#3895692 - 01/15/14 07:02 PM
Some simple panels
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 218
Attackmack
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Posts: 218
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I have a thread here about my simp it build, a project sadly come to a halt mainly due to lack of space. I don't have access to a garage or similar to use during the build and at the time I though I would be able to do the build at home in my rather small apartment, but fact is its just isn't possible, and even if it was my apartment is to small even for a simple SimLight so for the time being, that project is on ice. But I still play some games/sims and I'm itching more then ever for some immersion and instead of a big simp it I'm focusing on something smaller, a desk pit of some sort. I have some plans drawn out in sketch up (and on some notepads) and have decided to start with the fun part; Switchpanels =) I won't be updating this thread very often but ill start by saying that after some trial and errors, scouting for materials in stores and acquiring some much needed tools I've decided on a fairly quick and simple way to make my panels. Its a common design with two pieces of acrylic with a graphical inlay between. ICP and the first panel, which will control power to possible MFD/backlighting/external lighting. I know its a bit rough and nowhere near the real deal, but Im very happy with the results considering the small amount of time and money invested. I have ordered a fairly big load of switches and buttons that will fit nicely (after much reading and scouting) but due to shortage ill have to wait a few weeks for them to arrive. Im planning on using Leo Bodnars BBI32 for this, three of them will be enough to control the panels ill be able to fit to this project.
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#3896036 - 01/16/14 09:24 AM
Re: Some simple panels
[Re: Attackmack]
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 16,082
- Ice
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Philippines / North East UK
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Not intending to burst your bubble, but have you considered using a touchscreen monitor? Much easier making panels in Helios, and you can do the entire suite of switches and knobs all for the cost of one monitor.
- Ice
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#3896215 - 01/16/14 04:16 PM
Re: Some simple panels
[Re: Attackmack]
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 16,082
- Ice
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Philippines / North East UK
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Have you seen my Helios profile for BMS? Basically you have the entire left, center, and right set of switches and knobs, plus some pages for data cards and hopefully other charts as well. I've stopped using my Cougar MFDs as I put the MFD right inside the Helios profile. I essentially have a fully-working center console with instruments, MFDs, ICP, and other switches. I did start with an iPad and a small touchscreen monitor but it wasn't long before I knew I needed a bigger screen. Less "lag" compared to the iPad solutions as well.
I do agree with you that a physical switch/knob is much better if nothing but for the tactile response (using the knobs can be a challenge!), that is why I made my .key file so that all switches/knobs will give an audible response when triggered.
In any case, good luck with your build and I look forward to more pics! Don't hesitate to message me if you'd like to know more about touchscreen and Helios though!
- Ice
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#3896911 - 01/17/14 03:41 PM
Re: Some simple panels
[Re: Attackmack]
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 218
Attackmack
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Got some more panels done. These together with a yet to be decided MFD solution will bring many of the most useful controls to my desk. I still have three panels left for the right side (symmetrical to the left ones) but ill have to figure out what controls to put on them.
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#3897770 - 01/18/14 11:00 PM
Re: Some simple panels
[Re: Attackmack]
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 16,082
- Ice
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You might want a Master Caution button as well? And a Alt Gear handle/button as well, this blows the landing gear down, useful when nursing a damaged bird home. As for the right panel, the HUD panel can be very useful in clearing/setting up the HUD during A-G work as some symbology can get in the way.
- Ice
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#3897997 - 01/19/14 11:18 AM
Re: Some simple panels
[Re: - Ice]
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 218
Attackmack
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You might want a Master Caution button as well? And a Alt Gear handle/button as well, this blows the landing gear down, useful when nursing a damaged bird home. As for the right panel, the HUD panel can be very useful in clearing/setting up the HUD during A-G work as some symbology can get in the way. Good ideas, didn't even think about the master caution!
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#3899142 - 01/21/14 05:21 PM
Re: Some simple panels
[Re: Attackmack]
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 218
Attackmack
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Got some of the switches today so heres some pics of the panels with switches on! LG switch is to be changed for another kind with a safety cap, and other minor changes in buttons/switches will be done. And if I get some free time I'm gonna redo the graphics on some panels and at that time ill be polishing some of the more rough edges that happened on some of the panels. The blade I'm using is for rough wood and not plastic, and while it works great most of the times it occasionally shreds the plastic somewhat. Anyways, I'm happy with the result as well as the design of these! Im wondering how they will work with backlighting though…
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#3900389 - 01/23/14 05:29 PM
Re: Some simple panels
[Re: Attackmack]
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 16,082
- Ice
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OOOOoooooo..... sweet! Any chance of pics from the back of the panels? Might be a good idea to put a ruler or something to show scale for both the panels and the switches/buttons too. In fact, you might want to post details of the switches/buttons in case others are interested in building their own.
A slap switch is a button at the left side of the cockpit near the throttle and is tied to Program 5 of the CMDS. I set it as my "panic countermeasures" button and each press dispenses 1 chaff and 1 flare. This way, you have 3 countermeasure programs at your fingertips... program 1-4 as set in your CMDS panel via CMS Forward, program 6 via CMS Left, and program 5 via the slap switch.
Hope that helps!
- Ice
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#3900432 - 01/23/14 06:30 PM
Re: Some simple panels
[Re: - Ice]
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 218
Attackmack
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Posts: 218
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OOOOoooooo..... sweet! Any chance of pics from the back of the panels? Might be a good idea to put a ruler or something to show scale for both the panels and the switches/buttons too. In fact, you might want to post details of the switches/buttons in case others are interested in building their own.
A slap switch is a button at the left side of the cockpit near the throttle and is tied to Program 5 of the CMDS. I set it as my "panic countermeasures" button and each press dispenses 1 chaff and 1 flare. This way, you have 3 countermeasure programs at your fingertips... program 1-4 as set in your CMDS panel via CMS Forward, program 6 via CMS Left, and program 5 via the slap switch.
Hope that helps! Ah I see, sounds useful indeed! Well theres not enough room for these panels to add any more switches without making it too narrow and clumsy so ill have to slap something else when the time comes =) When I get about making the actual housing for the panels, it will be possible to add additional space for panels stretching backwards. I will decide upon this when I get there since I think it will take up too much room on my desk and interfere with other daily work. Im still waiting for the second batch of buttons and switches but when they arrive ill make sure to take some more pics and put up a more detailed description on how I made these.
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#3900700 - 01/24/14 06:44 AM
Re: Some simple panels
[Re: RogueSqdn]
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 218
Attackmack
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Posts: 218
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Just wanted to give you a shot of one I just finished, the MISC panel. It's in two parts: a 5mm underlayment plywood layer that the switches are mounted to, and a 1/4" MDF top layer. The backs on the holes on the MDF are countersunk, allowing it to lay flat against the bottom layer of plywood, while hiding the nuts that hold the switches on. Nice! I too wanted to make the panels the same design as the f16, more true to life, but since im doing my best to preserve space I had to throw that idea out the window =/ What switch do you use for the tripple stage toggles like AP and Master Arm?
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#3900752 - 01/24/14 10:47 AM
Re: Some simple panels
[Re: Attackmack]
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 529
RogueSqdn
USAF Veteran
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USAF Veteran
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Posts: 529
Advance, NC
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Don't remember the part number, but I got my switches mostly from Digikey and some from RadioShack. You can use any SPDT or DPDT that is ON OFF ON.
Each of those requires two connections on the board.
Jared ----- FalconNW MachV, Obutto R3volution
DEFENSOR FORTIS
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Exodus
by RedOneAlpha. 04/18/24 05:46 PM
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