I found some old toggle switches in my pile of hardware, but I'm not sure if they can be used with a computer. They're just plain old toggle switches with contact points for wires. Here's a picture similar to them:

http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/332678_lg.jpg

Not exactaly the answer I was looking for...

Those toggles will work but you need to interface them with a keyboard controller like a Hagstrom KE72. so there is a bit more involved then switches.

And take it from Fozzer, never lose your humor I make sure and get a good laugh in every day.

P.S. Im glad to hear you have a switch , I don't think this guy does or is defective:

npbosch wrote on Jun 18^th, 2008 at 6:48pm:


But Im pretty certain you need to hook up a relay circuit in order to keep constant pulses from polling on the sim.

CaptainXion wrote on Jun 18^th, 2008 at 7:29pm:


Look again- Hagstrom makes USB devices.

http://www.hagstromelectronics.com/

FSUIPC can stop the signal being sent to the sim... but it can't stop the constant pulse in hardware.

Most hardware designed for simpit use has the ability to manage the hardware end (like the Hagstrom boards), even a lot on non-specific stuff can deal with it internally. The BU0836 is one notable piece of hardware that will not interrupt the constant input of a toggle switch

The problem arises if you let the computer see the constant input, this eats cpu cycles and can affect framerates. Dealing with the problem in software only stops the signal from affecting the sim... does nothing about what it's doing to the input lines on the computer.

CaptainXion wrote on Jun 19^th, 2008 at 6:09pm:

For 108 switches or buttons, joystick axes, trackball input, and rotary switches? I'm not sure...
It's more than I needed, but it has more than enough button inputs, I needed a few more pot inputs, and there'll be room to expand a little. I thought of Leo's units, which eliminate the latching command problem, but needed more channels without spending a lot more, ultimately...and in my case, the latching-command thing may not be a problem.

To overcome the CPU clogging possible with several latching toggles, I plan to toss some of the (free) rotary switches I had planned for gear switch, flaps, fuel selectors, etc. and go back to my idea of making simple mechanisms that will trip momentary buttons (I got a bag of 100 of them for less than 50 cents each). A little fab work there, but it'll be easy, and not much more trouble than working with the rotary switches, in terms of mounting them, etc.

I have so much labor to do on this 'pit in general that I've been trying to minimize the electronics tinkering. I don't mind paying a little to save time and labor here and there.
I work with electronics a lot, but as a fabricator, I'm better with structural and mechanical stuff, and I can work pretty quickly on that stuff.


If the remaining toggles (master, lights, etc) cause a problem, I will then look into adding isolators.

I'll look into that. All I need is a USB device that will let the system recognize and respond to the changes in the state of the switch.

EDIT:

I just looked at the OpenCockpits website and realized that I have no idea what I am looking for. I am completley new to this, and have no idea what any of the components are called. Can somebody tell me what exactly they call this:

"...A USB device that will let the system recognize and respond to the changes in the state of the [toggle] switch."

Ha! Gave me a good chuckle. Unless I grow up one day and have the money and time to build a full fledged enclosed cockpit, I'll stick with my joystick and headset. I just thought I could find a use for some spare hardware. So yeah, I'll check out those USBKeys. Thanks for all the support you guys!

EDIT:

I checked out those USBKeys and they look reasonable. What is the difference between the three products on the page I linked to below? I realize they are missing different components, but what do each of the components do and which is the best for my needs?

http://www.opencockpits.com/catalog/electronic-cards-iocards-keyboard-emulator-c...

I have no experience with soldering, so I guess I'll get the second option, like you suggested. Thanks for all the help!

I have that feeling too, but only after I ditch this computer. Why, you ask? My specs:

HP Pavilion
AMD Sempron Processor 3200+ 1.80 GHz
446 MB RAM
NVidia GeForce 6150 LE 256 MB

But to help compensate for that, I have a 25 GB paging file! And just found another 30 GB  hard drive to add to that.