Hi Everyone 

Just wondered if anyone has managed to get the Elite MEL Throttle Quadrant working in Flight Simulator 2020?

Elite's technical support is little to be desired so I haven't posed the question to them yet 

Cheers 

Paul  

Here is the message I sent them and the response I received. I did respond asking them if there is an API released if they will then develop a patch and also clarified that my "lose the use" comment was about being able to use it in FSX, but losing the use of it if I upgrade to FS 2020.

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Will there be a software patch to allow the use of the Desktop MEL Throttle Quadrant on MSFS 2020 like there was for FSX?
It is such a great product I would hate to lose the use of it simply by upgrading my simulator.

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Lose the use? We never changed anything that will not make the use of this with the advertised simulator. If you are saying about products we do not say they are compatible, that's a different story. Specific to FS2020 they have NOT released an API for hardware manufacturers to build a driver. So people like ELITE can not do anything for our customers like yourself, because the people that you purchased software from, does not support it. and that is why we do not advertise we have support for it.

Regards,

Calvin Fraites

Calvin Fraites |Elite Simulation Solutions| CIO – Oviedo Division

www.flyelite.com | [email protected]

p. +1-407-359-8787 x208 | f. +1-407-359-8099
 5707 Dot Com ct. suite 1079, Oviedo, FL 32765 USA

Just heard back from them, if Microsoft released an API then they do plan to create a software patch to make the quadrant work with MSFS 2020.

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That is the plan, but we can not speak for another corporations priorities…

Regards,

Calvin

ugh -- simconnect exists and works with MSFS 2020 ......  That is how Spad.Next interfaces with it to allow us to use all kinds of panels and controllers with MSFS....

I am thinking of using the base housing, pots, levers, etc. but changing the electronic interface to an arduino leonardo based 6 axis joy stick.

Les, as you have done a bit with the arduino do you think that would even be possible?

https://yadi.sk/d/yppzCHMFo_i8vQ?w=1

It's a pre-USB version of MEL (which doesn't make any difference if electronics is to be replaced). Pots are replaced with AS5600- based magnetic sensors (I've got a well-used unit with noisy pots) and the controller is a FreeJoy project (https://github.com/FreeJoy-Team/FreeJoyWiki) based on a cheap BluePill STM-32 board. If the pots in your unit are OK you can keep them.

And it's working fine in MSFS2020. I named it "Elite MEL Throttle" in a FreeJoy configurator and the sim is happy to recognize it like that 😀.

On 11/22/2020 at 6:51 PM, rvroman said:

I am thinking of using the base housing, pots, levers, etc. but changing the electronic interface to an arduino leonardo based 6 axis joy stick.

Les, as you have done a bit with the arduino do you think that would even be possible?

 

On 11/23/2020 at 3:26 AM, SergeyPe said:

https://yadi.sk/d/yppzCHMFo_i8vQ?w=1

It's a pre-USB version of MEL (which doesn't make any difference if electronics is to be replaced). Pots are replaced with AS5600- based magnetic sensors (I've got a well-used unit with noisy pots) and the controller is a FreeJoy project (https://github.com/FreeJoy-Team/FreeJoyWiki) based on a cheap BluePill STM-32 board. If the pots in your unit are OK you can keep them.

Yes -- I have swapped out the electronics on my 2 Saitek throttles with a Leo Bodnar board....Also have done a few controls with Arduino (landing gear controller, GNS 530 and a shot box).  You can easily make it work...

Also go much further with SergeyPE suggestions as well 🙂

On 11/23/2020 at 1:26 AM, SergeyPe said:

https://yadi.sk/d/yppzCHMFo_i8vQ?w=1

It's a pre-USB version of MEL (which doesn't make any difference if electronics is to be replaced). Pots are replaced with AS5600- based magnetic sensors (I've got a well-used unit with noisy pots) and the controller is a FreeJoy project (https://github.com/FreeJoy-Team/FreeJoyWiki) based on a cheap BluePill STM-32 board. If the pots in your unit are OK you can keep them.

Thanks. Mine is pre-USB as well (probably 8 years old or so) which is why the computer does not even know it is plugged in unless using their software in FSX. It would be nice if the manufacturers just made them as standard HID devices.

11 hours ago, rvroman said:

Thanks. Mine is pre-USB as well (probably 8 years old or so) which is why the computer does not even know it is plugged in unless using their software in FSX. It would be nice if the manufacturers just made them as standard HID devices.

😀 Pre-USB version is very easy to modify as it's practically empty inside with no active parts. You'll just need so solder the wires from the new controller board to the back of the stock PCB and route the USB cable out.

As for the controllers- if you decide to go for a FreeJoy (which I would strongly recommend), here is my config file. In addition to 6 axes and Gear/ Flaps switches I've programmed a number of virtual buttons that work when a particular axis is at idle and at the lowest positions- they can be used for the commands like reverse and fuel cutoff.