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The emergency/parking brake activates a microswitch when rotated. The handle was manually made of propoxy20 and painted with several layers of acrylic paint. Later it was labeled with white decals and covered with three layers of transparent acrylic paint. |
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And the other end of the DB25 cable terminates with a breakout board. The cockpit light LEDs, Electrical and Lights panels connect to this board via flat cables ending in multi-pin plugs. This allows for easy maintenance/upgrade of the entire system. |
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I had to pass i/o lines and power from the central pedestal to the main upper panel. I wanted it to be fully detachable so I used a standard DB25 and DB15 connecotrs + cables. Now the connection is secure and detachable. Despite the 7ft cables the GR256 input card works very reliably - no spurious inputs. It is rock-stable. |
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Gear handle detail from the Lights Panel. For the gear position lights I used the K1 switch caps that I purchased from FDS. P. Cos created the custom lables to the specifications. I use red and green LEDs. |
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Fixing the TFT monitors was easy. I used a bracket that practically "pinned" the monitor to the structure. The inner side of the bracked is covered with rubber to protect the monitor casing and reduce possible vibrations when moving the cockpit around. The interior is painted matt black. |
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Cockpit "folded" ready for "storage". Now it only occupies a HxWxD volume of 2.6x3.2x1 ft.. Another tip: use architect's sheet to prepare the prototype. It costs @$1 per sheet, it's easy to work with and it definitely saves you from future annoying and costly errors when working with aluminum, acrylic glass and/or wood. |
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The cockpit is on wheels. As with the handles, this makes the movement a snap. |
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I installed metal handles on both sides of the cockpit. Now it is easier to open, move and stow it. You can buy them at any DIY store in the furniture section. |
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Detail of the future Gear handle. The "knob" was CNC-milled in white semi-translucent plastic (I can use an LED to illuminate it). The handle activates an electronic circuit which displays the gear lights according to a specific delay, thus simulating the slow gear activation. |
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Parking/Emergency brake activation mechanism. I took and modified a pot so I use it's axis etc. without the resistor part. I also added a small lever which activated the microswitch when rotated. It works perfectly. The next version will also have a pull mechanism. |
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The Spoiler handle made of Propoxy20 acrylic putty, after considerable cutting, filing, sanding and 3 layers of acrylic paint. |
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This is the microswitch mechanism that activates the spoilers. |
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The USB joystick interface after installation and connection to the throttle and flaps potentiometers , and linking the buttons to the reversers, brakes and spoiler. |
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The lettering etc. was done very easily by ink-jet printing the layout on a special A4 plastic label and then cutting it to size. The ink-jet printer used is Epson C80. It's pigmentation ink is very durable - even to finger touch. Regardless I will cover the panel wih a protection transparent sheet, or laquer. Still thinking of the best procedure. |
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I use FDS K1 illuminated switches. The guarded switches came from Mouser. |
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Panels are manually made of aluminum and the holes cut with a hobby saw and filed to size. |
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