ACP

[wpslider]

First trial with a real ACP

[rprather]

Looks like a successful first trial! Always exciting to see real hardware lit up. Looks like the lightplate is still in good shape too.

[fsaviator]

First trial with a real ACP

Very nice.  That is my next step.  Can you expand?  How are you interfacing it?

[saabpilot]

+1

I have two - not yet interfaced so serves only as a X-mas tree at the moment, with their 5VDC feed for backlight.   
They use 25 or so real a/c lamps, so draws some current - 1A at 5V each.
Will be interfaced via a Bodnar (FSUIPC) card to the extent possible.

For more information take a look at Iain's super excellent blog site:
http://www.flaps2approach.com/journal/2012/10/28/converting-genuine-b737-audio-control-panels-acps.html

Bjorn

[jskibo]

Nice work....Looks great!

[fsaviator]

+1

I have two - not yet interfaced so serves only as a X-mas tree at the moment, with their 5VDC feed for backlight.   
They use 25 or so real a/c lamps, so draws some current - 1A at 5V each.
Will be interfaced via a Bodnar (FSUIPC) card to the extent possible.

For more information take a look at Iain's super excellent blog site:
http://www.flaps2approach.com/journal/2012/10/28/converting-genuine-b737-audio-control-panels-acps.html

Bjorn

Thanks Bjorn.  I hadn't seen that site! 

Here's a question for the masses on the ACP.  I'm just getting ready to delve into it and wondering:  Do I want to run my speakers and mics directly into the ACP, or, do I run them into an interface.  If interfaced will I be able to control the volumes?  What I'm trying to ask is, if I run the COM1 volume control into a Leo Bodnar card for instance, is there a function in FSUIPC or Prosim, that I can map that will then lower my COM1 volume if I turn the knob?

Thanks!

[saabpilot]

Hi again,

Short answer - you cannot control the audio volume through a Bodnar card.
You can however control the MIC connection to either COM1 and maybe COM2 for transmit as well as control them on/off for listening.
You can also control the ADF/NAV/DME ident on/off.
The ACP pots could possibly control audio on a speaker line or headset line, but I am unsure of that as I have not started to install the ACP:s yet.

Bjorn

[fsaviator]

That was what I was tracking too.  Im brainstorming how to run my speaker outputs through the ACP, as well as headsets.  I really need to sit down and put some thought into.  I would like to be able to use the unsupported function controls for things like overall sim volumes, teamspeak, etc

[ivar hestnes]

Ruscool is worth a look...
http://www.ruscool.co.nz/control_boards.html

[fsaviator]

Ivar, I saw the intercom board he has.  Are you using them?

Warren

[jackpilot]

I have the pinout supplied by gables.

Better to apply the "Gut and Rewire" method.
Trying full functionnality is probably impossible.

Handy for com1 com2 switch/ markers/idents and intercom between pilots.

And really looks like a million on a pedestal...best feature by far!

[Nat Crea]

I have the pinout supplied by gables.

Yes Im still waiting

Nat

[ivar hestnes]

Ivar, I saw the intercom board he has.  Are you using them?

Warren

Not yet Warren, but I am thinking of buying them. They will give some of the functionality I am looking for, but not all.

[fsaviator]

I've got the pinouts, and I even bought pre-soldered wires and cut them in half.  I can connect one up now, but I'm looking to get the most fuctionality out of them

[Kennair]

Ivar, I saw the intercom board he has.  Are you using them?

Warren

Hi Warren, we have 3 of the Ruscool intercom boards in our B777 sim and they work great.  We usually only use them for cockpit intercom but we're doing World Flight in November and will be flying online.  They offer great flexibility for headsets, PTT functions and volume control and easily gang together should you require multiple units.

Ken.

[fsaviator]

Ken, are the connectors Aviation connectors or regular PC headet/mic connectors?

I take it you end up running all the sim sounds through the board?

[jackpilot]

I have the pinout supplied by gables.

Yes Im still waiting

Nat

Has to be old age
Email sent right away.

[Nat Crea]

Merci Jack 

Nat

[Kennair]

Ken, are the connectors Aviation connectors or regular PC headet/mic connectors?

I take it you end up running all the sim sounds through the board?

Warren the connectors are just screw terminals so you can use whatever plugs you like.  The boards accept a wide range of mikes so aircraft headsets are catered for.  We're just using standard 1/4" jacks into cheap PC headsets for the moment till we finish testing them out. 

No, only comms run through the boards, all aircraft engine and environment sounds are through the main speakers, same as real world.  Headsets are very small ear pieces so no problem hearing all external sounds when they are on.  When flying online the boards are connected to a separate non FS PC using FSINN to keep the load off the main so not possible to run aircraft sounds through them.

The thing I liked about these boards is that they are designed for flightsim usage exclusively.  The NZ boys have really thought about everything when it comes to flexibility, both in mike types and connectivity.  Various PTT functions mean you can have intercom open mike and ATC on PTT or all open or all PTT, whatever you like, just wire differently to facilitate.  They interconnect very easily also if you need multiple stations, we have 3 (which I think is the max).  I highly recommend them obviously.

Ken.