I work an easy job 3 miles from home now, instead of a brain wracking job 54 miles from home, so I have about an extra 15 hours of free time a week. I need a project. I have my VR button box that covers most everything in a c172/c182, but have decided to go all out and add everything I touch in the cockpit to it. So that means a redesign. Which got me thinking about doing something along the lines of my collective. Build a few to pay for the time and materials of mine, then open source it on Thingiverse with build vids on YouTube. I will be using Mobiflight (because it rocks) so adapting it to various aircraft will be a non issue.
What should the box have on it? I want to keep it a generic GA steam gauge panel but still want it to cover all possible aircraft. So I figured I’d ask you guys what it should include.
I agree I believe that we should have some more open source well documented projects in the flight simulator scene to bridge the home cockpit building sector to people who may be less advanced in the amount of extra sub hobbies (3d modelling etc.) but may have access to more common tools nowadays like a 3d printer, considering it is far cheaper to make than commercially available units. I know Captian Bob Sim building his Cessna 172 Home Cockpit tries as much as possible to be as beginner friendly as possible, but it is a huge leap a home cockpit project versus a simple box. You state you want to keep it a generic GA steam gauge panel,
So what size are you thinking? size will dictate what should be included.
I am keen to help out if needed in anyway as this is something I have been passionate about for a while. I have only now gotten my hobbyist/workspace to a point where I can think about prototyping things like these, using a wider range of materials and machine processes to see what works best.
Size is negotiable really. I had to attach a throttle panel to my current button box. It’s still missing the audio panel, trim, and fuel selector switch. So I want to add those things to the build. There’s a couple pics floating around her of my first and second designs. I didn’t finish the first because I thought it was too “busy” at the time. Now I wish it was busier.
Here’s the link to both boxes. They are somewhat elaborate because I have a 3D printer, CNC, and laser capable machine. Which takes it out of the realm of the average simmer. I really think a professional looking box can be made with a project box, hand tools, and a regular 2d printer. I wonder if there is any interest in something like that.
I could use a project box like this. https://www.polycase.com/wa-44 It should be large enough to install everything.
It would probably work, but that cost is fairly steep for a box, and would also most likely limit people to the US, preferably if a box like this was chosen it would be at a pretty cheap, accessible and world widely available size.
Didn’t even occur to me that might be considered too costly. I did find some larger ones on Amazon for half the price. Not sure if Amazon is worldwide though.
Maybe something like this. https://www.amazon.com/YETLEBOX-Watertight-Waterproof-Electronic-Electrical/dp/B09N3VPT3G/ref=sr_1_23?crid=3OVWR6XCPO1GI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.g_Q1kef3GJq6wNNLenQDH3LFUYNNjM_C65d58z045BkP7Xe6fUSL3ffRTBPoEupH3giO1pStwcQdUEDjSmfwD7ODmJPbzLGEXt9NBYXTpl-ThGZ52t9G4kEUI2CSp83_nisfkMcIIssspkIn_gK7o6Q6kyjIvsqOu9fI_nsnL5uwG7f8bw23rYGyw6g4OWhwHmBe3b8ilwhUnGqhxznb8yuAOPYSH4goP_rwyh0sp7Bm3Ht1j6067mvY_gWG67Ovn3wm1x-W4KC5z_rIR5lWAbe01nTGsBbyFhLRGJdpEWQ.T04udehYvCHy2kxuLTkZcSaXUrS48qHzq-AmUQ2lW_s&dib_tag=se&qid=1713399843&sprefix=project+box,aps,290&th=1
Yeah that’s much better priced, I think “costly” is variable but the lower the cost of entry the more people will consider it as a viable project. Amazon is as worldwide as it gets apart from Ali Express (which offers worldwide cheap products but can be a 50/50 gamble whether you get the parts or not depending on where you live) Wood could also be an option to make your own case as part of the opensource design if peopel were interested, or a 3d printed enclosure but it would be slightly smaller than that unless you have a larger than normal printer.
Seems like there are a great # of choices with regards to size. I think I’m going to do a drawing using this one to see if everything fits. The color is good because the nomenclature, cut, and drill profiles can be printed in black on a 11x17 clear sticky back printer sheet. Basically stick the sheet to the box, cut and drill, then install the switches and such and mount a couple MEGA2560s to the bottom. Would cost someone less that $200 for a box that covers everything in a GA cockpit.
https://www.amazon.com/Zulkit-Dustproof-Waterproof-Universal-Electrical/dp/B07V4Z3SNV/ref=sr_1_17?crid=346TOADBDJ33R&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ahGaDUSQNeUB8nMeu2hS85P1srGWm17oGjXjWrR-HMvABWsNviMfpNCeFAbAJPHNH4sgSpID2NaBab6wMMUaIim0qVv8Wj-7VjGUbgOAB2YedVnN4U7o0O43DTbE9rpClbpJ3QpNbQQR5rR5dVyBBPzSONHcU92L3NfIo4CJ2x4_Hn-19C6eTXCPJ_febUHXurHYIWzfrSHIuetn8bQo23uAbNtNw3XqfgAWNhhiR0yCyrI_thXovZM8s6ITQ55jzrtu2Zmilw9dXamQNvHys-yv9Dhqm5OqxSXA1FwY69Q.pQ2wAAyOge-fE76aRpf_WW1eHgEzo9HSg6dr8uYBy9E&dib_tag=se&qid=1713400369&sprefix=gray+project+box,aps,95&th=1
Tho I discovered it after starting my own, I thought the MDM FS-100 (IFR trainer) showed an interesting collection of controls.
Google it. There’s a couple on eBay right now.
I incorporated some ideas from it in my own. Mostly adding encoders and selectors for what they will do.
Sounds good to me.
That sounds like a great idea, following with interest.
The exact same boxes you posted from amazon.com are available from the UK and European sites too.
Those and the others there are prohibitively expensive. A lot of the complete systems are older Parallel port units that aren’t even supported by Windows anymore.
I wasn’t suggesting buying them rather examining the images for form and functions.
I’d kinda like to restore one to functionality, gut it, and rebuild with Mobiflight, but no way Im spending that kind of money on one.
FTR: it connected to serial on the PC, took gameport controllers (old 15 pin type) and an external wall wart for power. And of course used some kind of proprietary software.
Jeppesen made an FS200 later on with the same connections in a different chassis .