Simpit A10C - Front Dash - Part 27: Airspeed Indicator - Testing and Installation

Simpit A10C - Front Dash - Part 27: Airspeed Indicator - Testing and Installation

Welcome to Part 27 in a series of videos documenting and detailing the build of the front dash for my A10C simpit. This is for use with Digital Combat Simulator (DCS).

Part 27: This is the second of two videos which will cover the Airspeed Indicator.
In this video we take the recently constructed Airspeed Indicator and run a number of pre-install tests to configure the various stepper motors. Once installed into the frame dash, but prior to interfacing into the simulator, we look to expand the RS485 network to provide the extra needed capacity to support more slave devices so this and future panels can be added.

NOTE: The mechanical aspects of this panel, such as the Nema 8 which drives the two gear system for the decimals rotary and the X40 stepper for the airspeed needles operate well, reliably and accurately. The choice of the X40 stepper did mean there was a limited range for the airspeed needles to move within and the operating range (typically) of these needles is slightly greater than the outside marker lines of the gauge as drawn at the CAD/CAM stage of design. What this amounts to is that the decimals rotary gives a precise reading, but the current airspeed needle can deviate in its reading by approximately 4-8 knots at either extreme of high or low speed. This would in reality be barely noticeable if the current airspeed pointer was viewed on its own, however sight of this pointer relative to the decimals rotary highlights the slight deviation. I will fly with this panel and based on its performance will decide whether or not to revisit and modify. The simplest modification to ensure all readings are exact is to alter the scale of the outer marker lines, produce a new fascia and replace the current one. All other mechanics would remain the same.



The front dash when completed will include:

Landing Gear and Flap Control Panel

Armament HUD Control Panel (AHCP)

Heading Attitude Reference (HARS) Fast Erect Button

Indicator Lights (Gun, Nose Wheel Steering, Marker and Canopy)

UHF Frequency Repeater

Angle of Attack Indicator

Digital Clock

Standby Attitude Indicator (SAI)

Left & Right Multifunction Color Displays (MFCD)

Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) Display

Airspeed Indicator

Countermeasures Set Control (CMSC)

Vertical Velocity Indicator (VVI)

Altimeter

Attitude Direction Indicator (ADI)

Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI)

Fuel Quantity and Hydraulic Indicator Panel

Navigation Mode Select Panel

Target Identification Set Laser Panel (TISL)

T-Handles (Fire Extinguisher Discharge)

Air Refuel Status Lights

Angle of Attack Indexer

Up Front Controller (UFC)



The front dash build will be spread over a period of many months as I want to take time to get each panel to a certain minimum standard. Time will be needed to research, design, build, and test.





For further details of the front dash, panels within it, and / or my Simpit project, please visit the following newly formed website (intended to document the Simpit's build for both my reference and the community). The material on this website may run behind the content of this YouTube channel, but in time all will be documented.



http://www.mysimpit.co.uk





Thanks to:


The developer of DCS BIOS (FSF Ian) & the community supporting its continuance. Thank you for your development and support of this fantastic software



Dimebug - Producer of A10C Front Dash Stencil - Free plans



Phil (father in law) - Thank you for use of your CNC machine, the large amount of time we spent together cutting these panels. I very much appreciate the discussions around methods of construction, effective tool usage, and general best practice across a whole range of subjects (ranging from electronics and mechanics to CNC and wood working).



Claire (Wife) - Thank you for your patience in understanding my need to build this.





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