Topic: Sam's control unit. [last update 7/09/2007] (Read 15076 times)

Sam · « **on:** August 24, 2007, 16:14:29 »

Beceaus I had some PM's of people who where interested in building a ship sim control unit I start this topic.
I will keep the whole building log in the first message.
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In this topic I will explain everything about building your own ship sim control unit (SSCU).

Elektronics
Firstly I will start with elektronics, I have researched a while and I discovered that the most easy and cheap way to do this is via the gameport.

Most modern computers don't have gameports, but I have a gameport to USB converter.

Mine is from sitecom (http://wwwSpambotcom.com/product.php?productname=USB+to+gameport+adapter&productcode=CN-108&productid=34&subgroupid=20), but any other brand will allso do the job.

Be carefull when experimenting with the gameport, if anything goes wrong then I am not responcible for the causes. It may damage your computer!

But, first lets go to the basics.

To detect the movement, I use a potmeter.
This is what wikipedia sais about a potmeter:A potentiometer is constructed using a flat graphite annulus (ring) as the resistive element, with a sliding contact (wiper) sliding around this annulus. The wiper is connected to an axle and, via another rotating contact, is brought out as the third terminal.

So, if you turn the potmeter, the resistance changes. And the gameport works on resistance.
There can be connected 4 potmeters on the gameport.
2 for the throttle
1 for the rudder
1 for the bowthruster
And there allso can be connected 4 switches.
1 for the horn
1 for mooring
2 for sternthruster (wich will be added in the future)

Here's a picture:

from left to right: switch, potmeter, gameport to USB converter

More about the gameport in here (http://www.epanorama.net/documents/joystick/pc_joystick.html#connector).
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Lets start building!

The left is the upper throttle lever structure, the right is the throttle and bowtruster base.

The throttle levers and bowthruster part finished raw.

The rudder finished.

All this parts still need some filler and primer.

Left: Throttle and bowtruster part allmost in last layer of primer. Right: Rudder an switch part in first layer of primer.
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update!

Ive sprayed both parts and it looks great, but I am not completely sattisfied.
The end is in sight.
The bowthruster lever is glued on. I allso want to glue a boll on top.

The throttle levers, one assembeled and one disassembeled.

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Last update!

Everything is finnished and it works great!

I have been soldering the whole morning but is was worth the efford.

I looks like I didn't paint it well, but that is just dust.

You can see I glued a lot of lead in the consoles, I did that for extra stability.

To all who are interrested, I am not going to start this as a commercial product and mass produce this (I am only 16 years old

)

THE END

cdfuture41 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 24, 2007, 16:18:48 »

This will be a GREAT post, I was trying to see if there was one to buy but this will be the best. Keep up the work.

Water Weasel · « **Reply #2 on:** August 24, 2007, 17:18:00 »

VERY INTERESTING! Sorry for shouting, but I was very excited.
I am waiting to see the full results.

WW

Sam · « **Reply #3 on:** August 24, 2007, 17:28:51 »

Well, be patient.

Biceaus I am verry patient in building it and I don't expect it to be ready within a month.

Mr Robville · « **Reply #4 on:** August 24, 2007, 18:29:18 »

if this also works smooth in the end, you are a real prof then

cdfuture41 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 24, 2007, 18:43:23 »

Killer, I can wait !!!
Well I hope I can wait

seegurke · « **Reply #6 on:** August 24, 2007, 18:43:45 »

That looks quite nice!! Have thought about realizing a control unit by using an old joystick. But if this version works fine in the end I will try my best to built it that way.

klaas · « **Reply #7 on:** August 25, 2007, 18:27:27 »

looks great, cant wait to see the result. Started building already

Eelkon · « **Reply #8 on:** August 25, 2007, 21:35:50 »

Great Job.

what are the costs to make one for me?

Greetz,

Eelkon

Sam · « **Reply #9 on:** August 26, 2007, 19:05:34 »

@Eelkon
I am sorry, but I am not going to build any consoles for other people.

I allready have to many projects going on.

@seegurke
I allso wanted to try it with an old joystick, but that wasn't possible beceaus it didn't work on potmeters.

If you still have an old joystick, you could first try that.
I just started it with the gameport beceaus I still had one lying around.

@Klaas

Well, don't forget to show yours to the forum

cdfuture41 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 28, 2007, 04:05:04 »

Still, can hardly wait to see how you make out & get some specs in pot resistance used. Question, how will thsi work when you change ships. I would be able to get the answer if I had a joystick to try it but I do not, any idea. May have to zero with the keyboard?

Water Weasel · « **Reply #11 on:** August 28, 2007, 14:07:13 »

I use a SideWinder joystick, it doens't have to be reset when you change ships. I've never known of any type joystick or controller that needs to be adjusted or reset since the old DOS days before Windows and USB.

WW

cdfuture41 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 28, 2007, 20:23:35 »

So what happens if you are on say a tug with 100% ahead / 25% starboard thruster & swithch to a ship you had left 75% ahead PORT & 65% astern STARBOARD / 0% thruster?

muns · « **Reply #13 on:** August 28, 2007, 20:29:11 »

Quote from: cdfuture41 on August 28, 2007, 20:23:35

So what happens if you are on say a tug with 100% ahead / 25% starboard thruster & swithch to a ship you had left 75% ahead PORT & 65% astern STARBOARD / 0% thruster?

I would expect that the tug would stay with your current settings and the ship you switched to would then take the values that the controlls are at (i.e. the same as the tugs) [I have not tested this tho].

cdfuture41 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 28, 2007, 20:34:05 »

Thought so, looking forward to trials.

alekoy · « **Reply #15 on:** September 02, 2007, 08:30:30 »

Not to hijack your thread, but, I'v also made a controller. I used some parts removed from a couple real ships, instead of making the throttle lever myself, and panel used to control the trawl-equipment on a trawler. and i made the USB-interface myself

but here comes the pictures

the front:

And the rear:

just backlite in the lever, and a case thats left to do

muns · « **Reply #16 on:** September 02, 2007, 08:58:12 »

Nice one.....what chip is that you are using?

alekoy · « **Reply #17 on:** September 02, 2007, 09:04:24 »

Quote from: muns on September 02, 2007, 08:58:12

Nice one.....what chip is that you are using?

Atmel ATmega16 16PU
gives me 8 analog inputs and 32 digital inputs. used to be a site to the guy that designed this interface, but it has been removed

marcstrat · « **Reply #18 on:** September 02, 2007, 09:04:43 »

Greetings,
This is what i call "creativity"!!
That's realy a great job.
Are they any more creative people on this forum,who made some thing like this.
Maybe contact vstep about this,you can get a contract,and become rich??

Regards
Marc

marcstrat · « **Reply #19 on:** September 02, 2007, 09:07:07 »

Sorry,i forgot
Are you able to send the drawning,of this module to the members,with the specifications of what you need,to build this.
Maybe some more members are very interested in this.
It's just a question??
Regards
Marc

alekoy · « **Reply #20 on:** September 02, 2007, 09:33:21 »

my controller continues here (http://www.shipsim.com/ShipSimForum/index.php/topic,2033.msg21041.html#msg21041)

muns · « **Reply #21 on:** September 02, 2007, 09:36:08 »

Quote from: alekoy on September 02, 2007, 09:04:24

Atmel ATmega16 16PU
gives me 8 analog inputs and 32 digital inputs. used to be a site to the guy that designed this interface, but it has been removed

My electronics guy is working on a design that uses a PIC microprocessor. Watch his space for some concept designs.....

Sam · « **Reply #22 on:** September 07, 2007, 15:53:01 »

UPDATE!

Look at my first message for the update.

William Bensch · « **Reply #23 on:** September 08, 2007, 09:01:54 »

ayay lookin brill make drawing after finish and spread the design or start ur own producing..

Sam · « **Reply #24 on:** October 20, 2007, 16:12:27 »

Update!

Check my first post for the update.

In the beginning:

In the end:

Author Topic: Sam's control unit. [last update 7/09/2007] (Read 15076 times)

Eelkon