Hi,
it is my frist post, so i wanna welcome everyone
I want to build a multifunctional simulator panel for MSFS2020. I've stuffed it with a lot of buttons, switches, etc., so it doesn't look like a replica of a specific aircraft cockpit, but I assumed it should be useful rather than look nice.
Unfortunately, I'm a complete beginner with MF as well as I have no experience in building such a panel. The construction method seems simple and intuitive, but I would like to consult with you to make sure I haven't made any mistakes throughout, so it won't work for me.
In my project, I would like to use the following devices along with the number of pins I will need to connect it to Arduino MEGA (not counting VCC and GND):
10x Potentiometer 100kR = 10 Analog pins
1x Rotary Encoder no BTN = 2 Digital pins (it is for Trim Wheel use, but perhaps using a Multirotational Potentiometer 100kR could be better ? - it could be more realistic i think)
2x Dual Encoder witch BTNs = 10 Digital pins
5x Toggle Switch 3 pos ON-OFF-ON = 10 Digital pins
1x 2004 LCD display = 2 Digital pins
1x Rotary Switch 5 pos = 5 Digital pins
2x 7-segment display 4 & 6 digits TM1637 = 4 Digital pins
2x Multiplexer CD74HC4067 = 6 Digital pins
12x Tactile Switch via Multiplexer1 = 12 Digital pins
15x Togle Switch 2 pos ON-OFF via Multiplexer2 = 15 Digital pins
1x Tactile Switch via Multiplexer2 = 1 Digital pins
That gives me: 10 Analog pins and 67 Digital pins.
Here are some questions that came to my head for now
1. Did I use any pins in the Arduino that I shouldn't have used?
2. Do I need some resistors, capacitors or elemnts to be connected to any of this devices ?
3. Is it possible to use pins 0 & 1 on Arduino or there are still unusable ?
4. What is the courrent limitation of devices connected to a single Arduino Mega ? should i spread the whole project over two arduinos maybe ?
I've found information about limits: LED 40, Button 68, Encoder 10, 7 Seg diplays 4x8 in chain - is that correct ?
As i see i didn't reached this limits.
5. Should i use external power for this (ie 12V power supply) ?
6. And the question maybe not be for now, but if it won't be possible to set it up, there's no point in designing it - my point is if it will be possible set up MF to enter the transponder code using the numeric keypad - digit adter digit ?
Many thanks for You help
