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Main => Builders Discussions => Topic started by: fsaviator on March 20, 2010, 10:04:27 PM

Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on March 20, 2010, 10:04:27 PM
Ladies and Gents,

I would like to officially announce that construction has begun on my Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator. Not much there right now but that is changing daily.

Visit my website to watch my progress:

B737NG-SIM (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/newsandupdates.php)

I welcome comments on the build and the site. Incidentally can someone tell me how to cut the time back on my intro page. I'm using Network Solutions website builder, but there is no setting for time.

Cheers!
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: ivar hestnes on March 21, 2010, 03:52:07 AM
It seems like you are up for a good start.
I am looking forward to watch your progress :)

Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Trevor Hale on March 21, 2010, 05:54:06 AM
Warren, this looks great.  I am looking forward to seing how you progress.  In fact I am eager to hear how you enjoy your Throttle when it arrives.  I am curently thinking about getting one of these, and would love to know what you think about it.

Trev
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on March 21, 2010, 06:35:16 AM
Thanks for the kind words.  I'll definitely keep everyone posted.

Thanks for putting the thread in the right board, Trevor.

Warren
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: jackpilot on March 21, 2010, 01:25:41 PM
Hi Warren
Are you sure that you want to chop a full foot out of an FDS shell?
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Maurice on March 21, 2010, 02:43:09 PM
Quote from: jackpilot on March 21, 2010, 01:25:41 PM
Hi Warren
Are you sure that you want to chop a full foot out of an FDS shell?

... especially out of the back as this is the section that has the most reinforcements to hold it all together. I think the structural integrity of the shell would seriously suffer with such drastic surgery.

Maurice
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on March 21, 2010, 03:29:20 PM
I don't want to, but I'm left without a choice based on my room.

it's really not as drastic as it sounds.  The shell I'm copying is the wooden shell.  Same idea as the old FDS shell.  I'm thinking I can lose at least six inches of the front as anything in front of the point of the windshield is bonus.  it was designed in the days of CRT monitors.  It's all up to the projectors.  My short throw projectors can cover the gap and project a four foot high image in the limited space left in front.  The sides will be the tough one.  I'll have to get creative on the cant/slope of the side windows to fit the image in.

As for the back, it will be a little tighter to the back of the seats.  I would rather compromise there, than in the actual working area.

Structurally it won't be an issue as I'm going to tie it in to the walls of the room.

It all works fine in my head!  We'll see what it translates out to in reality.

Warren
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on May 04, 2012, 06:37:04 AM
Wow...  hadn't realized how long since I'd posted in this thread...

Here's a link to the newest update on my sim, but if you surf the site you'll see past updates I neglected to put in here:

http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2012/05/04/mip-nearing-completion/ (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2012/05/04/mip-nearing-completion/)
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: DaveC on May 04, 2012, 04:59:38 PM
Looks REALLY nice Warren!  I have huge respect for you guys that build most of the parts yourself.  Makes me realize how lazy I am.  Nice work.  Good luck.

Dave C.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on May 04, 2012, 05:35:39 PM
Thanks Dave.  I won't lie...  there have been many times I've emailed Peter at FDS and almost gone over the edge.  I would like nothing better than to spring for one of their top rate setups.  With a daughter starting college this year, a move across the pond, and a trendy ten year-old girl I just can't afford it.  Hell, I can't afford what I'm doing now.  I justify it by saying that I'm learning new skills, which I am.

Now as far as tools...  I've gotten a lot of nice tools supporting this hobby and I've learned some cool skills such as powder coating, CNC, metalworking, welding, cutting, some nice carpentry skills and all sorts of other stuff.

I am very happy with the way the MIP turned out.  It has many flaws that I can see, but for the time being I can overlook them as I built it by hand.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: jackpilot on May 04, 2012, 06:56:06 PM
Tons of respect for that Warren.!
Good work!
:D
JP
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Trevor Hale on May 05, 2012, 07:02:18 AM
I Have to agree, some of us are way to critical of our own work.  Realistically we feel too much pressure from ourselves when it comes to building.  I have built many objects for this hobby of ours, and I am always surprised and interested at the work each and every one creates.

Great Job Warren.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on May 05, 2012, 07:37:55 AM
 :-[ Shucks guys...  you're making me blush.  Seriously though, thanks for the kind words and encouragement.  I will point out that NONE of my build would have been possible without the help of all of you guys/gals here in the forums.

Today I'm trying to get my CNC up and running again.  I fried it trying to install some proximity limit switches.  Decided to upgrade it to USB instead of parallel port as I was fixing it and now my software learning curve has started over.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: XOrionFE on May 06, 2012, 04:25:18 AM
Wow, nice work Warren.  I have tons of respect for you.  I started by getting a CNC and making my first panels and bezels but quickly got discouraged by the amount of work and so I emailed Peter also but unlike you I gave in and bought his stuff.  Still a lot of work and I still feel far from done but looking at you accomplishment so far done with your tools, mind and bare hands really is impressive stuff.  Looking forward to seeing more.

Scott
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on May 09, 2012, 05:28:32 PM
MIP as complete as it will get before move
(http://"http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2012/05/09/mip-as-complete-as-it-will-get-before-move/")
Well, finished up what I can and until my CNC is back up, I'm done.  Plugged everything in to see if it still worked.  For the most part, good to go.  Windows did strike back though.  Although I plugged EVERYTHING back into the same ports, on the same network, it appears that the Win7/WinXP networking bug bit me...  one of my systems refuses to play nice with the others.  I'll have to work that.  Here's a pic.

(https://www.cockpitbuilders.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.b737ng-sim.com%2Fwordpress%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F05%2F002-1024x576.jpg&hash=0c57a162b1c273319a0541956df33af172c83128)

Anyone know how to change the color of the XP taskbar to black?
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: MLeavy737 on May 09, 2012, 07:44:04 PM
Warren,
  Look awesome! Really impressed that your building everything from scratch! Reminds me of the old days when thats all anyone did, either buy real parts or build it yourself.. no kits!

keep it up!

Mike L
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on May 11, 2012, 08:58:55 PM
Thanks, Mike.

I did cheat on the yokes and throttle...  It was a matter of time.  Just didn't have the time to build those myself
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: MLeavy737 on May 12, 2012, 06:31:20 AM
Quote from: fsaviator on May 11, 2012, 08:58:55 PM
Thanks, Mike.

I did cheat on the yokes and throttle...  It was a matter of time.  Just didn't have the time to build those myself

I agree Warren, some things just need to be real!  I remember carving out a yoke,vscrapped that pretty quick for real ones :)

Mike L
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Sean on May 12, 2012, 08:02:38 AM
Not sure you can change the colour of the task bar (other than those themed ones built into XP). There's bound to be a 3rd party app that'll do it. Otherwise, have you tried selecting autohide from the task bar properties and see if it disappears from view?
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on May 12, 2012, 12:28:08 PM
It's autohiding now, except for the last line of pixels that stays visible so you can pass your cursor over it.  If I can change that to black, then it should disappear into the background.

In all fairness, I haven't tried the method above as I've been too busy.  Hope to give it a try tomorrow.

I did get my seat mounts done today so I hope to also mount the ipeco's to them, then maybe even get the rails done.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on May 20, 2012, 08:24:45 AM
Well, the packers crated and packed up my sim on Friday.  Won't be seeing it again until probably the beginning of August by the time I find a place to live in Stuttgart, get settled, and have the household good delivered.

Oh well...  A lot of progress made over the last month or so, at the expense of family time, and other projects.  Now I have a couple of months to focus on the kids and our next adventure.

I'll post updates as they happen.  I expect my two Prosimparts radio sets to arrive any day now.  Unfortunately, I won't be able to do anything with them until I have the sim back up.


http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2012/05/20/building-has-stopped-for-the-time-being/ (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2012/05/20/building-has-stopped-for-the-time-being/)
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on November 15, 2012, 12:36:39 AM
Forward progress at long last.  I've been putting what I had back together after the move and am finally getting back to the fly while I build stage.

I discovered that the electrical grid in the house I am leasing couldn't handle the load of one computer in the basement, much less my full setup.  the electricians are now running a new line into my sim room which should handle the load.  We'll see.

Once that is done, I can put everything back together and fire up the systems (I dread that as it has been about six months since I had them running and while I have a map of what was connected where, I'm sure there will be issues).
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: blueskydriver on November 15, 2012, 02:43:46 AM
Hey Warren,

Good to hear you're getting back up to speed... Just curious, did you switch your items over for 220volt use or have enough transformers?

I remember the days of transformers for everything when I was stationed in Mannheim. You're not far from there at all; maybe, Karen and I can come visit you someday. I keep saying I want to go back; especially, after spending three years there...I still miss it!

Anyway, how much power are you going to have sub paneled into your sim room? If you plan to live there a good long while get more than what you need. You might know already that we had a 100amp sub panel put in a few years back. Since then, I never worry about power anymore.

Otherwise, please post more pics of your sim and if you get time someday, would you drive down to Sullivan Barracks just outside Mannheim and find out who owns the place now. I think the US Army moved out and it might be the German Army who has it (or got it back) now?

Best Regards,

John
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on November 15, 2012, 02:54:45 AM
Hi John,

Electricians just left.  I now have 3860 Watts of surge protected power across four outlets in my sim room, as well as the original two outlets in the room!

Most everything I have is dual voltage, both household stuff and sim.  Habits and left overs from many tours in Europe.  The few items that aren't I'm just buying new power supplies to keep from running transformers (which I still have plenty of).

I just drove by Mannheim the other day.  There is still some stuff there (not much) but everything else has gone over to the German government.

If you guys decide to come over, look me up!

Well, better get to work so I can get back home and get to assembling
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: blueskydriver on November 15, 2012, 04:42:30 AM
Warren,

That should be plenty of power for your setup. Thank goodness you wont have to fool with too many of the transformers; I had one catch on fire back in '88 in the barracks at Sullivan. Back then guys rotating out would give them to the guys rotating in. The one that caught fire must of been from the 70's, but getting a new one was way too costly, so that is why I had that old thing...sure was a fun night in the barracks when that thing starting burning though!

Anyway, how many tours did you do altogether? Are you still on active duty or how did you get stationed back there; are you a GS now? Karen is a GS here in Wisconsin; she dreams of being a GS in Germany, but with RIF's everywhere, getting the overseas GS is a lot harder these days...

How long will you be in Germany this time? Karen and I wouldn't mind visiting next year or the year after, but it all depends on my daughter who is in college and if she'll be done next year or not. Kids! Gotta love'em.

John
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on January 14, 2013, 10:14:29 AM
All right everybody...  tired of worrying about posting updates...  I'm so far behind I'll never catch up so...

here is a rather long video that should capture the status.

On approach to Shannon, Ireland.  I threw in some thunderstorms and winds to make it a little more fun and hand flew the actual approach.  I think I overdid the quality and length of the video though.  I need to do a better job editing.  Sorry for the music...  it's stock Youtube.


http://youtu.be/BO-vRMKyfpg (http://youtu.be/BO-vRMKyfpg)

Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: sagrada737 on January 14, 2013, 11:17:27 AM
Great job on the video, and congratulations on all the progress!

From what I saw in the video, your TQ is motorized.  What functions does it emulate, and how well does it perform?

Mike
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Maurice on January 14, 2013, 12:02:10 PM
Warren,

This is a totally amazing progress especially considering you moved to Germany less than a year ago and had to practically start all over. Well done!!!

Maurice
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on January 14, 2013, 01:52:20 PM
Thanks guys.  You are right Mau, I packed up my sim last May and started rebuilding it in August.  FSWeekend provided the last motivation I needed to get it flyable. 

Still a bunch to do...  the MIP is still missing some backlighting, I haven't hooked the MIP gauges up yet, still need to build my aft overhead, and I still need to put my pedestal together.  Still... it's flyable.  I'm having so much fun I can overlook the things that need to be finished for now.

Mike, my TQ is a version 1.5 Revolution Simproducts Proline (with the additional structural upgrades from the 1.6 version).  It runs on two DCmotor cards and a joystick card via SIOC and Prosim737 (or you can use FSUIPC and FSX).  Everything works (or is supposed to, as the parking brake servo needs some adjusting, but it activates).  It has motorized throttle levers, trim wheels (no manual trim, only auto or via yoke switches), speedbrake is motorized and if armed deploys when it should, and retracts as it should when power is added.  The reverser levers will not move if throttle is not at idle.   The only thing that does not work right now is the horn cutout, but the Prosim update that was just released is supposed to take care of that... just haven't looked into it.

I will tell you, that regardless of what people may think, how long it took to get (and I was an early purchaser), the issues I had getting it to work right (most due to my inability to grasp SIOC at the time) that RevSim and Oral addressed...  the best investment in my sim has been that TQ.  Once I spent some time online with Oral walking through each problem, it has been awesome.  Well worth what I paid back then.  Not everyone has been as lucky as I.  A very good friend of mine still has some issues with his.  Not sure why.



Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: jskibo on January 14, 2013, 02:25:17 PM
Nice job Warren.  Really looking good!

I blew the dust off my Rev Sim, same era, and working with Oral to get it right (SIOC say module stopped, but it runs.  Trim moves 2mm a sec whether sim is running or not).
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on January 18, 2013, 12:37:45 AM
So, finally my updates. All caught up. Click along (oldest at the top, moving down), or go straight to the website. You can also follow on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/fsaviator (https://www.facebook.com/fsaviator):

Printed out the FCOM, FCTM, and QRH (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2013/01/16/printed-out-the-fcom-fctm-and-qrh/)

Setting up the curved screen (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2013/01/16/setting-up-the-curved-screen/)

The shell goes in...  (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2013/01/16/the-shell-goes-in/)

Base and floor almost complete (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2013/01/18/base-and-floor-almost-complete/)

The overhead arrived (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2013/01/18/the-overhead-arrived/)

Installed an EFB (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2013/01/18/installed-an-efb/)

Finally... a Progress Report (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2013/01/18/282/)
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Maurice on January 18, 2013, 04:22:37 AM
Warren,

The pictures do not show up probably because I don't have a Facebook account. Can you post them without using Facebook?

Thanks,
Maurice
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on January 18, 2013, 08:13:44 AM
Quote from: Maurice on January 18, 2013, 04:22:37 AM
Warren,

The pictures do not show up probably because I don't have a Facebook account. Can you post them without using Facebook?

Thanks,
Maurice

Try them now, Mau.  I messed up the links.  Should be good now
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on January 20, 2013, 06:26:48 AM
For better or for worse, I ordered the parts for my new system:

http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2013/01/20/ordered-the-parts-to-build-a-new-pc-for-the-sim/ (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2013/01/20/ordered-the-parts-to-build-a-new-pc-for-the-sim/)

Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: jskibo on January 20, 2013, 06:58:45 AM
Nice stuff Warren!

I'm torn between 680/670 and a 7970 right now to replace my SLI GTX 275's
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on January 20, 2013, 07:52:53 AM
Quote from: jskibo on January 20, 2013, 06:58:45 AM
Nice stuff Warren!

I'm torn between 680/670 and a 7970 right now to replace my SLI GTX 275's

Check out the Passmark Benchmarks here, if you haven't already:

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=Radeon+HD+7970&id=51 (http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=Radeon+HD+7970&id=51)

All three cards are there.

The only thing that kept me from going with the 680 was that I always buy the top of the line GPU and I never get a chance to use it's full potential (just like my pair of then top of the line 8800GTX in SLI).  That was $500 I threw away for the second card.

In fact, I almost went with the 660.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on January 28, 2013, 10:15:33 AM
New FSX PC parts arrived!

http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2013/01/28/new-sim-pc-parts-arrived-almost/ (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2013/01/28/new-sim-pc-parts-arrived-almost/)
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: jskibo on January 28, 2013, 10:55:07 AM
Nice! 

I'm collecting for two more PC's now.  Have the Mem, cases, coolers coming from newegg.  Wife grabbed an i5-3570K form Microcenter when she was in detroit and got me an extreme6 MB too, bought another Extreme4 from Newegg.  Just need another CPU and a couple Power supplies

BTW, thanks for talking me out of the 7979.  Got a refurb GTX680 for $419 and loving it!
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on January 28, 2013, 12:31:32 PM
Very nice.  This order was painful.  Everyone charges shipping now to send to APO so that was another $80 in shipping.  The worst part is, I'll be in the US this weekend for a week.  I could have ordered it and brought it all back over in an extra suitcase for less than that.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on February 13, 2013, 06:52:37 AM
So back from my trip and carrying on upgrading my system.  Ended up that Sysprep wouldn't work as I was using an upgrade so I was unable to use my old install.  Got tired of dealing with workarounds and started over.

So..  I'm setting up my GeForce 670 and am at the familiar point of:  what settings do I use for the Nvidia drivers?  What is everyone else using for the Graphics cards settings?  As a follow on of course...  what tweaks for FSX?

Damn this is frustrating...  it is never ending updates...  As fast as I can download and install the Windows 7 updates, after the reboot more are available.  I just want to get to a point where all the updates are installed, so I can image the drive...  it never ends!
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: FredK on February 13, 2013, 03:21:44 PM
Warren....Try using Nvidia Inspector with settings as defined here:

www.kostasfsworld.wordpress.com/fsx-software-and-hardware-guide (http://www.kostasfsworld.wordpress.com/fsx-software-and-hardware-guide)

I do not bother with any of the FSX tweaking defined there...just the use of Invidia Inspector.  Just scroll down to it.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on February 17, 2013, 01:15:45 PM
Well, Excuse the rant, in advance, but short of smashing something, I need to vent.

I have just spent the last two days in hell, with brief glimpses of Nirvana.  The lesson learned...  ALL SATA DRIVES ARE BANNED FROM BEING ANYWHERE WITHIN TOUCHING DISTANCE OF MY FS SYSTEM!!!!!!

I about threw my whole computer off my bedroom balcony today.  I have spent the last two years with my Win7 disk in my system because my last motherboard randomly would decide that my scenery drive (a SATA drive) needed to be my boot drive as opposed to my SSD, with Win7 installed.  The only way to get it to boot was if it read the DVD first.  No tips or trick would fix it and it was the impetus to upgrade my system.

So I upgraded, all was fine, and I decided to throw a fresh SATA into the system for all that scenery and to hold backups...  Good to go!  No issues!  Spent a day installing all my old megascenery to my laptop, then  copying it all to my FSX system (in order to get all the seasonal textures).  A long process.  I would have been better off installing FS9 to my FSX system and installing the megascenery that way (lesson learned).

Anyway...  everything to include REX, loaded....  seen Nirvana in FPS and scenery...  I carry my system down to the basement and install it into my sim (nothing hooked up yet) and boot up.   >:(

You got it...  It wouldn't boot.  Throw the repair disk in that I made this time...  It wants to repair my Windows installation on Drive F...  What?  F?  Out to a prompt, Dir...  Nope, there is D and E with Win7 and FSX, and F.... Scenery.  It appears that my scenery drive picked up a boot sector again (got to love Win7).

Spent the rest of the day trying to fix that then said screw it.  Ripped it out and now I am installing FS9 so that I can install all my scenery again.  Never again will a SATA drive get near my system.  I don't care.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Boeing Skunk Works on February 17, 2013, 02:01:14 PM
I'm still using NTSF drives and XP Pro, and FS9.

I hate change when something works. I was in the military too long to know how that is.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Maurice on February 17, 2013, 02:13:23 PM
Probably not going to help now but I am using Windows 7 with a mixture of SSD and SATA drives with no problems. So I am wondering whether you set up the boot drive in the BIOS. Once it is set, it should never try to boot from a different drive unless the boot drive is not present and then it tries the next one on the list (usually DVD drive)

Anyway, I'm sure you already did that but if you didn't, don't assume the bios will automatically keep booting from the original boot drive when you add more disk drives. In fact, it is very likely the original boot drive will no longer be the first choice in the bios. This happened to me as well when I added the sATA drive but it was a simple matter to specify the real boot drive.

Maurice
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Garys on February 17, 2013, 03:18:16 PM
Yep, boot disk priority is a function of the bios. Nothing to do with win 7 or the type of drive you have. Your boot drive probably got changed in the bios again. Running a mixture of ssd and sata drives here as we'll with no problems. The fact that this has happened twice on two different systems pretty much points to that.

Gary
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on February 17, 2013, 04:11:46 PM
I hear you guys.  Not sure what the issue was.  I had disabled all other drives from booting.  The only thing that was enabled to boot was the OCZ SSD with Windows on it.

Who know.  Twice bitten...  I'm starting to think it is the OCZ SSD.  While it was the first and only drive in the system, on SATA port 1, it was good.  As soon as I put in the Kingston SSD that FSX went on, it took over as Drive 0 and my Win drive became Drive 1.  Even now when I pull them up in Disk Management, it show my windows drive as Disk 1 (Boot, Page File, Crash Dump, Primary Partition) and my FSX drive as Drive 0 (Primary Partition)...

No idea

Warren
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Boeing Skunk Works on February 17, 2013, 04:20:20 PM
As Mr Scott has stated; The more complicated the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Garys on February 17, 2013, 04:25:20 PM
So you have everything running fine again?

Gary
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on March 06, 2013, 12:16:45 PM
Sorry for the break in contact here.  I am back up and running.  Had a few issues there with the hard drive, but got around that.  Actually bought another SSD so now I have plenty of room for scenery.  64GB SSD runs the OS, 128GB SSD runs FSX, and a new 256GB SSD has all the scenery and a swap file.

Got everything back together again and am now tweaking the graphics a bit as well as installing REX Essentials Plus Overdrive (Once I get it downloaded again).  That will go on my instructor station.

Installed my awesome J-Rails (now my seats work great).

Looking for some help on finally getting to the bottom of an issue I've had a long time.  How do I set up the following in FSUIPC?

FO side TOGA
FO side AT Disconnect
FO side brakes

I hope to shoot some video over the next couple of days and get everyone caught up.  All that is left is an Aft overhead, FO CDU, and my pedestal which I have completely blown off since Prosim lets me set COMM and NAV via the FMC.  I have all the parts, just been lazy and enjoying the flying.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Maurice on March 06, 2013, 12:35:17 PM
Quote from: fsaviator on March 06, 2013, 12:16:45 PM

How do I set up the following in FSUIPC?

FO side TOGA
FO side AT Disconnect
FO side brakes


Huh?? Unless I misunderstood you, you simply wire the switches in parallel since they all do the same thing and just run one set of 2 wires for each function to the interface card.

Brakes are a bit trickier and I never configured them so someone else can jump in here.

Maurice
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on March 06, 2013, 01:40:42 PM
Hi Mau,
Didn't think of that...  the switches in my throttles are separate inputs so it never even crossed my mind how simple that is.  Of course I'll have to get into the wiring but that shouldn't be too hard.

As for the brakes...  I'm contemplating mapping the FO brakes to the FSX axis'.  That may do the trick.  I'll mess with it tomorrow
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on March 07, 2013, 11:36:01 AM
Looking for some more tips.  I've finally started to use Nvidia Inspector and with it running it has helped a bit.  I now have 30FPS sitting on the tarmac at KDEN with Gary Widup's scenery.  I'm happy.

Here's my question...  I modified the FSX profile in Nvidia Inspector as directed by one of the many sites on the web. 

Do I need to run Nvidia Inspector every time I start the computer, then load the FSX profile?

Do I need to keep NI running while using FSX?

The only thing I use the computer for is my 737 so I'm more than happy to replace the default profile

Thanks!
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Maurice on March 07, 2013, 11:49:02 AM
Quote from: fsaviator on March 07, 2013, 11:36:01 AM
Looking for some more tips.  I've finally started to use Nvidia Inspector and with it running it has helped a bit.  I now have 30FPS sitting on the tarmac at KDEN with Gary Widup's scenery.  I'm happy.

Here's my question...  I modified the FSX profile in Nvidia Inspector as directed by one of the many sites on the web. 

Do I need to run Nvidia Inspector every time I start the computer, then load the FSX profile?

Do I need to keep NI running while using FSX?

The only thing I use the computer for is my 737 so I'm more than happy to replace the default profile

Thanks!

No to both questions. And if I'm wrong, that would explain some of my problems, but I'm not wrong.  ;D

30 fps on the tarmac at KDEN? Pretty darn good if you ask me. Never ever got that close in any major airport so you must be doing  something right  :)

Maurice
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on March 07, 2013, 12:17:59 PM
Thanks Mau.

I'm not maxed out... using the FSX settings from the Aerosoft guy... can't remember his name...

You can find it here: http://forum.aerosoft.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=9064 (http://forum.aerosoft.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=9064)

or even here: http://www.hweistra.nl/Settings.pdf (http://www.hweistra.nl/Settings.pdf)

Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Joe Lavery on March 07, 2013, 03:43:03 PM
That would be Mathijs Kok, the CEO of Aerosoft. It was me that uploaded the file and like Warren I get at least 30fps at any airport using these settings. It's simply not possible to run all the sliders maxed out, even with the sort of kit available and get high frame rates,

I have all the European major airports from both Aerosoft and UK2000. These are highly detailed but I still get decent frame rates.
Unlimited is definitely better than setting a limit. In flight I can clock up over 100fps in FSX. The only time I get stutters is if I swing the aircraft around hard while taxiing. So I don't do it...  ;)

Incidentally, I'm running an i7 with 16Gig RAM and an AMD Radion 7970 serving three monitors. I use Project Magenta for the flight deck.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Maurice on March 07, 2013, 04:41:21 PM
Quote from: Joe Lavery on March 07, 2013, 03:43:03 PM
In flight I can clock up over 100fps in FSX. The only time I get stutters is if I swing the aircraft around hard while taxiing. So I don't do it...  ;)

Incidentally, I'm running an i7 with 16Gig RAM and an AMD Radion 7970 serving three monitors. I use Project Magenta for the flight deck.

Ok now, are you talking about 3 monitors running one expanded view or 3 undocked views?

Thanks,
Maurice
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Maurice on March 07, 2013, 04:51:19 PM
Quote from: fsaviator on March 07, 2013, 12:17:59 PM
Thanks Mau.

I'm not maxed out... using the FSX settings from the Aerosoft guy... can't remember his name...

You can find it here: http://forum.aerosoft.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=9064 (http://forum.aerosoft.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=9064)

or even here: http://www.hweistra.nl/Settings.pdf (http://www.hweistra.nl/Settings.pdf)

I can't get the file out of the first link. Is the second link the same file? Also, please refresh my memory. Are you now using your THG with 3 undocked views or one expanded front view?

Thanks,
Maurice
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Joe Lavery on March 07, 2013, 06:20:45 PM
One expanded view Maurice, I only have small 21" monitors so I'm not sure how that would compare with a full HD display or 3 undocked views.

Joe,
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Maurice on March 07, 2013, 07:54:03 PM
Quote from: Joe Lavery on March 07, 2013, 06:20:45 PM
One expanded view Maurice, I only have small 21" monitors so I'm not sure how that would compare with a full HD display or 3 undocked views.

Joe,

I thought so. I would only get 100fps in my dreams :)  . Actually, even 30 fps in any major airport would also be a dream for me. Unfortunately, going for a full wraparound takes a huge toll on frame rates.

Maurice
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on March 07, 2013, 09:34:51 PM
Mau, the second file is the same one.

I am running three undocked views with TH2Go at 3840x1024x32.  When  get home tonight I'll hit some of my Aerosoft scenery and get you some FPS, but I'm willing to bet that I can probably hit 20 or so with these settings.

I hope to get REX installed tonight also.  I've been having cab issues and had to download again.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Joe Lavery on March 08, 2013, 04:27:56 AM
We intend to move within the next year or so and I'm looking for a place that can house my sim, which at the moment sits in our dining room. Then I may try a full enclosed system and look for a different way of displaying the external view.
However reading the posts here makes me wonder what direction to take, some swear that there is no better than projectors, while other swear the same allegiance to monitors. I do like the clarity you get with monitors but I imagine the immersion is better with the projectors. I would like to see both but you guys all live in the states, and video clips don't really show a true picture of what it's like.
I've also considered the collimated route, which I'm told is the best of all. I have access to a huge and very accurate CNC router, which would make all the parts in a couple of hours but again I would like to see one first.

Decisions, decisions...  ::)

Joe, 
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Maurice on March 08, 2013, 05:20:36 AM
Joe,

After experiencing the clarity of three 27" monitors, my guess is that you would be  be severely disappointed with regular non HD projectors. As far as immersion is concerned, seeing everything clearly is way better than being immersed in fuzziness. Just my 2 cents  ;D

Where do you live? There must be somebody not too far from you that you could visit before deciding.

Maurice
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: XOrionFE on March 08, 2013, 05:48:02 AM
Tough choice.

If you can do 5 TVs like I did I think you get the best of both worlds.   Mine with TVs is just as immersive as my projection setup was albeit with much much better picture.  Yes you have bezels to deal with but you block them out same as you do breaks in the windshields.

Upside of TVs is no warping to deal with, longer life in most cases, cheaper on energy consumption, lower heat (so long as you go with LEDs and not Plasma), easier to replace even with a dissimilar model if current model is discontinued, easier to move and align, best for night flying by far, and throw X-Plane lighting into the mix and well......

For anyone making this decision try to look at it from all angles as there are many operational factors beside the visual and immersion although you all know what my opinion is on that as well even despite great setups like Nats and the recent setup by Edward.   TVs are still best to me.

Bottom line though is if all other factors were equal it all comes down to your own eyes so I think you need to plan a trip to the states Joe!    You are welcome anytime!!

Scott
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: jskibo on March 08, 2013, 06:23:47 AM
Just to note, the latest generation of plasmas are very low heat, not much more than my older 40" LCD's.

They got a bad rap in the early generation as they were truly room heaters then, but alas no more
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Joe Lavery on March 08, 2013, 07:14:42 AM
Thanks Guys, nearer the time I will have to make that decision. What I have now was relatively cheap to setup, compared to either TV's or Projectors; and I imagine in a years time things could change dramatically. I see that Samsung has just announced flexible OLED screens for their phones. These are high resolution devices that can be bent and curved to any shape.
Imagine that, 3 (or 5 for Scott  ::)) OLED curved displays with no borders, high resolution and no warping software to degrade the image. I reckon it won't be long. Once they have the technology it's just how long it takes them to bring it to market. Could be the answer to everyone's needs.

Well I can dream and Scott I've just booked the tickets....  ;)

Cheers all,
Joe.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on March 08, 2013, 12:18:13 PM
OK!
22 FPS on the runway with German Airports 1 Stuttgart, and then I flew a circuit at 2500 with an easy 30 FPS and I have the Aerosoft VFR scenery installed.

I'm happy!  On to installing REX now.  That has been a pain as it takes forever to unpack those archives.  Finally just copied them to a flash disk as trying to install off my server was slow....
Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on December 30, 2013, 12:44:28 PM
Finally, an update!

Panel Backlighting coming together
Posted on December 30, 2013
http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2013/12/30/panel-backlighting-coming-together/ (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2013/12/30/panel-backlighting-coming-together/)


It has been a while since my last post.  I haven't been idle, just busy working out a plan of attack.

Today I finally completed the initial prototype of my backlighting.  Initial fielding will be in my pedestal, then I will redo the MIP.  The first attempt seems promising, and as you can see, I've learned how to create PCB's and solder SMD LEDs to them.

I tried two different type of SMD LEDs.  The larger ones are 3528?s in warm white (ACTIVE and STANDBY), while the smaller ones are 0603?s in white.  I think I prefer the 0603?s and while they are much smaller, they are easier to solder then the 3528s as they have protruding contacts that you can get to much easier with a soldering iron.

I hope to knock out the VHF and NAV panels this week, and I'll post video as I get through them.

Here's a video of the prototype

B737NG SIM Backlight Test 01 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CtAw0-N07g#ws)
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: blueskydriver on December 30, 2013, 01:11:16 PM
Hey Warren,

Great video and nice job on the backlighting! You mention in the video about you're not good at soldering. Did you tin the tips of the pin items (leds and etc) first, by predipping them, and then let them cool. Afterwards, did you place the pin(s) items through the PBC and use the soldering iron to melt the solder on the pin tips to make the connection/joint? It only takes a little solder to do the job and here is a link to a melting pot to predip into:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#melting-pots/=q1d962 (http://www.mcmaster.com/#melting-pots/=q1d962)

John
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: phil744 on December 30, 2013, 01:15:34 PM
Warm whites do look good, good feeling when you light something up for the first time.

3528 LED's are a total dog to hand solder, there made by an overmould procedure, basically the the solder tabs are held in situe by the plastic body itself, too long with the soldering iron and the plastic melts, solder tabs move and you end up screwing the LED.

0603 are a little different, the die and solder tabs sit on a ceramic substrate, more resiliant to heat and very forgiving. 0603 / 0805 and 1206 are the basic same construction, just the 1206 is much bigger.  Normally i use 0805 LED's, small enough to shove into most tight spaces yet big enough to hand solder if needs be.

give 1206's a try
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on December 30, 2013, 02:06:19 PM
Quote from: blueskydriver on December 30, 2013, 01:11:16 PM
Hey Warren,

Great video and nice job on the backlighting! You mention in the video about you're not good at soldering. Did you tin the tips of the pin items (leds and etc) first, by predipping them, and then let them cool. Afterwards, did you place the pin(s) items through the PBC and use the soldering iron to melt the solder on the pin tips to make the connection/joint? It only takes a little solder to do the job and here is a link to a melting pot to predip into:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#melting-pots/=q1d962 (http://www.mcmaster.com/#melting-pots/=q1d962)

John

Thanks John.

I did not try tinning the resistors...  I should have.  I just got my soldering pot in the mail along with a bar of solder.  I'll give it a try.  The LEDs are SMD, but I did apply the solder to the pads first after fluxing, then let it cool.  Worked fairly well.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on December 30, 2013, 02:14:55 PM
Quote from: phil744 on December 30, 2013, 01:15:34 PM
Warm whites do look good, good feeling when you light something up for the first time.

3528 LED's are a total dog to hand solder, there made by an overmould procedure, basically the the solder tabs are held in situe by the plastic body itself, too long with the soldering iron and the plastic melts, solder tabs move and you end up screwing the LED.

0603 are a little different, the die and solder tabs sit on a ceramic substrate, more resiliant to heat and very forgiving. 0603 / 0805 and 1206 are the basic same construction, just the 1206 is much bigger.  Normally i use 0805 LED's, small enough to shove into most tight spaces yet big enough to hand solder if needs be.

give 1206's a try

Phil, have to agree.  the 3528's were terrible.  Even with the extremely small size, I found the 0603s very easy to solder do to the protruding contacts.  The hardest part was keeping track of the cathode side as it was marked on the bottom.  I'll take a look at the 0805's and 1206's.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on November 13, 2014, 09:27:50 AM
I just put the deposit down on my Christmas present to me...  I won't spoil the surprise, suffice to say, I talked myself into making this leap a full year and half early.  Sometimes I really regret the recharge I get at FSWeekend.

More to follow in what i hope is two to three weeks!
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Trevor Hale on November 13, 2014, 09:45:54 AM
WOW..  Hook, Line and Sinker.....  You would have been further ahead to come to worldflight instead LMFAO!!!!
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on November 13, 2014, 10:34:02 AM
Oh how true...

I have been hiding another surprise which I'll reveal at the same time.  That was my "congratulations for reaching a quarter of a century service in the Army" present.

Unfortunately I have been so busy at work I haven't even plugged it in yet...
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Trevor Hale on November 13, 2014, 11:01:43 AM
Congrats Warren, 25 years of Service is an amazing milestone.  Although I am not a US Citizen, I do thank you for your service at the same time regardless.

Trev
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: jackpilot on November 13, 2014, 12:53:16 PM
25 years !! Certainly worth a amzing present
Lass mich raten: einen kostenfreien Ausflug in einem C-17
:D

Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on November 13, 2014, 01:10:47 PM
Quote from: jackpilot on November 13, 2014, 12:53:16 PM
Lass mich raten: einen kostenfreien Ausflug in einem C-17
:D


Leider nicht, Jack.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Garys on November 13, 2014, 01:12:31 PM
25 Years, congrats. I second what Trevor said. We can only live the lives we do today because of the serviceman and women of our countries. You deserve that present.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on November 23, 2014, 05:56:00 AM
An update!

Today was a good day.  I finally had some time to play around with my 3D printer and make something for my sim.


Trip Reminders!

(https://www.cockpitbuilders.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.b737ng-sim.com%2Fwordpress%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F11%2Fimage023.jpg&hash=05de079372d2bf8a1d08ab22f32812cc7968a747)

I'm pretty excited. They came out much better than I expected. It took me a couple of hours to build the part in Autodesk Inventor, and another couple to print everything out. I used the Acetone method to smooth the piece, then three coats of flat black and a clearcoat to finish it off. I'll have to resand and repaint to get rid of the fingerprints but that acetone works a long time.

Here's some pics:

(https://www.cockpitbuilders.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.b737ng-sim.com%2Fwordpress%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F11%2Fimage018.jpg&hash=7b6db1af49cd1b99413cd3e8bd0dc44ab2660a5f)

(https://www.cockpitbuilders.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.b737ng-sim.com%2Fwordpress%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F11%2Fimage019.jpg&hash=c19e247b7cf4b63f0536409e227cb25ca24e5bf6)

(https://www.cockpitbuilders.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.b737ng-sim.com%2Fwordpress%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F11%2Fimage020.jpg&hash=04a3f482abfcc9cba3fe3bba8c419e5206f13565)

(https://www.cockpitbuilders.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.b737ng-sim.com%2Fwordpress%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F11%2Fimage021.jpg&hash=2fb5132cc5e007ff47bc190cb5a84047c2cfb5a0)

(https://www.cockpitbuilders.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.b737ng-sim.com%2Fwordpress%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F11%2Fimage022.jpg&hash=99320277019ad2dccf9ca8dd8dfab96323672c19)

(https://www.cockpitbuilders.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.b737ng-sim.com%2Fwordpress%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F11%2Fimage024.jpg&hash=49d4ed1c26af7f3a3d036c958d328a1743246c6c)

(https://www.cockpitbuilders.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.b737ng-sim.com%2Fwordpress%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F11%2Fimage025.jpg&hash=fdca39487195ad92a1ac6690922e906e5b0cceca)


See the full post at:  http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2014/11/23/trip-reminders/ (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2014/11/23/trip-reminders/) or https://www.facebook.com/fsaviator (https://www.facebook.com/fsaviator)
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Trevor Hale on November 24, 2014, 02:41:02 AM
Bloody Awesome!  Nice work Warren.  You must be liking that toy :)
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on November 24, 2014, 08:24:23 AM
I am just amazed that I actually was able to check a project off the list!! ;D
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Joe Lavery on November 24, 2014, 12:57:18 PM
Brilliant Warren, looks like another little toy to add to my collection. Which printer do you have by the way.

Joe.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on November 25, 2014, 08:46:14 AM
It is fun to mess with, Joe.

I have a solidoodle 3.  The bed is 200mm x 200mm

Warren
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on December 28, 2014, 02:46:25 PM
Soooo.... who can guess what Santa gave me for Christmas....  here's a hint:

(https://www.cockpitbuilders.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.b737ng-sim.com%2Fwordpress%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F12%2FP1020775-Medium.jpg&hash=9bad440537349a47e69ab26117cdd965a4921f15)
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: tennyson on December 28, 2014, 10:07:11 PM
A knob!!!!




Frank Cooper
(I'm also hoping for a set, too!)
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on December 29, 2014, 03:02:25 AM
No, Frank!  No knobs (yet ;D)

Can you guess from the picture.  It is very distinctive.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Trevor Hale on December 29, 2014, 03:24:32 AM
A New MIP LOL  Either that or "ORANGE LED's" ha ha ha
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on December 29, 2014, 03:41:23 AM
You win, Trevor!  I finally got around to ordering an FDS MIP 2.0 Bundle.

That IBL sure looks good.

More to follow
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Trevor Hale on December 29, 2014, 04:12:50 AM
Awesome News Bud!  I hope you enjoy it :)
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on January 05, 2015, 10:08:35 AM
So.  First day back to work and first evening away from my sim which is deep in to build 2.0.  Necessarily i have had to take a break as I am away from home for the evening.  Actually have time for an update!

Yes, as noted above on 23 December Santa delivered my FDS MIP 2.0  bundle to  EDDS.  Along with that he found room and included the full FDS interior liners to boot.  I am ashamed to admit that I packed my visiting mother off on a blind booking trip to Brussels and bribed the kids with a new iphone to leave me alone.  I then turned the basement into what looks like an boeing boneyard with a shiny new MIP in the middle.

Another item that I bought that has been waiting patiently is a full up CP flight pedestal.  I haven't even plugged it in yet. 

My sim is currently disassembled and being reborn as build 2.0.  At first i was dreading this but let me tell you I am now so excited to apply the lessons from all these years building into this rebuild.  I am taking slow and methodical..

More to follow so stay tuned.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Sam Llorca on January 05, 2015, 11:04:05 AM
Awesome,  Warren,  hope to see some pictures soon, enjoy.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Trevor Hale on January 05, 2015, 11:06:12 AM
Wow Warren, that's awesome.  I can hear the excitement in your voice.  I remember not to long ago when you were moving to Germany you had to sell everything because you didn't think you would be able to truck it all there. 

I am soo glad to hear that you are now getting setup again.

I just hope you won't have to sell it all if you decide to move back :)

Keep us updated.

Trev
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on January 06, 2015, 01:49:57 PM
So, has anyone taken an Ace Yoke apart...?

Well, I now have.  Let me tell you, it is not for the faint of heart.  There were several moments where I had the "well, I guess I could move the FO yoke over to the captain side and use that until I eventually get this back from Ali" thought.  However, I persevered and it is all back together and working.

Reason I took it apart:

1. The upper elbow has developed some play and twists slightly within the bolt holes.
2.  I really wanted to use this HRS100 Hall Effect Sensor I have laying around

Lessons learned:

1.   The play in the elbow is due to the holes in the upright tube being too large for the bolts that screw into the elbow (they were made that way, they didn't stretch out as they appear uniform and round).  After pulling it apart it is apparent that the only fix is tapping out the holes in the elbow and using a larger bolt, or going through with a set screw in a different location, say the back.

2.  The HRS100 is about 1mm too deep to work.  the assembly that holds the bike chain and springs rubs against the hall effect sensor and binds.  Tough luck on that, I guess.  Oh well the pot is still good and I have an extra as I replaced the elevator pot with a HE sensor and plan to due my rudders and tiller too as I have them on hand.

3.  A milled part in my yoke assembly is actually broken.  The break is in a location that doesn't affect it though.

4.  While the paint Ali uses looks nice, it chips easily.

5.  All in all, it is a very well engineered product.  It is solid and built to last

6.  Unless you are adventurous, don't mess up your cabling to the point you have to replace it...  you are not getting it out without taking the whole yoke apart to the very last piece.

I promise to add pics.  I'm just beat right now.





Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator (Update)
Post by: fsaviator on April 07, 2015, 02:33:44 PM
Catching up with the updates.  Build 2.0 is born.

http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2015/04/07/build-2-0-is-born/ (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2015/04/07/build-2-0-is-born/)
Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on April 07, 2015, 02:34:31 PM
Another update.  FDS MIP!

http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2015/04/07/new-mip-arrives/ (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2015/04/07/new-mip-arrives/)
Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator (Update)
Post by: fsaviator on April 08, 2015, 11:17:54 PM
Update on Liners.  Still not completely done with them but very close now.

http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2015/04/07/fds-liners-arrive/ (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2015/04/07/fds-liners-arrive/)
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on April 08, 2015, 11:44:25 PM
Quote from: jackpilot on November 13, 2014, 12:53:16 PM
25 years !! Certainly worth a amzing present
Lass mich raten: einen kostenfreien Ausflug in einem C-17
:D
Jack, a special post to answer yours!  Sorry it took so long.

In case you hadn't guessed I finally caved and bought both an FDS 2.0 MIP bundle and the liners.   ;D

That was my Christmas present.  Then I bought the new seats (and your rails) for my birthday  :D
Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator (Update)
Post by: fsaviator on April 09, 2015, 03:23:53 AM
click on the link to read my trials and tribulations of build 2.0  :'(


http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2015/04/09/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-build-2-0/ (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2015/04/09/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-build-2-0/)
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: FredK on April 09, 2015, 04:57:33 AM
Warren -

Enjoyed reading your "story".......

I can certainly relate to it as most others here can for sure.

I have spent far more time over the past decade building, remodeling, upgrading, fixing, etc. then I have actually flying my sim.  It seems that when you change one thing it starts a chain reaction of falling dominoes that becomes a nuclear reaction.  But if you are one for whom "the quest" is not appealing then you should really not be building cockpits!

This hobby has helped develop some personal qualities - namely, my patience with frustrations and confidence in my abilities. I can honestly say there is nothing I could not eventually figure out (although presently I still can't figure out why my FSGRW weather program - my current frustration - does not work over my network anymore).

So quit bitching and admit that in the end you (mostly) enjoy it all!

Fred
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on April 09, 2015, 10:22:16 AM
Ha Fred!

You are right.  I do enjoy it.  The best part is that I should be "done" soon, and then I get to tear it all down to move back to the US!  I'm already planning build 3.0!
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: quid246 on April 09, 2015, 10:50:39 AM
I think it's easy to say... it's a labour of love.
Title: Update: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on June 10, 2015, 07:59:26 AM
Got caught up on some updates to keep from losing my mind...  I've been firing the sim up in stages since the upgrades and last night I fired up the MIP screens (these are the 18" screens that I bought and tested for fit and function before installing them in MIP, after buying two other screens that didn't fit).

Once my systems PC booted up it was apparent that my Captains side monitor was not working.  Ended up the Display card is dead (somehow).  I had to pull both screens to swap parts to figure it out.  Couldn't find the card online so ended up buying another monitor on ebay for $50.  Now I have five 19 inch screen, four 17 inch screen, and a partially broken 18" screensitting around not being used.  Should get the new in the mail tomorrow.

Anyway  here are the updates:

MAP AND CHART LIGHTS INSTALLED
http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2015/06/09/map-and-chart-lights/ (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2015/06/09/map-and-chart-lights/)

HANDHOLD BRACKETS INSTALLED
http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2015/06/09/handhold-brackets-and-mounting/ (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2015/06/09/handhold-brackets-and-mounting/)

FORWARD AND AFT OVERHEADS INSTALLED
http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2015/06/09/installing-the-forward-and-aft-overhead/ (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2015/06/09/installing-the-forward-and-aft-overhead/)

Enjoy!
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Caflyt on June 10, 2015, 03:19:39 PM
Looks great Warren!!
Keep up the progress
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Sam Llorca on June 11, 2015, 07:22:28 AM
THAT JUST LOOK AWESOME!
CONGRATULATIONS WARREN!!!
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on June 11, 2015, 09:16:00 AM
Thanks guys!  More to follow.  Unfortunately I was just informed that I won't get the monitor until next week so.  Oh well.  Still much to do
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Flying_Fox on June 11, 2015, 09:24:31 AM
Good stuff Warren! I am also finishing my overhead soon. ;)

Nick
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: wildcat02 on June 11, 2015, 09:46:55 AM
Very nice Warren !
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Delphi on June 11, 2015, 11:57:09 AM
Would like to get the conrad partnumber for the handhold brackets.

Thanks!

Ruediger
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on June 11, 2015, 01:43:09 PM
Ruediger,

http://www.conrad.de/ce/de/product/183409/Mentor-Messgeraetegriff-32861003-x-L-10-mm-x-100-mm-Stahl-Hochglanz-verchromt-mit-Kunststoff-Ueberzug-im-Griffbereich (http://www.conrad.de/ce/de/product/183409/Mentor-Messgeraetegriff-32861003-x-L-10-mm-x-100-mm-Stahl-Hochglanz-verchromt-mit-Kunststoff-Ueberzug-im-Griffbereich)
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Delphi on June 12, 2015, 09:40:12 AM
Warren,
thanks for the part nummer.

Ruediger
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on June 13, 2015, 03:17:43 PM
Today I fired up the external visuals. First time in a long time. It gave me a chance to fine tune it a bit as I had bumped the projectors a bit during the rebuild.

http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2015/06/13/working-on-the-visuals/ (http://www.b737ng-sim.com/wordpress/2015/06/13/working-on-the-visuals/)
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Bob Reed on June 13, 2015, 04:57:23 PM
Very nice setup there! Love the visuals.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: jr2mey on June 13, 2015, 05:00:25 PM
That is an amazing sim. Maybe  after you report to JBLM you let me come and drool over it! :o
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on June 14, 2015, 08:34:28 AM
Thanks for the kind words, James.  Don't worry you'll have plenty of time to drool over it as you help me put it back together! ;D

Seriously, nothing I like better than having someone close by to fly with.

Today I fired up the Pokeys card and relays.  Now I have interior lights and stick shakers!
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: jr2mey on June 14, 2015, 02:19:25 PM
Wow, shakers and lights..oh my!  And here I thought I had a great day getting my TOGA and A/T Disengage to work today was great...LOL... :o I had best get my sim presentable before your arrival... When I come over to help reassembled your sim, you might need to have some very absorbent towels at the ready for all the drooling!!!!LOL :cheers:
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: geremybritton on July 07, 2015, 05:45:37 AM
Sim is looking great Warren, excellent work.
Hope you are well!
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on November 22, 2015, 07:26:42 AM
Two days since I watched my whole sim get packed up into a 1m x 2m x 3m crate and get hauled off.  I did OK yesterday but today I find myself going into the basement and staring at an empty room.  I've checked CB.com 27 times today for pictures of a 737 cockpit and I'm currently casting youtube videos of 737s to the 32" TV left in the empty living room.  Two months before I can expect the crate with my sim to be delivered with the rest of my 15 crates of household goods in our new home that I haven't found yet on the opposite side of another continent.  No tools left; no parts laying around to play with; no soldering iron; the movers even took all my booze and drank all my beer.  Today I went out on my balcony for the first time in three and half years and watched a 737 fly over on final to EDDS.  I'm waiting for the girls to get tired an nod off then I think I am going to dig out my gamepad and fire up the NGX on my laptop.

(https://sarumuse.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/internet-addiction.jpg)
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: blueskydriver on November 22, 2015, 08:08:30 AM
Hey Warren,

PCS'ing always was a fun and yet, sad thing too go through. You look forward too moving onto new things and places, but you see everything you've known for years just dismantled. It has been a while for me, but the return to CONUS from EUCOM was not too bad really...

Are you getting 30 days to have a vacation...opps, I mean out process...lol? That was the best part if you ask me; spending a month going to each checklist location and stopping for food, beer, and fun along the way. Hopefully, that is still the case today; the fact that you get too ease out of your current location.

As for your B737 addiction, have you tried Xplane app for iPad yet? It's always fun and can be done anywhere. Plus, you could always research your flight plan for your return flight and print out charts, as well as aircraft specs, and then take them onboard with you. You might get looked at weirdly, but you never know, you might get asked up too the flight deck (long shot on that one though).

Best Regards,

John
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on November 22, 2015, 08:32:32 AM
PCSing is still all the fun you remember, John

I'm taking some leave enroute to JBLM in Washington.  Outprocessing is fairly quick when you're an E9.  Amazing how much more streamlined the process is when they know they can't mess with you.

I had Xplane on my tablet but the kids made me uninstall it when I fired it up after takeoff on our last vacation flight together.  Not sure what their problem is.  I'll have to install it again
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: jackpilot on November 23, 2015, 09:39:44 AM
Still have your rails
Keep me posted on new address
:D
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: RayS on November 23, 2015, 10:10:01 AM
Warren,

When your 737 lands at JBLM and you're ready to re-assemble, give me a shout.. I'll be happy to come on down and help.

Do you know yet if you're on-base or off-base housing?
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on November 23, 2015, 10:22:41 AM
Quote from: jackpilot on November 23, 2015, 09:39:44 AM
Still have your rails
Keep me posted on new address
:D
You bet, Jack.  Thanks
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on November 23, 2015, 10:24:19 AM
Quote from: RayS on November 23, 2015, 10:10:01 AM
Warren,

When your 737 lands at JBLM and you're ready to re-assemble, give me a shout.. I'll be happy to come on down and help.

Do you know yet if you're on-base or off-base housing?
Thanks Ray.  I'm looking off-post.  Right now everything points to Dupont based on what I'm seeing online for availability, convenience, cost and size.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: jr2mey on November 24, 2015, 07:55:46 PM
Warren, if you find yourself needing a set of extra hands reassembling your sim, give me a shout! It would be great to meet you and see your project!  Maybe I might even steal a few ideas from you for when i get my shell and mount the overhead into it!
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on November 25, 2015, 07:49:45 AM
You bet James!  We'll make it a sim assembling party!
Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on April 17, 2016, 08:51:14 PM
Just a quick update as I've been out of touch for a while.

I want to report that I made it to Washington safe and sound and from what I can see, my sim parts did too.  Kudos to the packers in Germany.  I was about three thousand pounds overweight but hey... probably still cheaper than shipping it separate.

So, as much as I'd like to report that I am in the process of putting my sim back together, its just not so.  Since taking over responsibility for my unit on 5 February I have been on the run, non-stop.  I hadn't even unpacked and I was off to Korea and Japan!  I just got back last week after five weeks over there.  The trip was cool but I haven't even looked at my sim which remains boxed up in the garage.

The worst part is that I have to head out to Leavenworth, Kansas for three weeks on the 24th and the kicker... shortly after I return I am off to an as of now unnamed place for six months.  It looks like the sim will remain as is until this time next year!

In the meantime, I am still unpacking...

So that is the news. 

Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: RayS on April 17, 2016, 09:40:23 PM
Just say the word. I'm up here in Seattle.

Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Bob Reed on April 18, 2016, 04:04:40 AM
Was just wondering aout you Warren. Nice to know all is ok . Keep us posted and we look forward to seeing your sim come back to life, whenever that may be!  :D
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Trevor Hale on April 18, 2016, 05:28:11 AM
Glad to know you are doing ok Warren.  I am guessing Worldflight may have to wait another year then?  Hang tough, and with any luck that unnamed place will be a safe unnamed place.

Trev
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on April 18, 2016, 06:11:38 AM
Damn...  I didn't even think about WorldFlight.  Yes, I'll be deployed again at that time.  As you say, next year.  I'm going to make it to one of them sooner or later
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: geremy britton on April 18, 2016, 01:20:17 PM
Hey Warren, at least the sim is sitting comfy in all that bubble wrap, until your ready for it. Good luck in your adventures!
Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on September 17, 2017, 05:51:44 PM
AN UPDATE!!!!!

Yes, I'm still alive!  I know it has been a while but since my whirlwind move to Florida from Washington I have been running non-stop.
Throw in Hurricane Irma to boot, and I'm ready for a vacation.  I took four days off this week just to get my breath back.

Anyway, thought I would give you a quick glimpse into what I did over the four days!

Yes...  build 3.0 is in full swing.  I will admit to some apprehension as I've been out of the 737 loop as she sat in boxes in my garage for almost two years while I was in Washington state, I can't even remember where I left off.  I do know I was in the middle of rewiring my MIP though.

Stay tuned.

Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Flying_Fox on September 18, 2017, 06:06:45 AM
Welcome to the club (again! ;) ) Warren!
Third time is a charm.  :angel:

Nick :idiot:
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on September 18, 2017, 05:41:02 PM
Thanks Nick!

You can't imagine how frustrating it has been to not have the time and space to build for so long.  Now I have a dedicated 16x16 foot room with a 9 foot ceiling just for my sim!

Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: archen on September 19, 2017, 01:57:16 AM
Looks great Warren. How much space is required for the FDS shell? How tall is it? 

Skickat från min SM-G955F via Tapatalk

Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Flying_Fox on September 19, 2017, 06:45:32 AM
Hi Anders,

From FDS site:

Dimensional Info as Follows:
Width at the Aft End is 8 Feet (2.44 meters)
Length Front to Back is 7 Feet (2.13 meters)
Height at Aft End is 6 Feet (1.83 meters)

My shell sits on 20 cm tall base and ceiling height is 235 cm. That's probably a minimum height you can use to fit the projectors.

:2cw:

Nick
Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on October 15, 2017, 04:57:01 PM
Managed to get some work done on the sim this week.  A little update to get everyone caught up!

I got the seat rails mounted.  Thanks Jack!

I'm the proud owner of a beautiful screen from Carl's Place.  Thanks John!  The screen measures 343" x 91" including the 2.5" border.

I built the frame using 3/4" EMT conduit and used a Harbor Freight Tubing Roller to bend it into shape.  It is mounted directly to studs in the wall.

Blacked out the side windows using removable blackout sheets.  Not a bad job.

I'm going to bring the center projector back another six inches and then add the two side views.  Hope to have it done this week.

Next step is to center up the shell, then paint the cockpit floor.  After that I'll install the liners.

That's about it for now.

Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: jackpilot on October 16, 2017, 04:13:26 AM
 ;)
Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on December 04, 2017, 07:59:56 AM
An update!!!!
This may not seem like a big deal, but I finally lit the MIP.  Almost two years after packing up my sim and shipping it from Germany to Seattle then back across the US to Tampa, we have lights!!!!!!

I've upgraded the interface to an FDS SYS4X.

Baby steps.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Trevor Hale on December 04, 2017, 08:20:08 AM
Nice,  I am very jealous LOL
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: jr2mey on December 04, 2017, 06:46:43 PM
Looking Good Warren!
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: XOrionFE on December 04, 2017, 07:18:18 PM
awesome Warren,
Glad you are finally getting to work on it! Been quite a few years since our meeting at FDS.  Bout time you get to start enjoying it.

Scott
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: jackpilot on December 05, 2017, 03:01:58 AM
Many years indeed ! Goes fast  :(

Go for it Warren, nice work :D
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Bob Reed on December 05, 2017, 03:28:07 AM
Glad to see it finally coming together for you! Watching.. Always watching.....  :P
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Sam Llorca on December 05, 2017, 05:04:33 AM
Keep it coming Warren, looking great!

Let me know if you need any help! I'm right on your backyard.

Cheers!
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Steve Mount on December 06, 2017, 02:01:56 AM
Looking good Warren!
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Flying_Fox on December 06, 2017, 05:37:20 AM
About time, Warren! Congratulations!

:idiot:
Nick
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on December 06, 2017, 02:48:35 PM
Thanks everyone.  Very excited here.  Backlighting is the task for tonight...  we'll see.
Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: gjha97 on December 09, 2017, 03:33:35 AM
Quote from: fsaviator on December 04, 2017, 07:59:56 AM
An update!!!!
This may not seem like a big deal, but I finally lit the MIP.  Almost two years after packing up my sim and shipping it from Germany to Seattle then back across the US to Tampa, we have lights!!!!!!

I've upgraded the interface to an FDS SYS4X.

Baby steps.
Hey Warren, I am over in Clearwater. If you need an extra pair of hands, feel free to ping me.
GH


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on December 09, 2017, 03:59:51 AM
Good to know, Greg!  I'm in Riverview.
Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on December 18, 2017, 06:22:52 PM
Some more progress this past weekend and today!

MIP is all lit up.  Waiting on a new Master warning PCB from FDS as one of mine didn't survive going back and forth from Common Cathode to Common Anode and back.

Got the floor painted.  Great suggestion from my daughter to use textured gray deck paint!

Also installed the shakers that go under the rudders and then slid in the yokes along with their shakers!  I decided to order a shaker card from Ian at BFF simulations in order to really fine-tune the shaking.

Seat rails are mounted!  Using T-nuts is the way to go and makes installation a breeze.

Used the FO side to find the perfect mounting spot for the rudders.  I'll toss in the CAP side tomorrow!

My daughter flies in tomorrow from Germany for Christmas leave.  She is stationed in Stuttgart (at my old unit...  gee I wonder how that happened)!  She was supposed to come in today but her flight to Atlanta was cancelled.  I ended with a free day to work on the sim!


Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Caflyt on December 19, 2017, 12:53:35 AM
Looks awesome Warren.
Very clean and neat. Jealous!!

Craig
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: jackpilot on December 19, 2017, 03:32:37 AM
Absolutely true that each iteration is better than the previous one...
Warren you are close to pro standards! :D

Tell us more about the shakers and location, I'm interested ..
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: FredK on December 19, 2017, 05:46:32 AM
That is just gorgeous!

Fred K
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on December 19, 2017, 10:42:19 AM
Thanks everyone!  It is taking forever but this time I am taking it one piece at a time and making sure it all works as I go.  I was tired of slapping it together and then everything being shaky or needing care to continue to work.

Quote from: jackpilot on December 19, 2017, 03:32:37 AM
Absolutely true that each iteration is better than the previous one...
Warren you are close to pro standards! :D

Tell us more about the shakers and location, I'm interested ..

Jack,  I put two cheap shakers under the rudder pedals and mounted two more on the cross-bar for the linked yokes.  Eventually I'll add them to the seats too if it works out well.  My thought process was that the feet and hands are what really telegraph the feel of the plane to the pilot through runway bumps, gear extension, the take-off roll etc.

Testing using my Buttkicker amp is positive.  I especially like the feeling of engine spool up in the feet!  I ordered a shaker card from Ian at BFF Simulations as the software interfaces the shakers directly to the sim environment through FSUIPC.  You can then adjust individual levels and actions.  I'll let you know how it works out!

Ian emailed me today and he already assembled the card and dropped it in the mail so I should get it in the next week or so (from England).  If this works as well as I hope I may add two shakers per seat (one in the back rest and one in the seat) driven by another shaker card.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Flying_Fox on December 19, 2017, 11:32:54 AM
Great progress Warren!

I also bought BFF shaker card, but did not install it yet.

Nick
Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on December 30, 2017, 01:56:12 PM
Another update!

The BFF Shaker card arrived and it is up and running!  Very nice!  Now I have haptic feedback in the yokes and rudders as I roll down the runway etc.   Still need to install the shakers into the seats but that is another days project.

I also got the 4.1 speaker system used for environmental and exterior sounds installed!

Today I finally fixed something that has been bothering me since I received this MIP.  My rudder and foot rests were narrower than the space afforded by the MIP stand.  It bugged the hell out of me that I had empty space on each side, and more than once I would drop something and inevitably it headed right into the deepest part of the gap!  I has some 3003-H14 aluminum sheet left from another project so I used the table saw to cut it to shape.  I then made new tops for my rudder foot rests.

Here's the end result:

More updates soon!  Prosim737 v2 is due out any day now!

Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Trevor Hale on December 30, 2017, 02:39:49 PM
Holy Crap, that looks excellent!  We all know though where there is a hole, something always finds its way to fall into it LOL.

Nice.
Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on January 01, 2018, 07:28:14 PM
More progress, overshadowed with "disaster".  I'll start with that.

Fired up the sim today to get the controls calibrated and was crushed to see that one of my projectors is going out.  A quick google search tells me the DMD chip and housing are failing.  Apparently this was a known issue that was covered by BenQ within a certain time if purchasing the projectors.  Unfortunately as I haven't put that many hours on them (despite how long I've had them) it is now surfacing, a day late and a dollar short.  Still I've gotten a lot of use out of them.

More research tells me I can fix the problem myself for about $130.  Luckily, I found a working projector that matches mine for $70 on eBay.  We'll see what I get.  Hopefully it is fully working and now I'll have some spare parts too.  Not sure how I'll move forward if another projector goes out though.  I'm not sure I'm ready to plop down $3K to upgrade to HD projectors even with the investment in a screen.  If it comes to that, I may just put out the money to go the 60" HDTV route (get three to start and add another two later).  We'll see.

Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on January 02, 2018, 07:11:46 PM
Despite the hiccup with the visuals I made great progress this past weekend!

The biggest - the controls are all installed.  Both Captain and FO Linked Ailerons, Elevators, Rudders, Toe-brakes, and the steering tiller are all calibrated through FSUIPC.  I held off mapping the yoke buttons until I install Prosim737 v2.0.  I was able to get all the axis' running through the Bodnar BU0836 card that originally came with my ACE yokes.  I had to use all 8 axis which left a problem of what ground to use for the direct connect switches as there are no ground pins on the board that correspond with the switch inputs.  I ended up making a connector for the the two FO brakes that allows me to use their ground for the switches.  Regardless, all inputs now on one Bodnar card.

The floor is in place and I made some cuts to it to allow me access underneath without pulling it up.  The TQ will sit above the hole.  The seat shaker lines are also run.

I unpacked the TQ and set it into place.  That is not hooked up yet as it is a SIOC beast.  I'm waiting to see how Prosim handles that.  Still waiting on my license key though.  Fingers crossed that it is seamless.  If not, I'll have some fun with that.

More to follow on the visuals later this week
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: jackpilot on January 03, 2018, 05:21:28 AM
Just curious, what is the contraption on the glareshield ?  :D
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: navymustang on January 03, 2018, 05:50:11 AM
Flying Saucer  !!!
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on January 03, 2018, 02:19:21 PM
One of these...  ;D

https://www.amazon.com/SE-MH1047L-Illuminated-Multi-Power-Magnifier/dp/B003UCODIA/ref=pd_sim_121_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=N5FZ0Z4H12SW5DE9RQD2 (https://www.amazon.com/SE-MH1047L-Illuminated-Multi-Power-Magnifier/dp/B003UCODIA/ref=pd_sim_121_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=N5FZ0Z4H12SW5DE9RQD2)

My eyes aren't what they used to be
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: jackpilot on January 03, 2018, 03:05:41 PM
 :D

Old age kicking in , hey ?
Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on February 04, 2018, 11:46:14 AM
HI everyone!  I know i've been quiet lately but work has been busy and my sim has been kicking my butt.  More specifically I just couldn't get happy with the control inputs and other systems that relied on potentiometers (backlighting etc).  It took a few days but I isolated the issue to a bad BU0836A board.  I eventually just threw it out and just put in a BU0836X.  I'll use a Pokeys to run what that was running.

Still, I've made progress and today I actually got off the ground for a quick circuit.  My TQ is running great, my RS232 MCP is up and running and I've got the Systems Computer up and running with the MIP DUs.  Still a long way to go but at least I'm moving forward.

More to follow.  I'm still waiting on a shipment from FDS for some PCBs for the glareshield and my second CDU.  Time to put the first CDU in tonight.

Headed to Germany in a week so time is running short again.  I really need to just quit work...

https://youtu.be/XdapAbj1zNI (https://youtu.be/XdapAbj1zNI)
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Sam Llorca on February 05, 2018, 02:05:55 AM
Great work Warren! We need to go for a spin on your sim.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on February 05, 2018, 08:00:09 PM
Thanks Sam.  Look forward to it
Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on September 09, 2018, 07:30:47 PM
It's been a while since my last update - about seven months!  I haven't been idle, just busy at work; traveling, working, more traveling.  I'm also working towards a graduate degree I want to wrap up by next summer.

Anyway, I've been reassembling the sim, making some upgrades as I go, and while I was hoping to have her up and flying today, I just didn't get there.

-I wrapped up installing the liners this weekend, as well as rewiring and converting all my lighting to LED.  Just the part above the glareshield left but I might just keep that out until I build my compass.  I'm at an impasse as I want to get my 3D printer, laser cutter, and CNC up and running but I don't want to take away time from the sim...  I need to retire.

-installed a FlightCom intercom system.  Still need to work out a way to integrate it better - right now it's mounted to the rear of the shell and I've run extensions and plug-ins behind the "eyebrow" panels

-installed circuit breaker lighting - not OEM but my own take.  It works.

-The aft overhead is working now, finally.  At least within the SIOC monitor.  I'll fire up the sim next weekend to check for sure.  All the lights come on at least

Still rewiring some parts and adding fuses.  The shakers and stick shakers are installed but not hooked up yet.  I'm installing 28VDC for those, as well as two OEM relay modules to control the AC and DC power.

-a ton more to do, just little stuff.  I hope she'll fly next week.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: jackpilot on September 10, 2018, 03:50:57 AM
Coming along nicely...good job
Where did you get those little guys? (circuit breaker lighting)

Jack
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Buster99 on September 10, 2018, 10:24:36 AM
Very nice Warren.

I wish I was this far done  :)
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Ianhu on September 10, 2018, 12:17:41 PM
Hi Guys,

I have taken the plunge. Decided to get sim parts on order and Go for it.

Been reading lots and lots on here. No idea where to start other than make MIP first and go from there.

But I expect my journey is going to be a lot like yours elated and deflated. We will see.

Good job on your sim. Do you have a list of 'where you got what parts, Panels, TQ etc' I might have missed that, sorry if you posted it.

Regards

Ian

Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on September 10, 2018, 06:24:35 PM
Quote from: jackpilot on September 10, 2018, 03:50:57 AM
Coming along nicely...good job
Where did you get those little guys? (circuit breaker lighting)

Jack

Jack, got these here.  They are 12VDC.  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074M8BFKG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074M8BFKG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

I'm running them through an OC USBDimmer card that also controls my overhead backlighting


Quote from: Buster99 on September 10, 2018, 10:24:36 AM
Very nice Warren.

I wish I was this far done  :)

Third time is a charm for me...  almost exactly a year ago I started this build (#3).


Quote from: Ianhu on September 10, 2018, 12:17:41 PM
Hi Guys,

I have taken the plunge. Decided to get sim parts on order and Go for it.

Been reading lots and lots on here. No idea where to start other than make MIP first and go from there.

But I expect my journey is going to be a lot like yours elated and deflated. We will see.

Good job on your sim. Do you have a list of 'where you got what parts, Panels, TQ etc' I might have missed that, sorry if you posted it.

Regards

Ian


It's probably easier to give you a list of who I don't have built into the sim (or stuffed into a drawer somewhere).

This is build #3 (the 5th full cockpit though) - I move alot which on the plus side gives me the opportunity to upgrade the sim when it goes back together.  the down side is that it never goes back together the same so it takes forever.

-My shell is a one off I bought from a fabricator a few years ago that wanted to go into business but clearly had an issue with intellectual property - which has led to some interesting conversations over beer with a certain friend/industry CEO.

-Liners are FDS

-MIP/Glare/CDU Bay are FDS

-CDUs are FDS

-MCP and EFIS are CPFlight - I've replaced the MCP front panel with a custom full size version

-Yokes are linked Ace Yokes

-Rudder pedals are Revolution Simproducts

-TQ is Revolution Simproducts

-Pedestal is from Vitor Amaral

-Forward and Aft overhead are Opencockpits (Aft housing is Simworld)

-Seats are OEM



Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: blueskydriver on September 12, 2018, 12:41:07 AM
Hey Warren,

Back in December 2017 you made some new sets of the rudder pedal foot rests with the 3003-H14 aluminum sheeting you had leftover, so I am wondering a few things now:

1. Did you have to remake the actual foot rest shape structure (call it the foundation) that is under the aluminum, if so what material did you use?

2. You mentioned using the table saw, was that for the foundation and/or was it for cutting the aluminum as well?

3. What did you use to make the bends and the countersunk drilled holes into the aluminum so nice; did you use a bending machine and drill press?

4. Do you still have any of the aluminum left over yet?

5. Would you be interested in making me a complete set for both sides (Capt and FO), providing I send you the measurements of my rudder pedal spacing(s)?

PM me and we can discuss your price... :idiot:

Kind Regards,

John
Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on October 08, 2018, 08:15:11 PM
Well, I've made some progress.  I keep getting side-tracked though, both with work and on the sim.

This past weekend I decided to finally do something about that ugly gap between the TQ and the CDU bay.  On my last build I built up the area with MDF panels but there was always a gap that bothered me.  This time I decided to use the remainder of my aluminum I had laying around, as well as some EVA foam.  I spent an evening watching videos on how to make cosplay costumes to learn how to work the foam.  I did deviate slightly on the mounting of the aural warning system to minimize the holes I needed to drill into my pedestal for the wiring.

Here's some pics.  I'm pretty happy with how it came out.

I also repainted the pedestal, fitted the passenger address jack, and the intercom hand mic.  I printed out new labels and installed non-functional circuit breakers.

Oh... added cupholders to the sidewalls, as well as to the side of the pedestal, as well!

Then there is the ground loop gremlins.  We'll see this week if they are gone.
Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on October 28, 2018, 04:18:27 PM
Today was a great day!  After a very long period of time, I finally to the sim from Cold and Dark through a complete flight, to shut-down and cold and dark at the far end!

It's not perfect yet.  A couple of small issues: I can't get my IRS panel digits working, my CPFlight Fire panel and ICS seem to not get enough juice, and my FDS MIP card seems to hang for some reason.  Figured out that if I run the tekworx software it unsticks it.

Other than that, very happy.  Now to figure out how to fly again before worldflight
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: jackpilot on October 29, 2018, 02:37:25 PM
Good to have the "best toy" up and running hey !!!
:D
Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on March 03, 2019, 07:41:48 AM
Yesterday I completed my first soup to nuts flight on VATSIM in a verrrrryyyy long time.  That included a VA assigned flight from KTPA, planned in PFPX, loaded through TOPCAT, flown online, and logged at conclusion with my VA.
It even included a go around due to a runway incursion just prior to touchdown at KATL.  When I signed into my VA to log the flight I noticed it was my first in SIX years....  how time flies.

Most impressive???  I've been dragging this little printer around the world for years... finally hooked it up and even printed loadsheets and routes right in the cockpit from my CDU!

Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: XOrionFE on March 03, 2019, 08:05:22 AM
Oh, that is very cool Warren and congrats on first full flight in 6 yrs.  funny how fast the time flys by....

Scott
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: Sam Llorca on March 08, 2019, 07:18:47 AM
love it!!!
Title: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on March 17, 2019, 04:25:38 PM
KDEN to KLAS.  Looking good.  My daughter just stuck her head in to let me know she's headed out to pick up Chinese takeout!  I replied with "great, in-flight meal service!" .  She looked at me and asked if In was crazy then told me I couldn't eat in here...????
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190317/a7a5fe6a916c2f012403b7fa1ed7fd76.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190317/f066fc5744d2614cb0c50647092a0111.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190317/e12847c2aa03ba493cc6426a04100a0b.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190317/38dad2b3c43d852c0f40fc3cffde552a.jpg)

Sent from my KFKAWI using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: blueskydriver on March 17, 2019, 11:55:51 PM
Hey Warren,

How old is your daughter now, she's the one in the military right? Goodness this brings back many memories with my daughter, who is 28, married and has a 9 year old daughter of her own (granddaughter). We use to order pizza or have Karen make us some meals that we ate from the military type metal trays (almost like airline ones) while flying those simulated cross country trips.

Anyway, the idea of eating food in the sim was crazy at first too, but all the memories were worth the greasy fingerprints and the occasional spilt drinks. Just like in the real airplanes, her and I left our presence of flying, talking, eating and enjoying our time together. Even though she's no longer doing this with me, I know she's still there in spirit along with all those pizza sauce stains, crumbs of breads, and gooey leftover candies underneath the seats...

Do enjoy the time with your daughter and someday the grandchildren, you likely know time goes by so much faster as her and you get older; therefore, cheerish it all, as well as take photos and make videos. That way she can share them with her own children and even her grandchildren as she's telling them great stories of how awesome and cool her Daddy is/was!  :idiot:

Kind Regards,

John

Will you post a pic or two of you and her please? Or, a video of you both flying together would be very nice...have her say hello to all of us cockpitbuilder members!
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: fsaviator on March 18, 2019, 06:29:52 PM
Quote from: blueskydriver on March 17, 2019, 11:55:51 PM
Hey Warren,

How old is your daughter now, she's the one in the military right? Goodness this brings back many memories with my daughter, who is 28, married and has a 9 year old daughter of her own (granddaughter). We use to order pizza or have Karen make us some meals that we ate from the military type metal trays (almost like airline ones) while flying those simulated cross country trips.

This daughter is Cassandra, the junior in high school that is trying to convince me to move us back to Germany when I retire later this year!  She's almost 17.  The other daughter Marina, is almost 25, in the Military, and stationed in....  you guessed it!  Germany!

Quote
Anyway, the idea of eating food in the sim was crazy at first too, but all the memories were worth the greasy fingerprints and the occasional spilt drinks. Just like in the real airplanes, her and I left our presence of flying, talking, eating and enjoying our time together. Even though she's no longer doing this with me, I know she's still there in spirit along with all those pizza sauce stains, crumbs of breads, and gooey leftover candies underneath the seats...

I'm all about eating in the sim, she refuses to eat in there though, so we eat dinner together, outside the sim :-\

Quote
Do enjoy the time with your daughter and someday the grandchildren, you likely know time goes by so much faster as her and you get older; therefore, cheerish it all, as well as take photos and make videos. That way she can share them with her own children and even her grandchildren as she's telling them great stories of how awesome and cool her Daddy is/was!  :idiot:

Cassandra and I have spent more time together in the last eight years than I have spent with my wife, any of my other daughters, or my mom and dad.  We've made a ton of great memories and I have tons of pics and video!
Quote

Kind Regards,

John

Will you post a pic or two of you and her please? Or, a video of you both flying together would be very nice...have her say hello to all of us cockpitbuilder members!

If I can get her into the sim... the last time I got her into a sim and got a picture was in the Cotswold's with Ian Sissons... shortly before he passed.  The pic is Cassandra and I in Ian's sim back in the spring of 2014.
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: jackpilot on March 19, 2019, 05:23:08 AM
Quote from: fsaviator on March 18, 2019, 06:29:52 PM


I'm all about eating in the sim, she refuses to eat in there though, so we eat dinner together, outside the sim :-\


When you settle for good  ::) just build a galley for that purpose !

(Love the Kleenex box on the pic)
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: bernard S on March 20, 2019, 04:32:53 PM
oh too   funny Warren and I have worked together .. only just seen a pic of him.. go figure small world ..
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: blueskydriver on March 21, 2019, 03:42:41 AM
Hey Warren,

Looks like Cassandra most likely will be the pilot in the family, and if not, she certainly will know a lot more then anyone else about what her Dad does, which is a great thing! I do envy the two of you very much...

Have you ever thought about getting her a jump seat ride; in the USA not likely, but other countries might, if you make prearrangements or know a pilot. Or least that's what I've been told by some of my pilot friends.

By the way, where is Marina stationed in Germany? K-town or where? Need to post a pic or two of her, and I'd love too see the videos of Cassandra and you flying your sim together... :idiot:

John
Title: Re: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Simulator
Post by: captain777 on March 03, 2021, 05:14:08 PM
Quote from: fsaviator on December 04, 2017, 07:59:56 AMAn update!!!!
This may not seem like a big deal, but I finally lit the MIP.  Almost two years after packing up my sim and shipping it from Germany to Seattle then back across the US to Tampa, we have lights!!!!!!

I've upgraded the interface to an FDS SYS4X.

Baby steps.

Warren,
I bought an FDS SYS4X board for my 737NG overhead and am having a devil of a time with LED brightness (very dim) using that board. Have been chatting with the folks at FDS, but no progress so far. Did you have any LED brightness issues?  What LED's did you use on yours?  (If you can remember!).
Thanks

Thomas
(aka Captain777)