MobiFlight Community Support

Welcome to the forum for MobiFlight! Feel free to reach out to the community in case you have questions, issues or just want to share great ideas or details about your latest home cockpit project.

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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.

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Chefanden
Posts: 9
Hallo all

I'm pretty new to building homecockpits, but I have figured out the tutorials and i work for my MS2020, so now I can start thinking bigger...

I think I will cut some panel in thin plywood and put in my buttons and lights.
I'm happy about the FBW a320nx, but will only build a smal box with the following: AP, FD, LS, APP, APU master, APU start, APU gen, Ext Power, Gear, spoilers, flaps and seatbeltsign.

Now you can help me...

Where do you buy components for the simulator.

Thanks for your help

Best Regards

Anders Olesen
Denmark
2021-12-22 15:38
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pizman82
Moderator
From: ETSI, Germany
Posts: 6010
Supporter
Hi

You already ask the first question.....
In case you build a "multi box" instead of a Original 1:1 cockpit you not need to think about Backlight and original Optics.
Whatever "Acrylic Glas" is better then Wood.... Without good machines like CNC the Wood idea is OK.

About Components.... Here your country and location is important.
For example i ám lucky and life 10 mileas away of a big electronic Shop. So i can simply get them without shipping.
BUT
Pretty sure all over the world parts are more expensive as in china. So for Professional Buildings we mostly directly order in China.
A.t.m. cheap shipping costs and verry fasrt in case of Covid Pandemic and ampty aircrafts .

On other side.... China mostly need high numbers of Parts.... If you only need 5 Switches then you will not order a 100pc. pack. But sometimes here in Germany 5 Switches from "Conrad" cost more like 100 of the same directly deliverd from China !


*****
So i recommend....
Order at first in your country.... May only 1-2 elements of each sort.... ( like 10 Switches from individual brands.... So you can test what is best for you )
If you have finaly the knowledge what you need and want.... then you can choose for the most cheap and best shop !
Also Amazon is a good adress !


If you have specific questions.... Simply ask.
Good Luck !
2021-12-22 18:32
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Chefanden
Posts: 9
Thanks for your input.
I wrote because I got the first delivery and one of the type of buttoms are not optimal for anything, and almost impossible to clamp/tigthen...
And then I was looking on Alibaba, but the voltage i different and the components should be only 5v to use IT for Arduino Mega I think.

Perfekt advise with acrylic glas.
Then cut it, paint it and then drill holes for components on the front?

So I just wrote to get som recomendations for some good components, like buttoms, wires, potentiometers and switches...
China, eBay and Amazon is fine for me...

So please shoot ;) ;)
[Last edited by Chefanden, 2021-12-28 20:38]
2021-12-23 21:12
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pizman82
Moderator
From: ETSI, Germany
Posts: 6010
Supporter
Hopefully somebody will awnser.....
But i can tell you this is not possible!

If you ask 10 People for the Best switch/Button for a B737 MCP .... You will get 10 different awnsers and web-links.
There are to much questions yoe need to awnser.

E.g. do you expect a "real" feeling..... Does the button must be 100% real in dimensions ?
Do you use a original dimension Panel ( so the button MUST have a exact size) OR do you build it yourself and can ajust the hole to the used button ?

Also a question is your equipment !
Drill a hole in acrylic..... No Prob with a good and expensive metal drill, and a "stand machine" ..... If you use a cheap Wood drill and a Handhold Machine i will say you crack the Acrylic 2 of 3 trys.
Also the quality of Acrylic is a question..... High end Material is different to cheap stuff from the hardware store in the next village.


****************

I will say.... the base idea here is to gain experience..... and belive in me...: this can not be done by a 20 line awnser in a forum.
this takes time..... Hundrets of testings ( by order only one piece and tryout if its good for you) .
And finally reading, reading and reading! Check out our Discord !!! https://discord.gg/99vHbK7

There is a section of Self Build Hardware.
People show there panels and materials.
Check out and directly get in contact to these guys to ask your questions !
Good Luck !
2021-12-24 20:11
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LoungePilot
From: United Kingdom
Posts: 14
Supporter
Hi Chefanden,

Having built several simulator cockpits now ourselves, powered by our Motherboard I would suggest a LoungePilot cockpit motherboard. We have customers all over the world building some very impressive projects, from builds for home use to Simulators used in a commercial environment. The beauty of our Motherboards is you do not need to be a highly skilled electrical engineer to assemble your own cockpit easily. We have spring caged terminals throughout, no soldering, no crimping, no special connectors or tools! Every LED output is matched with a 220u resistor surface mounted. Simply hook up your LED's and good to go. All encoder inputs have surface mounted pull up resistors so you can be assured of super smooth reaction in your sim. MAX7219 displays are a breeze and we have successfully chained 8 displays in a row, no problem! We have analog inputs, PWM outputs, all easily understood and so easy to build from! Highly recommend a cockpit motherboard from us. We have sold out prior to Christmas but new boards will be available mid January.

Don't have a rats nest!

Best regards,
LoungePilot.
2021-12-29 19:30
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Chefanden
Posts: 9
Hi LouncePilot

That sounds very easy. Almost plug'n'play and just need to buy componets like LEDs, buttom and switches... Cool.
I'll maybe order one of them when they are in stuck again.
Then I just need to find the components so they are ready to soldering wires to the indput/outputs.

Best Regards

Anders Olesen
2022-01-06 09:22
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