MobiFlight Community Support

Where do you start building your home cockpit? Right: Probably with a FCU - as long as you are an Airbus-Driver. After couple of hours of research, reading and testing it was clear: The only way to build it properly is with mobiflight and the corresponding PCBs provided on Github. Have I ever ordered a PCB? Yes. Once. Have I ever soldered components on a PCB? No.

And I am sure there are many people outside in the same situation. With this Thread I want to document my personal process, hope for answers to questions that might come up and at this end should result in a detailed complete guide in HOW TO BUILD YOUR MOBIFLIGHT FCU!

Step 1: THE PCB
As I am not a big fan of a big bunch of cables, I decided to go with the FCU PCB Design provided by Mobiflight on Github.

Everything you need is the file called PCB_A320_FCU.json

After downloading the file, you should be able to open the file in EasyEDA. After that, the only thing you need to do is to click FILE -> Generate PCB Fabrication File. And thats it! Now head over to the website of your choice (I would highly recommend JLCPC, upload the ZIP-File and order the PCB. I have ordered 5 PCBS, as this is the minimum amount of PCBs and payed 28€ including shipping to Germany. Only 9 days later the PCBs arrived.

Step 2: 3D Printing first prototypes
As I was full of excitement, I downloaded the first 3D-Printing-Files. And I was curious how the Push-Pull-Encoder will be done! And wow, this solution is smart! It Consists of a 3D-Printed Frame and Slider, where the Encoder has room to slide back and forwards and the Push & Pull Event will be triggered by two tactile switches!

As I still had a bunch of tactile switched laying around, I printed the first prototype. The documentation recommended 6x6x16mm tactile switches. But I had 6x6x10mm switches laying around. So I edited the slider a bit and have a wonderfull working Push-Pull-Encoder! (If you are interested in the customized Slider-STL, let me know!)



TO BE CONTINUED

Current Questions
I read through the BOM and saw all the needed components.

- Does somebody from Germany have a hint, where to get the parts for a nice price? Amazon is not often the perfect choice. For example for resistors. I used to have a Conrad in Hometown. But they are gone. What about Reichelt?

- LED-Driver: Max7219 are the only ones being supported, right? I saw 10 pieces for 15€ from China - is that an ok price?

Step 3: PARTS
A little - over the time updating - list of needed parts.

Part	Amount	Notes
50 Ohm Resistor	17	Ordered
120 Ohm Resistor	6	Ordered
240 Ohm Resistor	2	Ordered
120 Ohm Resistor	6	Ordered
BS170 Transistor	3	OPEN
10uF Capacitor	3	SOLDERED
6x6x16mm Tactile Switches	6	SOLDERED with my 6x6x10mm for now
3mm LED Green	13	SOLDERED with my 5mm Green for now

Step 4: FIRST SOLDERING
As I had a couple of elements already laying around, I started soldering the first PCB. I plan to use the first one to "learn" everything about it and building two proper ones later one (one for me, one for my brother).
Question: Which parts are needed to get AP1 LED working? Already tested AP1 & AP2 Switches successful. AP1_LED not working yet. I assume some resistors are need first.

that's really helpful for nwebie like me to start up. Can you continue.
Thanks