MobiFlight Community Support

Hello everyone, thankful that you welcome me to the Mobiflight community.
I am from Argentina, I am 64 years old (and a half) and until the end of last month I used X-Plane 11 together with SimVim also with Arduino, in this case for a C172 and later modified for a PA28 Arrow III.
As I don't think they will update it for MS Flight simulator 2020, at least in a reasonable period of time, I was looking for alternatives and I came across MF which for me is totally new, just like FS2020. The truth is that I have no idea how everything works, although I estimate that it will be analogous to the system with Arduino that I have been using until now, using a Mega, encoders, LEDs Displays and servos or PAP motors and multiplexers to expand the number of inputs according to events.
I still have a mess in my head and I don't know whether to keep what I did or to start over.
What worries me the most is that I see everything in FS2020 completely different from XP and I hope that the learning curve of both FS2020 and MFS are not so steep. For now I have read the FAQ and I am beginning to see the first projects. I'll try to do more research, but if anyone has a "quick guide" for those of us who went from XP to FS to understand how this data is handled and avoid missteps I would be very grateful.
You all receive a cordial greeting and thanks from me.

Grettings. Daniel "Wolf"

Hi
Welcome.

What you need is no "Guide to swap from Xplane to FS2020".....
You need a Guide to Swap from SimVim ( That worked as i know with Datarefs) to Mobiflight ( that is based on FSUIPC)
So Xplane Users, they was still using Mobiflight will swap to FS2020 without see any difference. For You it is more complicated.... Cause FSUIPC is pretty sure different to the SimVim System.

Basicly FSUIPC means there is a Large lit of Offsets ( Adressed from 0000 to FFFF ) Every Information ( like if a LED should be on or Off) is written to one of these Offsets.
So in Mobiflight you must choose for a Output the correct OffsetAdress.... The Format ( Int, Float, String) and the Size. If needed you must do recalculations, Compares or Interpolations. Some with easy formulas.... but most within the GUI.
But let me say.... You will learn this pretty fast. Here is a example..... NOTE this is for a AddOn and maybe OutOfDate. this is just to show you the basic system....
https://www.projectmagenta.com/all-fsuipc-offsets/

About your Hardware.
1. Mobiflight is based on Arduino MEGA ( Not UNO !!!) So for full compability you need a MEGA.
2. MF is based on MAX7219 Chips for 7Seg ONLY
3. MF is based on LCD Displays with a IC2 Controller
4. MF is based on Steper Motors with a ULN2003 Controller ( or simmular systems)
5 Important for You.... MF NOT support Multiplexers for Outputs or Matrix Systems for Inputs !! Simple rule. Each Device got its own Pin(s).

Hello Pizman82, thank you very much for welcoming me to the forum.
I must be honest with you, I will have to read quite a bit to catch up. It was very difficult for me to understand "something" about SimVim - and it is not because they did not support me, they have been very kind and attentive to every question - but now, when changing simulator I am forced to seek new horizons.
I had no idea about Mobiflight, I came to the site by chance with those days when you go from one video to another on YouTube, from one link to another and in the end you get a pleasant surprise.
Usually I do not have time because of my job (and age), but we have had a case of covid where I live and a relative of mine had contact with that person and I have isolated myself with all my people and alerted the authorities. With no symptoms neither of us luckily gives me just over a week to read as much as I can.
I heard yes from fsuipc that they used it in some projects but for me it is completely new.
I will try to see armed projects to understand the basic operation.
I have gone through the link that you gave me (Projectmagenta) and tomorrow I will look at it more carefully (here it happens from 01.30AM)
I have available an Arduino Mega, a pair of 16x2 LCDs with IC2s, some ULN2003, stepper motors and servos and some red 7 Segment panels but I don't remember if there is MAX7219.
For me, hardware is a big problem since I live 2500KM from Buenos Aires (where the electronics stores are) and the costs are quite high in shipments (in addition, here everything imported has a very high tax or duty surcharge. something that costs pennies in Ali Express or similar, here multiply its value). For example, the Max7219 comes out on Ali Express 1.45 Euros, here it is around 2 to 3 Euros.
Therefore, I must try to get everything that I am missing in a single purchase and in the same place. Everything is complicated for this type of project where I live.
I would like to find an already assembled project (my intention is for a light aircraft, a Piper PA28 Arrow III on which I could see modifications.
First I would make the keys (on-magneto1-magneto2-both-start), then the rest (Bat-Alt-Bus 1- Bus 2) and Beacon- Lights- Landing- Nav-Strobo) and finally the most complicated thing for me to wire which would be the encoders for the instruments.
I do not know how difficult this can be, if I have to assign the values ​​I am lost since I see it difficult.
I will try this weekend to see if I can advance.
If you have any links where I can see some of the wiring, I will be very grateful. This part is important to me in order to understand the general operation.
Many thanks!
Daniel "Wolf"

Hi
Welcome.

What you need is no "Guide to swap from Xplane to FS2020".....
You need a Guide to Swap from SimVim ( That worked as i know with Datarefs) to Mobiflight ( that is based on FSUIPC)
So Xplane Users, they was still using Mobiflight will swap to FS2020 without see any difference. For You it is more complicated.... Cause FSUIPC is pretty sure different to the SimVim System.

Basicly FSUIPC means there is a Large lit of Offsets ( Adressed from 0000 to FFFF ) Every Information ( like if a LED should be on or Off) is written to one of these Offsets.
So in Mobiflight you must choose for a Output the correct OffsetAdress.... The Format ( Int, Float, String) and the Size. If needed you must do recalculations, Compares or Interpolations. Some with easy formulas.... but most within the GUI.
But let me say.... You will learn this pretty fast. Here is a example..... NOTE this is for a AddOn and maybe OutOfDate. this is just to show you the basic system....
https://www.projectmagenta.com/all-fsuipc-offsets/

About your Hardware.
1. Mobiflight is based on Arduino MEGA ( Not UNO !!!) So for full compability you need a MEGA.
2. MF is based on MAX7219 Chips for 7Seg ONLY
3. MF is based on LCD Displays with a IC2 Controller
4. MF is based on Steper Motors with a ULN2003 Controller ( or simmular systems)
5 Important for You.... MF NOT support Multiplexers for Outputs or Matrix Systems for Inputs !! Simple rule. Each Device got its own Pin(s).

Buen día Daniel
Bienvenido a Mobiflight!

Its a cool coincidence.... 2 Weeks ago a other User from South Argentina join to Mobiflight. He tells the same like you. At home in case of Corona and big problems to get parts far away from capitol citys.
In case you say 2500 south of Buenos Aires you may stay nearby him . He is from Ushuaia.
I still guide him through the first steps. So maybe its usefull if you both talk together in the future. Big advantage. You both talk spanish.

I can just invite you.... Join our Discord Group. There we can talk via Headset and share our screens. So solving problems or get guidience is much much more easy.
Check this.... https://discord.gg/99vHbK7

Hello pal !!! . I have been missing for various personal issues that kept me away from the flight simulator and electronics, not that I have forgotten everything.
But look what a coincidence! I am approximately 700Km north of the other user you mention; It is not close, as nothing is in a country as extensive as ours. Feel free to pass my email to him so he can contact me please. I would be interested in contacting me. You see that it is true that the world is small today, we are all connected in some way and we are neighbors without knowing it.
Just this week I resumed the flights with FS2020 since I had to reinstall everything again since I changed my PC and that implies a great job in my case. We'll see if I can get back to the rhythm now. Thank you very much for your advices "from admin"

Sorry.
I not see your Email.
I´m just a "Mod" not the "Admin".

Whatever.... I have no more contact to this user. and i for the moment not remember his name.
So best way is to join our Discord.... and you Simply write some lines about yourself in the "Lounge" Channel....
May the user is still active and see you there.
Pretty sure also other spanish users are on discord and will support you !