NEW: Tinmouse II v1.26 vasFMC or Ernie Alston ISG Mod

[MrSkyGuy 0]

Yesterday I finally put foot to road and got to work on the FMC modifications I'd been thinking about testing with the Tinmouse II v1.26 panel. Below is a rather extensive post I felt like sharing with the passionate Tinmouse II operators out there who were flying their older B732s, but desired an FMC retrofit for modern RNAV flying (which is more common in today's older B732 cockpits).While the vasFMC mod works, it has a bug that requires a workaround to be followed closely (covered below). The vasFMC team are aware of the bug and will hopefully have it fixed in the next release of the vasFMC gauge pack. If the bug workaround is too much trouble, you can download and install the standalone version of vasFMC and run it outside of the panel through FSUIPC (automatic) or on another computer through WideFS to FSUIPC.My personal preference for both realism, style, look and function is the second option in this post--Ernie Alston's fantastic FMC gauge pack. True, it's payware.. but with the USD-to-Euro conversion at Simmarket, I ended up spending less than $25 and the gauges can be used with just about any aircraft panel out there. He has tons of options in the pack, and solid documentation for each. He's also published a bunch of ready-to-fly panel retrofits for this kit on his website at: http://www.isgsim.com/ My only criticism of the pack is a breakdown of the guage name files and associated pictures for each, which would have cut my from-scratch panel design time in half. If it's there and I missed it, joke's on me.. but I couldn't find it.Lastly, I was unable to post the actual panel.cfg files to this post (the Avsim forums wouldn't allow me to attach panel.cfg files) so if you'd like a copy of these files for both mods, just shoot me a PM. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to write here or shoot me an email. And of course, my thanks again to Bob Scott for producing one of the best freeware panels out there for the venerable B732!Blue Skies,M. McCoy-----------------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTSA| SUMMARYB| SCREENSHOTS of BOTH OPTIONSC| INSTRUCTIONS FOR vasFMC MODD| INSTRUCTIONS FOR *Revised* Ernie Alston MOD-----------------------------------SUMMARY: ---WHAT DIDN'T WORK---1. PMDG FMC: Attempted, activated the FMGC but despite successful VNAV button integration, FMC unable to issue commands to Tinmouse II (PMDG route information does not appear to issue it to FS on the GPS or HDG channels, so this wasn't a surprise.)2. Wilco PIC 737 FMC: Attempted, activated the FMGC but similar issues to that described above.3. PSS Dash-8 FMC: Successful in function and aircraft navigation (nav commands issued by the PSS FMC were followed by the Tinmouse, but it required both EFIS gauges from the panel to be displayed in a certain order along with the PSS autopilot gauge, which overrides the Sperry 77 autopilot paddles and functions, which was consequently too much of a realism drain to be worth investigating further).---WHAT *DID* WORK---1. vasFMC In-Panel Gauge MCDU: Worked great, which was no surprise as I'd been using vasFMC through a WideFS connection for a while. Unfortunately there IS a bug with the Aribus auto-throttle setting if disabled (which is a must if you are going to retain any vestige of modern 732 FMC realism) as you can read about here: http://forum.vas-project.org/viewtopic.php?id=1016 There is a workaround, but it's slightly tedious and I ended up preferring the $25 for Ernie Alston's ISG gauges over the freeware vasFMC due to this bug. If they can fully correct the bug, vasFMC will likely see a major boost in usage.2. Ernie Alston's ISG FMC Gauge Pack: Of course this one worked.. it was a no-brainer, as Bob has already spent considerable time developing an out-of-the-box panel file to use Ernie's gauges. Ernie's gauges will work with almost every single aircraft type out there, as it can issue nav data commands on both the GPSNAV and HDG channels. I liked what Bob did with the panel, but I modified it slightly to better accommodate the Honeywell FMGC (removed the gyro switches that were poking through) and drop in an an EFIS and EFIS control panel. Unfortunately panel real estate is always an issue in 2D panels, so I opted to replace the dummy WX radar with these two items (which isn't an entirely unrealistic option). If I ever get the Reality XP radar, I'll have to move the EFIS control panels and display to a popup panel not unlike how the stock GPS can be called upon from the GPS clickspot.SCREENSHOTS of BOTH PANEL MODIFICATION OPTIONS (vasFMC=freeware, Ernie Alston's ISG=payware):vasFMC Panel Mod--MCDU in its proper place, FCU replacing "dummy" WX radar control panel, EFIS replacing "dummy" WX radar screen (waypoints selected at random to show manipulatable flightplan):Revised Ernie Alston ISG Gauge Mod--Removed Captain's gyro switches from the upper radio stack, inserted Alston's Honeywell FMC, replaced "dummy" WX radar control panel and screen with Ernie's EFIS control panel and EFIS bolt-in display(waypoints selected at random to show manipulatable flightplan):INSTRUCTIONS for the vasFMC MODIFICATION (freeware)::vasFMC Mod: I did all the dirty work so you don't have as many steps. Just follow along.1. Download and install the vasFMC 2.0a9 FS2004 Gauge version here: http://files.vas-project.org/category.php?id=32. Make a backup of your Tinmouse II panel file (FS9/Aircraft/fsconv/panel.B732ADV/panel.cfg)3. After making a backup to your panel, open the panel.cfg file and add the following three lines to the bottom of the [Window07] section (about 3/4 down in the .cfg file):gauge06=vasfmcgau!mcdu, 0, 0, 320, 390gauge07=vasfmcgau!fcu, 326, 120, 340, 93gauge08=vasfmcgau!nd, 326, 215, 340, 2444. If performed properly, your [Window07] section should read as follows:[Window07]file=radio_upper.bmpsize_mm=975,565window_size_ratio=1.0position=2visible=0ident=12gauge00=B732ADV!pdcs_cdu, 701, 5, 248, 219gauge01=B732ADV!transp, 701, 232, 243, 122gauge02=B732ADV!alt_alert_cont, 421, 38, 157, 65gauge03=B732ADV!memory, 700, 506, 253, 54gauge04=B732ADV!fo_gyro, 718, 377, 213, 54gauge05=B732ADV!gyro_capt, 0, 389, 320, 176gauge06=vasfmcgau!mcdu, 0, 0, 320, 390gauge07=vasfmcgau!fcu, 326, 120, 340, 93gauge08=vasfmcgau!nd, 326, 215, 340, 2445. Read the issue pertaining to the vasFMC gauge settings, the bug, and it's associated workaround here: http://forum.vas-project.org/viewtopic.php?id=1016 If you dont, the mod above is going to freeze your simulation each time the panel loads after you make changes to vasFMC's settings through the MCDU. :)INSTRUCTIONS for the Ernie Alston ISG Gauge Pack MODIFICATION (payware)::Revised Ernie Alston's ISG Gauge Pack Mod: This one required a little more editing, so if you have any issues because I failed to catch a step, just let me know and I'll see what step I've missed:1. Purchase, download and install Ernie Alston's ISG Gauge pack here: http://secure.simmarket.com/ernie-alston-i...-1-(isg1).phtml 2. Make a backup of your Tinmouse II panel file (FS9/Aircraft/fsconv/panel.B732ADV/panel.cfg)3. Rename the Ernie Alston Panel file Bob Scott has already included with the Tinmouse II panel (panel igs.cfg >> panel.cfg)4. Open the panel.cfg you just renamed/created, and head down to the [Window00] section, looking for gauge30 & 31. Change them to appear as follows:gauge30=B732ADV!hsi, 185, 795, 187, 167//gauge31=isg1!EFS50_EHSI, 174,774,207,182,B7325. After making the // change above, you'll need to renumber the gauges in the [Window00] section of the panel.cfg, which when complete should read as follows:[Window00]//file=Main_igs.bmp//file_1024=Main_igs.bmpfile=Main.bmpfile_1024=Main.bmpsize_mm=1280,960window_size_ratio=1.5position=0visible=1update_rate=20ident=MAIN_PANELgauge00=ISG1!Server, 1,1,1,1 //invisiblegauge01=B732ADV!systems, 1, 800, 1, 1 //invisible gauge//gauge01=B732ADV!asi, 0, 592, 167, 172 gauge02=B732ADV!adi, 178, 566, 201, 195gauge03=B732ADV!rmi, 7, 775, 150, 180gauge04=B732ADV!altimeter, 397, 624, 134, 131gauge05=B732ADV!vsi, 399, 774, 131, 131//gauge05=ILH_TCAS!IVSIb, 393,769,142,142, pic:nogauge06=B732ADV!epr_1, 742, 495, 95, 99gauge07=B732ADV!epr_2, 844, 495, 95, 99gauge08=B732ADV!flap, 1156, 530, 79, 81gauge09=B732ADV!dimmer, 687, 504, 17, 43gauge10=B732ADV!gear_lights, 1250, 567, 27, 47//gauge11=B732ADV!gps_switch, 394, 925, 34, 34gauge11=ISG1!LNAV, 388, 917, 44, 44gauge12=B732ADV!effects, 110, 544, 52, 52gauge13=B732ADV!pdcs, 2, 800, 1, 1gauge14=B732ADV!fuel_qty_left, 552, 881, 81, 79gauge15=B732ADV!fuel_qty_center, 601, 792, 82, 84gauge16=B732ADV!fuel_qty_right, 650, 879, 80, 80gauge17=B732ADV!fuel_ptt, 623, 479, 16, 16gauge18=B732ADV!oil_press_1, 951, 596, 82, 82gauge19=B732ADV!oil_press_2, 1045, 595, 86, 85gauge20=B732ADV!ra, 542, 619, 148, 147gauge21=B732ADV!sb_lights, 543, 822, 51, 49gauge22=B732ADV!n1_1, 750, 595, 78, 79gauge23=B732ADV!n1_2, 847, 595, 78, 79gauge24=B732ADV!n2_1, 750, 784, 78, 80gauge25=B732ADV!n2_2, 847, 784, 78, 80gauge26=B732ADV!ff_1, 750, 879, 80, 80gauge27=B732ADV!ff_2, 847, 879, 80, 80gauge28=B732ADV!egt_1,749, 689, 80, 80gauge29=B732ADV!egt_2,847, 689, 80, 80gauge30=B732ADV!hsi, 185, 795, 187, 167//gauge31=isg1!EFS50_EHSI, 174,774,207,182,B732gauge32=B732ADV!fd_cont, 709, 372, 174, 101gauge33=B732ADV!oil_qty_1, 950, 786, 80, 78gauge34=B732ADV!oil_qty_2, 1048, 786, 79, 78gauge35=B732ADV!oil_temp_1, 952, 690, 78, 80gauge36=B732ADV!oil_temp_2, 1048, 690, 78, 80gauge37=B732ADV!ap, 895, 355, 385, 120, 1gauge38=B732ADV!apd, 447, 496, 96, 108gauge39=B732ADV!engine_lights, 942, 533, 205, 51gauge40=B732ADV!ap_disc, 399, 576, 38, 36gauge41=B732ADV!windshear, 70, 553, 34, 33gauge42=B732ADV!alt_alert, 387, 536, 49, 23gauge43=B732ADV!out_of_trim, 692, 823, 50, 24gauge44=B732ADV!autobrake, 1140, 691, 102, 269gauge45=B732ADV!antiskid, 1140, 660, 101, 23gauge46=B732ADV!le_lights, 1140, 625, 100, 23gauge47=B732ADV!caution, 492, 402, 196, 44gauge48=B732ADV!omi, 644, 506, 30, 102gauge49=B732ADV!comparator, 188, 525, 181, 26gauge50=B732ADV!marker_switch, 450, 458, 151, 37gauge51=B732ADV!toggle_clock, 708, 734, 20, 20gauge52=B732ADV!toggle_go_around, 708, 754, 20, 20gauge53=B732ADV!toggle_atc, 708, 774, 20, 20gauge54=B732ADV!toggle_gps, 708, 714, 20, 20gauge55=B732ADV!toggle_overhead1, 708, 694, 20, 20gauge56=B732ADV!toggle_lights, 708, 674, 20, 20gauge57=B732ADV!toggle_map, 708, 654, 20, 20gauge58=B732ADV!toggle_throttles, 708, 634, 20, 20gauge59=B732ADV!toggle_radio, 708, 614, 20, 20gauge60=B732ADV!toggle_radio2, 708, 594, 20, 20gauge61=B732ADV!yaw_damp_ind, 1072, 495, 59, 27gauge62=B732ADV!test, 445, 923, 79, 35gauge63=ISG1_TCAS!Logic, 1,5,1,1 //Invisible TCAS logic gaugegauge64=B732ADV!asi, 0, 592, 167, 172gauge65=B732ADV!ldg_gear, 1039, 874, 90, 83gauge66=B732ADV!hyd_dig, 945, 876, 90, 806. Head down to the [Window07] section, and remove the two // slashes in front of the gauge06=isg1!SMITHS_FMS, and place two // slashes in front of the //gauge06=isg1!GNSXLS_LM,7. Place two // slashes in front of the gauge07=isg1!EFS50_EHSI and then add the following two lines beneath it:gauge07=isg1!HW_B737_EFIS_CNTR, 326, 120, 340, 160gauge08=isg1!HW_B737_ND, 328, 280, 340, 2788. Lastly, place two // slashes in front of the gauge08=B732ADV!gyro_capt9. If completed properly, your [Window07] section of the panel.cfg file should appear as follows:[Window07]//Place two slashes in front of line below if using RealityXP WX-500 radarfile=radio_upper.bmp//Remove slashes from line below if using RealityXP radar//file=radio_upper_xp2_fms.bmpsize_mm=975,565window_size_ratio=1.0position=2visible=0ident=12gauge00=B732ADV!pdcs_cdu, 701, 5, 248, 219gauge01=B732ADV!transp, 701, 232, 243, 122gauge02=B732ADV!alt_alert_cont, 421, 38, 157, 65//Place two slashes in front of next line if using the RealityXP radar//gauge03=B732ADV!radar, 338, 125, 338, 330gauge04=B732ADV!memory, 700, 506, 253, 54gauge05=B732ADV!fo_gyro, 718, 377, 213, 54//gauge06=isg1!GNSXLS_LM, 2, 135, 315, 253 // 2, 0, 315,243gauge06=isg1!SMITHS_FMS, 2, 0, 315, 454, WN //2, 0, 315, 454//gauge07=isg1!EFS50_EHSI, 326, 215, 340, 244gauge07=isg1!HW_B737_EFIS_CNTR, 326, 120, 340, 160gauge08=isg1!HW_B737_ND, 328, 280, 340, 278//remove the slashes from next line if using the RealityXP radar//gauge07=RealityXP_WX500!RDR, 319, 111, 354, 266//gauge08=B732ADV!gyro_capt, 0, 389, 320, 17610. That's it! Save your panel, download and install Ernie's latest AIRAC cycle from his ISG website (http://www.isgsim.com/ Navdata link on the right) and go fly your lovely B732 with a realistically-modern FMC setup!

[scottb613 1,188]

Hi M. McCoy...Nice work - I am trying your ISG mods - I've been using Ernie's gauges for a while...I've messed around with the CIVA mod and while I got it to work - I don't really have the patience for it...Question - in real life did they ever equip the 737-200 with FMC/RNAV capability ??? I was searching through airliners.net and I couldn't find any equipped in such a manner... Just curious...I also noted in the FAQ that we need to add the word ISG into the aircraft.cfg to get ISG waypoint distances to show on the HSI...I'll let you know how I make out...Regards,Scott

[Bob Scott 7,721]

Hi M. McCoy...Question - in real life did they ever equip the 737-200 with FMC/RNAV capability ??? I was searching through airliners.net and I couldn't find any equipped in such a manner... Just curious...

Here's a flight deck pic of a Canadian Xstrata Nickel B732 with what looks to be dual Honeywell XLSGNS units installed:www.airliners.net/photo/Xstrata-Nickel/Boeing-737-2R8C-Adv/1586496/L/RegardsBob ScottColonel, USAF (ret)ATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VColorado Springs, CO

[kremin 0]

Yesterday I finally put foot to road...............and go fly your lovely B732 with a realistically-modern FMC setup!

Hi M McCoy,I like the look of your work - clean, simple and realistic IMHO - well done.And from Bob Scott (flight deck pic of a Canadian Xstrata Nickel B732 with what looks to be dual Honeywell XLSGNS units installed): That looks like a neat installation too, and a nice combination of old and new - good to see the 'old' Sperry retained there :( best regardsRick CanhamKangaroo IslandSouth Australia

[patcal 2]

I have just started flying this great plane. What do you do to fix the HSI refresh without keeping the FMC open all the time? Thanks.Pat

[scottb613 1,188]

Hi Pat,The easiest way to do it is add a microscopic FMC to the panel in some obscure location... I think the smallest you can do is like 5x5 pixels... I did that on mine and I don't think anyone would find it even if they were looking... That way the FMC is always open... I think it was mentioned in a post by Bob somewhere..Regards,Scott

[patcal 2]

Thanks Scott. That is what I did & it worked great. Can't even see it. Thanks again.Pat

[scottb613 1,188]

:( My pleasure - sir...

[Johan_Dees 84]

altough very well done, but doesnt it takes the fun away?I stopped using fmc's a few years ago for the reason of boreing.. like the rfp747 the fun is in the civa and the vor's imho.

[Luc Brusselmans 1]

Hello,Do I understand it correctly?When I have installed the payware package of Ernie, I can copy the red sections of your post straight into the panel.cfg?I am asking this because, when I do so, I don't get the boeing style FMS but the GNS.By the way, I noticed that in section 00 the numbering of the gauges is off.(no gauge 31 because it is slashed out)Can you mail me some instructions to put it right please?(glaudrung at mobistar dot be)thanksLuc BrusselmansBelgium

[MrSkyGuy 0]

Do I understand it correctly?When I have installed the payware package of Ernie, I can copy the red sections of your post straight into the panel.cfg?I am asking this because, when I do so, I don't get the boeing style FMS but the GNS.By the way, I noticed that in section 00 the numbering of the gauges is off.(no gauge 31 because it is slashed out)Can you mail me some instructions to put it right please?

Luc, no you cannot copy the red sections--the red sections are included as EXAMPLES of what yours may look like. Mine is highly modified from the stock, so the red sections in mine might differ on the whole from your panel.cfg. Just follow the step by step instructions I listed above and you should have no problems.