Interesting and novel electronics / hardware thread. - Components, parts, prebuilt , anything useful

[jph]

REALLY nice info on LCD displays - also a great library. A superb one stop shop.

http://www.lcdwiki.com/Main_Page

Excellent info !

I just got hold of the 4" (3.95") version.http://www.lcdwiki.com/4.0inch_Arduino_Display-Mega2560 It completely covers the mega to give you an idea of size.
.

.
Will test next week.
The nice thing about this display (and some others listed) is that it is both 3.3 AND 5V compatible. It is also HIGH RES (480 x 320) and touch capable. As it is 3.3V compatible It therefore SHOULD work with the DUE which I will also test. And it is cost effective at around 12 euro. If it works with the DUE then it should be around 4 or 5 times faster - although the Mega update appears good as the screen is 8 bit parallel data transfer. It also 'appears' to support 16 bit transfer with a change of a resistor placement.

Again, when I get time I will test. (hopefully next week) Great site !

this one should make a great King type AP and Transponder unit - for example. Or, a generic warning panel etc. Neat.
Joe

[BradyBrother100]

On a Forum post / thread I mentioned these switches due to them being excellent quality and having the ability to be set to any number of positions between 1 and 12 very easily so thought I would add them to the 'interesting hardware list' as a few were not aware of these and their capabilities.
For those that may not be aware of them and the flexibility they add, If you ever want a rotary switch simply buy the 12 way and then set the number of positions required with the tab ring supplied with it.
A truly flexible unit. You only ever need to buy one type of rotary switch whether you need single pole 2 way up to a single pole 12 way.
They posses a lovely feel, a very positive and clean 'click' and very good detent.
The step angle of each position is 30 degrees so perfect for almost any application I can think of - on an MCP, EFIS or even a Cessna or similar Ignition switch as a 5 position unit. You can make a spring return unit on the 5th position (start) with a bit of ingenuity.

I present a commonly available and cost effective 12 Position rotary switch that can be set to any number of position from 1 to 12 by a tabbed ring that acts as a limit stop.
Check this link and please note - the price quoted in the link is FOR 5 UNITS ! - a real bargain. The switches I have shown in these images are the exact units it the link and the images taken on my bench with my phone camera.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3294718 ... hweb201603_

Again, the link above is for 5 units. !

How to use and brief description.
Images follow.


point to locators for washer.jpg



Switch pos tab washer.jpg



thumbnail (3).jpg



Hope that helps someone ?
These rotary 12 pos switches are really good quality and can, as seen above, be set to physically limit the number of position between 1 and 12. Highly recommended.
If someone would like to see the internal construction I am happy to take one apart and photograph it. Just let me know. They have also been used in commercial applications for sims such as 'hispapanels' and others. The detent force can be lowered by removing one of the two sprung ball bearings inside. Lovely units and cheap as chips.

Joe

Nice thread idea! For those who prefer an Amazon link, here is the same product but with different ground configurations. Its 20USD for 12.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0714 ... UTF8&psc=1

[jph]

Hi Brady
Just for info, they are not the same, but they are a great value selection.
By not the same, what I mean is that you only get three units of the type I posted above. You would need to consider your usage scenario.

The 12 pieces supplied are 3 of each of the following (from what I can deduce from the Amazon listing)

1P12T 1 Pole, - 12 way (adjustable from 2 to a maximum of 12 possible positions with a single independent common), 3 pcs
2P6T 2 Poles, - 6 way (adjustable from 2 to a maximum of 6 possible positions with double independent commons), 3 pcs
3P4T 3 Poles, - 4 way (adjustable from 2 to a maximum of 4 possible positions with triple independent commons), 3 pcs
4P3T 4 Poles, - 3 way (adjustable from 2 to a maximum of 3 possible positions with quad independent commons), 3 pcs

Still nice units though. I would think the 1P12T would be the best all round unit.

You couldn't for example, make the - 3P4T 3 Pole, 4 way (adjustable from 2 to a maximum of 4 possible positions with triple independent commons) - work with anything greater than a maximum of 4 positions. - but you would get 3 independent switches each with it's own common and I/O.

Thanks for the link - excellent,
Joe

[BradyBrother100]

Hi!
On the 737 Overhead panel, some switches require you to pull them out/unlock them before you can move the switch. What would the mechanism be called and where could I find a similar switch?


Thanks!
Brady

[Keith Baxter]

Hi!
On the 737 Overhead panel, some switches require you to pull them out/unlock them before you can move the switch. What would the mechanism be called and where could I find a similar switch?


Thanks!
Brady

Hi,
You talking about these?

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2981928

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4761359

Keith

[Ralph]

We buy those here: https://www.mgswitches.com/
I think you can purchase them from Taiwan Trade, also found this one there: https://www.taiwantrade.com/product/fon ... s-589.html

[jph]

Hi!
On the 737 Overhead panel, some switches require you to pull them out/unlock them before you can move the switch. What would the mechanism be called and where could I find a similar switch?


Thanks!
Brady

Hi Brady. They are called a 'locking toggle switch'

I have used these listed here in the past, they are a very good representation. The switch body is small but the actual lever is full size. (as can be seen by the dimensions) - I can take a pic of one if you like ? I also have the 'proper' versions but they are about 20 to 30 euros each ! - if needed I can get a model number for that as well. To be honest I prefer the cheaper one for a home sim. Don't worry too much about they type - ie - ON/ON/ ON/OFF or three way etc as usually the actually control can be done in AM. The ones here are

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000392 ... 3ab5c450-0
.

.

.
You can get a good list of other options of the various other types of switches in this format from here -
https://www.aliexpress.com/af/SH-T80%25 ... 0716230951.


hope that helps ?
Joe

[BradyBrother100]

Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks a lot!

-Brady

[jph]

At last ! a good quality screw terminal breakout board for the Pi PICO - and it has the added RESET button! yay . !

Now AM supports the PICO as a hardware board to flash it is about time someone released a reasonably priced breakout board with screw terminals.
https://www.banggood.com/Suitable-for-P ... Country=PT

These have literally only just become available in the last few weeks.

Amazon sell a version also - https://www.amazon.com/Treedix-Compatib ... B091F7YSCD but definitely best to avoid that one. It doesn't have the Reset (RUN) button on the board !. Also doesn't have the extra GND and POWER connections as the first one linked.

You NEED to either have the reset button on the board, or you have to add one yourself to reflash the device as you need to disconnect and then reconnect the USB. The 'RUN' / Reset button does this for you. You simply press bootsel on the pico board and 'RUN' on the expansion board then release run, then release bootsel and you are all set to re-flash.

Very nice indeed.

I am hoping there will be lots more available on AliX and Banggood in the next few weeks.
The PICO is definitely the future for AM. The only hardware I would consider for AM interfacing, or any Sim interfacing, is the PICO and also the Mega2560. Even then the PICO would definitely be my first choice. I havent tested this yet but I believe the 1637 driver code needs to be added but that will be sorted when Corjan returns I am sure.
I am trying to get hold of the PCB only if they will sell them cheaply enough (for soldered connections) otherwise I will have some made. I was going to have these screw terminal boards made but the screw connectors make the price not worth bothering with. These are cheaper.

Joe

[WJBobko]

I’m a newbie to Arduino and air manager and would like to reproduce the Arduino sketch for Russ Barlow’s VR Mighty Mouse application. This application is essentially a simple momentary switch box (12 switches) and a Knobster allowing for in VR flight simming. Each with include an associated annunciator (i.e. Bitchy Betty). Can anyone assist?