I would like to use a simple toggle switch to have on-off functionality for something like lights or a master switch where you flip it to one position for a momentary button press and back to off for the same momentary button press, but I'm wondering what kind of switch to use.  I have an SPST switch wired up now, but when it switches on, it stays on, which is pretty much what I expected.  Is there a type of switch or a way to wire a switch that would do what I want?  I was thinking of using a DPST switch, but that would still make the switch stay on in each position so I'm at a bit of a loss.

I do know that if you're using Hagstrom controllers (and possibly others), you can use a latching toggle switch for a momentary command... and of course you can program the controller to recognize both switch positions as the same command.
  In other words, "ON" creates a closure, which the sim will call "toggle lights", and OFF will open said closure, which will also be "toggle lights".
So when you flip the switch up (ON), the lights will go on, and vise-versa.

I was also going bonkers trying to figure out how to make a mechanically-latching switch read as a momentary closure until I found this out. 

JSpahn wrote on Jan 13^th, 2008 at 9:54pm:


It is possible. I use 2 BU0836 in my cockpit. (http://www.lbodnar.dsl.pipex.com/joystick/)
I have a normal toggle switches conected to them (not momentary). They work fine. You have to send them via FSUIPC for that. I can imagine that if you read them as a normal youstick controller you get problems. I have joystick disabled in fs and send all joystick input via FSUIPC, works great.

JBaymore wrote on Jan 14^th, 2008 at 4:13pm:


But I thought that FSUIPC could offset to eliminate this "traffic"...?

My study of Dowson's own support forums confirms this, although I haven't tested it yet: with FS9 and FSUIPC, builders have successfully used latching switches to trigger momentary commands in the program without any noticeable lag.

I suppose every rig would have its limit for how many closures are being dealt with simultaneously, but apparently it's not a show-stopper if you want to use a few latching switches for realism without getting into relays, etc.

JBaymore wrote on Jan 14^th, 2008 at 9:08pm:



Yes, that's the problem... I'm thinking KE72, but the original question was about a different controller.

Well if anything it has been a good overview of how to use FSUIPC and the pros and cons of different controllers Lets not forget the added cost of the relays when you consider going this route. 5 bucks a relay with the possibility of 30 inputs

The haggy  makes sense if you absolutely want switches

JSpahn wrote on Jan 15^th, 2008 at 10:01pm:


Uh, yeah... or the other possibility: fabbing switches that latch mechanically, but provide a momentary closure... I actually considered that (very briefly).

The Hagstrom products cost more on average than Bodnar's stuff, but you get a lot more channels and no need for relays or fancy mechs.

Personally, I've got to have proper latching toggles for some things...half the reason I'm building a pit in the first place!

JBaymore wrote on Jan 16^th, 2008 at 10:07am:



Yeah, man... "clicky-clicky". I'm also starting to think more about "blinky-blinky", but fancy indicator lights will be Day 2 stuff.

That is the ultimate... lots of clicky switches and blinky lights.

I think this is it:

http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category/700525/Standard_Toggle.html

cat# sts-115 ??

Reposting this link because it's clear that some folks didn't look at it.

http://www.flightsim.com/cgi/kds?$=main/howto/switches.htm

Check out Figure 9 and Figure 10. Two resistors, one capacitor and one 35 cent chip (price reduction available if buying in bulk).

Total cost for 100 circuit assemblies would be around $50 plus some assembly time. You could modify a standard size toggle to incorporate a microswitch and provide the same functionality... at around twice the cost.

Forget relays... do it solid state.

SilverFox441 wrote on Jan 17^th, 2008 at 3:45am:



Ah yes- I'd seen it, but forgotten. The "etc." in my "relays, etc."

I was thinking the same thing . Run a shutdown procedure that way Im covered either way.

~S~ all,

I've been reading this thread with interest (just dropped in after a long time away).

I use latching switches with Leo's controller (on-off-on) so some of them (gear, flaps, lights, and  what-not) are one for a good while while I am flying. I have them mapped as joystick buttons rather than sending key strokes and have (as far as I can tell) experienced no problems.

I fly IL-2 rather than FS (my poor old machine won't run FSX properly - maybe when I (can afford an) upgrade... ) - IL-2 is pretty greedy of processor and memory esources, too, though... Still, I fly it with all the sliders on full and haven't noticed any particular (or progressive) tailing off of performance even in busy online servers. My machine isn't particularly high-end nowadays - AMD 2800+ Barton processor with 2GB ram and an NVidia 6800S graphics card.

Is there a difference between simply sending the button signal and using a keystroke (I've thought about using something along the lines of Total Game Control to do this in the future). I ask because I'd like to be able to use proper on-off toggle switches on my next project - looks like that capacitor solution mentioned by SilverFox might be the way forward for me (I'd prefer to use the BU0836 if it looks feasible - I like Leo, like his controller, like his prices...

TTFN

Pads


JBaymore wrote on Jan 15^th, 2008 at 7:55pm: