Some Updates of my full size cockpit

[b744erf]

Hello Captains:
I am Jack, from Guangzhou, China. My last post for my first version throttle quadrant is about 8 months ago. I dream to own a full size cockpit, which is too much far away from me before meeting PSX and guys in this forum. I want to share my experience of how making the cockpit and some updates, though mine is not as gorgeous as some big guys here with real parts and full set FDS.

This is the very first version throttle quadrant
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lkkgjvfxcn1f0qs/AABuPkQvjnGl34SuC9SkVg-Fa?dl=0
This is the very first version throttle quadrant with a smaller size then the real one, since I don't have any measurement but only reference by photos on. You can my old MIP glare design, very simple. How to interface it? Well I just destroyed my CH yoke, which already stayed with me for more then 10 years, since I can't find the fit potentiometers. Then use it interface board...

This is the 2nd version throttle quadrant.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ax168v1fl0eq6qj/AADU65X9f6TUqNJ-Y-AeBnn6a?dl=0
Thank Hans G. Schuetz and his b747-400.net to give me so much important measurement! Now It looks better in size, though there are still some problems on the spoiler mechanic system. I have to say that this is NOT a motorized quadrant. I wish I know how to interface a motor. U can also see how I make the MIP: 2 touch screen in 21 inch, CPFlight MCP EFIS with a glare shield stand a ACE yoke with CH ruder peddle, and an IPad used as CDU. The whole quadrant is made with 3d printed and acrylic.

My FlightDeckSolutions CDU & Interface Board.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bhq7p7fl6dlib57/AAAseAGFf-L1riw8VcQkEenxa?dl=0
Waooohhh, something cool is coming. After a long conversation with Peter, I decided to make an order from Flight Deck Solutions, a CDU for 744 and 2 interface board with total 256 in and out for my later MIP and Overhead. At last 2 photos, u can also see I made a CDU stand, ready for my new full size MIP cockpit update.

Primary Overhead and Interface.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/okhioyd8hvm0kbj/AADcRVxtZOjubH1XgiUWYIoka?dl=0
I bought a full set overhead panels from eBay a few months ago. They are not back lighted but come from a retired 744 training equipment. Most important, I just bought them with a very cheap price - $572 include shipping from CA to China. The seller is actually a 744 pilot. Nice to have a lot conversations with him. All the plastic Korry buttons and switches are 3d printed. What is more, I have to say that wiring is a tired work. I charged a lot of time, because of my poor experience.

Full Size MIP
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/a7e90vt28oik7mj/AADBJPbYf-2pAlCZM6gqSk3ma?dl=0
This is the MIP I made recently. I have to say a big thanks to Hessel! I can't made the whole MIP without his fully support!  The panels are mostly made of acrylic while the constructions are made of metal in a few parts.For displayer, I use one 19inch 16:9, one 15 inch 4:3, one 10.4 inch 4:3 display. All displayers and CDU, and all the interface equipments are power by one computer. The F/O side is still under construction. I will make all the panel backlighted later soon. The color is very closed the Boeing brown, I asked a varnish store to make from the overhead panel. I really proud of the Landing gear, and especially the LCD display frame, which I think is the most replica in the world. I made both CRT frames at first. But as I prefer the LCD, so I just redesign a LCD style, as you can see at the last few photos. You can see I made both mechanic and LCD style standby instrument panel too. But as you know the limited room for displayer, I give up the mechanic style and go to the LCD one, which make me redesigned the LCD display frame as well.

My real 747 control column and yoke from www.angelfire.com
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/n3xedody33mtirx/AADHhi3T0gv4CKtVyNR4IE38a?dl=0
Captain side: N533PA, 747SP-21, owned by PanAm as it delivered on 5.Mar.1976, named "Clipper New Horizons". Owned by United Airlines from 11 Feb. 1986 as N143UA
F/O side: LN-RNB B747-283B ComBi, owned by SAS as it delivered on 22.Oct.81~Oct 87, named "Huge Viking". Owned by Philippine Airlines as EI-BZA till her retired.

Thank you for reading my update with my poor English. I will keep updating.

I want to ask some question:
1. I used FDS interface board for my MIP and Overhead input and output. A problem I can't solve: When I press the TEST switch at the right bottom of the overhead, all the yellow and red ,APU GEN and EXT GEN in white illuminated, except the all the annunciator (PRESS/ SYS FAULT/ BTL A,B...). I use PSXInterfaceIT V1.31a. Anybody have the same problem as me? Can anyone help to solve it?
2. Which FDS board do you suggest to interface the Encoder, since FDS board I bought seems can't interface. Or any other way to do it ?
3. How can I Motorize the quadrant levers and spoilers? What board I should use? What motor I should use? How to set up on software? I know if I want to override the motorized levers, I need a clutch on mechanic which seems a little bit difficult to me...
Thank you guys agains to read my post.


Best Wish
Jack

[b744erf]

Sorry for the wrong Link. I upgrade the Link address already. Now works.

[evaamo]

Very impressive, Jack. Nice work! I wish I had the space, patience and time to undertake such a project! Congrats!

cheers
-E

[emerydc8]

Very nice, Jack. It is really coming along. Sorry I can't help you with your questions because they are beyond the scope of my knowledge. If you could mass produce your TQ at a reasonable cost, it might be worth selling them. As you know, outside of a real TQ, there are only two options for 744 TQs. So it's a choice between $3000 (if Throttletek even has them available) or $10,000+ for FDS.

Jon D.

[Hardy Heinlin]

Beautiful work, Jack :-)

Congratulations!


|-|ardy

[Gary Oliver]

Hi Jack,

I did an update to PSXInterfaceIT for Chris Kilroy recently(ish) to try and resolve a few issues he had so some of these will probably be fixed already.

Although I wrote PSXInterfaceIT so I could use it on my Sim I only use outputs on the MIP panel buttons so dont see the overhead issues so its great you have reported this so we can get it fixed.

I have V1.42 almost ready for release, i just need to tidy up some things we put in yesterday to make the maintenance panel switches work.

Nice simulator by the way, amazing quality work.

Bare with me.

Cheers
Gary

[Hessel Oosten]

GOOD work Jack !

Especially the cockpit-style double-bass and the old style CRT bezels ... .

Hessel

[Hardy Heinlin]

Aviation is music.

[Hessel Oosten]

And... Aviation + Music = Heaven ....:-).

H.

[b744erf]

Hi Jack,

I did an update to PSXInterfaceIT for Chris Kilroy recently(ish) to try and resolve a few issues he had so some of these will probably be fixed already.

Although I wrote PSXInterfaceIT so I could use it on my Sim I only use outputs on the MIP panel buttons so dont see the overhead issues so its great you have reported this so we can get it fixed.

I have V1.42 almost ready for release, i just need to tidy up some things we put in yesterday to make the maintenance panel switches work.

Nice simulator by the way, amazing quality work.

Bare with me.

Cheers
Gary

Dear Gary
That is great to hear the 1.42 update.
I do have some more problems:
1. As what I mentioned above, when I press the TEST switch at the right bottom of the overhead, all the yellow and red ,APU GEN and EXT GEN in white illuminated, except the all the annunciator (PRESS/ SYS FAULT/ BTL A,B...). But they will be illuminated when other then the test mode. Means if HYD PUMP is at off position, the PRESS annunciator will be illuminated.
2. When I release the TEST switch, most of the yellow and red lights will be off but always some of them will be still illuminated. After I press many times TEST (about 3 - 4 times), all the test-mode-on lights are off.
3. Some of the functions could not be found, such as Emergency Light...

Thanks to see the photos of my cockpit.

Best wish
Jack

[b744erf]

And... Aviation + Music = Heaven ....:-).

H.

Dear Sir Hessel
It is your great sharing to make my cockpit come true! Most of the MIP design is upgrade from your original file. 

[b744erf]

Aviation is music.

Maestro Hardy:

Yeah! That is right! I like both. Composing and conducting for orchestra is my job and I spend all of my spare time on stuffs about aviation...

May I ask if I can create a new airport myself? One of the small airport at my home town I want to add into PSX. Also the old Kaitat., though I know it is closed already. It is the great airport in the golden age for 744. If any chance to add some new engine some sound will be wonderful!
Thank you Hardy. You create the best aviation software for simer, cockpit builder and the pro.

Best Regards
Jack

[b744erf]

Very nice, Jack. It is really coming along. Sorry I can't help you with your questions because they are beyond the scope of my knowledge. If you could mass produce your TQ at a reasonable cost, it might be worth selling them. As you know, outside of a real TQ, there are only two options for 744 TQs. So it's a choice between $3000 (if Throttletek even has them available) or $10,000+ for FDS.

Jon D.

Dear Jon
That is alright. Some other pros may know and reply. Yes, you are right. There is very few choice to buy a 744 TQ, either Throttletek or FDS, or go for a real one. The real one is my next goal since it will be even cheaper then a FDS TQ, though I need to some work to clean and interface by  myself...
If any chance that I am free enough, I may think about to product my TQ. I think I can cheap as lower then $1K. But I have to say, ThrottleTek, though not a motorized one, has a great quality and replica design, while FDS is the best and feel as sturdy as the real one and motorized!
Thank you Jon.

Best regards
Jack

[the mad hatter]

wow!!! Jack impressive what you have done thus far is amazing given the time frame of eight months you are way further down the road than I it has taken me years lol . I would suggest purchasing the Throttle unit from the aircraft you will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly the interfacing will proceed ... a few pots a dc motor and a micro switch your done .. try to get them to leave the flaps resolver in place and the park brake rod since you have the control uprights I am thinking you will have some level of flooring with a space in between if this being the case there is a thing at STA 300 that the throttle plugs connect too try to get that puppy,as well I don't know what it is called and the air conditioning connectors..  again very well done considering time and budget ..Bernard

...

[B747-400]

Hi Jack,

great to see all your pictures! Excellent work, and thanks for your update!

If you are interested how I motorized my speedbrake lever, simply go to my HP. There is a video of the mechnism on the Project tab, and a picutre gallery called "Motorized Speed Brake mechanism!" on my Picture tab. Need to connect it to a H-Bridge and my I/O Cards.

Next will be motorizing of my TQ as well. I am using SimStack for my setup. I have to learn a lot about stepper motors, H-Bridges etc. to bring my A/T and speed brake alive. But I'm on the way .. 

Cheers
Hans

[the mad hatter]

Hi Hans why do you require stepper motors for an auto throttle as I believe you have a,real tq did it not come with the motor if so why not adapt a DC motor to orginal AC motor mount ? just a thought 

[B747-400]

Hi Bernard
you're right. I have the origial TQ and the original motor. Using the original motor would be the best. But due to lack of electronic knowledge, I am afraid that I'm not able to create a 114 V power supply, and adapt the motor circuit for my SimStack. Thats why I am going for a (stepper)motor.
Cheers
Hans

[Mark]

Hi Hans,

We didn't have much luck with a stepper motor AT motor, we found we needed a lot more torque. We settled with a DC motor, attached to the same mounting holes as the OEM motor using a 3D printed mount.



Motor goes into universal joint, and then a hex shaft directly interfacing with the input spline (got lucky with this, it fits very nicely). The universal joint isn't ideal as it doesn't present a constant torque but the floor was in the way.

-Mark

[B747-400]

Hi Mark,

excellent idea with the mount!!
Luckily I've enough space below the TQ!

Cheers
Hans

[the mad hatter]

lol... that's exactly what I said ... mount dc motor to orginal AC mount I need to figure out how to post pictures