Switch gremlins fixed!
As I discovered in the last video, I had some flight grip switch problems during the testing of the new control loader.
The Castle Up switch and the “pinky” switch weren’t triggering inputs on the VPForce controller. Today I was able to tear into things and figure out what the issue is.
The good news is that the grip switches & SFS box wiring was ok.
The bad news is I had to remove the SFS cable from the cockpit in order to fix an improperly seated pin. Getting that sucker back into the cockpit took about an hour. 🙂
In order to re-install the cable, I basically nailed it in place using a copper Cleco and used a 1″ impact socket to hold down the half of a nut ring that I had for the installation.
The hard part of this process was threading the #4 screws in from below the cockpit floor while not being able to see the connector, the hole, the screw, OR the screwdriver! It took about an hour of constant fiddling, but I got it done.
I was also able to get the pitch axis tensioner pulley moved inboard the 6mm required so the belt would stop rubbing on the pulley bracket.
Hopefully, more updates next week!
Control Loader is done!
Some months ago I embarked on getting a control loader installed into the F-15C. With flight simulation and air combat “games”, it’s more commonly known as “force feedback”. While the VPForce FFB system I’m using as the base for my simulator *can* do “force feedback” things, the primary task is to provide control loading similar to what a real F-15 pilot would experience. At its most basic level, the flight control system in the F-15 will adjust the amount of force required to move the stick based on the current G loading of the aircraft. The system can require as much as 25lbs in pitch and 20lbs in roll to move the stick at high G loads. The VPForce system can’t quite hit those targets, but it’s close enough for my purposes. I don’t want to become a gym rat just to be able to enjoy my simulator. 🙂
Here’s the YouTube video I put together during the test and configuration of the system. Enjoy!
