Homemade Comanche cockpit.

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alioth
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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by alioth »

CptLemons wrote:This is outstanding!
A2A, give him a job :lol:
Working in cockpit building wouldn't be a job but a paradise!

Building the rudder pedals at present.

My pedals are from and old ast300 simulator. It had a pot to read rudder position, but not the brakes positions.
So I have designed and printed some pieces to make the hardware needed to read the brakes position.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo2Ohvz0lKU
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo2Ohvz0lKU[/youtube]

And the pedals finished and interfaced with simulator:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGO7OqXkEzQ
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGO7OqXkEzQ[/youtube]

Next one... flap lever. I have a real flap lever with 4 detent position, the same the comanche has. So I am going (to try) to use it.


Arturo.

alioth
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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by alioth »

Ok...

I have finished all the gauges as planned. It is everything working.

Image

But now, I have a dilemma :D
In the last months I have found all the hardware needed to make all the engine gauges analog.
Going analog, I have space to add a radar altimeter ( which I already have), and a second stand by altimeter.

I have drawn both options:

Image

Which one would you choose? :)
Thanks.

Arturo.

PS. I am flying a lot with the cockpit becasue everything works. I should make a video!

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Lewis - A2A
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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by Lewis - A2A »

Option B for me just because I like old in this context lol :mrgreen:

Would love to see a video of it flying in its current state, you should be mega proud of your creation it truly is special.

cheers,
Lewis
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alioth
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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by alioth »

Lewis - A2A wrote: 04 Mar 2019, 07:35 Would love to see a video of it flying in its current state, you should be mega proud of your creation it truly is special.

Done!

I recorded a full flight video this weekend. LESB-LEMH
I am not good recording, editing, or flying, but... ok, it is done :)



Still thinking about keeping the engine monitor or replace it for analoge gauges.

Arturo.

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Lewis - A2A
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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by Lewis - A2A »

beautiful, I dont speak Spanish but the cockpit visuals show everything that needs to be said 8) 8)

Keep us updated with the progress it'll be amazing when its locked into place with the panel covers.

thanks,
Lewis
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UKJim
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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by UKJim »

This is not fair - I want one :)

Superb job mate keep us updated. Loving the real dials, makes it so immersive.

Thanks for sharing.

alioth
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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by alioth »

Thanks for your words,

Finally, I think I am going to choose analog route...
I had a windows related problem that avoid me to go analog. But now I have found a way to fix it.

This is the idea:

Image

Green are gauges I have to make/remake/change.
White is done and working.
I think it is not going to take a lot of time.

Now the fuel selectors are going to be in the floor, as real thing.
I liked the add fuel function in the engine monitor. I have to look for something to avoid using the mouse to add fuel.
I could put a button which adds 1 gallon per pulse, in the selected tank. And it only works when aircraft is on the ground and engine off.

I will be posting pics..

Arturo.

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caleb1
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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by caleb1 »

If I were you I would keep the engine monitor in there. especially on a plane like the Comanche.
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Real Hanger at FD08: 1956 C172, 1964 PA-24 400

alioth
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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by alioth »

caleb1 wrote: 18 Apr 2019, 13:40 If I were you I would keep the engine monitor in there. especially on a plane like the Comanche.
It is not an easy decision :)

With the engine monitor I can:
-get warnings when something goes wrong
-know the exact fuel in tanks
-know the time fuel remaning with precision
-know the power percent % without charts
-get a warning when a cylinder starts to loose compresion
-add fuel with the engine monitor functions
-etc

In real world I would prefer the engine monitor. You have more info, and it is safer.
But in simulator, analog gauges adds uncertainty. And you have to be more careful.

I am starting to think that this uncertainty adds fun in simulator.
I am going to make some gauges and test. If I don't like it, I have already done the engine monitor.. So.

I will start with the 6 needles cluster. Pics soon (I hope).

Arturo.

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caleb1
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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by caleb1 »

I see what you mean... makes sense
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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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by alioth »

Today I have been working with the cluster.
Using the galvanometers of an very old proffesional simulator, I have made new faceplates to match the Comanche style and numbers:

Image
Drawing..

Image
2d printing.. (yes.. I will need the fuel flow faceplate too..)

Image
and 3d printing :)

Image
Mounting..

Image
oh, today has been a good day!

I will try to put lights inside,
Tomorrow I will start with electronics and coding.. :)

Arturo.

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caleb1
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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by caleb1 »

if you dont mind me asking where are you acquiring those gauges?
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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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by alioth »

caleb1 wrote: 19 Apr 2019, 16:36 if you dont mind me asking where are you acquiring those gauges?
These are from and old ast300 simulator.
But they are standard galvanometer gauges you can find very cheap in ebay etc.
Something around 35-40mm width is realistic.
A real engine cluster can be used, but you would have to change the "pressure" needles for galvanometer too.

Arturo.

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caleb1
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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by caleb1 »

Cool
Thanks
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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Scott - A2A
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Re: Homemade Comanche cockpit.

Post by Scott - A2A »

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.
A2A Simulations Inc.

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