Pre-release version of SimVim CDU program for SimVimPanel is ready. By default it supports standard X-Plane (ver. >11.30) CDU for all planes that use it, as well as custom support for Zibo B738. You can use the SimVim CDU either as part of SimVim Panel with background and working clickable buttons, or as a screen … More SimVim FMS CDU Test
The SimVimPanel CDU, displayed on any cheap LCD screen connected to a mini-PC/Raspberry uses the default X-Plane CDU data structure, converting it into specific SimVim format. Current X-Plane CDU data format The X-Plane developers have added the dataref array for CDU screen content since XP 11.35: sim/cockpit2/radios/indicators/fms_cdu1_text_line# sim/cockpit2/radios/indicators/fms_cdu2_text_line#(where # is number from 0 to 15) … More FMS CDU text output
The next SimVimCockpit version (0.9.62) will have “embedded FMS/CDU” configuration for SimVimMatrix. Now, you won’t need to assign all those 140 buttons one-by-one, you’ll just need to select one device (Boeing CDU or Airbus MCDU) in the configurator. Here is the matrix wiring diagram for two CDUs (Boeing style and Airbus style). The 16 blue … More SimVimCockpit FMS/CDU/ MCDU predefined matrix Configuration
The next SimVimPanel update will include the updated Beechcraft B200 panel modules, which were available in the previous program versions, before SimVimCockpit plugin. The updated modules includes full realistic panel background for those who don’t make cover plates for their panel, new radio devices and better instrument positioning, closer to the real panel. Also, variations … More New B200 SimVim Panel
But if you have a single-pole (SPST, SPDT) switch, you can still use a LED to indicate its current position when using it with SimVimCockpit. All possible options are described below. 2. SPST switch For this switch type (ON-OFF) you can easily implement the “ON” status indication. To do this, you need to connect the … More ON/OFF Position Indication for Single-Pole Switch
If you need a dual encoder for your panel, you can make it yourself using two cheap encoders and two gear wheels of the same size, as shown in the picture. Two tubes are used as the handles for the encoder, one sliding within the other. The inner tube is solidly connected to the shaft … More How to make cheap Dual co-axial Encoder
When you have to use small SMD (surface-mount) chips and there are no ready to use breakout boards, you can easily make them yourself, quickly and cheaply, without the need to make or order PCBs for each device. All you need is to buy a very useful cheap “adapter” board for small SMD integrated circuits … More Make a cheap Breakout Board
If you need a two-needle instrument but don’t have a suitable mechanism for one stepper or multi-shaft steppers, you can use separate steppers for each needle with additional gear wheels. Both gear wheels have to be of equal diameter, te second (bottom) stepper can have a zero-position sensor disc directly on its shaft. One stepper … More 2-needle Instruments
In the Audio panel made for Baron 58 panel, all LEDs are connected with PCB by very thin short wires as I show in this picture: Also, as I prefer to avoid using any PCBs when possible in simple projects, this can be done by way of buttons simply being attached to a piece of … More Do it simple: Push-buttons with LEDs
