http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/ 2026-04-04T14:04:53+00:00 http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/ http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/lib/tpl/dokuwiki/images/favicon.ico text/html 2021-03-11T01:58:15+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:altimeter&rev=1615427895&do=diff Altimeter Replacement Don says the altimeter that the A-4 training came with was not the right one. For learning purposes, I'm creating a new altimeter to resemble it, with digital components. Having recently started designing with 3D printing, I plan to replace the altitude digit windows with a single OLED display, the barometer with a text/html 2020-02-18T03:11:58+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:diary&rev=1581995518&do=diff A-4 Simulator Restoration Diary DateNotes8/10/2019Moved A-4 Simulator From Gary Allen's home in Lake Steven's to my carport in Renton8/12/2019Don gave permission to disassemble unneeded electrical and hydraulic parts. None of the gauges were connected to anything. Hydraulic lines mostly connected only to internal couplings, and not to anything active (no pumps, etc.) text/html 2020-01-25T16:46:26+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:enginestarting&rev=1579970786&do=diff Engine Starting and Notes Need to see if current A-4 model in X-Plane will properly support the engine starting procedure. The Throttle Quadrant has switches for zero-throttle, and ignition on. text/html 2019-08-26T13:00:12+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:expenses&rev=1566824412&do=diff Expenses related to the A-4 Simulator restoral. DateExpenseDan AmountDon AmountComments4/2019Navy Simulator0.005000Initial purchase8/10/2019Diesel98.660For Zack's truck8/10/2019Home Depot89.930Hauling hardware (tarp, 2×10's screws, etc)8/14/2019Amazon Emakefun text/html 2020-02-22T17:07:18+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:filelocations&rev=1582391238&do=diff File Locations for Development There are different files used in development of this product. DescriptionLanguageLocationX-Plane Plugin. DLL-building framework is hereC++ DLLC:\Users\dan\source\repos\XplaneA4HardwareSim origin ssh://git@stopstogo.com/home/git/xplanea4hardwaresim (push) text/html 2019-10-14T01:08:48+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:flightcontrols&rev=1571015328&do=diff Main flight controls Aileron/Elevator/Rudder * Rack and pinion site: <https://khkgears.net/new/gear_catalog.html> * Useful rack and pinion physics: <https://khkgears.net/pdf/3015/gear-rack.pdf> * Sells gears: <https://www.sdp-si.com/products/Gears/Spur-Gears-32-Pitch.php> * <http://www.servocity.com> * Gear rack assembly * 100mm Rectilinear Potentiometer for sale: Alibaba page After examining the A-4 Trainer hydraulics, had a shift of opinion about how that should be implemented. I… text/html 2021-02-13T04:17:09+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:font&rev=1613189829&do=diff Font for Cockpit Instruments The font to be used for Cockpit Instruments is a TTF called “MS33558.ttf”. A copy is in /download/fonts [4/4/2020] There is a limited special h-library for Arduino, located ''C:\Users\dan\Documents\Arduino\libraries\Adafruit_GFX_Library\Fonts\MS3355818pt7b_manip.h text/html 2020-02-01T23:47:01+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:joystickoverridedatarefs&rev=1580600821&do=diff Joystick Override Datarefs X-Plane has a means which allows several main controls to override the configured Joystick. For example, Aileron, Elevator, Rudder. Make sure that the type of the value for the Sim is boolean. Currently, I set these to 1 when the XpluginEnable is called, to 0 when XpluginDisable is called. text/html 2020-05-05T22:40:08+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:jsonfileformat&rev=1588718408&do=diff a4simData.json File Format The copy of this file located on Raspberry Pi at /home/pi/Documents/app/projects/XplaneA4HardwareSimAgent/a4simData.json is considered the official version. This copied occasionally to other places in the form of working copies. text/html 2021-02-11T22:31:24+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:jstpinout&rev=1613082684&do=diff JST (Japan Solderless Terminal) I've been using JSTs to connect between components. Here are the pinouts used: 3-Pin JST for Pots * Ground * Analog In * 5V [3-Pin JST for Pots] 4-Pin Male JST for connection for Arduino I2C Bus * SDA (I2C Data) * 9 - 12V (Vin) (provides power for Arduinos) text/html 2020-02-22T17:07:18+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:levelconverter&rev=1582391238&do=diff Level Converter (3.3V to 5V) HiLetgo 10pcs 4 Channels IIC I2C Logic Level Converter Bi-Directional 3.3V-5V Shifter Module for Arduino Purchased from Amazon 9/10/2019. From: <https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12009> If you've ever tried to connect a 3.3V device to a 5V system, you know what a challenge it can be. The SparkFun bi-directional logic level converter is a small device that safely steps down 5V signals to 3.3V AND steps up 3.3V to 5V at the same time. This level converter also wor… text/html 2020-02-22T17:07:18+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:maincontrols&rev=1582391238&do=diff Main Controls (Aileron, Elevator, Rudder) Also see Stick. The original simulator has a robust implementation, consisting of heavy-duty bell-cranks, pivot bearings and push-rods. Each is mechanically linked so that it slides one of 3 linear potentiometers. Resistance measures between a minimum of about 600 ohms, to approximately 8K ohms. The aileron potentiometer has some movement limitation, so it might have different measurements. text/html 2020-02-22T17:07:18+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:originalphotos&rev=1582391238&do=diff Marana Airport Original A-4 Sim Photo Shoot I visited the storage site for the A-4 Simulator 4/30/2019 at Marana Airport. Overall View Note some cracking in the windshield. There is currently white plastic in both the main canopy, and the forwarded three panels, which would need to be replaced with clear plastic with the scenery projected with the modern implementation. text/html 2021-03-04T23:58:27+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:photointerrupter&rev=1614902307&do=diff Photo Interrupter I bought 10 photo interrupters, thinking I might need them to zero stepping motor positions. uxcell 10 Pcs 1/8 inches Slot PCB Photo Interrupter Slotted Optical Sensor Switch HY860N (No longer available) #define PI_LED 4 int detectorVal = 0; void setup() { // put your setup code here, to run once: Serial.begin(9600); pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT); pinMode(PI_LED, OUTPUT); digitalWrite(PI_LED, HIGH); } void loop() { // put your main code here, to run repeat… text/html 2020-02-22T17:07:18+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:seat&rev=1582391238&do=diff Ejection Seat Actual plane: text/html 2019-09-16T21:39:01+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:simulatorcomponents&rev=1568669941&do=diff Simulator Components Hardware ComponentCostPC 1 (runs aircraft physics and scenery, with great video card)$1400PC 2 (processes telemetry - maybe some gauge screens)$1000GTX 1070 video card$60016 Gb RAM$100Projector$800Screen Hardware~ $1000Raspberry Pi, case, power supply text/html 2020-05-12T04:02:53+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:specs&rev=1589256173&do=diff A-4 Specs From book NAVAIR 01-40AVF-1 - “Supplement to NATOPS Flight Manual Navy Model A-4E/F International Model A-4G AIRCRAFT” Engine Thrust9300 pounds sea-level static thrustEngine TypeP&WA J52-P-8A (for A-4E/F)Aircraft WeightFor Field landing, maximum 14,500 pounds text/html 2021-07-19T21:39:29+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:start&rev=1626730769&do=diff A-4 Simulator Navy A-4 Hardware * Marana Airport Visit Original A-4 Navy Sim Photos * Component Inventory Restoration * Needed Simulator Components * Reasons not to use Raspberry Pi * To activate the Navy sim gauges, thinking I can connect servos to a Servo Controller attached to a Raspberry Pi, and it gets info from X-Plane via UDP. * Altimeter * Arduino Nano V3 Microcontroller * Arduino Mega 2560 Microcontroller * Diary * Engine Starting Datarefs and Notes text/html 2020-02-22T17:07:18+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:stick&rev=1582391238&do=diff Stick <http://infinityaerospace.com/product/featured/military-style-stick-grips/> text/html 2020-03-12T03:59:40+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:throttlequadrant&rev=1583985580&do=diff Throttle Quadrant Because of the high number of digital inputs, looks like I'll need a Arduino Mega 2560 for this. (Ordered 1/6/2020.) The Mega 2560 has 53 digital I/O pins. Notes Zero Throttle outerWhen throttle is at extreme zero (requires moving stick left past stop), connects Cannon r to Canon K (ground). text/html 2020-05-07T05:13:37+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:troubleshooting&rev=1588828417&do=diff Troubleshooting, Miscellaneous Speedbrake control not working properly in X-Plane Frustrating couple of days, because the Speedbrake control wasn't work. Turns out there were multiple problems. * I was setting the value for speedbrake_ratio as an integer. Apparently this doesn't work, started working when I changed to float. The Raspberry Pi converts the boolean on/off from the switch to float properly. As long as the plugin copy of the a4SimConfig.json shows the simulation to need float. text/html 2020-02-22T17:07:18+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://stopstogo.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=projects:a4sim:udp&rev=1582391238&do=diff UDP Notes X-Plane can communicate with external entities a couple of ways. * Within X-Plane, configuration can be set up to send to a selected IP address selected parameters via UDP * From outside of X-Plane, where another entity can send UDP packets which request registration to known X-Plane IP address/port: