Simchair MK III I2C twin throttle collective by hc625ma

Last crawled date: 3 years, 1 month ago

IMPORTANT! PLEASE USE LATEST FILES FROM GITHUB:
https://github.com/hc625ma/simchair_models/tree/master/Components/Peripherals/Twin%20collective
Visit http://hc625ma.org for latest news and manuals!
DESCRIPTION BELOW WILL BE UPDATED SOON
This is an open source "Bell 412 style" dual throttle collective lever, intended to be used with Simchair MKIII, or as a separate PC joystick. It has a switch panel mount, as the panel is currently in development, you can use the decorative cover for now. Throttles turn 200 degrees like in a real 412. This is not intended to be a scale version of the 412 collective lever, but it is "412 themed" and looks kinda similar to the real one. Because of 200 degrees turn, (as standard potentiometers have 300 degrees turn), you will either need a step up voltage converter to power its potentiometers or a calibration in windows game controller properties.
As usual, IKEA GUNDE chair mount is included.
This lever is especially useful when flying X-Trident AB 412 in X-Plane 11.
Parts list:
M8x75mm screws 4pcs
M3 50-20 mm screws (all sizes with a 5mm step)
M3 regular and nyloc nuts
M4x80mm screws 2pcs
M4 nyloc nuts 2pcs
608zz bearings 2pcs
SS495A hall effect sensor 2pcs (https://goo.gl/1mxfRz)
10KOhm LINEAR potentiometer with SHORT HANDLE, AROUND 8MM 2pcs
(https://goo.gl/vbi1Zh)
6x6x4mm square magnet * 1pcs
wires
RJ-45 connector, ethernet cable
OPTIONAL: aluminum square pipe 10x10mm
OPTIONAL: step-up voltage converter (MT3608, for example): https://goo.gl/pQdAwK
OPTIONAL: Arduino UNO with atmega 16u2: https://goo.gl/Pmok1L
OPTIONAL: Arduino UNO proto shield: https://goo.gl/1meUh4
OPTIONAL: RJ45 sockets https://goo.gl/HnH48X
OPTIONAL: IKEA GUNDE chair
You can plug this lever into your favorite joystick controller. If you don't have one, no worries, the software for Arduino UNO is included. Note that you will need an original Arduino UNO or its exact clone with atmega16u2 onboard.
P.S. An assembly video (below) is not that good but should give you the general idea of how to build it.
How to use the voltage converter:
WARNING, IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING, USE SOFTWARE CALIBRATION INSTEAD, YOU CAN DAMAGE YOUR HARDWARE!
Power up the converter and adjust its output to 5 volts.
Connect potentiometers to converter's OUTPUT, SS495A to its INPUT (!).
Turn throttle grips so that voltage between signal legs of potentiometers and ground would be zero.
Turn throttle grips to the other side, check voltage between signal legs and ground, should be around 3v. Adjust to 5.
Connect the lever to the controller and plug it into PC. Check that grips travel range corresponds full axes travel range in game controller properties window.
Fly!
How to use UnoJoy software:
Upload the "simchair.ino" sketch to your Arduino with an Arduino IDE.
Install Atmel FLIP.
Turn your Arduino into DFU mode.
Your board should come up as an atmega16u2.
Run "Turn into a joystick.bat"
Replug your board and it will show up as a joystick.
Note that ALL analog inputs MUST be either connected to potentiometers or grounded.
Ethernet cable connections:
White-orange: +5v
Orange: Ground
White-Green: Collective axis
Blue: Throttle 1 axis
White-Blue: Throttle 2 axis
Use the T-568B standard wire order for all your connections (see picture below).
Keep in mind, that if you only need one throttle grip and do not need the collective head switch panel, you can use a simpler, single engine, 300 degrees, version: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2630031.