Simparts 737 Throttle with DC Motors

[markusr]

Hello,

we are current in the phase of motorizing the Throttle. The model is from Simpart and is assembled now.
We want to use DC Motors in connection with the Opencockpits DC Motor card.
But we currently have no clue how we should connect the motors to the throttle so it will be moved automatically.

Does anybody have a throtle from simparts combined with DC Motos?
I would be very happy for any hints, pictures, video or ideas.

Thanks alot,
Markus

[firstinflight]

Is your question specifically regarding the use of the Opencockpits card? or is it regarding 'motorizing' the throttle?

If it is about setting up auto-throttle for the thrust levers and activating the spoiler handle upon thrust reverse, there is a earlier post of mine on this forum. You can also find the detailed description on my site - www.simulationresearch.net

I use servos for the thrust levers and the spoiler handle. I use a DC motor for the trim wheel. I use Phidgets cards and FS2Phidget to accomplish this. It works very well.

I dont use the Opencockpits card. So i am not sure if my write up will help you.

Let me know if you want any further detail.

Regards,
CPJ

[jackpilot]

Some reading
http://www.cockpitbuilders.com/community/index.php?topic=2098.msg17972#msg17972

http://www.cockpitbuilders.com/community/index.php?topic=954.0

http://www.cockpitbuilders.com/community/index.php?topic=716.0

[markusr]

Hello CPJ,

the question was targeted to the mechanical motorization. How the DC motors are linked to the throttle levelers.
I read through the posts, but I can't find there any hints how the motor should be connected. I have a gearmotor with a clutch attached.

I have captured some pictures here

[XOrionFE]

Hello Markus,
I put together the Simparts TQ that CP has and of course it uses servos, not motors.   I am also working on a real tq conversion and in that one I am using Motors.  There is another thread here about a similiar conversion that you can follow to get some ideas.  Knowing what I know about the Simparts TQ it would seem possible to use a similiar hookup with motors, a chain, slip clutches, and string pots but a lot of modification to the TQ required.   Other than that I would probably stick with servos if using the Simparts tq.

Scott

[markusr]

Hi Scott,

do you have some pictures how the servos are attached to the throttle levelers?
Maybe I try this one first.

thanks alot,
Markus

[XOrionFE]

I didnt take any of mine but I do have these pictures from another builder which is basically what I used to make mine.  Hopefully he doesnt mind me posting....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/orionsbelt/sets/72157624684875885/

Scott

[firstinflight]

I don't have any pictures of the servos on Scott's TQ. However, I do have pictures of my servo setup from my earlier home built TQ. It'sretty similar to Scott's TQ. I can post those here. Will do that tomorrow.

CPJ

[markusr]

I didnt take any of mine but I do have these pictures from another builder which is basically what I used to make mine.  Hopefully he doesnt mind me posting....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/orionsbelt/sets/72157624684875885/

Scott

Hello Scott,

I have now successfully motorized my throttle with the servos.
Iam now strugling with the thing to get it working with prosim suite.
As soon as Sioc starts the servos are under power and cant be moved anymore by hand.
How did you solved this issue? When I disconnect AT it would like to move them again manually. It should switch back to automatic movement once the AT is enabled again.

Any help will be highly appreciated

Mark

[fordgt40]

Mark

I think that you need to power the servos via a relay, which switches off the power on A/T disconnect. However, do you have a separate potentiometer to give positional feedback for the levers?

David

[markusr]

Hello David,

Yes i have for each leveler also a potentiometer connected.

Regarding the power. As soon as I start the servocard test programm from OC the power is disabled and you can move the servos as normal, so my asumption is, that there must be any other solution than the relais.

[Perik]

Hi Markus

Have you tried to output 0 to the servo?

[XOrionFE]

I didnt take any of mine but I do have these pictures from another builder which is basically what I used to make mine.  Hopefully he doesnt mind me posting....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/orionsbelt/sets/72157624684875885/

Scott

Hello Scott,

I have now successfully motorized my throttle with the servos.
Iam now strugling with the thing to get it working with prosim suite.
As soon as Sioc starts the servos are under power and cant be moved anymore by hand.
How did you solved this issue? When I disconnect AT it would like to move them again manually. It should switch back to automatic movement once the AT is enabled again.

Any help will be highly appreciated

Sorry I can't be of much help to you Mark because the reality is that I never finished interfacing my servos before selling my TQ.  Firstinflight has it now and I believe he has them working and is using Prosim so you may want to check with him.   I bought a real TQ and am in the process of converting it like Rob did..(thanks Rob!).  I am sure when I get to to a certain point I will be asking more programming/ProSim to you guys since by then you will probably be the experts!

Scott



Mark

[masmaz]

Hello David,

Yes i have for each leveler also a potentiometer connected.

Regarding the power. As soon as I start the servocard test programm from OC the power is disabled and you can move the servos as normal, so my asumption is, that there must be any other solution than the relais.

Hi, I have the same problem as you, have you managed to disconnect the Servomotors when disconnecting a/t?

regards
Max