Interfacing an analog gauge like 737-300 fuel temp

[kurt-olsson]

I am thinking of changing my -800 cockpit to a -300 build.
How hard is it to implement a analog gauge and more important, do you feel these items are available at reasonable prices?

Share your experience OEM builders!

[jackpilot]

Many posts here on the classic 737 from Rob and Scott (727737Nut  XOrionFE) who are in the process of building one

Jack

[mickc]

There are other guys here that have had more experience building a 737 classic sim, but the interfacing is not that difficult.  I am building an NG sim, but I have collected and converted all 19 OEM analog gauges used on the NG over the last 7 years or so.

Some are more difficult than others, mainly the fully mechanical ones like the cabin pressure/alt and cabin climb which require a lot of engineering and tweaking to get right, while come are quite simple and can be wired directly and run with Phidgets or Arduinos easily.

Nearly all classic instruments can be sourced on Ebay, and are quite cheap.  I'm sure between the guys here  like Rob, Scott, RayS, myself and others you will be able to get the assistance to get the job done.

When I convert instruments, I always replace all the bulbs and repaint the casing while it is apart during the re-wiring/conversion.

Also be careful when buying, I have paid top dollar for electrical gauges in the past (like the temp gauges) that were un-serviceable or burnt out, and had to convert them to stepper or servo operation.

Scour the web for the wiring diagrams, as these help with conversions and interfacing.

You can see some of the units I have done here:  https://www.facebook.com/Micks737/

[727737Nut]

Hello,
My first advice is make sure you really want to tackle this mountain.
If so, first and foremost, try to use real gauges as delivered and not hack them up.  It's not as hard as you think as long as you have the pin-out for the gauge you are working on. 

There are many ways to interface them but you will need these first, 26Vac 400Hz power supply,  5A would be fine.  28Vdc power supply.

Without those you are going no where unless you do the gut and reinvent  the wheel approach. 

It is challenging, rewarding, and just plain awesome to see real parts working as you fly the sim. 

Be patient, don't over pay and stick with it. 

Rob

[XOrionFE]

Listen to what Rob is saying carefully.  " If you want to tackle this mountain...".    I may as well say itbhere on this thread but at this time I am reversing course and going back to the NG.    I have many reasons and will post in my other thread but suffice it to say there may be some parts for sale.

Scott

[Ridgenj]

I have to say that all four participants in this conversation have done nice work.
I am very thankful  for the help you have given me
Rob, I still can't believe you sold me such a unit, it is core for all conversions.


Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

[RayS]

I just want to re-enforce what Rob has said. It's a mountain. And although my sim has crude real gauges by comparison, there's something... I'll say... magical, about getting real gauges to work in a home-built sim. It's like you're giving new life to parts of an aircraft that would otherwise never fly again.

I'll never tackle the level of detail Rob has in his sim, but I am completely satisfied with getting less complex real gauges work in my own Beech 1900.

[XOrionFE]

I just want to re-enforce what Rob has said. It's a mountain. And although my sim has crude real gauges by comparison, there's something... I'll say... magical, about getting real gauges to work in a home-built sim. It's like you're giving new life to parts of an aircraft that would otherwise never fly again.

I'll never tackle the level of detail Rob has in his sim, but I am completely satisfied with getting less complex real gauges work in my own Beech 1900.

And you B1900 is also awesome Ray.  I am envious and would love to visit sometime.   The B1900 and B200 are my favorite Carando planes on X-plane in my desktop sim.   Yours is awesome.   Have loved watching your progress.

[kurt-olsson]

At work now, will write more later. But this thread has already helped me to stay on the -800. I think you really need understanding of electrics and i think the 300 will add more frustration and make progress too slow due to my electric knowledge.

BUT! I have awesome news! And that is i am going for OEM on all the panels on the overhead, but with aftermarket gauges.

I will post pictures on a couple of new stuff i bought!

Thanks Rob and Scott and all in this thread

[kurt-olsson]

Mickc thanks for you info
I will try with an easy gauge on the overhead and take it from there.