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What Kinds of Switches Can I-Pac Handle?
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TPA5:
Hey folks,

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

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:

--- Quote from: TPA5 on August 15, 2014, 02:34:18 pm ---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!

--- End quote ---
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.


--- Quote from: TPA5 on August 15, 2014, 02:34:18 pm ---Momentary switch:

--- End quote ---
Electrically, it works exactly the same as a microswitch.


--- Quote from: TPA5 on August 15, 2014, 02:34:18 pm ---The classic toggle switch (some covered, of course!):

--- End quote ---
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.


--- Quote from: TPA5 on August 15, 2014, 02:34:18 pm ---Rotary switches:

--- End quote ---
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:

--- Quote from: PL1 on August 15, 2014, 05:05:15 pm ---
--- Quote from: TPA5 on August 15, 2014, 02:34:18 pm ---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!

--- End quote ---
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.


--- Quote from: TPA5 on August 15, 2014, 02:34:18 pm ---Momentary switch:

--- End quote ---
Electrically, it works exactly the same as a microswitch.


--- Quote from: TPA5 on August 15, 2014, 02:34:18 pm ---The classic toggle switch (some covered, of course!):

--- End quote ---
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.


--- Quote from: TPA5 on August 15, 2014, 02:34:18 pm ---Rotary switches:

--- End quote ---
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

--- End quote ---

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
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