MobiFlight Community Support

I am planning to build an MCP for the PMDG 737 but I cannot find any information about the types of switches I would need. For example are the square push buttons (LNAV, VNAV, Spd, etc) momentary? Are the F/D switches SPST? That is the type of information I need. I hope you understand my question and can help. I would also appreciate recommendations for the encoders. Regards Colin

I am building an overhead going through the same question. They should operate the same way they do in the virtual cockpit, so if you press a button and it doesn't stay down it is momentary. You just need to go through each button once and look at the function. You can also tell info by reading the offset as you press the button. From memory, I would say almost every one is momentary.

This information can be found nowhere, cause everybody that plan to build a MCP still know how it work ! ( sorry for that bad comment )

I recommend to use a realstic AddOn ( Not FSX B737... i mean PMDG or better) THERE you can see exactly how the switches work !
Alternate is to stay in a real simulator.... Check out the hardware there !
And Important ! You must know if you like a Honnywell or a Collins MCP..... Both are different and are used in B737

But to awnser your basic questions.

The buttons for the functions are momentary.... The FD Switches are normaly ON/OFF Switches.
The AT Arm switch is in real a electromagentic switch that can get to OFF without touching ( by solonoid)
The Encoders are Standard encoders.... The BankAngle Switch is a Rotary switch ( not a encoder)

Thank you for your very quick replies, much appreciated.

Hi,

I am in the process of doing an MCP panel and went through the trial and error of finding the the right switches - I think it depends on how realistic you want it as finding the real or correct buttons & switches has been a pain and the info out there is sparse so I decided to build with what was available.

I have decided to make it as close as possible for my flying which has meant a few compromises but I am ok with that as it is a vast improvement on "flying by mouse".

My MCP is still in progress - still some trial and error as I have only just got the Arduino and the MobiFlight software so a bit of a learning curve but hope to have it fully working in the next week or so. Are you in the UK as I can give you some sites to buy stuff that may help.

I am toying with doing a Youtube series on building this to try and help any other "beginners\2 who are trying to find out how to do this.

Dave

Hi,

I am in the process of doing an MCP panel and went through the trial and error of finding the the right switches - I think it depends on how realistic you want it as finding the real or correct buttons & switches has been a pain and the info out there is sparse so I decided to build with what was available.

I have decided to make it as close as possible for my flying which has meant a few compromises but I am ok with that as it is a vast improvement on "flying by mouse".

My MCP is still in progress - still some trial and error as I have only just got the Arduino and the MobiFlight software so a bit of a learning curve but hope to have it fully working in the next week or so. Are you in the UK as I can give you some sites to buy stuff that may help.

I am toying with doing a Youtube series on building this to try and help any other "beginners\2 who are trying to find out how to do this.

Dave

Hi Dave
I live in Spain but would be grateful for the Sites and would love to see your progress on YouTube.
Regards Colin

Hi Colin,

Still fiddling and trying to get things to work then will start on the YT vids.

Re the switches etc. I got the encoders - for changing alt/speed/heading etc from Leo Bodnar - www.leobodnar.com - they also do the encoders with momentary push buttons to use in the EFIS panel. The push buttons & switches I got from www.switchelectronics.co.uk - they also are on Ebay.

Both of these companies are very helpful - Ben from Switch Electronics especially so and as he has an Ebay site they may well ship to Spain - I assume Loe Bodnar does as well.

The Leo Bodnar encoders only really work with their USB button cards as they come with software to enable 1:1 switching - i.e 1 click = 1 pulse, important as some encoders will give 1 pulse per 3 clicks which as yet I have not been able to resolve with a Arduino card - unless someone out there knows how to fix this.

A word of caution - I would suggest you try and work out what you are going to need first as you may well end up with what is know as "the box of shame!" i.e. a box full of switches. buttons and other stuff that you did not need - the fun of trial and error - but the stuff from Switch Electronics is cheap - just don't get the "very" cheap stuff.