DIY collective

[Crash]

Slow progress, the Leonardo has just arrived so I will try out the joystick library this week

[Crash]

The Leonardo works. BUT it isnt very obvious how to load a downloaded sketch or even how to download the sketch. After quite a while I have the board set up as a 5 axis controller and it tested OK. Now to find the sketch I need, that is 4 axis, one 4 way hat switch and maybe 10 or so buttons.

[Crash]

More progress, I have soldered the 2 pots and have roughly positioned the throttle complete with thumb stick. I will put some photos up soonish in my build thread.

[Crash]

More progress, as I have decided to mount the Leonardo in the button box on the lever I had to feed the wires from the collective pot up the lever along with the USB cable. This meant taking the plate off the side to get access to the collective pot, and taking the lever off the pivot to allow the cables to be fed up the tube. All back together now.

[wingflyr]

Looks great Crash

I have one sketch that for my Leonardo.  It obviously will not match your config rig, but your certainty can use it as reference if that helps.  

WINGFLYR_sketch.ino

[Crash]

Thanks Dennis I will give that a go.

[wingflyr]

Let me know if you have questions and I will get back to you as quick as possible Dave.

[Crash]

Will do Wingy, I have fitted all the switches, so I need to solder the wires and get Leonardo talking to the computer.

[Crash]

How many buttons and axis are on your sketch Dennis?

[Crash]

Base now complete and soldering commenced.

[wingflyr]

On 5/28/2023 at 8:19 AM, Crash said:

How many buttons and axis are on your sketch Dennis?

Will check Dave, I will get back to you ASAP. Last two days of work, then I'm free free free

[Crash]

I remember the feeling

[wingflyr]

OK Dave I use this for my radio buttons and rotary's vol up down, channel selection ect for DCS

//DEFINITIONS

#define ENABLE_PULLUPS

#define NUMROTARIES 4 //replace "?" with number of rotary encoders you are using

#define NUMBUTTONS 6 //replace "?"with number of buttong you are using

#define NUMROWS 1 //replace "?" with number of rows you have

#define NUMCOLS 6 //replace "?" with number of columns you have

as follows 4 rotary encoder switches   push down button 1 rotate 1 left rotate right 

  as in the sketch               

rotariesdef rotaries[NUMROTARIES] {

  {0,1,24,25,0},

  {2,3,26,27,0},

  {4,5,28,29,0},

  {6,7,30,31,0},

 

and 6 buttons

 

//BUTTON MATRIX

//first change number of rows and columns to match your button matrix, 

//then replace all "?" with numbers (starting from 0)

byte buttons[NUMROWS][NUMCOLS] = {

  {0,1,2,3,4,5}

               

5 potentiometers    z axis

                                                   rx axis

                                                   ry axis

                                                   rz axis

                                                   throttle

as you can see in the sketch these equal true

//JOYSTICK SETTINGS

Joystick_ Joystick(JOYSTICK_DEFAULT_REPORT_ID,

  JOYSTICK_TYPE_JOYSTICK,

  32, //number of buttons

  0, //number of hat switches

  //Set as many axis to "true" as you have potentiometers for

  false, // y axis

  false, // x axis

  true, // z axis

  true, // rx axis

  true, // ry axis

  true, // rz axis

  false, // rudder

  true, // throttle

  false, // accelerator

  false, // brake

  false); // steering wheel

 

 Hope that helps Dave. I know it can be confusing.  By the way, Your collective is starting to look awesome. Nice piece of engineering their Matie. 

[Crash]

Thanks Wingy,  most of the soldering is now done. My original rubber band on the throttle has now got a split so I will need to come up with a new cunning plan. Might get some photos up tomorrow.

[Crash]

New cunning plan, I have ordered a 3D printer belt and pulley, Hopefully this will work out.

[Crash]

The cunning plan worked and the soldering is now done. A few minor jobs to do the sketch and test. Will put up some photos tomorrow.

[Friar]

Pictures or it never happened...

[Crash]

mmkay

[Friar]

Can we merge the two threads together. would be easier to follow. text updates then pictures?

[Crash]

It nearly finished now Colin. I have covered what I did in the Hardware forum.

Outstanding jobs are

1/ glue the collar on to the column

2/ drill a hole to feed the usb cable through the button box

3/ do the Arduino sketch

4/ plug the cables into the board and test

5/ fit the assembly into the simpit.

[Crash]

Dennis, can I use the 3v to power the buttons? I have looked up on google but I cant find out. What about the 5v (pin2) on the 6 pin header, can that be used?

[wingflyr]

2 hours ago, Crash said:

Dennis, can I use the 3v to power the buttons? I have looked up on google but I cant find out. What about the 5v (pin2) on the 6 pin header, can that be used?

Yes the 3V and/or 5Volt supply can be used,

but PC USB power supply more then enough for switches buttons and rotaries. I personally stay away from  that option as they can create more problems. Generally they are used for motors ( in our case, people run real Aircraft gauges that run with servo motors), digital readers ect, that require more power. Not really needed in our case IMO.

 

[Crash]

Thanks Dennis, I will run the pots (4 of them) off the 5v and the buttons off the 3v. I have found out that i can glue the pins off my dupont cables together and make a sort of multi-pin plug. The sketch hasnt been sorted yet, I have one for 5 axis controller. I can edit that down to 4 and then add the button part. I will have 13 buttons, each to a separate pin so I will have to copy paste the routine for this and then test it.

[Crash]

I have hit a snag. I have soldered the dupont wires to the switches but the wires break very easily. I think I will have to re-wire and use crimped connectors.

Wire, soldering tips and terminals ordered. Got to get this sorted!

[Crash]

Parts will arrive today and I will try to get to grips with the Leonardo.