SYScards without PM? (split from FDS Builders with SYS Cards Please Raise)

[usafgadget]

Hey guys I don't mean to hijack the topic but are these boards only for use with PM or can I use them purely with FSX and FSUIPC?  They seem very versatile (at a $ premium) but I only need to wiring up switches, pots and the like for assignment through FSUIPC. I do not use PM.

Thanks,

Chris

[shaneb]

Hey Chris,

If you have not done so already take a look at this link . . there is a  video about half way down the page that explains what the boards will do . . and yes they will work without using PM.   I think your questions will be answered by taking a look at the video . . there is also a users manual that is downloadable right above the video that will give you some more info about the boards.  I use them and really like how easy they are to use.  Some others here may have more input.

http://www.flightdecksolutions.com/list_products.php?id=22

[ETomlin]

Yes, the big thing is that these boards do not work with rotary encoders or potentiometers. They are strictly Input/Output and are in my opinion worth the little extra that you pay over Open Cockpits and other cards simply because of the support (which has improved dramatically over the past year or so) as well as the simplicity and power of the InterfaceIT software that drives the cards.

I do know there are some new boards being developed here too and you'd be wise to look into those as well. Bob can give you more info on those.

[usafgadget]

Thanks Eric for your info.  What boards would you all recommend for wiring pots and encoders?  My Leo Bodnar board has potential but I can't get the pots to work and I'm not getting any support from Leo.


Chris

[XOrionFE]

Try Desktop Aviator.    Great support and forum.   He has some nice boards that support encoders and pots.    I use a couple of them. 

www.desktopaviator.com

Scott

[usafgadget]

Thanks John.  I've spent the better part of the day reading as much as I can about FDS's boards and software.  That doesn't necessarily mean I understand it all yet.

I did however order the guts for a TQ-6 from Goflight so I'm looking forward to tinkering with it.


Chris

[Boeing Skunk Works]

I would be an instant fan of theirs if they would just come up with an I/O card that would run incandescent indicators like Korry 318's. I would preach from the tops of the Alps the greatness of their products...if...

All of their electronics knowledge and expertise and popularity of their products and they can't produce even one product for builders that want it like it used to be with real equipment and real indicator lamps.

[ETomlin]

Sounds to me like some kind of relay board would do that function. Have the SYS card send the output to a tiny relay + power supply and then have your power-hungry incandecents light up :-)

[ian@737ng.co.uk]

Thanks Eric for your info.  What boards would you all recommend for wiring pots and encoders?  My Leo Bodnar board has potential but I can't get the pots to work and I'm not getting any support from Leo.


Chris

hi chris.........
which one of leo's boards do you have?     let's see if we can get you out of trouble.    the bodnar cards are pretty bombproof, so i guess it's just a connection problem.   can you tell me a bit more about where exactly you are getting a problem and i'll see if i can sort you out.........
regards from a very white and freezing uk

ian

[usafgadget]

Ian,

Thanks for offering to help and BTW awesome website.  I'm in a bit of information overload but it's nice have such great resources out there.

As for the BU0836X card, I wired a 10K-Ohm Linear-Taper Potentiometer from radio shack

( http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062354 ) and connected it to the board using the GRD, X and +5V inputs on the board.  Specifically I wired the outside terminals to GND and +5V and the middle terminal to X.  I tried this with X through RZ, no luck.  I did switch the GND and +5v around and still nothing.

For comparison, I wired it to the hat switch inputs and did get a response from the Pot (i.e. I rotated the shaft and the view moved).

I also wired the pot up to a old joystick board where one of the small plastic pots was originally and it worked fine.

I verified this using the windows joystick calibration utility.  When I tried my new RS pot I got nothing.

The BU0836X is recognized by windows and I have a few toggles wired up and working fine.

I'm at a loss for what I'm doing wrong but I'm sure it will be due to my shear ignorance.

Chris

[shaneb]

Hey Chris,

I had a similiar issue with a BU0836X.    I went into FS and settings and disabled the BU0836X board and then the rotaries worked . . can't explain it but they started working . .at least worth a try.

[James twomey]

Chris, did you ever get your Pots to be reconized by the BU0836X card?  The reason for my question is because I too am having the same problems.  Swithes and toggles work great, but the Pots are not being reconized by either FSX or FSUIPC.

Regards,
James