MJ Dash Overhead Panel Pots

[Rabc101]

Hi Pete,

First ever post on a forum for help!
I have the BU0836X and BBI-32, both from Leo Bodnar.  I also ordered a 10k pot (Leo Bodnar) and rotary switch and have a rotary encoder on order.  I am building my own multi-panel to use with the MJ Dash 8 Q400.
I am familiar with your software at a semi basic level i.e. I have all my control surfaces reverse thrusters working perfectly, thanks to your excellent software and guides :-)

The Issue:
I am using a 10k potentiometer connected to the BUX board via the analouge (Dial) input to control the overhead panel brightness knob using a mouse macro which I have working using the guide, the problem I have is that I can't get the knob in the virtual cockpit to turn through the full 100% of travel. I tried using the full 10 ranges for action available in the axis assignment with each assignment being a short range -- when testing the travel on the potentiometer I realised that Majestic have the rotary knob as 32 seperate switched positions, each increment turning the dial 3% of the full travel, so when I turn the potentiometer clockwise the most travel I can achieve on the virtual knob is 50%.  (This would be 25%, however I have doubled this with a within range and then exiting range command in the axis assignment).
So, I have 32 positions in total.  But I only have 10 commands to switch positions.  The 10  can be doubled to 20 using the "range exited control sent" checkbox -- but what about the remaining 12 positions?  I should also point out I have not yet started on the brightness down, just to keep it as simple as possible for now :-\
Given these issues I am wondering if it will even be possible to acheive the full 100% of travel (Up & Down) with a potentiometre. Should I use a 360 Deg rotary encoder to do the job, or if there is an alternative approach using the potentiometer??
Any expertise would be greatly appreciated!!
Many Thanks in advance
Robert

[Pete Dowson]

I am using a 10k potentiometer connected to the BUX board via the analouge (Dial) input to control the overhead panel brightness knob using a mouse macro which I have working using the guide, the problem I have is that I can't get the knob in the virtual cockpit to turn through the full 100% of travel. I tried using the full 10 ranges for action available in the axis assignment with each assignment being a short range -- when testing the travel on the potentiometer I realised that Majestic have the rotary knob as 32 seperate switched positions, each increment turning the dial 3% of the full travel, so when I turn the potentiometer clockwise the most travel I can achieve on the virtual knob is 50%.  (This would be 25%, however I have doubled this with a within range and then exiting range command in the axis assignment).

So, I have 32 positions in total.  But I only have 10 commands to switch positions.  The 10  can be doubled to 20 using the "range exited control sent" checkbox -- but what about the remaining 12 positions?  I should also point out I have not yet started on the brightness down, just to keep it as simple as possible for now :-\

Given these issues I am wondering if it will even be possible to acheive the full 100% of travel (Up & Down) with a potentiometre. Should I use a 360 Deg rotary encoder to do the job, or if there is an alternative approach using the potentiometer??

Any expertise would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Let's see if I understand this properly. you have a switch on an add-on aircraft which is effectively a multi-position switch with 32 positions, and you are trying to "map" an analogue input value to each of these. right?

 

Really, the facility in FSUIPC you are trying to use was never intended for such use. I'm surprised the add-on aircraft has such a control. Do you use 32 different Mouse Macros, on for each position, or what?  I think you need really to explain the actual output/control dside so i can best advise.

 

Pete

[Rabc101]

Hi Pete,

 

Thankyou for your quick reply!

 

Sorry for not explaining very well. The add-on aircraft is the Majestic Dash 8 Q400. You are correct, I am indeed trying to effectively move a multi-position switch with 32 positions and I am are trying to "map" an analogue input value to each of these. The rotary knob is for increasing the brightness on the overhead panel in the virtual cockpit, when I use my mouse to increase the brightness each click increases the brightness by 3%, so from zero brightness to 100% takes 32 clicks of the mouse!!

 

 

I only have 2 macros, 1 for the increse and one for the decrease (Brightness up and Brightness down). I then assign the macro to the axis and configure the 10 ranges for action. This only give me 50% of travel or 50%Brightness.

 

Could I use a 360Deg rotary encoder to overcome the issue?

 

Thankyou for your advice Pete

Kind Regards

Rab

[Pete Dowson]

You are correct, I am indeed trying to effectively move a multi-position switch with 32 positions and I am are trying to "map" an analogue input value to each of these. The rotary knob is for increasing the brightness on the overhead panel in the virtual cockpit, when I use my mouse to increase the brightness each click increases the brightness by 3%, so from zero brightness to 100% takes 32 clicks of the mouse!!

 

Are, so it;s more like a rotary encoder with "up" and "down" detection, not a 32-way multiposition switch with 32 different macros, one for each position.

 

For such a control you'd really be far better off with a rotary encoder yourself, which is what I use. They work really well with Bodnar boards. Then you just program one direction as INC and the other as DEC.

 

As it is, with an analogue input, I think your only sensible way is to use a Lua plug-in. Assign the axis directly (on the left hand side) to a Lua plug-in, so it receives the analogue input value as the parameter, then when you see it increase by more than x (1/32nd of the range) execute the INC Macro, and vice versa when you see it decrease. You need to keep the previous value in a Global variable (set by ipc.set and retrieved by ipc.get.

 

Pete

[Rabc101]

Hi Pete,

That's great news, I will use a rotary encoder like you suggest, can't thank you enough for your expertise

[Rabc101]

Hi Pete,

 

Got the rotary encoders today and soldered them up, connected to BBI board and created a macro Inc and Macro Dec, now got all 4 brighness knobs working perfect!!!!

 

Thanks again for your expert help! :razz:

 

Kind Regards

Rab