Hey guys, I just built this CDU for a fellow sim builder. It uses the keyboard interface, and has only around 20 wires running to the connector. No ribbon cable needed, only a 25-pin connector. The LCD uses standard 12 volts and has a built in RCA cable. I tried to get more, but he said they were discontinued. Here are some photos.http://t-b-x.com/prather/777project/newPro...er/PDR_0510.JPGhttp://t-b-x.com/prather/777project/newPro...er/PDR_0506.JPGhttp://t-b-x.com/prather/777project/newPro...er/PDR_0507.JPGShe'll be plugged in today for the first time and the buttons that fell off will be re-attached. Everything still has plastic on it, so that is causing the abnormalities you see on the panel.Roberthttp://www.777Project.cjb.net

Wow Robert!Nice work! Wish I had one!!!!-mitch

That looks very impressive!Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.com

How bout I send you this one?! Lol!Thx again for the yoke. Roberto Soriano is coming over this week to help me hook some things up including the yoke. First flight should be this weekend if all goes well! We will likely make the flight with the CDU installed (er uh, to test it of course). Then shipping on Monday.Robert

Thx Mike! Gotta drop by your web site today... I have been outta the loop for a few weeks.Robertwww.777Project.cjb.net

Not a lot of visible progress over there. Things have slowed due to our learn-it-as-you-do-it bathroom remodelling project. There should be a hardware descriptor language for bathrooms: write it and compile in place. Let the compiler worry about linking it to the rest of the house systems. I have, at least, finally pulled a draft of the stepper-based ADF/RMI/Dual pointer gauge chapter together. I have a prototype dual pointer gauge built complete with internal lighting. If I can figure how to get my cheapie digital camera to work without the flash, I'll post a picture with the gauge lit up. I still need to build the ADF/RMI to check the drawings.Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.com

Hi RobertI am about as far as you are with the fds cdu (also 777).I planned to buy a 5,6 lcd screen from partsexpress but they do not sell it anymore.There are some alternatives:http://www.dmartstores.com/lelm5colcdmo.htmlhttp://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=fart5601mhhttp://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=pylplhr56http://www.discount-electronic.com/plvw56mn.htmlhttp://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=...1Whats_in_the_Boxhttp://www.portablemp3playerstore.com/stuf...special/6tv.htmhttp://nservices.com/mobilemonitors.htm#Po...t%20and%20Standhttp://www.aeicomp.com/search_result.asp?M...RY=LCD+Monitorsbut most are sold with a plastic case around for car video and are to big in their case.Yours seems just fine. Were did you get it?Did you have any problems soldering? You did it in one afternoon, well it tokk me some more time. I used a hacked keyboard and used the matrix of that one. So all 4 pins of 69 switches are used. In some lines the current does not come to the end of the line, because some bad soldering connection. It is difficult tracking down the problem because of all the spaghetti. Did you glued the switches to the board first?see http://home.wanadoo.nl/norbert.boschclick on fmcfor my picturesLast question. How do you connect the video card to the lcd? Does it have a s-video in? Do you need TVTool? What video card do you need?Only a vga output will not be enough I think. I run my cdu.exe on a old pc and it can only contain pci videocards.Thanks for any helpNorbert

http://t-b-x.com/prather/777project/newPro...er/PDR_0511.jpghttp://t-b-x.com/prather/777project/newPro...er/PDR_0514.jpgHere it is plugged in. I got a pretty nice shock when I accidentally touched one of the coils while it was plugged in . I smelled burning shortly afterwards but fortunately it was me not the screen!It works fine during startup, but then it gets completely distorted after windows starts up. I was testing it on an older model laptop with video out, so I am not really concerned with the results. Should work fine with a GeForce card, though I'm not certain until I try.BTW, I made a list of every keycode on this keyboard. This takes a few hours to generate, but is the same for all keyboards of the same make and model. It is a Gateway keyboard with built in 2-port HUB. If anyone is interested in having this keypress list, let me know and I'll be happy to post/send them.Roberthttp://www.777Project.cjb.net

>> but most are sold with a plastic case around for car video and are to big in their case. Yours seems just fine. Were did you get it?[Reply] I got this one at a local Discount Tire store. It is the kind used for car visor screens. They cut me a good deal because they only had one left and most people only buy pairs.>> Did you have any problems soldering? You did it in one afternoon, well it took me some more time. [Reply] I only glued the switches together in one afternoon. The wiring took about a week working many hours every day. You are right, these things TAKE TIME!>> It is difficult tracking down the problem because of all the spaghetti.[Reply] Hmmm... I see what you mean. I tried to get it right the first time, but there were some stubborn switches that had to be traced. However, as long as the main connectors are labeled, it doesn't seem too bad. I noticed you were labeled too, so that certainly makes life easier.>> Did you glued the switches to the board first?[Reply] These switches are held to the board by the solder only. Takes a little more time, but makes the switches easier to replace.>> How do you connect the video card to the lcd? Does it have a s-video in? Do you need TVTool? What video card do you need?[Reply] The LCD has an RCA cable built in. I just plugged it into the TV Out on my laptop and it kicked right in. The power is plain 12 VDC so there were no power inverters required. I HIGHLY recommend car TVs because they are small and are designed to be easily installed. YOu can use a GeForce 3 with RCA output to run this screen I believe.Robertwww.777Project.cjb.net

Robert,Congratulations on what looks to be truely a great piece of work (and becoming a decent photog to boot)!. You must have the patience of a saint.-m

Excellent news - thanks!-m

RobertAwesome! Let me know how good it goes when you bring your bird up for a test.

Nobert, get the 5" monitor, p/n 205-400. The LCD is exactly the same as the 5" LCD module. You have to take it out of the plastic housing. The only difference is that this one costs $158USD. The hokkup is S-video out to an S-video to RCA adapter, p/n 180-140, $6USD. It takes 12VDC & 500 milliamps.Regards,Jim

I used my 5" LCD for a GPS. Here is a picture.Regards,Jim

Yup trying it up this weekend (I mean quality control) Sorry couldn't call you today Robert, but I'm leaving till Monday so Saturday and Sunday we work on tha sim I'll call you tomorrow... amazing work buddy on that CDU.Roberto