DIY 737 Overhead Panel

[ak49er]

First off, the site looks great!

I have just started to wire the homemade overhead panel I have been working on. I made the OH panel to get me by while I start assembling a more realistic product, I will try to post a few images tomorrow.

I am using a BUO836X Card with switches and knobs I have scavenged from decommissioned equipment.

I have read Ian's Website Postings and I really like what he has done. I do not use PMDG with FS9 but rather Project Open Sky's 737. But, recreating this excellent solution could just be what makes me grab a copy of PMDG 737, as I would love to have the maximum realism for the lowest initial investment.

I also use XPlane. I use the Project x737.

The only difference I have seen in regards to interfacing and assigning items in Xplane vs. FS9 is that I use FSUIPC for FS9 and it offers an "Action when Button is released" and XPlane does not, one must assign for both opposite actions and thus must use a DP** Type switch. I have a mix of switches as they were all free, and am now at a dilema as how to wire this up.

Any recommendations?

[Trevor Hale]

Hey Ak,  Thanks.  I am glad that you have finally dove into the overhead project.  Anything is better then nothing, and I am looking forward to seeing some pictures.  Each of your switches will be a bit different, so basically you will need to get your multimeter out and check how the switches are.  Obviously your best bet is a Mom - off switch.

What the switch does in the off position is going to be a challenge if you are using X-Plane  For FS9, or FSX you can use any one of your switches.

Trev

[ian@737ng.co.uk]

good afternoon ak.........
my two favourite words are 'free and cheap'         so i can relate to your words 'maximum realism for the lowest initial investment'.     no expensive software or hardware here, just a simple solution which works 100% and is totally reliable.     in FSUIPC because of being able to assign an action on press and release, it opens everything up even the two way switches like eng and apu
switches.
i can only comment on FSUIPC because that's what i use.     best advice is look at the software switch and decide what type of switch it is (on/off,  on/off/on etc).   then translate that into the switch you can use.
second bit of advice is DP switches.   that means you can switch to the card with one side and then you have the other side to either route power to an LED or as in my case to PIC's which are controlling the annunciator logic.
last bit of advice......hook up a couple of switches to see what you can do with them.   trust me you will soon get the hang of it.........
good luck and if you need any more help, just ask ......
regards from wales ......   ian

[ak49er]

Just a quick post before I fly home, PABG to PANC on a Piper Navajo. Will comment later. thanks for replies.

[ak49er]

Another....

[Trevor Hale]

Awesome Ak..  Looks good.  More...more...more LOL 

Just so you know, next to the "browse" button for the attachment there is a link called "More attachments" it will add more lines so you can attach I believe up to 5 images to a post.

Just helping ya out.. 

Trev

[Boeing Skunk Works]

Looks great. Leo's cards are the best.

[ak49er]

Yes, thanks guys, Trevor, I did try to attach more, two to be exact, the first time. But it "timed out" on me, maybe a slow computer, maybe the pictures were too big, either way I was late getting to the airstrip, so a double post, I did.

[Trevor Hale]

Hey No worries, I am just glad you were able to share the information.  Great pictures by the way, I am very impressed with your approach.

Trev