Homemade Comanche cockpit.

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alioth
Senior Airman
Posts: 161
Joined: 01 Feb 2017, 17:05

Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by alioth »

Cluster finished!

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Here you can see how it works with prepar3d.

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I have installed lights inside. They are dimmed towards the rest of gauges lights.

Next step... cht, egt, and carb temp.
I have seen there is a carb temp inside the comanche textures, so I supose a2a thought about install it.
And I know there is a custom lvar that shows this value, so I will install it.
I have seen the value of the variable changes very fast, so I will smooth the value with something similar as "Newton's law of cooling"

Arturo.

alioth
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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by alioth »

Scott - A2A wrote: 21 Apr 2019, 13:43 Arturo,

You are absolutely right regarding the advantages of a digital engine monitor as you have those warnings. Thinking of it we really should have had more warning lights in this analog cockpits for things like high CHT, low oil pressure, low fuel pressure, etc. That 6 pack gauge cluster looks great btw.

Scott.
I have installed in my home cockpit the usual "oil" "alt" "vac" that I have seen in several real cockpits, and I added a Gear warning, fuel pump, and pitot heat. So I have more than enough! :)
But true... I think at least the "oil" "alt" "vac" warnings would be great for the Comanche.

Arturo.

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caleb1
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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by caleb1 »

Cool.

How do you get the analog gauges to read what the sim indicates?
Caleb Byers

A2A Hanger: C182, C172, PA-28, PA-24, J3

PC: Intel Core i7 6700 @ 3.4 GHz to 4.0 GHz, 24GB RAM, GTX 745 with 4GB VRAM, 2TB SSHD, Win 10 Home x64.

Simulators: P3D v3.4, P3D v4.5, FSX:SE

Real Hanger at FD08: 1956 C172, 1964 PA-24 400

alioth
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Posts: 161
Joined: 01 Feb 2017, 17:05

Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by alioth »

caleb1 wrote: 24 Apr 2019, 07:08 How do you get the analog gauges to read what the sim indicates?
it's a long subject, but in summary:

First, you make the gauges, and you must be able to control them the way you want with some microcontroller (arduino in my case). I say to Arduino "Oil Temp indicate 200" and the needle moves to indicate exactly 200. This is done with mechanical tuning, electronic tunning, and coding the arduino with some algorithms.
Then, you need the simulator to exchange data with arduino.
It can be done with several methods. I use fsuipc scripts to send the data to arduino.
Arduino (or teensy, or other microcontroller) receives a data that means "move needle Oil Temp to 200" and arduino, with its algorithms, and some electronics, moves the dial to this position.

Everytime a value changes in the simulator, the data is send to arduino. A simple arduino can manage lot of dials like this.

With more complex gauges, you need outputs and inputs to simulator too. For example, with a VOR, you need data in both directions:
Arduino reads the obs with some eletronics, and send the data to fsuipc script.
The script put the data in simulator.. turning the card to the point Arduino said.
Then simulator moves the deviation needle. This change the value in a variable.
The script reads the variable, and send the data to arduino, which again, with algorithms and electronics, moves the needle.

It's fun!


I will show you some pics about electronics. For this cluster is really simple:

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This is the back of the cluster. Some resistors and small pots to calibrate the needles.

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arduino in process...

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finished for the cluster.

But this arduino will control more gauges. This is the reason there is free space in the boards.

I will post a video, but it works like the real thing.
Total cost: ammeters + stickers + electronics + arduino + 3d printed pieces (I have a 3d printer) = 60€ and a lot hours of fun :)

And the cost of a 6 needle cluster if you buy it plug and play for a simulator is like... https://www.flightillusion.com/product/ ... air-style/
750€!! and less hours of fun :P

Arturo.

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caleb1
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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by caleb1 »

Cool! Thanks for sharing.
Caleb Byers

A2A Hanger: C182, C172, PA-28, PA-24, J3

PC: Intel Core i7 6700 @ 3.4 GHz to 4.0 GHz, 24GB RAM, GTX 745 with 4GB VRAM, 2TB SSHD, Win 10 Home x64.

Simulators: P3D v3.4, P3D v4.5, FSX:SE

Real Hanger at FD08: 1956 C172, 1964 PA-24 400

alioth
Senior Airman
Posts: 161
Joined: 01 Feb 2017, 17:05

Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by alioth »

Finally, I got the laser cut panel :)

Testing the gauges. Everything seem to fit fine.
It is made in 2.5mm aluminium.

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It is starting to look like a cockpit now!
Thanks for watching!
Arturo.

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Lewis - A2A
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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by Lewis - A2A »

Utterly smashing, just wonderful WOW! :shock: :shock: :shock:

Cheers,
Lewis
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caleb1
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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by caleb1 »

Really nice!
great job
Caleb Byers

A2A Hanger: C182, C172, PA-28, PA-24, J3

PC: Intel Core i7 6700 @ 3.4 GHz to 4.0 GHz, 24GB RAM, GTX 745 with 4GB VRAM, 2TB SSHD, Win 10 Home x64.

Simulators: P3D v3.4, P3D v4.5, FSX:SE

Real Hanger at FD08: 1956 C172, 1964 PA-24 400

alioth
Senior Airman
Posts: 161
Joined: 01 Feb 2017, 17:05

Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by alioth »

One more...

Image

So I have to paint and mount the panel into the structure..

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Arturo.

twsharp12
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Posts: 480
Joined: 15 Dec 2015, 09:30

Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by twsharp12 »

This is great. Wish I had your engineering skills.

alioth
Senior Airman
Posts: 161
Joined: 01 Feb 2017, 17:05

Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by alioth »

Paint work done. I am very happy with the result!
A lot of work to be done yet, but now it looks like a cockpit :)

Image

Image

Arturo Moreno.

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scottb613
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Location: KMSV

Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by scottb613 »

Hi Arturo,

Man - you’re one talented guy - that’s truly a work of art - nice job - sir !

The back of your panel looks pretty close to the real deal as well...

Regards,
Scott
Image

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Lewis - A2A
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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by Lewis - A2A »

WOW, just stunning :shock: :shock: :shock:

thanks,
Lewis
A2A Facebook for news live to your social media newsfeed
A2A Youtube because a video can say a thousand screenshots,..
A2A Simulations Twitter for news live to your social media newsfeed
A2A Simulations Community Discord for voice/text chat

alioth
Senior Airman
Posts: 161
Joined: 01 Feb 2017, 17:05

Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by alioth »

Working on post lights. I am 3d printing (trim, sand, paint...), them.

Copilot side done:
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Working on pilot side:
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Some real gauges have their own light inside. I am using them too.

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Radio staack:
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General view:
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Next target: glare shield.

Arturo.

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caleb1
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Posts: 215
Joined: 15 Dec 2016, 18:44

Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by caleb1 »

Very nice.
Caleb Byers

A2A Hanger: C182, C172, PA-28, PA-24, J3

PC: Intel Core i7 6700 @ 3.4 GHz to 4.0 GHz, 24GB RAM, GTX 745 with 4GB VRAM, 2TB SSHD, Win 10 Home x64.

Simulators: P3D v3.4, P3D v4.5, FSX:SE

Real Hanger at FD08: 1956 C172, 1964 PA-24 400

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