Cockpitbuilders.com

Main => Builders Discussions => Topic started by: wpslider on March 10, 2013, 09:27:27 AM

Title: ACP
Post by: wpslider on March 10, 2013, 09:27:27 AM
First trial with a real ACP

(https://www.cockpitbuilders.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash3%2F581749_522960714422338_1443732614_n.jpg&hash=165a2974a597e70396bb303909cbd772b2516094)

Title: Re: ACP
Post by: rprather on March 10, 2013, 06:52:31 PM
Looks like a successful first trial! Always exciting to see real hardware lit up. Looks like the lightplate is still in good shape too.
Title: Re: ACP
Post by: fsaviator on March 10, 2013, 10:38:43 PM
Quote from: wpslider on March 10, 2013, 09:27:27 AM
First trial with a real ACP

(https://www.cockpitbuilders.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash3%2F581749_522960714422338_1443732614_n.jpg&hash=165a2974a597e70396bb303909cbd772b2516094)

Very nice.  That is my next step.  Can you expand?  How are you interfacing it?
Title: Re: ACP
Post by: saabpilot on March 11, 2013, 04:38:41 AM
+1

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

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

Bjorn

Title: Re: ACP
Post by: jskibo on March 11, 2013, 04:59:38 AM
Nice work....Looks great!
Title: Re: ACP
Post by: fsaviator on March 11, 2013, 09:06:46 AM
Quote from: saabpilot on March 11, 2013, 04:38:41 AM
+1

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

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

Bjorn

Thanks Bjorn.  I hadn't seen that site! 

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

Thanks!
Title: Re: ACP
Post by: saabpilot on March 11, 2013, 09:53:58 AM
Hi again,

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

Bjorn
Title: Re: ACP
Post by: fsaviator on March 11, 2013, 10:05:47 AM
That was what I was tracking too.  Im brainstorming how to run my speaker outputs through the ACP, as well as headsets.  I really need to sit down and put some thought into.  I would like to be able to use the unsupported function controls for things like overall sim volumes, teamspeak, etc
Title: Re: ACP
Post by: ivar hestnes on March 11, 2013, 12:04:18 PM
Ruscool is worth a look...
http://www.ruscool.co.nz/control_boards.html (http://www.ruscool.co.nz/control_boards.html)
Title: Re: ACP
Post by: fsaviator on March 11, 2013, 12:41:11 PM
Ivar, I saw the intercom board he has.  Are you using them?

Warren
Title: Re: ACP
Post by: jackpilot on March 11, 2013, 01:25:44 PM
I have the pinout supplied by gables.

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

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

And really looks like a million on a pedestal...best feature by far!
Title: Re: ACP
Post by: Nat Crea on March 11, 2013, 02:06:19 PM
QuoteI have the pinout supplied by gables.

Yes Im still waiting ???

Nat
Title: Re: ACP
Post by: ivar hestnes on March 11, 2013, 02:17:51 PM
Quote from: fsaviator on March 11, 2013, 12:41:11 PM
Ivar, I saw the intercom board he has.  Are you using them?

Warren

Not yet Warren, but I am thinking of buying them. They will give some of the functionality I am looking for, but not all.
Title: Re: ACP
Post by: fsaviator on March 11, 2013, 02:20:03 PM
I've got the pinouts, and I even bought pre-soldered wires and cut them in half.  I can connect one up now, but I'm looking to get the most fuctionality out of them
Title: Re: ACP
Post by: Kennair on March 11, 2013, 03:43:45 PM
Quote from: fsaviator on March 11, 2013, 12:41:11 PM
Ivar, I saw the intercom board he has.  Are you using them?

Warren

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

Ken.
Title: Re: ACP
Post by: fsaviator on March 11, 2013, 03:52:56 PM
Ken, are the connectors Aviation connectors or regular PC headet/mic connectors?

I take it you end up running all the sim sounds through the board?
Title: Re: ACP
Post by: jackpilot on March 11, 2013, 05:45:55 PM
Quote from: melnato on March 11, 2013, 02:06:19 PM
QuoteI have the pinout supplied by gables.

Yes Im still waiting ???

Nat

Has to be old age
Email sent right away. :D
Title: Re: ACP
Post by: Nat Crea on March 11, 2013, 08:18:13 PM
Merci Jack  :)

Nat
Title: Re: ACP
Post by: Kennair on March 12, 2013, 04:08:07 PM
Quote from: fsaviator on March 11, 2013, 03:52:56 PM
Ken, are the connectors Aviation connectors or regular PC headet/mic connectors?

I take it you end up running all the sim sounds through the board?
Warren the connectors are just screw terminals so you can use whatever plugs you like.  The boards accept a wide range of mikes so aircraft headsets are catered for.  We're just using standard 1/4" jacks into cheap PC headsets for the moment till we finish testing them out. 

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

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

Ken.