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#3895875 - 01/16/14 01:34 AM Help Picking A USB Input board (Bodnar etc....)  
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HitchHikingFlatlander Offline
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I'd like to repair my Saitek rudder pedals which the control board fried on. Currently the pots are just wired to an old Logitech Wingman board that I use in a little panel box. I like to get a USB control board that's easy to use wiring wise and that has the ability to choose/setup the axis' type that the rudder pedals use. Does anyone have any suggestions to good and decently affordable solution along the lines of the Leo Bodnar, GP Wiz etc....

I think I like the types that have terminals like the http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=85&products_id=180 but for $80 I can just buy a new set of pedals.

Any suggestions/thoughts would be very welcome. I know I need to run this by the pros here before making an impulse purchase!

Thanks,
Chris


I've got a bad feeling about this.....
Inline advert (2nd and 3rd post)

#3896032 - 01/16/14 08:59 AM Re: Help Picking A USB Input board (Bodnar etc....) [Re: HitchHikingFlatlander]  
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Volans Offline
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Just for pedals (3 axis)? It will be really a waste to use that board (not to mention the price). Why not choose this one: http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66&products_id=204 same 12bit axis but half a price, it comes with nice connectors for axis. (for pedals even the 10bit old card was perfect, but I see that is discontinued....)

#3896242 - 01/16/14 04:55 PM Re: Help Picking A USB Input board (Bodnar etc....) [Re: HitchHikingFlatlander]  
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Wizard43 Offline
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This is the board I purchased for a future sim pit project...

http://www.ultimarc.com/a-pac.html

I have not built any switch panels yet but I have tested it with some switches and it works well. I haven't tested it with any pots however. And I have no experience with Bodnar boards so I can't really say it's better or worse. My guess is that they are on par with one another.

Wizard

#3896386 - 01/16/14 07:53 PM Re: Help Picking A USB Input board (Bodnar etc....) [Re: HitchHikingFlatlander]  
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Sokol1 Offline
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Take a look at Teensy 2.0 board + MMjoy firware.

MMjoy firmware allow you use

2 to 8 axis
0 to 32/46 buttons
0 to 4 encoders
Set button as togle
Use axis in digital mode with external ADC
Invert axis on firware

Set VID and PID of your device to be seem after or first than other joysticks
Set name with up to 10 characters


http://code.google.com/p/mmjoy/w/list
http://code.google.com/p/mmjoy/wiki/UpdateFirmware_eng
http://www.pjrc.com/store/teensy.html
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11781

Sokol1


Last edited by Sokol1; 01/16/14 08:00 PM.
#3896506 - 01/17/14 12:01 AM Re: Help Picking A USB Input board (Bodnar etc....) [Re: HitchHikingFlatlander]  
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HitchHikingFlatlander Offline
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All good suggestions, the A-PAC looks interesting as well as the Teensy board (bonus that its so cheap). The Leo board is still up there in price, so I need to look at some Pro Flight Pedals to see how cheap I could get a replacement. Thanks guys and if anyone else has suggestions feel free to post the more options the better!


I've got a bad feeling about this.....
#3896892 - 01/17/14 03:13 PM Re: Help Picking A USB Input board (Bodnar etc....) [Re: HitchHikingFlatlander]  
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I'm not clear on what's wrong with the Wingman board you're using now...?

I've scavenged many boards from cheap PC usb gamepads sold at the local Value Village/Salvation Army... They're usually detected by Windows, don't need drivers, and calibrate just fine.

I've also bought and started a project with a BU0386 but that's because I needed more buttons. Since you're just doing pedals I think the controllers here are overkill... on the other hand, you've already implemented my suggestion and are not satisfied with the outcome...


looks very modernishy-phoney-windows eighty-tabletty like

Asus P8P67 Pro Rev. 3.0 // i5 2500k @4.3 GHz with Noctua NH-D14 // nvidia gtx 780 // 8 GB DDR3 1600 //Win7 home 64 bit //450 GB VelociRaptor //Recon3D Champion
#3896914 - 01/17/14 03:51 PM Re: Help Picking A USB Input board (Bodnar etc....) [Re: HitchHikingFlatlander]  
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Attackmack Offline
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Sorry if I'm interrupting the thread but I have a question about these cards, especially the BBI32 from leo bodnar.

Im wondering of it can detect a switch opening and assign that as a key press?

That is, if I use a OFF-ON switch, and i set it to ON it will send a constant signal that the software assigns as a single momentary key press.
But when I then flip it back to OFF, and the signal drops, can the software interpret that and assign it to a different key?

Im asking since I can't find any good solution to all three-way switches like the autopilot.
The only ones I can find are ON-OFF-ON.

#3897067 - 01/17/14 07:45 PM Re: Help Picking A USB Input board (Bodnar etc....) [Re: HitchHikingFlatlander]  
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Sokol1 Offline
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Attackmack,

By hardware in BBI no, but you can use a software like SVMapper, Hidmacros... that translate swich ON and switch OFF on keypress (the caled "mapped key on press and mapped key on release).

I am alway from my Mjoy16 board to test now, but I think MMJoy firware allow you map this on hardware.

Other possibility is build a small circuit with 74121 IC "optocouplers", you find how assemble across this thread:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=65998

Sokol1

#3897241 - 01/18/14 12:20 AM Re: Help Picking A USB Input board (Bodnar etc....) [Re: HitchHikingFlatlander]  
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HitchHikingFlatlander Offline
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CG - The Wimgman works sorta, I get the rudder functionality but I can't use the toe brakes since they show up as the X/Y axis of the stick. I've never been able to set them up right in say the DCS option settings. And while they do work the resolution of the wingman is pretty substandard compared to what I used to have when the pedals were stock.

Volans - I don't necc. need the buttons but if I had them I would use them, can never have enough panels and I've been eager to build a arming panel for A10C as well as a landing gear panel. But I do have a (yet) unused X-Keys 128 input board that was going to be used for my A10C pit (on indefinite hiatus). So no, I don't need them but on the other hand they never hurt. I'm looking at what you suggested though, a new set of Pro Flight Pedals are still around $100, so the savings is pretty significant repairing the current vs. replacing.


I've got a bad feeling about this.....
#3897259 - 01/18/14 12:57 AM Re: Help Picking A USB Input board (Bodnar etc....) [Re: HitchHikingFlatlander]  
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Flying_Colander Offline
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Flatlander,

I'll chime in on the Bodnar boards; specifically the BU0836X.

I'm trying to do the same as you. http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3896044/Problem_rewiring_PFC_Cirrus_Pe#Post3896044

Unfortunately, the board is finicky when it comes to recognizing multiple potentiometers. After some time browsing, the solution seems to be to "force their detection by taking a 100 kOhm resistor and connecting it between output (that would go into BU0836X input, e.g. X, Y, Z, etc) and GND terminal. This makes BU0836X see that there is something attached to its input when it starts up."

I've seen several posts referring to this problem, for example, http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/showthread.php?t=19381 You can also search on the term "BU0836x no pot" to bring up other references.

Seems to me if your going to shell out so much money, there should be a more elegant solution than shorting your board. Also, support for the cards are spotty. There is no knowledge base, that I know of, and the support forum has been closed for years. I suspect that Mr. Bodnar has a small shop and he's been a victim of his own success. He's probably stretched pretty thin. When I have had contact with him, his advice has been friendly, concise and spot on.

The Bodnar boards are robust. As an inexperienced electrician I have done things which I thought had ruined the board only to have it report for duty without incident.

I cannot comment on the other boards out there but I encourage your research (and reporting back with your results.)

Cheers,

FC

#3897293 - 01/18/14 01:54 AM Re: Help Picking A USB Input board (Bodnar etc....) [Re: HitchHikingFlatlander]  
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Sokol1 Offline
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Other COTS option, DSD 12 bit (4.096 points) controller - free shipping:

http://simrace.hgsitebuilder.com/circuits

Sokol1

#3897631 - 01/18/14 07:29 PM Re: Help Picking A USB Input board (Bodnar etc....) [Re: HitchHikingFlatlander]  
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CyBerkut Offline
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Hitch, are you using any profiling software with your other controllers (HOTAS or Cyclic and Collective), or do you leave it to the sim/game's internal controller config menus?

A joystick board could still be a good choice for you, if you could find one from a joystick that has better resolution on the axis.

The resolution is something you'll want to pay attention to if you buy a board like Bodnar's or the Teensy. IIRC, the Teensy is not as high on axis resolution as what we typically see on newer joysticks.

#3897797 - 01/19/14 12:26 AM Re: Help Picking A USB Input board (Bodnar etc....) [Re: HitchHikingFlatlander]  
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Sokol1 Offline
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L.Bodnar Bu0836A have 12 bits (4096 points)

The only COTS joystick that have more is

Warthog/T16000 (X,Y) - 14 bits (16384)- the last have 8 bits (256) on other axis, and the anouced X-55 (in X an Y)as 16 bits.

CH is 8 bits (256).

For Teensy I will ask for MMjoy firmware developer.

Sokol1

Last edited by Sokol1; 01/19/14 12:39 AM.
#3897878 - 01/19/14 03:30 AM Re: Help Picking A USB Input board (Bodnar etc....) [Re: HitchHikingFlatlander]  
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HitchHikingFlatlander Offline
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Well anything has to be better than the Wingman I'm using.... Its so old that its a gameport to USB, so I can't imagine that the resolution is just as good or better than any of the USB boards posted. Although I am paying attention to resolution, I should find out what the Saitek pedals were.


I've got a bad feeling about this.....
#3898218 - 01/19/14 09:35 PM Re: Help Picking A USB Input board (Bodnar etc....) [Re: HitchHikingFlatlander]  
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CyBerkut Offline
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My Saitek pedals go to 65,535 on each of the three axis.

#3898312 - 01/20/14 01:07 AM Re: Help Picking A USB Input board (Bodnar etc....) [Re: HitchHikingFlatlander]  
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Sokol1 Offline
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Depend on where are show these 65.535 they can by even on 8 bits (256 points) axis, see this JoyRes Test of X-52:



Under Dview this Saitek PRO Flight Rudder Pedal show 1024 raw values, notice center at 511, thats means 10 bits resolution.



I doub that Saitek use a different eletronic for this other Saitek pedas.

Sokol1



Last edited by Sokol1; 01/20/14 01:08 AM.
#3898599 - 01/20/14 03:39 PM Re: Help Picking A USB Input board (Bodnar etc....) [Re: HitchHikingFlatlander]  
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PropNut Offline
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I second the Teensy, I have upgraded two sets of ThrustMaster pedals as well as a a home-made set a while back.

I have Teensy code that sets it up for 8 axis 32 buttons and a hat switch.

The price is awesome at 24.00 each.


F/A-18C Hornet cockpit build project:

http://hornetpits.org/index.php?topic=15.0
#3898642 - 01/20/14 05:25 PM Re: Help Picking A USB Input board (Bodnar etc....) [Re: Sokol1]  
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Sokol1 Offline
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About the question of resolution using Teensy + MMjoy firmware:

Originally Posted By: Sokol1

For Teensy I will ask for MMjoy firmware developer.


I get the answer:

Quote:

all of my firmwares works with one resolution 12bit (4096 steps).
1) for internal ADC(10bit) it works stepup 1024*4 = 4096;
2) for external MCP3xxx family true 1:1;
3) for external KMA200(13bit) it stepdown 8192/2 = 4096;


If used MMJoy firmware on Teensy or Leonardo PRO Micro clones, is used the internal ADC (1024*4 = 4.096) @ 12 bit.

Sokol1




Last edited by Sokol1; 01/20/14 05:27 PM.
#3898702 - 01/20/14 07:20 PM Re: Help Picking A USB Input board (Bodnar etc....) [Re: HitchHikingFlatlander]  
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PropNut Offline
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How do you transfer the MMJoy firmware to the Teensy?


F/A-18C Hornet cockpit build project:

http://hornetpits.org/index.php?topic=15.0
#3898709 - 01/20/14 07:34 PM Re: Help Picking A USB Input board (Bodnar etc....) [Re: HitchHikingFlatlander]  
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Attackmack Offline
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What card available has the most digital inputs?
My project will have somewhere around 90 inputs, all ordinary closing circuits like momentary buttons and ON/ON toggles.

I could use three BBIs or similar, but is there a card featuring 50+ inputs? Without doing some crazy wiring that is.

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