Hi, I know that FsBus officialy does not support at this moment the rotary encoders and many of us are searcing for a good solution to use them with FSbus & Project Magenta, as it's not easy to buy knitter-switches or any other rotary-switch. For sure the rotary encoder has almost the real-good feeling when turning it, like in the real cockpit :-)Before some weeks i had post again the same problem( http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...=4061&mode=full ) and there was an answer with a link ( http://www.wcm.at/vb2/showthread.php?s=&po...9588#post979588 ) with a possible solution of the problem.But i tryed all the combinations with rotary encoder / Redec pcb and FsBus key but i can't make them work with ProjectMagenta. With default FS2002 Autopilot is almost ok. So there is a problem maybe with FsBus and Fsuipc or Fsuipc and PMDoes anyone of you has any news about this problem? Does anyone works with rotary encoders and PM?ThanksEddie ArmaosAthens-Greece

Hello Eddie and fsbus friends,i know, many of you are waiting for second beta of fsbus2.I have done a lot of fine tuning, to get the rotaries working good with the standard fsuipc parameters. To get the things running as expected (fast and smooth) and always with reliable results is sometimes very tricky. The Heading value is such funny thing. Now i am continuing this with PM. I am sure, the rotary behavior can be significant improved with PM. The only thing you might do: wait a bit.The often requested 2phase or quadrature rotaries (Conrad types) are very timecritical and i don't think an ordinary PIC 16F84 can handle it proper.The best solution (my opinion) is a small additional hardware with 2 cheap 74.. or 40.. chips per rotary, which convert is to seperate up/down pulses. Alex from Berlin had developed such hardware. Maybe i will put it on my site (later).kind regards Dirk

Hi Dirk!Good news for all of us!!! We all are waiting the new version when it will be ready. I can imagine your hard efforts to improve the FsBus and i thank you that you share with us your love for FS simulator.If that new version will work fine with PM it will be a big step, as with Redec circuit (for decoding the signals) we can make it work. If there is another better or different solution like Alex's of course is always welcome :-)Thanks a lotEddie ArmaosAthens-Greece

Also remember that Elfa.se sells those knitter-equivalent ALPS rotaries that have separate output. Those should work, they at least work when wired as two separate switches, which is usable, but then you end up fighting against the debouncer algorithm.But those *should* work like the knitters, so I guess that the new FSBUS 2 might have better support for them, and those are available for everyone, unlike Knitters that are hard to get.Elfa product number is 35-884-64, the type is "SRBM1L" and it seems to cost 4.77 euros + VAT per piece for a order of ten or more. Check outhttp://www.elfa.se/elfa/produkter/en/2021746.htmBut also note that the common cheap 12-step rotary switch makes a good "encoder" with FSBUS - it's one of the good ideas in the project. If the bulky size is not a big problem, that is a good option too!Tuomas

I've tried the "ELFA-knitter" which should work exactly as a regular knitter. Result was good... But when looking for the knitter, i alsao found a ordinary rotary encoder with an integrated pushbutton!!! Exactly what I need!... I will use these with my own modified Redec, that uses one more 4011 IC and can handle 2 Rotary encoders. The redec is one clever construction with debouncing of the swithces and everything, but with only one more IC, you can user the logic in the circuid to 100% instead of building 2 PCB twice the price :-)Im working on the PCB layout right now, its hart to do theit without using more than one layer... The goal is one a one layer, redec*2 circuit with only one more IC (and two resistors:-)Will post the PCB here when done./ Olle

Looks nice.I assume that this kind of rotary won't need any decoding and should work directly with the FSKEY. Any comments?Looking more into the ELFA site I found these :http://www.elfa.se/elfa/produkter/en/2030.htmhttp://www.elfa.se/elfa/produkter/en/2028.htmhttp://www.elfa.se/elfa/produkter/en/2031.htmAvailable and with pushbutton! The description is not very specific if those use the same technique as the one you posted. Can anyone make any sense out of the description how the direction indication is implemented in those?George DorkofikisAthens, Greece

George,I dug around the Alps site www.alps.com and found some technical information. Based on the output wave form in the product catalog, I think these are standard two-phase incremental rotary encoders. So they are electrically like the Greyhill switches, and not like the Knitter switches. I believe Alps does make a Knitter switch equivalent, however. One of the interesting notes from the Alps catalog is that some of their encoders have hollow shafts. The implication is that you might be able to assemble a concentric shaft, dual encoder from their products. And as you have already found one with an integrated pushbutton, this may be an inexpensive substitute for the extremely expensive Greyhill unit.Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.com

Hi Mike,Yes, after posting my reply I also browsed Alps.com a bit and I found those rotaries.But I think you missed one. They already have a double shart rotary.Trying to find it after the first time I couldn't remember the type, but I'm sure I saw it. It had a normal shaft and an outer bezzel.George DorkofikisAthens, Greece

Thank you George. I did indeed miss the double one. I'll have to take another look.Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.com

Found the dual, concentric shaft rotary encoder with a push switch. Part number is EC11EBB24C03. Minimum order quantity from ALPS appears to be 1,200 units. Just slightly over my limit...So far no luck finding a stocking distributor in the US.Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.com

No, these are the regular rotary encoders ,which need a decoder circuit like the Redec. If you want the Knitter type you want the http://www.elfa.se/elfa/produkter/en/2021746.htmPersonally, I'll use both types. The regular encoder because the regular encoder + redec gives debounce which should give better precision. And is has a integrated pushbuttonIll use the knitter-encoder for its ease, no extra circuits./ Olle

Yeap!That's the one! It will be great for controlling the radios!Now, if I can find a store in Europe to sell it!George DorkofikisAthens, Greece

Maybe I can help.I'm very interested as I'm starting my FSBUS project soon.I use the EaglePCB and until now I have successfully designed an alternate PCB FSDISP that uses smaller LED displays but keeping the original connector pinout.I just need the schematic and I can try to design a small PCB for it.Single layer of course to be easy to make.If you want you can send me an email to [email protected],George DorkofikisAthens, Greece