Source
r/flightsim•
AngryData

Building your own controller?

Im having a hard time finding any real good information about building your own control systems. Ive never done anything even resembling this but I know if I spend enough time I can do it. The problem is, where do I start for a resource? Anyone have any relevant sites, insights or information on building your own game controllers?

Really, want I need is a few potentiometers for trim controls, mixture controls, ect. And possibly a few extra buttons. Im not really keen on the idea of cannibalizing existing controllers except for maybe the actual switches themselves. I currently have a Saitek X-52 for my stick and throttle but there isn't nearly enough axis's for full controls and I find it very annoying to have crazy keybindings I button mash for those variable settings.

Do they sell pre-built controller boards I can hook up switches, program the controls, and plug in via USB? Is this something I would have to buy chips and components myself and make a circuit board? Do you have any good resources to start on where people have built their own control boards that interface with a PC as a controller or if it has too as keyboard strokes?

Posted Nov 29, 2013, 5:12 AM UTC

67
Cynical_Walrus•

I would suggest arduino if this is an additional board for your joystick. You'll probably have to write a USB driver though.

3
snipeytje•

Using a premade controller would probably be a lot easier, even when using an arduino leonardo that can behave like a usb HID out of the box.

I think these ones are widely used by many simpit builders usb boards

3
Cynical_Walrus•

Huh... I had no idea, that's pretty neat.

2
CharlieOscarIRL CFI•

This is where it's at: http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67&products_id=180

I use one of these in my sim pit, makes the electronic side easy as pie, and no need to write drivers and shit, Windows natively supports this type of game controller, it has 8 axis, 32 buttons, and a hat.

3
[deleted]•

Sportys pilot shop. you can buy every part you could ever want to make a true replica flight sim.

2
MrTheOx•

If you're going to make a custom board, I recommend the Teensy board over the Arduino for this application. Mostly because a vary handy piece of software has been written for it called generic HID which makes it much easier to add to buttons and rotatory encoders to the device.

Link to Teensy board http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/

Generic HID http://generichid.sourceforge.net/

If you want to go with a pre built board someone all ready linked to the Leo Bodnar boards which are also nice. Another option is desktop aviator. http://www.desktopaviator.com/

You can purchase potentiometers or hall effect sensors from any most electronic suppliers. Or you can make your own hall effect sensors too. http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3225807/all/DIY_hall_sensor.html

Buttons and switches are also available from a wide variety of suppliers too. https://www.sparkfun.com/categories/145

Though it sounds like you may just want to add a button and rotatory controller box to use along side your stick. Though If you do want to build a custom stick here is a good guide using a U joint off a car to do so. http://www.jpfiles.com/hardware/uni_stick.pdf

The only issue I see would be if you wanted to add a lot of analog inputs you may need to use 2 boards, which would show up as 2 joysticks, which your sim may or may not allow for.

2
Uncle_Hairy•

Sounds like you're new to this stuff so I'd recommend the Hagstrom KE-108USB (Google hagstrom electronics).

Not too expensive, a breeze to program, it'll handle 108 switches plus a couple of pots and rotary encoders. They also do add-on modules for more rotary encoders or pots.

I've been using their gear for years. Price is good, reliability is perfect and after-sales service is second to none.

1