TM Cougar & CH magnetoresistive/ hall sensor kits

damn, that's a pity..

I thought I could upgrade my throttle before the end of this year :-(

ok let me know when and if you want ill go ahead and pay

Shapeways is estimating December 23rd as shipping date. With a bit of luck I'll get it earlier since everything has passed the processing step already. But postage over Christmas is very slow. Let's see..

I've taken apart the F-22 Pro, as it was very grimy and cleaned it with soap water and isopropyl alcohol.

I also checked the pots in the base and these are a similar type as the CH pots. So I tested my CH sensors and found they fit perfectly, just need some slight adjustments in the electronics. So I went ahead and ordered the necessary resistors.

I don't really like the hats of the F-22 Pro, for some reason TM decided to incorporate Omron B3F-1006 switches. These have 500g operating force which is too much for the small lever imo. CH uses 150g Omrons, which give a nice tactile feel at just the right amount of force required. I guess there's a reason why TM changed the hat design with the Cougar. :)

I also ordered one of Debolestis Cougar/ F-22 paddle switches, because the standard paddle switch is tiny.

I think in terms of USB conversion I will simply use one of my new CH upgrade mainboards to convert it to 12 Bit resolution and USB. It has the necessary pinout for a shift register in the expansion bay, so the grip with its 4021 shift regs is a no brainer fit.

Haven't looked at the TM TQS yet, but I know it uses the same pots.

 

 

 

I also checked the pots in the base and these are a similar type as the CH pots. So I tested my CH sensors and found they fit perfectly, just need some slight adjustments in the electronics.

 

Haven't looked at the TM TQS yet, but I know it uses the same pots.

Was hoping that, I have actually swapped the TM pots for CH long time ago!

Sent from my ANE-LX1 using Tapatalk

Shapeways is estimating December 23rd as shipping date. With a bit of luck I'll get it earlier since everything has passed the processing step already. But postage over Christmas is very slow. Let's see..

 

I've taken apart the F-22 Pro, as it was very grimy and cleaned it with soap water and isopropyl alcohol.

 

 

I also checked the pots in the base and these are a similar type as the CH pots. So I tested my CH sensors and found they fit perfectly, just need some slight adjustments in the electronics. So I went ahead and ordered the necessary resistors.

I don't really like the hats of the F-22 Pro, for some reason TM decided to incorporate Omron B3F-1006 switches. These have 500g operating force which is too much for the small lever imo. CH uses 150g Omrons, which give a nice tactile feel at just the right amount of force required. I guess there's a reason why TM changed the hat design with the Cougar. :)

 

I also ordered one of Debolestis Cougar/ F-22 paddle switches, because the standard paddle switch is tiny.

 

I think in terms of USB conversion I will simply use one of my new CH upgrade mainboards to convert it to 12 Bit resolution and USB. It has the necessary pinout for a shift register in the expansion bay, so the grip with its 4021 shift regs is a no brainer fit.

 

Haven't looked at the TM TQS yet, but I know it uses the same pots.

Please don't forget that your pot replacement comes with the wrong turn direction for the TQS as I wrote after my replacement a few weeks ago to Thomas. As you can reverse all axis in DCS that is no problem at all, but it's a pain in the a... with BMS, which doesn't allow reversing throttle axis......

Please don't forget that your pot replacement comes with the wrong turn direction for the TQS as I wrote after my replacement a few weeks ago to Thomas. As you can reverse all axis in DCS that is no problem at all, but it's a pain in the a... with BMS, which doesn't allow reversing throttle axis......

There are tons of free tools to work around this i believe, like joystick gremlin or Universal Control Remapper (UCR). I think even windows can reverse an axis internally. I will have a look at that, but there's most likely a really simple software fix around. Sokol? :)

Wouldn't make much sense completely changing the hardware for simple axis reversal.

How do you run your TQS into the PC? With a gameport adapter?

There are tons of free tools to work around this i believe, like joystick gremlin or Universal Control Remapper (UCR). I think even windows can reverse an axis internally. I will have a look at that, but there's most likely a really simple software fix around. Sokol? :)

Wouldn't make much sense completely changing the hardware for simple axis reversal.

 

How do you run your TQS into the PC? With a gameport adapter?

I use bu0836x, see pictures. I wrote to Leo Bodnar and they have change of axis on their to do list. Bu0836a is already able to do so. Of course I could run another software in the backround to change axis, but at a certain point I have to start more and more apps instead of jumping in the pit and just fly..... The regular pots output can easily be changed by wire, I always prefer the simple way.

The simple way would be MMjoy and an Arduino Micro or Teensy so you could just tell the microcontroller which way the axis goes once and be done with it. Anyone know if you can MMJoy the Bodnar boards? Or do they have their write control disabled?

The simple way would be MMjoy and an Arduino Micro or Teensy so you could just tell the microcontroller which way the axis goes once and be done with it. Anyone know if you can MMJoy the Bodnar boards? Or do they have their write control disabled?

:thumbup: For me Software is always the easier way. It is a very basic feature imo and Bodnar should quickly fix that flaw. Do Bodnar boards support shift regs?

Arent the Bodnar boards PIC based? They would need to be ATmega 32U4 based in order for MMJoy to work.

Thanks for the pictures Foxmike! Seems to fit great.

Not sure which microcontroller the Bodnar board has.

With the TQS it will need a full gutting anyways so an MMjoy unit seems like an easier one time setup over having a software layer always running.

I am ready to update the cougar Throttle.

Sent an email Inquiry....

I would like to purchase a throttle standalone Bd w/throttle sensor.

Are they still available?

Thanks

I am ready to update the cougar Throttle.

Sent an email Inquiry....

 

I would like to purchase a throttle standalone Bd w/throttle sensor.

 

Are they still available?

 

Thanks

Sorry, we are currently sold out. I am waiting for a Shapeways shipment if the sensor housings, the electronics are all ready. Once the sensors are ready for shipping I will send out/ answer all emails.

That is awesome

Thanks

another question:

IS it possible to get the PCB (electronics)

and order the sensor when available?

 

IS it possible to get the PCB (electronics)

 

and order the sensor when available?

Well, yes sure. But then you would have to pay shipping twice. I am not in the US, so international shipping is 6.50€.

Another question, would you guys prefer preorders? I always said I dont take preorders, but lately the batches are always sold out within like 3 days.. With preorders we could do some better planning and maybe cut the waiting time. I am really sorry for all the people who emailed us and are waiting for a response. But I am going through the inbox serving from earliest to latest. :/

A discord group with quick line of information and developent updates/ pictures is also a possibilty, if theres interest. We have Saitek stuff and a lot more Thrustmaster mods upcoming.

I’m up for preorder that way I can forget about it and don’t have to check with you periodically let me know I like being happily surprised with stuff shows up

:) Pre-Order Is probably Best........Considering

How to?(pre-pay)

I just want to order the pcb and sensor already.. so if you want to make a pre-order list.. GO for it! I'm all in!

Finally! The sensor housings from Shapeways have been shipped and should arrive in the coming days. The electronics are already done and just sitting around waiting for their housings. :)

I can now accept orders for the Cougar sensors again and ship next monday. I will tell Thomas to send out notifications to all people who have expressed interest tomorrow.

How much do I owe you send a funds request to w88310(at)gmail(dot)com thru PayPal and I’ll send it ‘your way

:megalol:Hello, great News

I'm in for one w/ sensor

Email sent

Thanks

Paypal Cost and email to send

No need to post your emails publicly, just send a mail to mtwsims@tutamail.com if you haven't done so. If you already have, give it till tomorrow morning and you should have something in your inbox. :)

Hi,

First of all, great job creating these mods!

But now into the business.. I sent you guys email to mtwsims@tutmail.com November 19, but didn't get a reply. As you earlier mentioned you were quite busy so I didn't rush sending you an another mail.

Finally! The sensor housings from Shapeways have been shipped and should arrive in the coming days. The electronics are already done and just sitting around waiting for their housings. :)

 

I can now accept orders for the Cougar sensors again and ship next monday. I will tell Thomas to send out notifications to all people who have expressed interest tomorrow.

After seeing this post, I sent a new mail (just a second ago). Please let me know if you've received my email, it is about Cougar usb adapter. :)

-Ratoo

No need to post your emails publicly, just send a mail to mtwsims@tutamail.com if you haven't done so. If you already have, give it till tomorrow morning and you should have something in your inbox. :)

I too sent an email a while ago, you guys told me to watch the forum for updates, so I did.

Are you ready to ship out the CH sensors and the PCB?

Thanks,

Cheetah

Received all three CH Sensors, one has a "T" written in sharpie on it, assume it is for the throttle. Big question is what is the best way to connect the wires? The original connectors are too big, is there something else I should be doing or do I need to buy something like these - https://www.amazon.es/ILS-piezas-Micro-Connector-Cables/dp/B07GXMC2G8/ref=sr_1_fkmr3_2?__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&keywords=3+pin+wiring+connector&qid=1576255625&sr=8-2-fkmr3 , cut them short and solder a male mini spade connector to act as an adapter?

For now I crimped 1/2 of the female spade down to fit the pin tight, covered the two outside connectors with insulation to avoid a short, flattened them out and turned them 90 degrees so I can always put a standard pot in in case of an issue.. Throttle worked perfect, calibrated easily. Fighterstick had an issue on 1 axis, sent you an email.

I made the new cougar sensors ready on Monday night, so that's not the problem. I also don't have any paid orders marked on my spreadsheet so far. Thomas was supposed to send or the mails this Tuesday while I was on a business trip . I am sorry about this, I can't tell you currently what went wrong... I can't do everything myself, just returned from Tokyo and feel jetlagged as heck.. :(

The CH Throttle installation instructions are on the first page of this thread marked in red and with pictures. Make sure to read them before installation. Stick sensor installation guide is almost ready I will post it in a few hours. Most CH sensors should not have arrived yet.

PS: In case you really don't want to wait, here are basic CH sensor instructions. The pins of the sensor are labled with VCC, OUT and GND. You need to make sure to connect the voltage supply only to VCC, otherwise you may grill the very sensitive opamp in the circuit. The green wire is GND, the blue is VCC, brown is X out, black is Y out and yellow is Z out. To clamp the connectors to the header pins, follow the instructions of the CH Throttle in the first post of this thread.

You can use the trim function of the sensor btw, it is designed with that feature in mind. The back plate is mostly a ground plane and the surface finish of the blue solder mask is very tough. The solder points are in places where they can't interfere with the rotation.