What Kinds of Switches Can I-Pac Handle?

[TPA5]

Hey folks,

I've been getting into playing space sims/combat games more often, and a  thought came to me. (A rare occasion  )

I want to build a space-sim styled control panel that can be used for games such as Wing Commander, Orbiter Space Sim, Pioneer Space Sim, Kerbal Space, Elite: Dangerous, etc. I'm working on a Google Sketchup mockup, but I haven't used that program in so long it's kind of slow going. Besides, I still need to figure out exactly how many switches and where to lay them out. However I already know some of the types of switches I will need, which brings me to a question about the I-Pac.

But first, the switches...

Rotary switches:


The classic toggle switch (some covered, of course!):



Momentary switch:


The rest of the switches I would need are simple button-style, which I know the I-Pac can handle.

My question is, does anyone know if the I-Pac can handle the other types of switches? It would certainly make the interfacing on the control panel more convenient!



Thanks guys!

[PL1]

My question is, does anyone know if the I-Pac can handle the other types of switches? It would certainly make the interfacing on the control panel more convenient!

When you connect ground to the input on IPac and other active-low encoders (KeyWiz, KADE, etc.), it completes the circuit, allows current to flow, and outputs the associated keystroke.

Momentary switch:

Electrically, it works exactly the same as a microswitch.

The classic toggle switch (some covered, of course!):

The normal IPac firmware will press and hold the key for as long as the switch is in the "on" position.

May or may not cause a problem with the software -- test before you commit to including these switches.

You may be able to modify the KADE firmware to send a single keypress when you close the switch and send another when you open the switch.

Rotary switches:

Like the toggle switch, a rotary switch used with the normal IPac firmware will press and hold the key of the selected input.

You may also be able to modify the KADE firmware to send a single momentary keypress based on the switch position.

The GP-Wiz40 and KADE both have a mechanical rotary joystick function/firmware (details here) that only outputs a right/left keystroke when the rotary switch changes position clockwise/counterclockwise.


Scott

[TPA5]

My question is, does anyone know if the I-Pac can handle the other types of switches? It would certainly make the interfacing on the control panel more convenient!

When you connect ground to the input on IPac and other active-low encoders (KeyWiz, KADE, etc.), it completes the circuit, allows current to flow, and outputs the associated keystroke.

Momentary switch:

Electrically, it works exactly the same as a microswitch.

The classic toggle switch (some covered, of course!):

The normal IPac firmware will press and hold the key for as long as the switch is in the "on" position.

May or may not cause a problem with the software -- test before you commit to including these switches.

You may be able to modify the KADE firmware to send a single keypress when you close the switch and send another when you open the switch.

Rotary switches:

Like the toggle switch, a rotary switch used with the normal IPac firmware will press and hold the key of the selected input.

You may also be able to modify the KADE firmware to send a single momentary keypress based on the switch position.

The GP-Wiz40 and KADE both have a mechanical rotary joystick function/firmware (details here) that only outputs a right/left keystroke when the rotary switch changes position clockwise/counterclockwise.


Scott

Awesome, thank you for all the information! I hadn't really heard about the KADE, that appears to be an even better option for this project. I will do some research and see if that could work. Thanks again, that's a big help!

[AndyWarne]

Our U-HID board is designed for this type of mix of controls. It can handle pots and also you can configure any switch to send a pulse of keypress when the switch is closed or opened and remains in the new state. There are also advanced modes which send a different code when the switch is closed and opened etc.

www.u-hid.com