethomas Posted September 15, 2019 Author Share Posted September 15, 2019 Hi great work where did the Jett switch come from, Love the caution panel aswell. Ta - the Jett switch is directly from here - https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=239718. Just download John's stl file and print. Cheers Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue73 Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 Thanks for the link, I've been looking for place to make my slave module. :thumbup: Yes siree. Just recently started using kicad (free and multi-platform) - slight learning curve - but everything you need to know is out there. Using pcbgogo for PCB manufacturing - if you keep your board below 100mm*100mm its $5 for 5 (or 10).. with a number of choices for shipping. Nice quick turnaround as well. https://www.pcbgogo.com/pcb-board-quote.html Cheers Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Burns Posted September 18, 2019 Share Posted September 18, 2019 Yes siree. Just recently started using kicad (free and multi-platform) - slight learning curve - but everything you need to know is out there. Using pcbgogo for PCB manufacturing - if you keep your board below 100mm*100mm its $5 for 5 (or 10).. with a number of choices for shipping. Nice quick turnaround as well. https://www.pcbgogo.com/pcb-board-quote.html Cheers Peter How does this work? If I wanted them to make up those RS232 boards to daisy chain Nano's for DCS Bios, would they get the parts and build the boards and ship them if I designed them and listed the components? or does it not work like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnepethomas Posted September 18, 2019 Author Share Posted September 18, 2019 They do offer full assembly as a service - I haven't tried that myself - it's a little more expensive - but to be honest not crazy expensive. Obviously they'd charge for parts and then charge (judging by the adds) USD$50 for up to 20 PCBs - not not a bad deal. I've just had the PCB itself manufactured, and then scored the components and assembled myself. How does this work? If I wanted them to make up those RS232 boards to daisy chain Nano's for DCS Bios, would they get the parts and build the boards and ship them if I designed them and listed the components? or does it not work like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnepethomas Posted September 30, 2019 Author Share Posted September 30, 2019 (edited) Been working out how to get 5V reliably to Arduinos and associated shields around the pit. Had some battles getting reliable enough powered USB hubs, and didn't need USB as such, as all communications done over Ethernet. Found these little puppies that take 12V-24V and output a pretty solid 5V on ebay. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/USB-Charger-Module-6-24V-12V-24V-to-5V-3A-CAR-DC-DC-Buck-Step-Down-Converter/262685794497 Only challenge was how to mount given the little pcb had not mounting holes as such. Given the amazing work Blue73 had done with the Jettison switch - thought it was time extend out the training wheels and learn to drive Fusion360. Bingo one mounting bracket And assembled (much better that the double sided tape I'd used earlier :)) Edited September 30, 2019 by bnepethomas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnepethomas Posted April 27, 2020 Author Share Posted April 27, 2020 A long time between drinks - but being locked up at home has the project moving again. First step was sorting out how to mount the panels. So remove the cardboard panels from the tub Take a bunch of measurements and then cut out acrylic for the 'base' panel, and the cut out spots for individual panels. I'm cheating - so just lasering the mounting holes, and the taping them for 4mm screws. The right hand side is awaiting the same treatment. The individual panels are 3 layers of 3mm acrylic, the same construction used in the A10 put. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stang Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 Great work Is it a Dogfight Boss Cockpit that your building? Stang out A long time between drinks - but being locked up at home has the project moving again. First step was sorting out how to mount the panels. So remove the cardboard panels from the tub Take a bunch of measurements and then cut out acrylic for the 'base' panel, and the cut out spots for individual panels. I'm cheating - so just lasering the mounting holes, and the taping them for 4mm screws. The right hand side is awaiting the same treatment. The individual panels are 3 layers of 3mm acrylic, the same construction used in the A10 put. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnepethomas Posted April 29, 2020 Author Share Posted April 29, 2020 Thanks Stang Yes it is - its been sitting not doing a lot for the past 12 months - now getting A-into-G, and the Open Hornet Project is definitely a major help Great work Is it a Dogfight Boss Cockpit that your building? Stang out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnepethomas Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 Working on the front panels, the Open Hornet plans and stls make it easy. Fired the Prusa up a couple of weeks ago and set it to work. Then over the weekend it was time to cut out a few pieces and MDF and throw things together. About now would have been a great time to have a CNC :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnepethomas Posted June 3, 2020 Author Share Posted June 3, 2020 Progress on the DDIs - using the OpenHornet plans for the mechanicals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesthegrngo Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 (edited) Very impressive! as all communications done over Ethernet Can you give a bit more detail - I assume that DCS BIOS is still the source of the data? Is the Ethernet in lieu of RS485? Cheers Les Edited June 4, 2020 by lesthegrngo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnepethomas Posted June 4, 2020 Author Share Posted June 4, 2020 (edited) Very impressive! Can you give a bit more detail - I assume that DCS BIOS is still the source of the data? Is the Ethernet in lieu of RS485? Cheers Les Thanks Les I actually started with OverPros HID based approach, but due to issues in other pits with USB devices randomly disappearing decided to do something completely different. Now input Arduinos send changes to a Raspberry Pi which in turn uses API interfaces into Sims. I've documented the journey and design approaches here (HW & SW)_ https://github.com/bnepethomas/bne-arduino-flight-simulator-interfaces/blob/master/Python%20HW%20Link/Python%20HW%20Link%20-%20Design.odt Edited June 4, 2020 by bnepethomas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnepethomas Posted June 2, 2021 Author Share Posted June 2, 2021 (edited) A long time between drinks - but heres some progress on the Open Hornet Based pit Edited June 2, 2021 by bnepethomas 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deadman Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 Looks great my friend cheers https://www.shapeways.com/shops/a-10c-warthog-supplies https://forum.dcs.world/topic/133818-deadmans-cockpit-base-plans/#comment-133824 CNCs and Laser engravers are great but they can't do squat with out a precise set of plans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnepethomas Posted July 31, 2021 Author Share Posted July 31, 2021 (edited) Getting closer Edited July 31, 2021 by bnepethomas 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
War_Pig Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 Beautiful work! Are all the 3D-printed bits from OpenHornet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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