MobiFlight Community Support

Hey Mobiflight community,
I'm having an issue that I didn't have a couple days ago where the software stops working while still being on "Run". Everything seems to work fine at the start and connects to FSX(E) and MSFS. I go through the process of centering all my gauges and run the test to make sure my LEDs are still working. I'm trying to program the Airspeed indicator at the moment as it's way off. About 30 seconds later after pressing "Run", the LEDs turn off (sim pauses for a second) and nothing responds to the sim. Looking at the MobiFlight software, it's still on Run with Modules and FSUIPC checkmarked green. Running tests or trying to change anything has no effect. I have to restart Mobiflight, recenter everything, then click run... and 30 seconds later it stops again.

Please help!

HI

1. Is this issue in BOTH systems... So also in FSX and FS2020 ...OR.... Only in one of them ?
2. What Version in use ? MF 7.10.0 Live OR MF 7.10.0.xx BETA ??

3. What "stops" ??
You say the SIM stop.... Then you say MF Stop.
You say " you have to restart MF and "recenter everything" .... What do you mean ?
Do you need to also restart the Sim ? What means recenter everything ?

Hi,
Sorry, I should have explained myself better. The issue happens with both FSX and FS2020. I'm on the MF 7.10.0 build 20200906. I have the cessna LED caution panel, Whiskey Compass, and VSI programmed. They seem to work ok. As soon as I start to program another gauge is where I have issues. I go through the steps of adding a stepper motor, upload the configuration, set up the gauge, run a full "test" of everything. That is all ok. I go into a flight on the runway, make sure the gauges are centered at "0" or "N" for the compass, then press Run. This is where the issue begins. After about 30 seconds, my LEDs flash 1 time, and everything turns off. The Ardiuno still shows connected, as is FSUIPC, but there is no reaction from the gauges or LEDs. Everything is then off. Trying to adjust anything in Mobiflight doesn't get the information to the ardiuno. MF still sees FSUIPC signals in the background, but the only way to get the gauges and LEDs to work again is to restart MF. I do not need to restart the simulator. By the "recenter" everything, all of my gauges are stuck at where they stopped working, and I need to go back and set the "Zero" location.
I'm sure it's something on my end, but any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Hi again

Thank you for the more detailed report.

This sounds to me like a electrical power problem.
Means the Moduke get "death" whatever the connector and the sim are still working fine.

You can confirm this also by checking the Mobiflight window. If i´m right then your Hardware is "broke" but the connector still work fine.
For example if you fly a climb then the value behind the VSI instrument config will change.... But the Motor do nothing.

And i also understand what you mean with "recenter"..... If the Mega crash ( or connector crash) the Stepper motors lost there Zero Point ( Technical they remain in the point shortly before the crash and after restart sure the current point is there "new" Zero Point.

***************

Solution:
You talk about "plural" gauges..... Means you got more then one. And you talk about LED´s.... so also multiple ones.
A Mega is designed to handle 500mA Power from USB.
Already 2 Steppers "can" overdrive this limit.

I THINK.... Your devices need to much power.

For testing.... Disconnect one of the Motors..... I think issue should be gone. Alternate is to power the motors via external 5v. ( get sure GRD of that external suply is also connected to the GRD of the Mega to have the same potential.
In easy words.... Get sure all Devices on Mega NEVER need more then 500mA

NOTE: A external power for the Mega NOT solve the problem.... Cause the Limit remain.... So its more logical to external power the Motors itself !