FSBus question

morse · 01-21-2003, 09:32 AM

Can someone explain what the two circuits in the fsdisp.zip archive are? I understand the fsdisp3c is the display controller, but what is the fsdisp8d?

Also, is there a circuit for the actual display board? or do you buy the displays already on the board?

I'm sure all of this info is in the documentation, but I left german behind at school a long time ago!!

Thanks

Chris

agnetha · 01-21-2003, 02:16 PM

Chris

You're understanding is spot on, fsdisp3c is the display controller pcb. The fsdisp8d is the pcb for the 7 segment LED displays. If you look closley you will see one has space for 3 LED's and the other space for 8 LED's. That's because ones bigger than the other. I managed to work that one out for myself, am I the clever one or wot.

If you are still confused go back to the fsbus site and look at the page for the display. There is a nice pic there that will make it all nice and clear.

P.S. Don,t ask me about German, I can't read it either, only the bits that have been translated.

P.P.S. If you go to the cockpit builders forum on this site look for a post PPL trainer. There is a link to a Finish (I think) site and they have some nice pics of built fsbus bits.

Bill

morse · 01-22-2003, 07:11 AM

Bill,

thanks for your reply! It makes more sense now!

Did you etch your own pcb's? I've just got a quote from a company and it was 50 ukp for 2 sets of the fscom, fsled, fsdisp3, fsdisp8 and fskey boards, which isn't bad, but that's on top of a 60 ukp one-off setup charge.

There seems to be a few people using fsbus systems out there, does everyone etch their own pcb's??!

Chris

PS. I saw the PPL trainer... looks good doesn't it! I'm just going to build a switch panel to start with, then go from there...

agnetha · 01-22-2003, 08:04 AM

Hi Chris

I hav'nt started to buld yet, still in costing stage. I've never etched boards before only used stripboard, I have mapped out the comm board onto a stripboard plan and it came about the same size. The only boards you could'nt do this for, I think would be the LED display boards.

I don't know if everone etches there own pcb's but from what I have read it is not that difficult. If you have a laser printer you can get special paper, for want of a better word and print the circuit onto it. You then iron the circuit onto the copper of the pcb and peel off the backing when it has cooled then etch the board in the normal way, the circuit left after the ironing will stay and the remaining copper will be etched away. Then you have to drll all the holes. There is another method that uses light and photo sensitive boards but I'm not too sure how it works. Its something like, a negative of the circuit you want on top the board then expose the board to a light source, UV I think. The light makes the photo film on the board resistant to the etch solution so when you etch it, the film that was under the 'print circuit' would be eaten away by the etch. Again you have to drill all your own holes.

Looking at the prices it seems pricey, but then it depends on whether you want to sit and drill all those holes, and making your own depends on how good the prints of the circuits are. I did a quick pricing on this method and it was about �20 ukp. I printed a couple of the circuits 'off' and it looked as though a couple of the lines blended into each other, that was with printer set on highest resolution, maybe better with photo grade paper though.

Hope this helps somewhat.

Bill

morse · 01-22-2003, 09:13 AM

Bill,

Thanks, I did consider etching the boards myself, but it's a messy job, (I remember doing basic etching at school) and the quality isn't always that good. Especially as some of the boards are quite intricate.

I've only ever used stripboard so I may try that first.

I was thinking that perhaps if someone already using fsbus has their own etching kit and were successful in produceing the relevant pcb's, perhaps they might consider producing a couple of boards for us for a charge?

I would be interested to know whether the other fsbus'ers used stripboard or not...

Chris

**raflyer** · 01-23-2003, 01:15 AM

I'd be willing to go half with someone on a set of boards for FSBUS. There is also a good cheap place out of canada. Let me know if anyone is interested.
Rob
USA

morse · 01-23-2003, 04:39 AM

How cheap? might even be cheaper with shipping to the UK than the place I was quoted from here.

I guess that a few people would be interested...

**raflyer** · 01-23-2003, 01:29 PM

Hello,
Example, com board, 63.00 for 2 , keyinput board, 43.00 for 2, there is a 20.00 fee for shipping to my place but that is foe an unlimited amount one time shipment. NO setup fee!! Might be a little cheaper if we were to get more boards? Here is thier website www.apcircuits.com Let me know what you think. I'm excited about getting this going and building my own interface.
Rob