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A HUGE Thank You to everyone who participated in the forum, especially obviously to Pizman and Stephan who did an outstanding job over so many years providing an incredible service to the MobiFlight community.
The forum is still providing a lot of good content, hence we keep this information accessible.
I am looking to create my own 3d printed throttle quadrant for my a320 cockpit. Motorisation of it will come at a later date, but I am just curious as to which component I would need such that if I move my throttle forward the throttle moves forward in the simulator. Would I be best off using a potentiometer (can they even be used with mobiflight? some threads say yes some say no) or a rotary switch, or maybe something else
For a Throttle ( Steppless Input with indication of current Position ) the "only" way is a potentiometer.
As you already find out..... Potentiometers are NOT possible with Mobiflight and also not planed for the near future.
A Potti is Analog Input typ that can be done with every Joystick HID Controller. If it is a standard Axis it can be controlled by FSX/P3D standard Controlls.
Whatever i recommend to buy the Registred FSUIPC Version ( FSX/P3D) . Here you can set all Axis ( Reverser, Single Engines, brakes and so on much more comfortable.
Last Note:
I´m not professional with Airbus.... But i never Heard about that Airbus have a motorised Throttle: You say you build a A320 ????
Normaly the decision to build a Airbus is mostly that the user must NOT make a motrised expensive throttle as in Boeing Aircrafts.
So please correct me if i´m wrong.... Is there a Airbus with a motor-throttle ????
instead of a pot you can use magnetic sensors too, also a light sensor is possible but may not very common. A very easy solution is a slider pot, because you don´t need a cogwheel and therefor less mechanical work. A magnetic sensor is better, but you need some knowledge in function and mounting.
If you go for slider pots use good ones. May 10k is a good value for most controllers. The pots has to be linear types, be aware of that. Like Pizman said, Mobiflight has no analog input, so you need an other controller for your TQ. In my TQ I use BU836X from Leo Bodnar which has 8 analog inputs and 32 buttons inputs, enough for all axis and switches of a TQ.
@pizman
Is there a Airbus with a motor-throttle ????
I don´t think so, but yes, you can buy a motorized TQ - deep wallet provided!
Thank you pizman & Gemu! I did think the A320 throttles were motorised based on what the various suppliers of cockpit parts want to sell me but I checked in various videos and they are not.
As for components, I think I will likely end up with a slide potentiometer. Am I correct in thinking that I simply wire up the potentiometer to the BU0386X and then connect via USB the BU0386X to my PC and it'll be detected as a joystick axis?
After some time of doing this support i get a bit "blind" and mostly just see the most recommend things ( most users request for) .
For a Throttle ( Steppless Input with indication of current Position ) the "only" way is a potentiometer.
So the recomendation of a Poti sounds logical.....
But Sure.... If you build a dual System - A Sensor that check Position (like a magnetic sensor, photocell or other exotic things) and a Encoder then it work also.
In case this need a high experience and advanced knowledge i not write this and to say it truthly i not think about myself.
So... Thats why Stephan and myself need additional Supporters like Gemu in this forum..... Every fresh input and new ideas increase quality of Support. Thanks for that!
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About Chearios Question:
Yes .... The LeoBdnar Boards are simply HID Controllers.... Show like a Joystick in Windows ( and FSUIPC/FSX/P3D/Xplane) .
A cheaper alternate is to load a Software (Freeware) that emulate a Arduino into a HID Controller . Then the Analog Pins are used for Axis (Pottis) and the DigitalPins are used for Buttons.
BUT NOTE: A Arduino Mega is not possible at the moment. As i know the Sketches mostly work with the small ones ( Leonardo, Micro ) and so on. Here the disadvantage is the low nomber of Pins ... So your Jystick get only maby 5 Axis and 8 Buttons ( or you need to make a Matrix and some own scripting code) .
Summary: LeoBodnar is the most comfortable tool.... But its expensive. Self Build Arduinos are extremly cheaper but not so practicable and easy.
Last Note: "Motorised Throttle" is like Gemu said maby just a wrong term. The manifactures sell you a "Throttle Quadrant" that is motorised..... But they maby not mean the throttle leaver like in Boeing.... The only motorised element is the TrimWheel.
( But sure.... Maby some manifactures build ONE System for Airbus/Boing together so the Airbus Throttle also have the motorised technic whatever its not used in real) .
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