FSXThrottle All Quadrants (all models) Notes*

Transcription

1 FSXThrottle All Quadrants (all models) Notes* * Please note that not all features and options described or listed in these notes may apply to your model.

2 Table of Contents Introduction:...3 Our Commitment:...3 Compatibility:...3 A word of caution:...3 Features (Apply to only some models):...4 Detente stop...4 Fuel cut off switches:...4 Reverse Thrust Levers...4 Spring loaded flaps...5 Unpainted Units...5 Unpacking, Installation, and Calibration...5 Inspection and Calibration...5 Step Step Step For techies...7 Adding additional switches to the quadrant...7 Wiring convention of axis potentiometers...8 Replacing the controller board...8

3 Introduction: Depending on the model of the quadrant, some of these instructions may not apply to you. However, read them so that they help you understand how to set up your specific quadrant. Our Commitment: We are simmers first. We believe in making this hobby fun, and we care about making it affordable. We guarantee our quadrant against any defects for life. As with any custom made product, sometimes issues arise. We'll be happy to work with you until you're fully satisfied. Just drop us an . This product is custom made for flight simulator enthusiasts. These brief instructions highlight the unique features of the quadrant. It does not, however, provide detailed instructions on how to properly calibrate a joystick or how to program buttons and features for different flight sim platforms or specific aircrafts. For this, there are plenty of resources available on the Internet. Compatibility: Our Quadrant works with any PC equipped with USB ports and with all operating systems that recognize a standard joystick. Any flight simulator program that uses standard joysticks will recognize our quadrant. The quadrants have been tested only in WinXp and Win However, our quadrant is recognized by any operating system that recognizes USB game controllers. A word of caution: Experienced flight simmers know from experience that input devices require patience and some trial and error before they perfom smoothly. Multifunction joysticks, such as our quadrants, require a lot of attention with tweaking and calibration. Also, some aircrafts( especially Aerosoft's Airbus) have internal throttle programming that can interfere with our quadrant. There's a lot information on their forums, so be sure to read it before making your purchase. FSUIPC is a highly recommended utility for those who want the throttle quadrant to be used most effectively and with all of its features. Without FSUIPC, some buttons or features will not or cannot be implemented successfully.

4 Features (Apply to only some models): Detente stop Your quadrant may come with a detente feature. As you may know, some aircrafts have an idle point located before the physical stop of the levers. From this detente point, some aircrafts have a reverse feature. Our detente point is simply a stop that you can override by continuing to pull back the levers. If you don't want it, turn the quadrant over and remove a small black plastic strip. You can use a long nose pliers to just pull out the strip. If you choose to reinstall the feature, just reinsert the plastic strip. Please note that this detente stop is only a mechanical point. You need to program it using FSUIC, or check to see how the aircraft responds when the levers are lowered to the physical stop. Fuel cut off switches: The quadrant may come with optional Fuel Cut off switches. These switches are used for simulating fuel idle and fuel full in many aircrafts. These switches are normally open in the down position and, when switched up, are closed. The best way to program them is with FSUIPC. They can also be programmed with FSX control panel. Reverse Thrust Levers The quadrant comes with spring loaded reverse thrust levers. These can be programmed in flight simulator as Throttle 1 decrement and Throttle 2 decrement, etc. Be sure to move the repeat slider all the way to the right when you're programming them as joystick buttons. You can also use FSUIPC to program them. FSUIPC provides greater control on how these levers can function in the simulator.

5 Sometimes the reverse levers will oscillate between reverse and idle. This is the result of the throttle levers not having a null area in the idle position. To rectify this, leave some space between the stop and the idle point when you're calibrating the joysticks. Essentially, you want the zero point( in the calibration) to occur before the lever reaches the physical idle stop. Spring loaded flaps The quadrant comes with a spring loaded flaps lever and 8 stops. The flaps represent a delicate mechanism, so treat it with care. Lift the handle just enough to move it over the stops. Don't yank it all the way up. In order to make each stop correspond to a specific flap position, you must be very familiar with programming a joystick with FSUIPC. Without FSUIPC, it will work like an ordinary lever, without the predetermined notch positions. For instructions on how to program the flaps, see the FSUIPC user manual. Also, if you choose not to use the notched features, simply remove the position screw. Unpainted Units Those of you who decide to paint it themselves, be sure you know what you're getting into before you attempt to paint. You need to sand, prime, sand, prime, sand prime until the surfaces are acceptable. And don't forget to disassemble the unit first. The term acceptable is subjective in that we aim for a good job not an impeccable job. We use spray equipment in order to prevent the brush marks. Unpacking, Installation, and Calibration You should never remove the quadrant by grabbing it by the thrust reverse levers or any of the other levers. You will most likely break a component. Also, while we pack it with the utmost care, we have noticed that, at times, Customs inspectors open the box and are sloppy in repacking it. Unfortunately, this is the case with international orders. If your unit arrives with any broken parts, we'll be happy to send you free replacements just for the cost of shipping. Inspection and Calibration Our Throttle Quadrant operates like any other USB joystick. When you plug it into your computer USB port, it will be seen as an additional joystick device with its unique name.

6 Step 1. Before you plug it in, make sure that the unit has all of its moving parts working properly. Move the levers through their entire travel and check for obstruction free movement. The Trim Wheel should turn approximately two full turns and then hit a mechanical stop. The white line on the wheel indicates the mid point of the travel. This will help you when you calibrate it in Windows as well as making it easier for trimming an airplane. Turn the quadrant over and make sure that the potentiometers move with the levers. Note: the pressure of the pot wheel against the lever is held with a small screw that is tightened against PVC tubing. Should you need to make adjustments, tighten the screw just enough to prevent the arm from rotating. Do not over tighten. Step 2. Once you've checked the quadrant for proper movement of its parts, it's important to attach it to a desktop, or if you have purchased our Under the desk mounting kit, to mount it under the desk, so that it does not slide when you move the levers. This step is important, or else the quadrant will slide when you're trying to move the levers forward.. The unit comes with side holes for more reliable mounting on a desktop or under the desk. It's up to you to determine how you will mount it on a platform or a desk. The side mounting holes will accommodate #6 sheet metal screws, which can be obtained at your local hardware supplier. NEVER USE TAPERED WOOD SCREWS AS THEY WILL SPLIT THE WOOD.

7 Step 3. Once the quadrant is fastened to a desk, you can plug it into a USB port. Windows will recognize it as a USB joystick with a unique name. From here you can start calibrating the quadrant. Some axis may have been wired in reverse. Normally you can change the direction of a lever in the flight simulator. Physically flipping the connectors in order to reverse the lever is not advised, but it can be done if you're technically confident. Once you identify the connector for a particular lever, disconnect it from the controller board pins, reverse it and connect it again. For techies Connecting additional switches to the quadrant. Some control boards may have connection terminal for up to 12 switches. If you decide to connect additional switches, you will need to add diodes on the individual switches in order to prevent ghost key presses. Without the diodes, you will mostly likely see two key presses whenever you press one button. This is the case only when you connect many switches. The layout of the pins runs horizontally, that is, the first two pins constitute one connection, and so on. You run the risk of damaging the board if you mix up the wiring. Normally, one of the two pins has a diode attached to it. Here we show how we do it for our quadrants:

8 Notice that each two pins side by side represents one switch connection. The header below has been modified with diodes. When you wire a switch to this header, simply solder one wire to the bare wire and the other to the diode. When you're done, be sure that wires don't touch. If you have it, heat shrinking tubing works great and make the connection more secure. Also, the glob covering the lower part of the diodes is rubber cement. We use it to make the connector more secure. Wiring convention of axis potentiometers Please note that unlike standard electrical color coding conventions, our wires that connect the potentiometers to the controller use a unique color coding. The RED wire is always wired in the center of the pot and is attached to the center pin of the 3 pin axis controller board. The White and Black wires are connected to the +5V Positive and Negative pins. It's always a good practice to use a voltmeter to check the polarity yourself. Crossing polarities will destroy the board. Replacing the controller board. We make every effort to check the quadrant before it's shipped to our customers. However, there are times when the board needs to be replaced. Here's how it's done. The controller is mounted on the front panel, which is secured with 4 screws. The controller is attached to the panel with hot glue. Hot glue is also placed on the USB cable to prevent it from breaking the USB socket if the USB cable is bent or pulled abruptly. So, before the board can be replaced, you need to detach the board and the cable with an x-acto knife or similar blade. Place the blade between the hot glue joint and the panel surface and gently work it until the glue blob comes off. While you're doing this, you must be extremely careful

9 not to stress the usb cable-socket point. Always keep your finger on the socket to prevent any side force from breaking it. Once you have removed the old board, the new board is attached with a fresh batch of hot glue. Of course, you can use anything that you think will keep the board secured to the panel. We cannot stress the importance of handling the usb socket very carefully. You will break it off if you apply too much force while removing or inserting the cable into it.