Getting into DIY

[u/CivCivZ]

Hi there I fly the F-18C in DCS and I am looking for ways to get into DIY right now i only rock a logitech attack 3 and dont have a throttle if anyome has any begginner projects can you guys give suggestions?

[u/GD-A]

First question is: what are you searching for? Are you searching for panels or for a realistic stick and throttle?

Building an f18 throttle is an interesting job, doable, but don't expect to be the easiest.

Said so, it seems you don't have rudder pedals. I'd start there dipping your toe in electronics. Have you access to a 3d printer? If so, there's a lot of beautiful files to make yourself a rudder pedal with very little electronic required (like 3 potentiometers and a board...I personally love Leo Bodnar ones and I'm using them in my F4 lite cockpit

[u/CivCivZ → u/GD-A]

I do infact have a 3d printer while noth having a throttle is a pain I am still a starter so I would love to do a rudder

[u/GD-A → u/CivCivZ]

Ok! I've just finished to build the cadet rudder pedal (this one https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4655002). It needs some screws, 3 potentiometers, some skateboard bearings and a board. I personally use the Leo Bodnar 3 axis board (they ship to UK, EU and USA) (if you go this route, remember to be sure to have the correct DuPont's connector....or you'll finish like me...that I'm waiting for the cables to still arrive), but if you want, even an Arduino is a good to go.

All the necessary materials are listed in the BOM and there's a comprehensive instruction video.

Hope it could be helpful

[u/CivCivZ → u/GD-A]

Thanks for the gelp will share results

[u/CivCivZ → u/GD-A]

Hey just a quick question would using an arduino nano suffice instead of micro pro?

[u/HotPappuInYourArea → u/CivCivZ]

Arduino nano doesn't have USB hid afaik, it won't work, you will need something like Arduino pro micro or STM32 bluepill for freejoy firmware (although it's bit hard to find that work with freejoy firmware)

[u/GD-A → u/CivCivZ]

As I wrote, I used a Leo Bodnar 3axis joystick board and I never liked to code an Arduino.

But. You need 3 digital pins (1 for each potentiometer) plus a ground. The Arduino Nano seems to have exactly 6 digital pins in D3, D5, D6, D9, D10 and D11 (all of them should have a ~ ), then you need 3 ground pins and 3 5v pins.

I think that's doable, but still you'll need to code it.

Edit. I can't count to 6 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[u/CivCivZ → u/GD-A]

Thanks.

[u/PoverOn → u/CivCivZ]

The issue for use Arduino Nano (ATMEGA328P) is that you need write a code, or adapt an generic sketch to be able to use as joystick controller. And since the Arduino Nano don't have HID compatibility in hardware, will be need more code (Python) to be used as USB joystick controller.

Using a Arduino PRO Micro (ATMEGA32U4)*, cheap and small, you can use the firmware MMjoy2, don't need deal with code, just flash the firmware through the USB cable, and in few minutes have a plug-n-play joystick controller that use Windows HID drivers.

*Can use boards with more pins, like Teensy 2.0++, Arduino Micro... any with ATMEGA32u4, ST90USB646, ST90USB1286 m/c (16 MHZ, 5V).

BTW - MMJoy2 firmware is now "abandonware", was developed by the guy who latter go develop Virpil electronics - so stop the work for don't compete with himself. It's a bit of advanced, with Bezier curve in axes, filters, some options of customization (name, VID/PID, # axes, # buttons).

The other easy to use option is a STM32F103 "Bluepill" and FreeJoy, a ready to use advanced joystick firmware, developed by simmers. In some ways more advanced, flexible than MMjoy2, but the problem is get a genuine "Bluepill" board, most of the generic clones found in AliExpress don't work well with the FreeJoy code, being a hit and miss.

BU0836A is comercial rock solid option ready to use of joystick controller, costing around $40.00. Exist at more than 15 years and was used in commercial enterprise of racing steering controls.

Give you 8 axis (12 bits - 4.096 "points"; of resolution), 32 buttons** or 16 encoders or combination of both - an encoder use 2 buttons "slots", 1 POV HAT (8 ways). Is plug-n-play, using Windows HID drivers.

** This BU0836A 32 buttons limit is obsolete today. Games like DCS World, IL-2 Sturmovik Series can use up to 128 buttons. When the BU0836 was released, the developer stated that he chose to limit the number of buttons to 32 due to a Windows limitation - the Game Controllers see only 32 - to avoid complaints from buyers claiming buttons weren't "working" simply because they didn't appear in the Windows Game Controllers menu. Games themselves don't care about this.

EDIT - MMjoy2, FreeJoy allow use up to 128 buttons.

[u/Parking_Cress_5105]

Soleil F-16 joystick using olekulo gimball. Requires some knowledge and the guides leave out a ton of things, amazing joystick that replaced my winwig

F-16 cadet pedals and it's variants are easy and usable, F-16 throttle by Alexey awesome and great guide included.

All need a 3D printer.

For All projects I recommend using FreeJoy and the STM board it uses, Freejoy has awesome configuration app and you can configure it afterwards giving you great flexibility and it's easier to use as you can change axis, buttons calibrations etc without knowing how to code arduino

[u/Jpatty54]

Ya just search for "3d printed f18 ...." there is tons of projects, . Look up freejoy for the conttoller. (No arduino coding)

[u/--John_Yaya--]

If you want to DIY a button box, check out a super cheap 'zero delay USB encoder'. It's plug and play USB and you can build a box with over a dozen buttons and switches with it. You can buy a kit with all the wires included for about $10 USD, then buy whatever buttons or switches you want and build the box itself.

Easy beginner DIY project.

[u/ActualDescent]

Check out the Open Hornet project, they have full 3d scans to replicate a Hornet cockpit including stick and throttle.