kmcwilliams
New Member
New to the forums, so howdy yall.
Being an avid PC flight sim enthusiast, a somewhat technically inclined person, and with some electronics training MANY years ago in radio and television repair (tube type TVs). I have only recently decided to try something I have been wanting to try for a while.
My HOTAS system, a Saitek X45, has recently started malfunctioning. I know what the problem is, a cable with some worn wires that goes between the throttle and stick. I could go out and buy a DB15 d-sub gameport connector, cut the cable and make the repair.
But I am also one of those "While I have it taken apart I may as well try to make it better " types.
, yeah, like there arent any of those around here.
Anyway, I have been watching for a while, other people custominzing controllers, and even building VERY elaborate simpits. I have neither the time, or resources, or really even the desire to undertake some of the more elaborate things I have seen, I do suffer from the "While I have it apart .... " thing.
Here is my idea, problem, project, delima.
For a little more clarity, I am including an image/ schematic of the internals of the electronics inside the throttle.
![wire.jpg wire.jpg](https://www.electro-tech-online.com/data/attachments/30/30765-c99e50ba2002bef9968fe31f550fb892.jpg)
The connections out the top more or less head out to the stick portion of the HOTAS. The connections along the bottom are to be connected to a micro- controller sold on the internet for use in other projects. I wont be using that device.
One more piece of info before I get to my question. I have been using custom drivers for the device, with a scripting language to make and load specific profiles.
Now with the scripts, I am able to use the mode switch, which is a single device, a 3 positions switch, to make every button, switch, POV hat, and axis, perform completely different functions in each of the 3 modes (designated as mode 1- mode 2- mode 3 in the image).
What I am wanting to do, is to build a board (panel ) and divide it into 3 different zones. I will call the NAV, AA, and AG.
I want to, instead of having one button do three different things, I want to have 3 different physical buttons, one in each zone, and then have it set up so that when I change the mode switch, it will move the connections or active buttons to one of the 3 different zones.
I am doubtful that the small mode switch will be sufficient enough to do this all by itself, but rewiring a bigger stronger switch in its place in the circuit is not a problem.
I do know how I could do it mechanically by physically wiring all the different mode zones and using a mechanincal device, but it would end up a rather large, unwieldly and crude device.
I thought that I might be able to do it with a set of relays and
and some sort of solenoids to make a mechanical/ electrical switching device as well.
Then I thought, that there are a lot of more experienced, and smarter people than me out there. (HERE)
Can anyone think of a way, that I could divert the signal, data, current from one zone of the 3 to another, using electronics ?
One last note, I dont have to have all of the buttons, switches, axis moved. Although that would be nice, but any help or ideas to help me get started would be much appreciated.
I would fall back on my TV repair training, but for the love of me I cant think of any way to get vaccume tubes to do this.![Big Grin :D :D](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Sorry for the length of this, especially since I am not sure that I have been completely clear. Hopefully someone will understand, and be one of those smarter and more experienced types I already mentioned.
Thank you.
Being an avid PC flight sim enthusiast, a somewhat technically inclined person, and with some electronics training MANY years ago in radio and television repair (tube type TVs). I have only recently decided to try something I have been wanting to try for a while.
My HOTAS system, a Saitek X45, has recently started malfunctioning. I know what the problem is, a cable with some worn wires that goes between the throttle and stick. I could go out and buy a DB15 d-sub gameport connector, cut the cable and make the repair.
But I am also one of those "While I have it taken apart I may as well try to make it better " types.
Anyway, I have been watching for a while, other people custominzing controllers, and even building VERY elaborate simpits. I have neither the time, or resources, or really even the desire to undertake some of the more elaborate things I have seen, I do suffer from the "While I have it apart .... " thing.
Here is my idea, problem, project, delima.
For a little more clarity, I am including an image/ schematic of the internals of the electronics inside the throttle.
![wire.jpg wire.jpg](https://www.electro-tech-online.com/data/attachments/30/30765-c99e50ba2002bef9968fe31f550fb892.jpg)
The connections out the top more or less head out to the stick portion of the HOTAS. The connections along the bottom are to be connected to a micro- controller sold on the internet for use in other projects. I wont be using that device.
One more piece of info before I get to my question. I have been using custom drivers for the device, with a scripting language to make and load specific profiles.
Now with the scripts, I am able to use the mode switch, which is a single device, a 3 positions switch, to make every button, switch, POV hat, and axis, perform completely different functions in each of the 3 modes (designated as mode 1- mode 2- mode 3 in the image).
What I am wanting to do, is to build a board (panel ) and divide it into 3 different zones. I will call the NAV, AA, and AG.
I want to, instead of having one button do three different things, I want to have 3 different physical buttons, one in each zone, and then have it set up so that when I change the mode switch, it will move the connections or active buttons to one of the 3 different zones.
I am doubtful that the small mode switch will be sufficient enough to do this all by itself, but rewiring a bigger stronger switch in its place in the circuit is not a problem.
I do know how I could do it mechanically by physically wiring all the different mode zones and using a mechanincal device, but it would end up a rather large, unwieldly and crude device.
I thought that I might be able to do it with a set of relays and
and some sort of solenoids to make a mechanical/ electrical switching device as well.
Then I thought, that there are a lot of more experienced, and smarter people than me out there. (HERE)
Can anyone think of a way, that I could divert the signal, data, current from one zone of the 3 to another, using electronics ?
One last note, I dont have to have all of the buttons, switches, axis moved. Although that would be nice, but any help or ideas to help me get started would be much appreciated.
I would fall back on my TV repair training, but for the love of me I cant think of any way to get vaccume tubes to do this.
Sorry for the length of this, especially since I am not sure that I have been completely clear. Hopefully someone will understand, and be one of those smarter and more experienced types I already mentioned.
Thank you.
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