Rotary encoder inputs to adjust gyro compass through FSBus

[Guest Robid]

Can anyone tell me if I can use a rotary encoder through FSBus to adjust the heading on the Gyro compass through FSBus.Also, how can I interface an Optical interupter into FSBus for the Gyro compass so that the stepper motor knows where it should be when starting up.David

[Guest Robid]

Anyone?Yoss, you know FSBus well, can you input through FSBus the Gyro compass adjustment. Are there offsets for it?David

[Guest Robid]

Maybe let me put it another way.I have built a simulated Gyro compass from Mike's book. It uses a stepper motor to drive the compass rose.I want to add a rotary encoder to adjust the compass rose and I want the rotary encoder to run through FSBus which will then move the stepper motor.Can it be done?David

[tigert]

Check out the FSUIPC for Programmers.doc, it has all the offsets there are. It's part of the FSUIPC SDK, available from: http://www.schiratti.com/dowson.htmlIf there is an offset in that document, it can be used in FSBUS. If it is not in fsbus software by default, you need to add it via myfsif.ini. This forum has some instructions you should be able to find via search, and the syntax of myfsif.ini is the same as fsif.ini.Happy learning ;)//Tuomas

[Guest Robid]

Ok, here's another approach to the same question. With FSBus Stepper, is there a way to step the motor backwards and forwards using a rotary encoder (with a REDEC circuit) connected to the stepper board?Tuomas,Happy learning, you wern't kidding. Had a look through all the variables that were listed and couln't find what I was looking for, that's if I was looking for the right thing.

[Guest Robid]

I have another option that has just come to mind.If I use FSBus stepper classic, it has a start and end switch capability. When either switch is activated, the software stops the motor and reverses the direction of the motor until the switch is cleared.So, theoretically, I could use a switch such as a 12-position rotary switch (using only 3 position) and by turning it one way it would trigger the start or end switch which would make the stepper motor in the Directional Gyro turn until the switch was reset to off position. This would allow you to adjust the gyro compass to the correct heading on start up of the sim.IS THIS POSSIBLE??????David

[tigert]

>Happy learning, you wern't kidding. Had a look through all>the variables that were listed and couln't find what I was>looking for, that's if I was looking for the right thing.0C3E - 2 - Gyro drift amount ( *360/65536 for degrees)Looks like a worthy one to poke into with a rotary switch..? :)//Tuomas

[Guest Robid]

Hi Tuomas,I did find that offset, but put more thought into it and realised that if I was starting up the sim and powering up all the anologue gauges, MSFS would put me in a particular heading and my mechanical gauge wouldn't agree. So, adjusting the Gyro Drift would not only alter the mechanical gauge but also the gyro compass in MSFS so it would still not agree.This is why I thought about the solution of using the start and end switch capability of FSBus Stepper (classic).As I said in the previous post, I should be able to close one switch and the stepper motor should move the compass rose until I release the switch.Does that sound feasable?David

[Guest Robid]

Any thoughts?

[tigert]

>I did find that offset, but put more thought into it and>realised that if I was starting up the sim and powering up all>the anologue gauges, MSFS would put me in a particular heading>and my mechanical gauge wouldn't agree. So, adjusting the>Gyro Drift would not only alter the mechanical gauge but also>the gyro compass in MSFS so it would still not agree.The stepper controller of fsbus must have some method of calibrating the direction ("zero point") of the gauge, otherwise it would not make any sense. You are trying to work around a problem that already must have a solution implemented in the controller itself.//Tuomas

[Guest Robid]

Hi Tuomas,I sent Dirk an email asking his advice and his response was:a well defined zeropoint can be marked by a switch, mounted at the axis and connected to stepper board. After startup (reset) the stepper turns automatically until the switch is closed and resets this point as 0.Maybe that helps.DirkSo if the stepper board sets this point as zero, how do I then adjust it so the Gyro compass lines up with the gyro compass in MSFS?If I use Gyro Drift offset, it will also adjust the gyro in MSFS so it's still out of sync.David

[Guest yoss]

David ,i would consider some mechanical solution to reposition the microswitch as needed

[Guest Robid]

I'm using Mike's book for the mechanics. He has designed his own electronics that enables you to use a rotary encoder which is attached to the stepper motor driver. It moves the motor backwards or forwards to align the gyro. It also has a set zero point.Surely there must be a way to input steps into the stepper motor driver board to enable you to turn the stepper motor to get the correct compass alignment?David

[tigert]

You set it so that the switch closes at "north" or "0". Then you make the stepper show the airplane's true *heading*. Perhaps corrected by the "magnetic variation" offset, and perhaps with the gyro drift.//T

[Guest Robid]

Ok, so I understand.You set the switch up on the motor so that the zero point is north.Do you set this into the FSBus router software?The router then instructs the motor to show true heading.Then use a rotary encoder for Gyro drift.Is that how I would set it up.Can I use an optical interuper instead of a switch, and if so, how?David