building a magnetic compas

[Guest stevelep]

I'd like to built a magnetic wet compas, like the one made by simcockpits (which is too expensive).http://www.simkits.com/product.php?prodid=236What the best way with FSBUS ?Could we do that with stepper of modified servo ?thanks'sBOB

[Guest c172 sim pilot]

Hi I am building a Cesnna 172 and I have tried different things for the magnetic wet compass. One of my ideas was to use a ball, but to get the letters on a ball and for it to look right would be a very hard thing to do. :-) I tried just getting the ball to turn strait and it did not work to well. Another idea was to use a cheap wet compass and hook a magnet to a stepper to make the wet compass turn. Right at the moment I am working on the radio unit but if you come up with a better idea you can let me know.Stephen

[tigert 0]

SimKits compass actually *is* a real magnetic fluid compass that most likely has a rotating magnet underneath to move the compass disc. Very clever idea, and easy to do yourself too. Aircraft Spruce does sell the compass units, there are several models of varying price, the "non-TSO" (non-approved for certified aircraft) are of course cheaper, starting from $50 or so I guess. Or just do one yourself from something, it wouldnt be too hard to make something pretty convincing looking.http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/inpa...phics/C2300.jpghttp://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/in/compasses.htmlIf you have fsbus, then the stepper controller is the way to go, or if you have simkits controller, the SDK docs contain schematics for their instruments, so making a custom-built one wouldnt be too hard I guess. My pipe dream is to slowly get unserviceable real instruments into my hands, convert them to servo control and replace the simkits units one by one - Simkits are great, but the real ones would add a nice touch, plus would be more durable to the destructive handling of real pilots on our simulator.. :) There's the problem: they look very real, and feel real on the very real looking panel in the sim that is built into a real Cessna cockpit - so in a real gyro you need to press quite *hard* on the knob and turn to adjust heading, because it is intentional - you dont adjust it by accident. Now, the guys expect this and *crunch*.. eek.. Simkits are pretty tough construction, but they are not made of metal etc like real gauges, so one doesnt feel like beating them like that.. :)//Tuomas

[Guest stevelep]

very cool URLThere low cost compass look great.I'm just brainstorming how to asserve it to FSThe idea with a magnet is great ...I ask me if it's possible to use the compass plug in the CCU of simkits using a simkit's PCB with PIHER (like the gyro) to link them with modified servo and a magnet glue on the toppositioning it under the real compass gauge.Does anybody know the wiring sheme of the compass of simkits ?I've the CCU sheme herehttp://www.simkits.com/downloads/CCU2schematics.pdfSomeone know what CMP1,2,3 are ? one must be the servo another the PIHER board ?BOBhttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/83865.jpg