Flap Handle redux - another option?
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 11:29 pm
I have been trying to get the Arrow flap handle to utilize the IR sensors but it's not so simple. The Xplane commands are basic up / down commands and the IR sensors seem to be problematic.
Frankly, I am not too confident that any LUA script can do what I want.
So I was wondering if someone (Joe?) could tell me if the following idea is even possible?
As a recap, I have the flap lever from a piper aircraft and I need it to actuate some kind of electronics that will write to the Xplane commands using a LUA script in AM.
I have been able to set up IR sensors with the handle so that each sensor is activated as I move the lever up and down. The problem is trying to translate that signal to something usable by Xplane and AM.
I also have a flap lever switch with circuitry that connects a 4 way rotary switch to the sim. It operates like a Cessna flap lever. It has worked well for me but I would like to use the flap handle instead.
So here is my question. Is it possible to use the 4 IR sensors in place of the 4 poles on the rotary switch? Basically can the IR sensors act as a switch and replace the rotary switch?
The rotary flap switch connects what I assume is the center GND terminal to each of the (4) terminals thereby closing the circuit.
It seems that if an IR sensor can send a signal to an arduino pin could it also act as a switch for each of the rotary terminals?
These electronic designs are way beyond me, which is why I ask if this is a far fetched idea.
If that is impossible perhaps I can use a set of (4) momentary / limit switches in place of the rotary switch. I would have to devise a way to close each momentary switch with some sort of actuator arm connected to the flap handle.
Utilizing the sensors seems more elegant but if it's unworkable so be it....
Either way if I can use this flap controller board to activate the Xplane flaps and connect it to the flap handle with some kind of switches it would eliminate the need for any AM / LUA programming.
Kirk
Frankly, I am not too confident that any LUA script can do what I want.
So I was wondering if someone (Joe?) could tell me if the following idea is even possible?
As a recap, I have the flap lever from a piper aircraft and I need it to actuate some kind of electronics that will write to the Xplane commands using a LUA script in AM.
I have been able to set up IR sensors with the handle so that each sensor is activated as I move the lever up and down. The problem is trying to translate that signal to something usable by Xplane and AM.
I also have a flap lever switch with circuitry that connects a 4 way rotary switch to the sim. It operates like a Cessna flap lever. It has worked well for me but I would like to use the flap handle instead.
So here is my question. Is it possible to use the 4 IR sensors in place of the 4 poles on the rotary switch? Basically can the IR sensors act as a switch and replace the rotary switch?
The rotary flap switch connects what I assume is the center GND terminal to each of the (4) terminals thereby closing the circuit.
It seems that if an IR sensor can send a signal to an arduino pin could it also act as a switch for each of the rotary terminals?
These electronic designs are way beyond me, which is why I ask if this is a far fetched idea.
If that is impossible perhaps I can use a set of (4) momentary / limit switches in place of the rotary switch. I would have to devise a way to close each momentary switch with some sort of actuator arm connected to the flap handle.
Utilizing the sensors seems more elegant but if it's unworkable so be it....
Either way if I can use this flap controller board to activate the Xplane flaps and connect it to the flap handle with some kind of switches it would eliminate the need for any AM / LUA programming.
Kirk