Welcome to Cockpitbuilders.com. Please login or sign up.

March 28, 2024, 03:47:32 PM

Login with username, password and session length

PROUDLY ENDORSING


Fly Elise-ng
141 Guests, 0 Users
Members
Stats
  • Total Posts: 59,639
  • Total Topics: 7,853
  • Online today: 148
  • Online ever: 582
  • (January 22, 2020, 08:44:01 AM)
Users Online
Users: 0
Guests: 141
Total: 141

COUNTDOWN TO WF2022


WORLDFLIGHT TEAM USA

Will Depart in...

Recent

Welcome

What have you done for your simulator today?

Started by blueskydriver, January 14, 2018, 04:01:20 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 4 Guests are viewing this topic.

RayS

#1125
Upgraded the sim's internal lighting using the Philips Hue system.

A short video of lightning at night. Have to say it's a really nice effect.

Ray Sotkiewicz

jackpilot



Jack

blueskydriver

Here's Ray's YouTube Page:

https://youtube.com/channel/UCkvO_LcIX3iRg1GXzunJPfw

Otherwise, Ray please check your link for the video above...  ;D

John
| FSX | FDS-MIP OVRHD SYS CARDS FC1| PM | PMDG 737-700 | UTX | GEX | UT7 | ASE | REX2 | AES | TSR | IS | TOPCAT | AvilaSoft EFB | OC CARDS & OVRHD GAUGES| SIMKITS | SW 3D Lights | FS2CREW2010 | FSXPassengers | Flight1 AE | MATROX TH2GO-D | NTHUSIM | 3-Mits EW230Ust Proj |

sagrada737

Thanks for the link John...   

Ray's Sim is outstanding!   I believe it is a King Air.  Is there a thread that details Ray's construction on this project?

Mike
Full-scale 737-800 Sim; P3d v5.3x with Sim-Avionics (two computers), FDS MIP,  FlightIllusion hardware.  3-Optoma ZH406ST Laser HD projectors, with 4K inputs from a single Nvidia RTX-4090 GPU (new), resulting in a 210 deg wrap-around display.  6dof Motion Platform using BFF 6dof motion software, driven by a Thanos Servo Controller to 6.2 KW Servos, Lever type actuators.

RayS

I had forgotten to make the video Public. Thanks for the heads-up.
Ray Sotkiewicz

sagrada737

Hello Ray,

I really enjoyed the videos on your site.  Beautiful work and treatment on your Sim.  The "Light Bar" is an interesting concept.

Clear Skies,
Mike
Full-scale 737-800 Sim; P3d v5.3x with Sim-Avionics (two computers), FDS MIP,  FlightIllusion hardware.  3-Optoma ZH406ST Laser HD projectors, with 4K inputs from a single Nvidia RTX-4090 GPU (new), resulting in a 210 deg wrap-around display.  6dof Motion Platform using BFF 6dof motion software, driven by a Thanos Servo Controller to 6.2 KW Servos, Lever type actuators.

RayS

Thanks Mike, I go the inspiration from my good friend Ryan, who sent me this video:


Adding this system also removed something else that was nagging me which was light flicker in the camera due to the camera's refresh rate and the DMX light bar refresh rate.

The video mentions you also need the iPhone app, which you do, but only for the initial setup. The lighting system runs without the iPhone app once you get it set up.
Ray Sotkiewicz

MistyBlue

Thanks for sharing, Ray!  I've been thinking about doing something like this for some time but wasn't quite sure how to go about it.  That last video perfectly explains how to get it up and running in no time and it looks like the effect is fantastic.  Nice job!   

FredK

Ray

Thanks for posting this!

I have added this as high priority for introducing into my sim.
 
The way my projection screen is situated relative to the cockpit is going to be ideal for setting up the light bars to avoid light projection onto the screen.....and very easy to install!

Fred K
Boeing 737NG-800, Prepar3D v4.5, Sim-Avionics 1.964, SimSync multi-channel (curved screen), Optoma 1080GTDarbee projectors (3), Fly Elise warping, FSGRW weather, FDS OH panels and CDUs, SimParts MIP, FDS SysBoards (OH), CPFlight MCPPro and pedestal panels, FI Gauges, PFC controls, converted motorized TQ (SIOC), Weber seats

co735

After not posting for ages...and retiring v1 of my sim almost a decade ago - I am pretty seriously back into simming.  In the past year I have migrated away from FSX into XPlane and the Zibo aircraft (which I fly exclusively).

I've also designed and built from scratch a homegrown Overhead (being replaced in the next month or so) - this homegrown version has no annunciators or gauges, strict switches and was built for less than $300!  I've also done the same for the pedestal bay.

In the last month, I have added some CPFlight Gear, namely the MCP and EFIS.  Looking to get the Radios in the near future as well.  For a throttle I am using a Jetmax which has developed some issues due to age (namely the spoiler axis), I'll replace this in the next year with something new/shinier - for now the spoiler axis is just disabled.  Not ideal but it's ok for the long run.

I have no MIP as my PC doubles as my gaming system, but I am thinking pretty hard about it!

Sorry for the long post, just happy to get some excitement and enjoyment out of flying again!
**STILL building**

sagrada737

Welcome back to the Sim world...  From what you have described, it sounds like you will have a nice setup when completed.

Regarding the JetMax TQ.   Those are fairly easy to work on.   Most likely, the Spoiler potentiometer is bad, or perhaps its come loose in the mechanism.   Simply take it apart and you will most likely find the problem quickly.

Before that however, double check that the Spoiler calibration in FSUIPC is not corrupt.  First go to Windows and determine if the potentiometer is functioning, then recalibrate in FSUIPC.

Remember...   For the FSUIPC calibration of the SpeedBrake (Spoiler), you need to set the SpeedBrake stowed position, then its Full Extended position, then the Armed position.

Mike
Full-scale 737-800 Sim; P3d v5.3x with Sim-Avionics (two computers), FDS MIP,  FlightIllusion hardware.  3-Optoma ZH406ST Laser HD projectors, with 4K inputs from a single Nvidia RTX-4090 GPU (new), resulting in a 210 deg wrap-around display.  6dof Motion Platform using BFF 6dof motion software, driven by a Thanos Servo Controller to 6.2 KW Servos, Lever type actuators.

blueskydriver

Yes, welcome back to home sweet home of flight simulators. Glad too hear your building again...

Also, never be sorry for long posts, as long posts are encouraged. All the information you put in either long or short postings really helps others, and the more you provide, the more others learn.

Would love to see some pics or videos of your progress. How about posting a few?

John
| FSX | FDS-MIP OVRHD SYS CARDS FC1| PM | PMDG 737-700 | UTX | GEX | UT7 | ASE | REX2 | AES | TSR | IS | TOPCAT | AvilaSoft EFB | OC CARDS & OVRHD GAUGES| SIMKITS | SW 3D Lights | FS2CREW2010 | FSXPassengers | Flight1 AE | MATROX TH2GO-D | NTHUSIM | 3-Mits EW230Ust Proj |

blueskydriver

#1137
Hey Ray,

Thanks for the video of the lighting effects. I'm researching them now and found two decent YT videos regarding this type of lighting for race car sim(s):

https://youtu.be/I73VIQvR_qY

https://youtu.be/VuXbvzm7RmY

The guys do a good job at explaining what they done, but we need a "how it's done" for a flight sim from you; please explain everything  ;D

John

PS I agree Fred, you really need too look into doing this....
| FSX | FDS-MIP OVRHD SYS CARDS FC1| PM | PMDG 737-700 | UTX | GEX | UT7 | ASE | REX2 | AES | TSR | IS | TOPCAT | AvilaSoft EFB | OC CARDS & OVRHD GAUGES| SIMKITS | SW 3D Lights | FS2CREW2010 | FSXPassengers | Flight1 AE | MATROX TH2GO-D | NTHUSIM | 3-Mits EW230Ust Proj |

MistyBlue

I picked up one of those Philips Hue hubs and the 2m outdoor LED strip from my local Best Buy to experiment with today.  I also installed the Philips Hue Windows app on the sim PC which  captures the color values from the displays and translates that to the LED strip in real time.

I'm not convinced yet that the lighting effect/color is going to be good enough for me, as there tends to be some distracting flickering, but with some fine-tuning I'm hoping it'll get better.

Worst case, just having the LED strip behind and above me I can manually adjust the light color/brightness through the Hue mobile app to provide some ambient light in the cockpit to match the outside brightness/colors. That already seems to make a nice difference.

RayS

The Hue system does take a little bit of tweaking to get the lighting just right, but overall I am really excited with the results.

Also, I fired up a Pink Floyd video of Comfortably Numb, and sat in the pit with the 210-degree wraparound screen and minus the actual pit, it felt like actually being there.

Tonight I added 2 side-bar Hue lights and was pleasantly surprised during a night landing to see the side lights flicker a bit as I passed each runway light.

I had planned on selling a home-brew lighting solution in my retirement but the Philips system is just too good, while my system seems inferior now!
Ray Sotkiewicz

co735

#1140
Thank you for the kind words everyone!

Quote from: sagrada737 on July 27, 2021, 08:47:39 AMRegarding the JetMax TQ.  Those are fairly easy to work on.  Most likely, the Spoiler potentiometer is bad, or perhaps its come loose in the mechanism.  Simply take it apart and you will most likely find the problem quickly.

Before that however, double check that the Spoiler calibration in FSUIPC is not corrupt.  First go to Windows and determine if the potentiometer is functioning, then recalibrate in FSUIPC.

What is interesting is, on the old PC, I had zero issues.  I built this PC in Feb and since then just noise issues on only that axis.  I've calibrated numerous times, tried USB direct to PC, through a hub etc, no change!  I'm thinking I'll try to dismantle enough to clean the pot and go from there, I'm not afraid of a little work thankfully, just paranoid I will put it back together and there will be parts left over!

I am in Xplane, so no FSUIPC, I do have XPUIPC as a plug in though, but that does not have near the functionality

Quote from: blueskydriver on July 27, 2021, 11:57:39 AMWould love to see some pics or videos of your progress. How about posting a few?

As requested, hopefully they don't come in as some massive size!







In one of these you can see the homebrew ovh - made with plastic pieces ordered from TAP Plastics and just drilled out with a regular old drill and the labels were made using a label maker from stables.  The electonics behind it is utilizing an Arduino with Multiplexers, driven by SimVim (now HCSI).  It was more a Proof of Concept for me than anything.

Another one of the pictures shows the V2 electronics which will go behind the new OVH panels that are on order. Same concept as the V1, just neater (ideally) and adding in annunciators as well as the 7 Seg Displays

Again, thanks for the kind words and encouragement!

Matt
**STILL building**

blueskydriver

What is the USB type in the old PC vs the new one? 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 or 3.0?
| FSX | FDS-MIP OVRHD SYS CARDS FC1| PM | PMDG 737-700 | UTX | GEX | UT7 | ASE | REX2 | AES | TSR | IS | TOPCAT | AvilaSoft EFB | OC CARDS & OVRHD GAUGES| SIMKITS | SW 3D Lights | FS2CREW2010 | FSXPassengers | Flight1 AE | MATROX TH2GO-D | NTHUSIM | 3-Mits EW230Ust Proj |

co735

Quote from: blueskydriver on July 28, 2021, 07:51:25 AMWhat is the USB type in the old PC vs the new one? 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 or 3.0?

Went from a 2.0 to a 3.0.  I thought that might have had something to do with it, but I did try a 2.0 port in the new PC and the issue persists.  Though that old PC was old enough that it could have been a 1.0 port...
**STILL building**

blueskydriver

#1143
Not sure about the JetMax USB protocol, but it can be that or the hub or even the USB wire(s) besides the PC port.

Check the colors of the USB devices, ports and wires. Here is a tidbit for you:

https://www.everyusb.com/difference-usb-1-2-3-generations

Also, if you know how to manipulate the new PC's BIOS, you could see if it has a setting to turn on USB backwards compatibility. Believe it or not some newer motherboards still use this. It's not on by default because when you turn it on the USB bus speeds slows down; the lower the protocol the slower the speed (1.0 slowest and 3.1 is the fastest).

If you turn it on and the JetMax works then you'll know; however, if that's not the case, try unplugging the JetMax, then shut the PC down. Start the PC up and plug the JetMax back in; this will reinitialize it (you might have too redo your XPUIPC settings if you do this).

Post back what happens...

John
| FSX | FDS-MIP OVRHD SYS CARDS FC1| PM | PMDG 737-700 | UTX | GEX | UT7 | ASE | REX2 | AES | TSR | IS | TOPCAT | AvilaSoft EFB | OC CARDS & OVRHD GAUGES| SIMKITS | SW 3D Lights | FS2CREW2010 | FSXPassengers | Flight1 AE | MATROX TH2GO-D | NTHUSIM | 3-Mits EW230Ust Proj |

sagrada737

#1144
John's comments are worth considering...   Since I have owned and used a JetMax TQ in my Sim for a few years, I have some experience with this product in an FSX and P3D environment.

As I recall, the issues that I have had with JetMax TQ were with the USB interface.  Like most FDS USB requirements, to ensure reliability, they need a Powered USB HUB to interface with.  Also, from my experience, USB 2.0 interface worked the best.  That said, USB 3.0 should work as well.

To ensure that the JetMax TQ works correctly, it is a good idea to check that all the Switches and Potentiometers show up in Windows, and that they do what they are suppose to do from the JetMax TQ "game controller".  If it displays correctly in Windows, then it should also function correctly under FSUIPC calibration and control.

Mike
Full-scale 737-800 Sim; P3d v5.3x with Sim-Avionics (two computers), FDS MIP,  FlightIllusion hardware.  3-Optoma ZH406ST Laser HD projectors, with 4K inputs from a single Nvidia RTX-4090 GPU (new), resulting in a 210 deg wrap-around display.  6dof Motion Platform using BFF 6dof motion software, driven by a Thanos Servo Controller to 6.2 KW Servos, Lever type actuators.

co735

I tried your suggestions, John, and no joy!

I have a bunch of cables laying around (who gets rid of them?!?) and will try various cables after work today.

Previously I had the TQ plugged into a USB 2.0 Hub, which moved over to the new system and the noise showed up.  I've since upgraded the hub to a USB 3.0 powered, same issue.  I've tried various ports directly in the PC as well as through the hub and its the same each time.  So I think the last option is to try the cable itself - certainly cannot hurt!

On the flip side, where'd good place to get a TQ from?  I am considering FSC (I am price conscious, but willing to pay a premium if its worth it).  Just trying to get an idea of what I need to set for a goal to reach
**STILL building**

MistyBlue

Building my sim is like weeks of doing nothing (boredom), then a few days of sheer building (terror) ;D

Did a lot of other little things that needed to be done over the last few days, thanks to the bit of incentive from the Hue lighting.

Finally permanently mounted the FO seat on my poor mans car seat rails, and created a support out of aluminum for the side-movement handle on the Capt side.  The forward movement handle will be a different story since it doesn't move side to side with the base.  Fortunately the clevis is snugly attached to the car seat handle so it generally stays upright for now.

Also mounted a second buttkicker mini-LFE in the Capt seat.  One is already mounted under the seat, but I wanted a little more emphasis on the upper body.

And finally, created some 3D-printed clips to hold the Philips HUE LED strip to my shell.  I'll probably redo the clips so it puts the LED strip higher up inside the cockpit so it's not visible from the rear, but for now the proof of concept worked.  Now to do some more testing!

Neil Hewitt

I have to say, I'm always amazed by the level of the work that people here do in terms of fabrication, and setting up off-the-shelf hardware. It puts my little DIY setup to shame.

ame

Quote from: Neil Hewitt on July 29, 2021, 02:40:41 PMI have to say, I'm always amazed by the level of the work that people here do in terms of fabrication, and setting up off-the-shelf hardware. It puts my little DIY setup to shame.

Your little diy setup puts my non-existent sim to shame. :)

co735

So, after some experimenting and all...I realized I had some potentiometers laying around.  So I took another look at the throttle to see if I could replace the p'meter without taking it completely apart.  Took a little work, and burned out one p'meter (I think I had polarity reversed or else it was just a bad one) but long story short, spoiler axis is good to go!  I haven't actually flown with it yet, but calibrated in both Windows and XP and tested ok with no noise showing.

Thank you for the kind words and support everyone!
**STILL building**

Like the Website ?
Support Cockpitbuilders.com and Click Below to Donate