Simpit A10C - Engine Instrument Panel via RS485 (MAX487 Transceiver) Network

This video shows the Engine Instrument Panel I have built for my A10C simpit for use with DCS (Digital Combat Simulator).

This panel includes the following left and right engine monitoring instruments:
Engine Interstage Turbine Temperature (ITT) Indicators
Engine Core Speed Indicators
Engine Oil Pressure Indicators
Engine Fan Speed Indicators
Engine Fuel Flow Indicators

It also includes:
APU RPM
APU Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) Indication


Video content / timeline detailed below

INTRODUCTION - PANEL OVERVIEW:
0:00 - 0:37 - Introduction
0:38 - 5:23 - Engine Startup
5:24 - 6:38 - Night Usage
6:39 - 7:33 - Quick View - Panel Rear / Simpit Hub

EXTRA FOOTAGE - PART 1 - Panel Construction
07:34 - 08:42 - Extra footage - Part 1 Overview
08:43 - 10:45 - 1.1 Research / Choose components
10:46 - 11:59 - 1.2 Study / Test components
12:00 - 15:23 - 1.3 Plan Wiring
15:24 - 20:16 - 1.4 Review Arduino Code
20:17 - 22:57 - 1.5 CAD / CAM Construction
22:58 - 27:04 - 1.6 Overview Panel Layers

EXTRA FOOTAGE - PART 2 - Panel Conversion to RS485 Network
27:05 - 29:48 - Extra footage - Part 2 Overview
29:49 - 31:34 - 2.1 RS485 Overview
31:35 - 35:29 - 2.2 RS485 Fundamentals
35:30 - 39:24 - 2.3 Adapt Arduino Sketch to run on RS485
39:25 - 45:53 - 2.4 Final RS485 Design
45:54 - 48:49 - 2.5 Construction of RS485 Hub
48:50 - 51:34 - 2.6 Installing Slaves
51:35 - 53:18 - 2.7 Wire hub remainder / install in data cabinet

VIDEO END
53:19 - 56:57 - Final Comments

Arduino sketch (code) used for APU Exhaust Gas Temperature (Gauge 12), along with RS485 network diagrams are downloadable at:

https://mysimpit.co.uk/engine-monitor...


For further details of my Simpit project, please visit the following newly formed website (intended to document the Simpit's build for both my reference and the community)

http://www.mysimpit.co.uk


Thanks to:

FSF Ian - The developer of DCS BIOS. Thank you for your development of this fantastic software.

ED Forum member - Hansolo - Thankyou for your posts detailing how you connect your panels over RS485. This formed the initial basis of my tests to understand how this worked and in turn develop my own.

Phil (father in law) - Thank you for use of your CNC machine and time we spent together cutting this panel. 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).


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