USB Keyboard for Switch Panel

[Moose]

Hi All,

I am intending to replace the on-screen lighting, heat and fuel pump switches on my 172 WidevieW system with a real switch panel interfaced with the insides of a cheap USB keyboard. I am intending to use Luciano Napolitano's "Key2Mouse" utility to convert keypresses into mouse actions.

To make this work I need to source momentary contact toggle switches - an afternoon on the web and with my RS catalogue has drawn blanks so far - does anyone have any ideas where to obtain such devices (in the UK if possible, but anywhere would do)?

Also I would like to replace the starter with a 4-way key switch - anyone had any experience of this?

Here's a picture of my set up from a few weeks ago. I have since replaced the two side view 17" monitors with 19" screens, plus made some alterations to the wooden frame that holds the whole lot up. More details from http://www.shetland.flyer.co.uk/wideview/

http://www.shetland.flyer.co.uk/multiplayer/pics/cockpit_3.jpg

All the best,

Rory

http://www.shetland.flyer.co.uk/objects/sflogo_new.jpg

http://www.shetland.flyer.co.uk

[jaapverduijn]

Holy cow! THAT's what I call a rig!

[Indo_FS]

It's better if you edit the FS2002.cfg file than using key2mouse...
Download the instructions and list here :
http://www.schiratti.com/files/dowson/FS2002controls.zip
You won't regret it :)

As for the momentary toggles you can use normal toggles switches and use below circuit by Roland van Roy :

http://www.flightsim.com/howto/diy/Image12.gif
http://www.flightsim.com/howto/diy/Image13.jpg

Or two positions :
http://www.flightsim.com/howto/diy/Image13.gif
http://www.flightsim.com/howto/diy/Image14.jpg


IndoFS
http://indofs.com/images/indofs.jpg

[Moose]

IndoFS,

Thanks for that - just ordered up the required components from RS, and currently working my way through Pete Dowson's FS2002 control list.

All the best,

Rory