PFC Button Press Error

[cavaricooper]

Pete-

I've started a new topic so as to not confuse the issue. My PFC Console II (serial) is programmed to send key presses with button pushes. In the case of the TOP RIGHT ROCKER- I am getting spurious inputs. I downloaded PFC's test program and when I run it I see that when that particular rocker is pressed repeatedly it shows-

9B 0F: CH code 15

9B 0F: CH code 3

9B 0F: CH code 15

9B 0F: CH code 3 and so on EXCEPT

every once in a while it sends-

86 7C: Brake_L = 124 and then every once in a while it sends

86 7F: Brake_L = 127

and then back to the 9B 0F: CH code 15 & 3 repeating

MY ISSUE IS THAT when I am using that key-press I get interactions in FSX.

MY QUESTION IS- Is this happening because a) I have programmed something wrong (should I uncheck the PFC Console tick-box as I don't really use anything non-mapped through FSUIPC except the axis......)?

B) is this a HARDWARE fault- i.e. BAD SWITCH?

Thanks for your help- sorry for the earlier confusion.

Best- Carl

Here is the TEST program I am referring to - https://www.flypfc.c...Serial_test.exe

Here are MY RESULTS- https://picasaweb.google.com/105562135054522268426/February232012?authkey=Gv1sRgCJjv9Kvzocf8Jw

[Pete Dowson]

My PFC Console II (serial) is programmed to send key presses with button pushes. In the case of the TOP RIGHT ROCKER- I am getting spurious inputs. I downloaded PFC's test program and when I run it I see that when that particular rocker is pressed repeatedly it shows-

9B 0F: CH code 15

9B 0F: CH code 3

9B 0F: CH code 15

9B 0F: CH code 3 and so on EXCEPT

every once in a while it sends-

86 7C: Brake_L = 124 and then every once in a while it sends

86 7F: Brake_L = 127

Yes, I remember that the yoke buttons are encoded using a CH type controller, representing up to 15 different buttons by 4 bits (0-15, one reserved for "released"). That's why you can't press more than one at a time -- you only get one encoding.

But the 86 xx values are axis values -- from the toe brakes, as you say. Sounds like something going wrong inside your unit. I don't even see how external wiring or anything other than something on the controller board could generate incorrect but elsewhere valid numbers.

MY ISSUE IS THAT when I am using that key-press I get interactions in FSX.

MY QUESTION IS- Is this happening because a) I have programmed something wrong (should I uncheck the PFC Console tick-box as I don't really use anything non-mapped through FSUIPC except the axis......)?

No, obviously not -- you proved that to yourself by using their test program, haven't you?

is this a HARDWARE fault- i.e. BAD SWITCH?

It's a faulty something, but I doubt if it is as simple as the switch itself. I don't see how simple on-off actions on a switch can make the controller generate the wrong codes entirely.

I'm afraid you need to contact PFC.

Here is the TEST program I am referring to - https://www.flypfc.c...Serial_test.exe

I think I might have that somewhere around. Not realy dealt much with the PFC serial innards for a while, even though my cockpit is mostly based on that technology (the PFC 737NG, see pix on their website). It's partly new USB HID as well, so I have to run both PFCFSX.DLL and PFCHID.DLL.

Regards

Pete

[cavaricooper]

Ok Pete-

Spoke with Bart and he suggested cleaning out the switch contacts. I blew electronic cleaner into the switch and blew it out with clean compressed air. Since then I have run the test several times and only get the correct outputs from that switch. Hopefully the problem is resolved. As always, your prompt attention and response is greatly appreciated!

C

[Pete Dowson]

Spoke with Bart and he suggested cleaning out the switch contacts. I blew electronic cleaner into the switch and blew it out with clean compressed air. Since then I have run the test several times and only get the correct outputs from that switch.

Good, glad it was that easy. I don't actually understand how wonky signals from that switch, no matter how bad, could be interpreted as something so completely different. Weird. But I'm not a hardware desgner, only a software one.

Regards

Pete

[cavaricooper]

Pete-

To add button presses I was thinking of getting this (or something similar) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826246002

Will FSUIPC see this as a joystick controller (for assigned key-presses to the buttons)?

Ta!

C

[Pete Dowson]

To add button presses I was thinking of getting this (or something similar) http://www.newegg.co...N82E16826246002

Will FSUIPC see this as a joystick controller (for assigned key-presses to the buttons)?

It will see it as a joystick if Windows sees it as a joystick, as will FS. But it seems to be described as a keyboard -- I couldn't see anything suggesting otherwsie.

You can of course assign FS controls and so on to keypresses as well.

Regards

Pete

[cavaricooper]

Ok- ta!

C