GoFlight GF MESM Revisited

[dbarry]

This GoFlight GF MESM module seems impossible for me to program using long explanations about how the Fscuip4 handles on-off etc. I do not fly jets and simply want a turn a rotary dial and have it to activate off-left-right-both.

1. I just want to turn off all GoFlight programming selections for the module. (select: unused)

2. I just want to use FSCUIP4 and do not care if that program uses Buttons + Switches or Key Presses.

If Buttons + Switches:

a. Rotary Switch is far left on Ground = FSCUIP settings screen is blank

b. Rotary Switch turned right one click from GRD to OFF = Select for FS control, control sent when button pressed ???, control sent when button released ??.

c. Rotary Switch turned right one click FROM OFF to CONT = Select for FS control, control sent when button pressed ??, control sent when button released ??.

e. Rotary Switch turned right one click FROM CONT to FLT = Select for FS control, control sent when button pressed ??, control sent when button released ??.

Hopefully when the rotary is turned each click clockwise that it would change the GRD-OFF-CONT-FLT click stops to the following commands: Magneto1 Off - Magneto1 Right - Magneto1 Left - Magneto1 Both.

Hopefully when the rotary is turned each click counterclockwise it would reverse the FLT-CONT-OFF-GRD click stops to the following commands: Magneto1 Both - Magneto1 Left - Magneto1 Right - Magneto1 Off.

----------------------------------------------------------

of course I could replicate the switch example for key presses but it would be boring and redundant.

Please help with something simple. Thanks

[Pete Dowson]

Please help with something simple. Thanks

 

Where's the question in all of this?

 

When you say "Rotary Switch is far left on Ground = FSCUIP settings screen is blank" you do realise, i hope, that this simply means that position is the "off" or "not pressed position of the next position, so just program it at the GRD position but as "released". The others have their own button "press" numbers so don't need programming for "release".

 

Assign them to whatever works for whatever aircraft it is you are using. But you should also realise that FS does not simulate any Starter switch with GND-OFF-CONT-FLT positions.

 

Pete

[dbarry]

Pete,

My question: It's not how to get it to work it is what are the simple commands that need to be selected for the dial to work.

Your program has pull down menues with available selections. If you were using your program and wished to program a single GF-MESM rotary dial to instruct FSX to select off-left-right-both what would you select from your list of available selections - for each clockwise dial turn - to make it work.

I am fairly sure that hundreds of GoFlight GF-MESM users have torn their hair out trying to get this piece of hardware to work. If anyone has been able to solve this simple problem please, please post the solution.

[Pete Dowson]

Your program has pull down menues with available selections. If you were using your program and wished to program a single GF-MESM rotary dial to instruct FSX to select off-left-right-both what would you select from your list of available selections - for each clockwise dial turn - to make it work.

 

For a prop magneto switch, the one marked off-left-right-both (not the 737 style jet starter you appeared to be wanting) I'd assign exactly as I would in FS itself. You seem to think FSUIPC is different. Yes, it does present the complete list of FS controls, not the subset FS provides in its menus, and, yes, it does add some special controls related to its own facilities. But for things done with default aircraft in FS the controls ARE the FS ones, and they are all listed for you in the document entitled something like "List of FSX controls" installed for you in the FSUIPC documents folder.

 

For separate engines you have the MagnetoN_ xxx series of controls (N= Engine number), all entitled quite understandably. There is also a generic all-engine series without the 'N' part.

 

Pete

[dbarry]

Thank you for your response.

I guess you have your own reasons for not posting the exact GF-MESM rotary dial control assignments, using the Buttons + Switches screen in FSCUIP4, to allow the rotary dial control to activate off-left-right-both. To my limited technical ability I have tried every combination using and not using the GoFlight Program and using and not using the FSCUIP4 program. My attempts were not particularly suitable so I give up. Perhaps someone can create a LUA or perhaps someone will come up with the proper control assignments. I hope so.

In Summary for those who have this module I post the following:

1. From Go Flight Tech Support: (hopefully with their approval)

The MESM Multi Engine Start Module is a programmable modules for the FS-Default or any add-on aircraft you want to use as long as there is keystrokes for the engine functions.

Here is the setup instructions

To Setup your GF MESM for the default aircraft.In GF-Config USE THE COCKPIT FUNCTION MENU.

Now click on LStart knob turn CCW Counter ClockWise and set the cockpit function to ENG_1_Starter_off

Now click on LStart knob turn CW Clockwise and set the cockpit function to ENG_1_Starter_on

There is no setting for the EGN Switch for the default aircraft.

To setup your GF MESM with add-on aircraft you will need to look at your add-on documentation to find the keystrokes that control

the engine functions.Once you have found the keystrokes you will need to put them into GF-Config useing the Key Sequence feature.

Open GF-Config and click on your MESM.Now to the right side of the program window choose the

function to program.Now click on the Key Sequence and then Record.Now use your keyboard

to set the keystroke for that fuction.After you have finished save the file and exit GF-Config.

Now start a new flight and check your MESM.

MESM SWITCH Functions as used in a 737 aircraft.

1.When starting your engines IGN switch to Both.

2.To start engines turn switch to GRD.

3.After Strt turn switch to CONT.Turn switch to off position after takeoff.

4.FLT switch is used in heavy weather in case of flame out engines will restart automaticly.

When i start my 737 aircraft on my flight deck i go from GRD to start the engines leaving the IGN switch on both.Then

put the switch to CONT this is in case of bird strike or engine malfunction on takeoff after take off i turn the

switches back to the off position.If your landing in heavy weather were your engine could flame out you would put the

switch on FLT so if anything happens your engines would start back up.

[Pete Dowson]

I guess you have your own reasons for not posting the exact GF-MESM rotary dial control assignments, using the Buttons + Switches screen in FSCUIP4, to allow the rotary dial control to activate off-left-right-both. To my limited technical ability I have tried every combination using and not using the GoFlight Program and using and not using the FSCUIP4 program. My attempts were not particularly suitable so I give up. Perhaps someone can create a LUA or perhaps someone will come up with the proper control assignments. I hope so.

 

You don't need any Lua plug-in. I gave you the correct assignments -- the Magneto controls. they are actually named according to the switch position, off, left, right and both. Have you not even bothered to look? What is the problem you have with simply finding those in the assignments drop down and assigning them?

 

I don't have a MESM and I do not post assignments for things I cannot actually test here. YOU have to do that. It isn't hard. But you seem not to be reading what I tell you! :-(

 

The rest of your last message seems to back relating to a 737 starter switch instead of the prop magneto Off-Left-Right-Both switch you asked about. As I said before, but yiou evidently didn't read, there is no way to assign all of the 737 settings because FS itself doesn't simulate them. If you are using an add-on 737 then what you assign to depends on that add-on. There's no way I can guess all this!

 

Pete

[dbarry]

Responding to the following:You don't need any Lua plug-in. I gave you the correct assignments -- the Magneto controls. they are actually named according to the switch position, off, left, right and both. Have you not even bothered to look? What is the problem you have with simply finding those in the assignments drop down and assigning them?

----------------------------------------

OK Pete I will do it again just for you. Attempting to program one each GF-MESM rotary switch that is etched on its face plate GRD-OFF-CONT-FLT. PROJECT SCOPE: Program the rotaty switch to OFF-RIGHT-LEFT-BOTH in lieu of the above.

1. Using FSCUIP4 Program

a. The GoFlight GFConfig programs, GF-MESM setup module has (Function Assignment) Cockpit Functions = all unchecked

and drop down menu selection box = no selection. I presume the device while plugged in to USB defaults to GRD-OFF-CONT-FLT.

b. New aircraft startup, cold and dark, default 172SP;

c. Viewing the actual device installed on my fltsim panel: Rotary switch is far left on GRD.

d. Viewing 172SP virtural cockpit: Magneto Switch is far left on OFF;

e. Open FSCUIP4 program from add-on menu, select Buttons + Switch entry screen;

f. Buttons and Switchs settings screen is blank, no entries;

g. Rotary Switch turned right one click from GRD to OFF; PROGRAM IT:::: Joy# 166 0, Select for FS control, control sent when button pressed = Magneto1 Right, control sent when button released = not used;

h. Rotary Switch turned right one click from OFF to CONT; PROGRAM IT:::: Joy# 166 1,Select for FS control, control sent when button pressed = Magneto1 Left, , control sent when button released = not used.

i. Rotary Switch turned right one click from CONT to FLT; PROGRAM IT:::: JOY# 166 2, Select for FS control, control sent when button pressed = Magneto1 Both, , control sent when button released = not used.

j. Click OK to save and exit FSCUIP4.

RESULTS - RESULTS - RESULTS

The 172SP virtural cockpit screen shows Magento switch = OFF. My cockpit GF-MESM module rotary dial = FLT. Therefor, can not test results without changing the FSCUIP4 programs on-off, on=off sequences so time to reboot 172SP

b. New aircraft startup, cold and dark, default 172SP;

c. Viewing the actual device installed on my fltsim panel: Rotary switch is far left on GRD.

d. Viewing 172SP virtural cockpit: Magneto Switch is far left on OFF.

g. Rotary Switch turned right one click from GRD to OFF; RESULTS = VC MAGNETO SWITCH TURNED TO R, it works;

h. Rotary Switch turned right one click from OFF to CONT; RESULTS = VC MAGNETO SWITCH TURNED TO BOTH, no it did not work, it shoould have turned to L for left magneto.

i. Rotary Switch turned right one click from CONT to FLT; RESULTS = VC MAGNETO SWITCH DID NOT MOVE, it works by not moving it ended up of BOTH.

NOW LETS HAVE FUN AND GO COUNTERCLOCKWISE.

I'. Rotary Swittch turned counterclockwise from FLT to CONT; RESULTS = VC MAGNETO SWITCH TURNED TO R, no it did not work. It should have turned to L for left magneto.

i''. Rotart Switch turned counterclockwise from CONT to OFF; RESULTS = VC MAGNETO SWITCH TURNED TO OFF, no it did not work. It should have tturned to R for right magneto.

i'''. Rotary Switch turned counterclockwise from OFF to GRD; RESULTS = VC MAGNETO SWITCH DDID NOT MOVE, it works by not moving, it ended up on OFF.

END OF TEST.

[Pete Dowson]

g. Rotary Switch turned right one click from GRD to OFF; PROGRAM IT:::: Joy# 166 0, Select for FS control, control sent when button pressed = Magneto1 Right, control sent when button released = not used;

 

First mistake. The button released action should be programmed to Magneto1 Off. As I told you earlier, the left most position is an "OFF" position -- no button connection at all. Therefore you have to program the change from the next position.

 

The 172SP virtural cockpit screen shows Magento switch = OFF. My cockpit GF-MESM module rotary dial = FLT. Therefor, can not test results without changing the FSCUIP4 programs on-off, on=off sequences so time to reboot 172SP

 

Second mistake. No need to boot anything. Since FSUIPC can only see the switches when they change, you always need to synchronise switch and aircraft first. You can do that on the screen using a mouse.

 

All the rest of your results seems like either the EFIS device is not working correctly or you have not programmed it as you thought. Just use FSUIPC's logging to see what controls it sends. Don't forget, FSUIPC is not really doing much here, it simply sends the control you use to FS. You could do exactly the same thing in FS assignments. In fact I don't know why you are using FSUIPC?

 

To check what controls are sent, go to FSUIPC's logging tab and enable Event logging (not the axis events). Also log Buttons too as it'll show the relationships better. That's two checkboxes on the left. Also enable the console log, another checkbox. Don't touch anything else, just exit OK.

 

If you (temporarily) put FS into windowed mode you'll be able to see the actual button decodes and the controls being sent to FS, in real time. That should tell you whether the problems are to do with the device, your programming, or FS itself.

 

Pete

[dbarry]

Per your request I reprogrammed the first turn right one click;

g. Rotary Switch turned right one click from GRD to OFF; PROGRAM IT:::: Joy# 166 0, Select for FS control, control sent when button pressed = Magneto1 Right, control sent when button released = Magneto1 OFF

--OK-------------------------------f. Rotart Switch in vc panel on GRD and Rotart Switch on GF-MESM on GRD. RESULTS: Both vc = 0FF and MESM rotary switch = GRD in correct position.

Console Started ...

[Log closed by user request, and continued in new file]

101557 System time = 28/07/2014 11:41:19, Simulator time = 11:41:03 (18:41Z)

101557 *** FSUIPC log file being closed

Average frame rate for running time of 23 secs = 44.2 fps

G3D fix: Passes 26721, Null pointers 0, Bad pointers 0, Separate instances 0

Memory managed: 45 Allocs, 36 Freed

********* FSUIPC Log file closed ***********

********* FSUIPC4, Version 4.934 by Pete Dowson *********

FSUIPC4 Key is provided

WideFS7 Key is provided

101557 System time = 28/07/2014 11:41:19, Simulator time = 11:41:03 (18:41Z)

[Continuation log requested by user]

Running inside FSX on Windows 7

Module base=64FD0000

--OK--------------------------------g. Rotary Switch turned right one click from GRD to OFF. RESULTS: Both vc = R and MESM Rotary Switch = OFF in correct position.

105348 Button changed: bRef=0, Joy=166, Btn=0, Pressed

105348 [buttons] 105=P166,0,C66024,0

105348 FS Control Sent: Ctrl=66024, Param=0

105348 JoystickValues PCnum=0, dwCount=1, data[2]={000000a6 00000009}

105348 *** EVENT: Cntrl= 66024 (0x000101e8), Param= 0 (0x00000000) MAGNETO_RIGHT

--PROBLEM----------------------------------h. Rotary Switch turned one right click OFF TO CONT. RESULTS: vc = OFF and MESM Rotary Switch = CONT. This is not coorrect. the vc switch should have turned to L. [special note] Refer to h. PROGRAM IT:::

107142 Button changed: bRef=0, Joy=166, Btn=0, Released

107142 Button changed: bRef=0, Joy=166, Btn=1, Pressed

107142 [buttons] 107=P166,1,C65929,0

107142 FS Control Sent: Ctrl=65929, Param=0

107142 Button changed: bRef=0, Joy=166, Btn=0, Released

107142 [buttons] 106=U166,0,C65927,0

107142 FS Control Sent: Ctrl=65927, Param=0

107142 JoystickValues PCnum=0, dwCount=1, data[2]={000000a6 0000000a}

107142 *** EVENT: Cntrl= 65929 (0x00010189), Param= 0 (0x00000000) MAGNETO1_LEFT

107142 *** EVENT: Cntrl= 65927 (0x00010187), Param= 0 (0x00000000) MAGNETO1_OFF

------------------------------------i. Rotary Switch turned one click right from CONT to FLT. RESULTS: VC switch = BOTH and MESM switch = FLT. This is correct.

108670 Button changed: bRef=0, Joy=166, Btn=1, Released

108670 Button changed: bRef=0, Joy=166, Btn=2, Pressed

108670 [buttons] 108=P166,2,C65930,0

108670 FS Control Sent: Ctrl=65930, Param=0

108670 JoystickValues PCnum=0, dwCount=1, data[2]={000000a6 0000000c}

108670 *** EVENT: Cntrl= 65930 (0x0001018a), Param= 0 (0x00000000) MAGNETO1_BOTH

LETS HAVE SOME FUN AND TURN SWITCH COUNTERCLOCKWISE

--PROBLEM------------------i' Rotary Switch turned one click counterclockwise from FLT to CONT. RESULTS: VC = R and MESM = CONT. This is not correct. The vc switch should have turned to L. It bypassed L and turned to R.

142211 *** EVENT: Cntrl= 65660 (0x0001007c), Param= 0 (0x00000000) CLOCK_MINUTES_INC

142211 *** EVENT: Cntrl= 65661 (0x0001007d), Param= 0 (0x00000000) CLOCK_SECONDS_ZERO

318445 Button changed: bRef=0, Joy=166, Btn=1, Pressed

318445 [buttons] 107=P166,1,C65929,0

318445 FS Control Sent: Ctrl=65929, Param=0

318445 Button changed: bRef=0, Joy=166, Btn=2, Released

318445 JoystickValues PCnum=0, dwCount=1, data[2]={000000a6 0000000a}

318445 *** EVENT: Cntrl= 65929 (0x00010189), Param= 0 (0x00000000) MAGNETO1_LEFT

--OK------------------i'' Rotary Switch turned one click counterclockwise from CONT to OFF. RESULTS: vc switch = R and MESM SWITCH = OFF. This is correct.

321643 Button changed: bRef=0, Joy=166, Btn=0, Pressed

321643 [buttons] 105=P166,0,C66024,0

321643 FS Control Sent: Ctrl=66024, Param=0

321643 Button changed: bRef=0, Joy=166, Btn=1, Released

321643 Button changed: bRef=0, Joy=166, Btn=0, Pressed

321643 JoystickValues PCnum=0, dwCount=1, data[2]={000000a6 00000009}

321643 *** EVENT: Cntrl= 66024 (0x000101e8), Param= 0 (0x00000000) MAGNETO_RIGHT

--OK------------------i''' Rotary Switch turned one click counterclockwise from OFF to GRD. RESULTS: VC switch = OFF and MESM switch = GRD. This is correct.

324170 Button changed: bRef=0, Joy=166, Btn=0, Released

324186 [buttons] 106=U166,0,C65927,0

324186 FS Control Sent: Ctrl=65927, Param=0

324186 JoystickValues PCnum=0, dwCount=1, data[2]={000000a6 00000008}

324186 *** EVENT: Cntrl= 65927 (0x00010187), Param= 0 (0x00000000) MAGNETO1_OFF

-------------------------------------------------------

[Pete Dowson]

107142 Button changed: bRef=0, Joy=166, Btn=1, Pressed

107142 [buttons] 107=P166,1,C65929,0

107142 FS Control Sent: Ctrl=65929, Param=0

107142 Button changed: bRef=0, Joy=166, Btn=0, Released

107142 [buttons] 106=U166,0,C65927,0

107142 FS Control Sent: Ctrl=65927, Param=0

107142 JoystickValues PCnum=0, dwCount=1, data[2]={000000a6 0000000a}

107142 *** EVENT: Cntrl= 65929 (0x00010189), Param= 0 (0x00000000) MAGNETO1_LEFT

107142 *** EVENT: Cntrl= 65927 (0x00010187), Param= 0 (0x00000000) MAGNETO1_OFF

 

So, you worked it out? Above you can see that when you switched 166,1 on, the indication for 166,0 indicates off. In other words, the switch is a "make before break" switch, which is a big problem. The break is causing the "released" assignment to be sent. I don't know anyway around that unless you write a program (eg a Lua plug-in) to somehow work out how to interpret the signals it sends.

 

--PROBLEM------------------i' Rotary Switch turned one click counterclockwise from FLT to CONT. RESULTS: VC = R and MESM = CONT. This is not correct. The vc switch should have turned to L. It bypassed L and turned to R.

142211 *** EVENT: Cntrl= 65660 (0x0001007c), Param= 0 (0x00000000) CLOCK_MINUTES_INC

142211 *** EVENT: Cntrl= 65661 (0x0001007d), Param= 0 (0x00000000) CLOCK_SECONDS_ZERO

318445 Button changed: bRef=0, Joy=166, Btn=1, Pressed

318445 [buttons] 107=P166,1,C65929,0

318445 FS Control Sent: Ctrl=65929, Param=0

318445 Button changed: bRef=0, Joy=166, Btn=2, Released

318445 JoystickValues PCnum=0, dwCount=1, data[2]={000000a6 0000000a}

318445 *** EVENT: Cntrl= 65929 (0x00010189), Param= 0 (0x00000000) MAGNETO1_LEFT

 

 

 

Well, as you can certainly see, the command sent to FS was "MAGNETO1_LEFT". Don't ask me how it went to "Right" instead. A bug in the aircraft, in FS? Report it to Microsoft. All FSUIPC can do is send the correct controls.

 

Pete

[dbarry]

Thank you for your help. I give up on trying to program the device. Too bad I am not a 737 NGX user. I am sure it is well worth the cost of the device for that use.