#Run / Test with no switches

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

rich otter
#

Hi, I'm running MF, an Arduino Mega and MSFS, and have written an extensive config. file for MSFS (and am building a generic/hybrid Overhead panel).

Am I able to test each config. line to see if it activates the correct function within MSFS, without actually having physical switches connected to the Arduino (because I haven't wired or soldered any of those yet)?

I thought I could do this by clicking 'Run' in MF, but NOTHING happens in MSFS (or very occasionally sometimes the completely wrong thing happens - but I'm testing such a simple function such as Beacon, or Nav Lights) ... in which case how would I test both the ON and OFF (of the Beacon config.), by just clicking 'Run'?

I have all green ticks ... Modules, MSFS, FSUPIC all WASM all detected.

I installed WASM, and I didn't think I needed to install FSUIPC, but I received an error when trying to test, saying FSIPUC wasn't there, so I installed it as well.

I unplugged my Honeycomb Throttle and Yoke, as I think some of the switches on those devices would have conflicted with identical switches I'm building into my Overhead panel.

Can anyone think of what I might possibly be doing wrong?

Many thanks.

rich otter
#

Actually, I just connected a couple of wires to simulate my pin 5 (Beacon) switch. When I connect and disconnect the wires, I get a tiny flash on the Arduino LED ... but NOTHING happens in MSFS (and I ried the G58 and the C172 just to be sure). I'm completely stumped. Do I have to configure the MobiFlight Arduino board as a 'controller' in MSFS? (because all I currently see in Controls is the Mouse and the Keyboard - because I've unplugged my Honeycomb devices for now).

final pulsar
#

You do not need to do anything in msfs for Mobiflight to communicate with the simulator.
Mobiflight uses the internal pull-up resistors in the arduino, so all that is required with buttons and switches is to connect one terminal to an arduino pin and the other terminal to ground.

#

The Test mode in the MF main window activates all Outputs in sequence.

#

Not the inputs

#

Retrigger will send the status of all switches to the Sim to sync the Sim to your external panel state.

rich otter
#

Hi Jamie, thanks. What about the Run button in MF ... does that execute the selected command for Input or Output? Regardless though, I hooked up a pair of test wires for one of my configured buttons - and I get no reaction within MSFS 😢

final pulsar
#

Mobiflight in Run mode will send any inputs generated from the arduino side and receive all outputs configured from the simulator.

#

In Stop mode, Mobiflight continues to monitor and receive all input events from the boards, but does not send it to the sim. You can monitor the events by activating the log mode in Settings menu.

#

Normally when connecting new devices to Mobiflight you will want to see that the device actions are triggered and registered in the MF log before proceeding with input and output configurations.

rich otter
#

Thanks. I've worked out the issue though ... the MF doc says the RUN executes the current configuration, which I thought meant the one single button I had highlighted. But, it actually means it makes the MF RUN, so any triggered command is sent through to MSFS. Once I selected RUN, and left it RUNNING, my testing of physical 'switches' works just fine.There appears to be NO way to send a command trigger from MF to MSFS to test my coding, unless I have a switch wired up to the Arduino.

final pulsar
#

You are correct. To trigger an input button you just have to connect the designated pin to ground, so just one wire can do that without a switch.

#

One normally works by breadboarding the devices and microprocessor and then creating the Input and output configs in Mobiflight.

rich otter
#

Thanks again. Is it possible once I've written a new button config. instruction, to test if it works correctly in MSFS without having to connect wires/pins on the breadboard/Arduino ... or is the only way to test to connect test wires on the breadboard/Arduino - for each and every switch config. test?

Is there a test function direct from MF without having to also wire a switch or temporary Arduino connector wires?

final pulsar
#

You could connect one wire to one pin and test all your button input configs with that one trigger

#

Of course, all input configs need to be bound to that pin

tired tundra
rich otter
#

Thank you very much for the explanation - now I understand.