MobiFlight Community Support

Hi,

I'm making a small panel with all analogue gauges for an old Bell 47 helicopter CAD render pictured below.

It uses a three in one gauge for Oil Temp, Oil Press and Fuel Press. The Fuel Press isn't used in this model so won't be connected.
The Oil Temp Gauge is shared between Engine Oil and Transmission Oil Temps. It is swapped in the real aircraft by a toggle switch. Only difference is there is two upper red lines as the XMSN runs hotter than the engine.
The Fuel quantity gauge in the real aircraft also can show either Left or Right tanks at one time, again this is switch selectable, but I think in this MSFS model it only shows total QTY.
Can you configure two gauges in MF (so there are two separate variables) and display one or the other depending on a switch input on a single physical gauge?
I haven't decided if I'll use steppers or servos yet.
If it's not possible I'll just use it as a XMSN temp gauge as it's the more important during flight in this aircraft as the engine is mostly referencedduring startup.

Cheers,
Stuart

Hi
YES This is possible.

You got 2 Ways..... Via Precondition or via Placeholder/Config Refferences.

Logic 1: Precondition

You build 2 Configs for the same Gauge ( motor in your case) .
Config 1 show e.g. Left Fuel Quantity..... Config 2 show Right Fuel.
Additional you need now a INDICATOR. Thats your switch !
In current MF it is not possible to use the switch itself as a Condition ( we plan for this in the future) . So you need to go a little bypass for the moment.
You write a "MF Variable" with the switch..... In your case to "0" or "1" . Can be done with a Push button or a switch, too)
Then you Read this Variable in a Output Config..... And THATS your Indicator now.... IF the Config is "0" then Left Fuel need to be shown. If Config is "1" we like Right Fuel.
Finally you use PRECONDITION in both Motor Configs. The First say " Only work if "Output Config Switch" = 0 ..... The Second "" Only work if "Output Config Switch" = 1

So.... 2 Configs. One for each system.... And a Precondition that only one is Active same time.


Logic 2 : Placeholder

You build again 2 Configs that Read LEft and Right Fuel...... But you not use a Motor Here. We only read the Raw Data
You again build the Switch Input System
Then you build ONE Config that controll the Motor at all time. ( Motor Settings are done here)
This Config use as Data the MF Variable you use for the Switch System..... Mean it´s own Value ($) is 1 or 0 Selected by the Switch.
Now you define in Config Refferences 2 Placeholders...... Use Config Fuel Left as Symbol A and Config Fuel Right as Symbol B
At least you write a little transform Formula..... if($=0,A,B )

Means.... IF the value is "0" ( controlled by the switch) THEN show "A" ( The Value of the Fuel Left Config) , ELSE ( So value is 1) Show "B" (Value Fuel Right Config)

**************
In this case Precondition is more easy to understand..... But Placeholder is more deeper and more efficient. Specially in more advanced elements with 2 or more conditions!

Simply ask if you got questions. I know this sounds difficult. But if you understand the logic you will see this is a mighty system !

Thanks Pizman!
I'll give it a try