Detailed build instructions
When you buy a game port converter it must have a switch with a wheel option, switched in this position you can use all pots and buttons. You don't have to worry about installing it just plug it in and windows recognises it as an usb device, calibrate it,
start up your game and add the new functions like rudder trim, aileron trim, elevator trim and in Il2-Sturmovic i even use a pot for the flaps.
When you start putting things together start with the box, assuming it is large enough to put all the parts in, take the knobs and
buttons, you can use some coins to for this, and divide them on top of the box. Now you can see how it looks when it is
finished. Measure the centre of the coins (measuring the distance between (for example) left sides of the coins) gives the same
result. Take a piece of paper and draw the outlines of the box on it, divide the measured centres inside the outlines of the box
keep the distance between the centres even. Check it by putting the knobs (coins) on the paper, when you are satisfied cut
out the box shape and put it on the box take a small sharp object like a nail and carefully make small dents on the centre points.
Depending what material you are using (for plastics i use a speed drill if you use an iron drill run it in reversed direction) drill
holes for the pots, start with a small drill like 3 or 4 millimetre (not necessary when using a speed drill) then, depending of the diameter of the pots drill the final hole.
For the switches (the one i've used needed a hole of 18 millimetre) i've drawn the holes with a pair of compasses on the box,
drilled them and used the file to widen up the hole. You may maybe thinking that the instructions above are a bit exaggerated but, if you ever drilled holes in plastics you have undoubtedly
noticed that it isn't the easiest thing to do and before you no your drill runs out of centre or even break chunks of material away.
Be careful with this or jour box will end up as scrap, believe me it looks better when all is in the right place.
Once you have drilled the holes you can start wiring the pots and switches, don't put hem in de box yet, saw the axes of
the pots to the right length, it is better to put a pot in it's hole and hold the knob next to it make a marking about 8 millimetres
above the tiny screw from the knob (was perfect for my knobs but not all knobs are the same) first solder the middle
wires on the pots, be sure they are long enough, the same go's for the switches each switch one wire.
If you can reach the contacts of pots and switches with your soldering bolt when everything is in the box, you can put them in place now, if not,
wait until all wires are connected before putting it all together. Now take one piece of wire for the +5v and
solder it to one of the pots, lead it to the contact of an other pot and on the place where it must be soldered remove a piece
of insulation and solder it together, in this way you need just one wire for 4 pots. Do the same for the gnd of the pots and the gnd of the switches.
If you like you can already centre the pots and knobs, take your multi tester an switch it to 100K Ohm,
put a pin of the tester on the middle contact of the pot an the other on one of the outside contacts, twist the pot axle until you
reach a value of about 50 K Ohm. Then put the knob on the axle with it's marking in the middle and tighten the screw,
or wait until the device is ready and connected and use the usb driver for centring, you can even do this from within the game.
Once you have all wires attached, you can put them in the converter remove a long enough piece of insulation bend it a little
to be sure it make contact within the converter, alternatively you can break (open) the converter apart and solder the wires to
it. I've used some ty-raps to bind the converter to the pots but you can glue it or use double sided tape for it. Don't forget to
put the switch on steering wheel. |
