270 replies to this topic

[Propnut]

As in turn key and play? I would have to think about that. Shipping would kill that deal though, as I expect crating and truck fees would run in excess of 600.00.

Anyway, further update:

I cracked open the F-22 handle this morning.....they have their own matrix installed in the handle to keep the number of wires that would otherwise run down to the base at a minimum. I am looking into using their matrix rather than trying too router a 2" bundle of wires up there

[Agarwaen]

Propnut, on 14 August 2012 - 06:25 AM, said:

Woo! You put the flight yoke from a Supermarine Spitfire in that one. Well, actually most British fighters from that era had those type of control sticks. Great project! It'd be nice to run that with 6 monitors. You don't see those often.

Edited by Agarwaen, 20 August 2012 - 05:56 AM.

[Ramm]

Propnut, on 18 August 2012 - 01:01 PM, said:

Ramm, as soon as it is finished come on over for the day bring the wife we have a 7 bedroom house for just my wife, daughter and I. Spend the weekend. You and I will play some Mechwarrior Online and battletech on my custom terrain board and she can enjoy the country air (which streams in from the barns)

Well if that is the case, my 7 year old son and my daughter (to be born in 7 days or sooner depending on when my wife pops) will be tagging along as well! I haven't played table top Battletech in years! I should see if my brother still has his Ral Partha figurines to bring with haha.

Tarrasque, on 19 August 2012 - 02:46 PM, said:

That makes two of us... CARPOOL

Haha I live in Harrison Twp, what about you?

[Propnut]

We might have baby pigs in the barn when you come over, your daughter would love to see those.

[Ramm]

Would you plan on naming any of the baby pigs Bacon or Pork? About how much more work do you got left? I'm excited to see the finished project.

[Romulus Stahl]

Propnut, on 20 August 2012 - 05:28 AM, said:

I removed the electronic board from the throttle and wired everything direct. I did test the pots last night and they seemed to be functioning perfectly. I have a suspicion that the issues that these controllers had (stock) was, as you alluded to, were the fault of the electonic hardware rather than the pots themselves.

TM at the time was kept pretty busy mailing out replacement pots (seemed they wore out fast, it was a regular chore to clean them), the good thing was the pots were free (after calling them up. They also had some firmware mods (they would send out ROM's to R/R).

Bob Church reprogrammed the sticks to act as "digital", it was a great mode in the day.
A history link.
http://www.combatsim...01/01/f22hotas/

[Propnut]

That depends on my saintly good will of my wife. Right now I am working on rewiring joysticks to the Teensy++

As to naming conventions around the farm. This is my wife's hobby farm, she teaches Microbiology at the local college. The sows are usually named after some flower or another, the boars are named after some type of restaurant. We have had "Bob Evens", "Dennys", "Peperoni" (from peperoni grill or some such), etc.

[Moodysea]

Not being funny Propnut... with your skills...

Build an actual Battlemech

I have a hobby that is boating and doing up old boats. I reckon we could stick a Diesel Engine in the Battlemech. Add some guns etc...

Go shopping in it...

[Ramm]

Imagine, Propnut and Moodysea, the first ones to build us a Mackie!!

[Aescwulf]

a BattleMech already exists. although it more resembles a Heavy Gear. And i believe its road legal...in Japan

called the Kuratas

[ORIGINAL SteelWolf]

And a mech existed before that.
Mosher.GE.walking.truck.jpg

GE’s Retro exoskeleton (robot) from the 1950s

And
http://www.gereports...k-of-the-1960s/ This has 3 of the early GE prototypes.

[Ramm]

I do not consider the Kuratas to be a mech, it drives instead of walks. That is my opinion thou, it is cool and people are on the right path.

Edited by Ramm, 21 August 2012 - 04:13 AM.

[Propnut]

Microupdate:

PC: I will be going on a road trip (70 miles round trip) to pick up a used PC for the Mechpit. The specs are as follows:

Intel Core i7 950
XSPC Rasa 750 Water Cooling
MSI Big Bang Xpower motherboard
MSI Nvidia GTX 560 TI GPU
6GB Kingston HyperX TI Memory
Corsair HX 850W Modular PSU
500GB HDD
Cooler Master HAF 932 Black & Blue Custom case.
ASUS 24" LCD LED Monitor

I had planned on building a custom plexi case for the PC to make it look more "futuristic" but once I post pictures of the system you will understand why I am leaving it as is. This thing looks COOL.

Controllers:

Both the F-22 Pro stick and the F-16TQS are wired and connected to the Teensy++ 2.0 via Cat-5 ethernet cable. The RJ-45 plugs allow quick connects via an RJ-45 wall panel. Fired them up and tested the button functionality, all work and fire steady. Something like 34 buttons between the two of them. Plenty.

I will add another Teensy++ for more buttons and axis (never know when you will need more).

I have tested the axis in both units (not the rudder pedals yet) as I am still thinking on how I want to attach them to the Teensy. I am thinking RJ-11 plugs and recepticles which would have each axis labeled (X, Y, Z, Z-Rotate, Dial, Slider, etc)

More pictures to come when I have the PC sitting on the bench here in the office.

[Propnut]

Finished rewiring the HOTAS, have not gotten around to the rudder yet but that is a very simple change. I decided to run new wires up through the handle of the F-22 both was that fun. Had a heck of a time getting it back together with a 2" bundle of wire up there

Everything is working, I will get pictures of my Franken-HOTAS later after I fit them to the pit. I used Cat-5 cable and RJ-45 connectors and receptacle (wall mount). I will create a box to house the Teensy++ 2.0 set (I am going to add a bunch of DIY axis and even more buttons eventually).

I am telling you, the Teensy++ 2.0 is the greatest thing since sliced bread

Pictures of the PC I picked up yesterday. Gotta love Craigslist.

Edited by Propnut, 22 August 2012 - 06:24 AM.

[Foust]

Nice rig. I'm going to need to take some time off and a small loan to keep up with your build pace.

It is awesome, keep at it.

[Propnut]

Unfortunately school starts next week and I will not have as much time to devote to this obsession. I teach college history.

[Foust]

I guess you better work faster then.

[Aescwulf]

Is your rig water cooled?

[Tarrasque]

Ramm, on 20 August 2012 - 06:00 AM, said:

Well if that is the case, my 7 year old son and my daughter (to be born in 7 days or sooner depending on when my wife pops) will be tagging along as well! I haven't played table top Battletech in years! I should see if my brother still has his Ral Partha figurines to bring with haha.




Haha I live in Harrison Twp, what about you?

That's great, I just moved to Auburn Hills (right by OU) from Sterling Heights... I used to live in Harrison as well in 2003ish.

Propnut, on 22 August 2012 - 06:40 AM, said:

Unfortunately school starts next week and I will not have as much time to devote to this obsession. I teach college history.

And that is precisely what I'm going to school for. Michigan eerieness...

Edited by Tarrasque, 22 August 2012 - 07:03 AM.

[Propnut]

Nitsua, yes.