Alekoy's control unit

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[alekoy]

Maby make my own thread, instead of jacking Sam's thread.

So, I'v made a controller for Shipsim and VS, and I have to tell you, its really before and after, this adds realism to the game, and takes it a step up.

From the user side, the controller looks like this;



And the rear of it is like this:


All the 25 buttons are backlighted, and the throttle lever will be soon, and the whole thing is going to be put in a case of some sort, to make it able to stand by itself.
the unit is tested and it works perfect. connects to the USB port, and power to the lights is also supplyed via the USB

I've been playing With the idea of making a version of this that could be made in larger numbers and sold, but that is just an idea

[Bottman]

Perfect! Where can I order it? 

Ulstein, what a well known brand! Do you have any idea about the price and last but not least: what about joysticks for azimuth driven vessels?

Best regards!

[Capetan Thanasis]

Hello
this looks a very nice unit and a strong construction.
It will be good to give us some more details about the keys and the rudder control.
Good work.
Regargs

[alekoy]

Perfect! Where can I order it? 

Ulstein, what a well known brand! Do you have any idea about the price and last but not least: what about joysticks for azimuth driven vessels?

Best regards!

Everything is possible, but it will cost you.hehe

The version i'm thinking about making is a bit simpler than this, but has 8 analog inputs and some switches.
thinking about using normal sliding-pots with center detent, for all axes, and don't really know how many buttons/switches yet, they are the part that will make it a bit more expensive to make, but, realistically, a controller will cost about.. $160-200 (USD) depending on the number of buttons and other things

I have spendt about $100 on this, but i already had the throttle (would cost about $400-600) and the Ulstein-panel (buttons on that is about $200) so, got out of it cheap. but in a sellable version, nobody in their right mind would pay $600-700 for this.. (or would they?) hehe

[Bottman]

Nope! But maybe there will be an "Asian workshop", using your plans for assembling that somewhat cheaper. Guess it depends on the number of the ordered pieces and - I don't need the Ulstein brand on it 

Regards

[Sam]

If you would like 8 analog inputs, you allso could buy 2 gameport to usb converters.

With 8 potmeters, it will only cost €40 in stead of €100.

But great controller!
I wish I could find somwhere a real ship throttle!

[JHB]

Is this advanced electronic where you can get an electric shock or is it electronics that anyone can make?

[Bottman]

I have sharpened my saw to insert it into my desk...

[Ballast]

If you would like 8 analog inputs, you allso could buy 2 gameport to usb converters.

With 8 potmeters, it will only cost €40 in stead of €100.

But great controller!
I wish I could find somwhere a real ship throttle!

Maybe you can ask some company's (Dutch company's are Werkina, Alewijnse, Radio Holland etc) that build the steering console on ships for old trottle's and a pilot. What is worthless to them, may be still good for your purpose.

At our ship a mechanic replaced the pilot a few weeks ago, and ofcours i didn't ask if i could have it   
 stupid me 

[alekoy]

Is this advanced electronic where you can get an electric shock or is it electronics that anyone can make?

Hi, sorry for my slow reply, not been time enugh to sit down and scroll thru forums lately.

The electronics are a bit advanced, but simple enugh for SOME people to make themselfs, I would recomend having a litle bit experience with electronics before taking this one on.
But, hey, its only 5 Volts, impossible to get any shocks.. But may be possible to damage your computer thou..

Men du Brende.. vurderer å selge greierne..

[alekoy]

I have sharpened my saw to insert it into my desk...

Good idea, have thougt about it.... But I don't use it enugh to destroy my desk..

But I'm thinking of combining my car-driving simulator with possibility for flying-simulators and the controller for ship games, this becouse the driving-simulator is a unit mounted on wheels and I Have enugh space in my room to stowe it away, as I don't really have very much time to spend on playing games..
(work as an electrician and work mainly on service on ships, and have plenty of overtime, and when I have some spare time, I'm restouring a 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396, and probably about a million other projects..)
I have event thought of selling this controller, and maybe build a new one when I have time to play again, but next time it might be on a bigger scale, like the car-simuator i have..

[alekoy]

Maybe you can ask some company's (Dutch company's are Werkina, Alewijnse, Radio Holland etc) that build the steering console on ships for old trottle's and a pilot. What is worthless to them, may be still good for your purpose.

At our ship a mechanic replaced the pilot a few weeks ago, and ofcours i didn't ask if i could have it   
 stupid me 

Good Idea. Maybe, if I do something like this in the future, I'll do just that

[metalfork]

boy....thats fantastic...theres just a steering wheel missing!
could you post a circuit diagram for those freaks who want to do a replication of that?
If there are any copyrights !
Cheers... Jonny