CH Brakes Problem

[moshe-vatil]

Dear Pete,

Recently I am experiencing some problems with the CH brakes, and I am not sure if it is a hardware problem or not:

When the system starts as idle, I am not stepping on the pedals and the brakes are seen applied. When I put my feet on the pedals doing nothing, their values change significantly in the FSUIPC calibration window, by slight movement the values go back to zero. Then, when I press the brakes momentarily the brakes release and work OK. While normal operation I can tell the brakes are very sensitive and when I take my feet up from the pedals the brakes are applied again.

I am working with FSX, new installation from scratch, FSUIPC 4.262, with the FS joystick disabled option and all controls are calibrated only via FSUIPC. I allowed a nice "dead zone" when calibrating the brakes according to your written guides, and I have the "rev" and "filter" boxes checked. I have set both brakes slope to maximum flattened beginning.

In addition to being confused if it is a h/w problem or not I did not figure out how to change sensitivity via FSUIPC and have no idea if the original FS pedals sensitivity setting and/or the FS pedals null zone setting has any influence while the FS joystick is disabled.

I hope I was not giving too much information and will be happy if you could advise if it looks like a h/w problem, and if it is not please guide me to getting a normal breaking responses while working only with the FSUIPC.

Thanks a lot,

Moshe Mizrahi

VATIL4 DCRM

[Pete Dowson]

Recently I am experiencing some problems with the CH brakes, and I am not sure if it is a hardware problem or not

Whether you view the incoming values through FSUIPC (the "IN" values), or with something like Joyview (attached), the smoothness and range of the values you get should be a sure indication of whether you have a hardware problem.

When the system starts as idle, I am not stepping on the pedals and the brakes are seen applied. When I put my feet on the pedals doing nothing, their values change significantly in the FSUIPC calibration window, by slight movement the values go back to zero.

Sounds like dirty pots or a sticking wiper. FSUIPC cannot influence the "IN" values it displays -- they are what is being read, direct from Windows if you use FSUIPC's assignments. Are you using CH's Control Manager? Is it interfering?

I have set both brakes slope to maximum flattened beginning.

You shouldn't need to use any non-linear slopes with brakes. Best to reset that to 0 (straight).

In addition to being confused if it is a h/w problem or not I did not figure out how to change sensitivity via FSUIPC

The word "sensitivity" is completely ambiguous and really can't be used. Does "too sensitive" mean a little touch makes it go too far, or does it mean that you can make very fine, sensitive, adjustments? I avoid the term just for this reason -- it can be interpreted in two completely opposite ways.

FS's "sensitivity" basically divides the range of calibration. A low sensitivity merely stops you reaching the extremes, which is totally wrong in my opinion. The "sensitivity" adjustment in FSUIPC is the slope -- finer settings near centre, but faster near the extremes so you can reach maximum deflection. But this doesn't need apply to brakes -- unless maybe you've got an aircraft which easily flips tail over nose.

... and have no idea if the original FS pedals sensitivity setting and/or the FS pedals null zone setting has any influence while the FS joystick is disabled.

No, neither.

I hope I was not giving too much information and will be happy if you could advise if it looks like a h/w problem, and if it is not please guide me to getting a normal breaking responses while working only with the FSUIPC.

If the INput values are going haywire you probably need new pots. Check with CH, I think they are quite good at providing spare parts.

Regards

Pete

joyview.zip

[Andydigital]

Not sure if i'm grabbing the wrong end of the stick here (or should that be toe brakes :) ) But on my Saitek rudder pedals i have to tick the reverse box on the toe brakes axis in FSX otherwise when you press the pedals the brakes go off, and when you release the pedals the brakes come on.

Andy.

[Pete Dowson]

Not sure if i'm grabbing the wrong end of the stick here (or should that be toe brakes :) ) But on my Saitek rudder pedals i have to tick the reverse box on the toe brakes axis in FSX otherwise when you press the pedals the brakes go off, and when you release the pedals the brakes come on.

Yes, but Moshe is doing the same by ticking the REV option in FSUIPC. He's not assigning through FS, otherwise he'd be reversing them twice by doing that.

Regards

Pete

[Andydigital]

Yeah wrong end of the stick, sorry.

[moshe-vatil]

thank you pete for your detailed answer.

the input values are going wild, observed not only by the FSUIPC but also by the joystick calibration tools. I think then I will focus on the hardware.

What are "Pots"? (did you mean variable resistors?) are they CH product or can it be purchased at any electronic store? I know this is not the forum for CH h/w issues but since you mentioned it I would be greatful if you could please advise.

Moshe

[Pete Dowson]

What are "Pots"?

Short for "potentiometer" - a variable resistance device.

are they CH product or can it be purchased at any electronic store? I know this is not the forum for CH h/w issues but since you mentioned it I would be greatful if you could please advise.

They'll be standard components, but best to contact CH in the first instance in any case. They are pretty good at offering reapirs and parts, cheap or even free.

Regards

Pete

[moshe-vatil]

will do. thanks.

Moshe

[Pete Dowson]

will do. thanks.

First, assuming it's a USB device, try connecting to a different USB port -- not one next to the current one, as that will be on the same controller. You need to eliminate the possibility that it is a motherboard USB problem. Unlikely, but best to be sure.

Regards

Pete

[Graham Pollitt]

Something else for you to check

If you set the axis and calibrate via FSUIPC then make sure that the brakes/rudder are not set to any axis within FS (controls/assignments/joystick axes)

I find that every time I start FS I have to manually delete any axis config for the CH PRO PEDALS USB as they always conflict with what I have set within FSUIPC. For some reason my options never seem to save within fs9.cfg

Graham

[Pete Dowson]

For some reason my options never seem to save within fs9.cfg

Certainly if you actually disable the complete joystick (not necessary then to go through all the assignments), they should not come back. If you don't do this, then they can come back if you unplug them and plug them in again, or, I think, even if they go into "power-saving mode" and later wake up. Best to switch that off in the Device manager for all USB ports.

Note also that FS only ever saves its options when you close it down normally. It may be that you aren't getting a normal shut-down. Check for this by looking in the Windows task manager after you think it is completely closed -- CTRL_ALT_DEL, look through the Processes list for FS9.EXE. If it is still there, it hasn't terminated fully.

Regards

Pete

[moshe-vatil]

thank you guys again 8)