Getting light switches to work on Majestic Dash8 Pro

boblawson

Hi to all

My name is Bob and I am new to the forum

I have the Majestic Dash8Q400 Pro.

I have a smallish cockpit setup

I have a GoFlight GF-T8 switch panel that I would like to use to turn lights like the taxi, landing, wing inspection, Red and white strobe etc etc on and off

I also have 2 GoFlight RP-48 panels with 4 rotary switches and eight push button switches on each

I would like to use these for some of the many mouse clicks that I currently do such as pressurisation, and many other things that I have to currently click with the mouse.

I have spent the past couple of days trying to do this to no avail

Is there someone on the forum who is knowledgeable and prepared to assist me in this

I don't mind if I have to offer a small gratuity for someone to help

Thanks all

Kind regards  Bob

admin_pps

Hi Bob,

At what point in this guide are you stuck? http://www.pollypotsoftware.org.uk/support/forum.html#/discussion/230/how-to-guide-build-bespoke-events-for-the-majestic-dash-q400

What function of the Dash are you trying to implement?

Best wishes

Steve

boblawson

Gday Steve,

Thanks for your reply

I have downloaded your GFIT, I have loaded the mjc8 xml file and also the GFMCP xml file

My GF MCP Pro seems to be working ok

I am now trying to get my GF-T8 switches to work instead of using the mouse to operate

I have followed the instructions but I cannot seem to get any of the switches to work at all

I also want to use my RP-48 panel for some other functions but I am not having much luck

This type of programming is all new to me and I am struggling a bit

Thanks Kind regards  Bob

boblawson

Gday again Steve

I get as far as item number 9 which says find MJC_VAR_WRITE_VALUE in the Lvar list

I cannot find this

I do have the sim running in VC mode

is this right?

regards   Bob

admin_pps

Hi Bob,

The Dash is the most difficult plane to get working with GIT because of the way the developers have built the SDK.

When you say item number 9, do you mean you cannot see MJC_VAR_WRITE_VALUE or that you do not know what value to set it too. If its the second issue, what function of the Dash are you trying to implement so I can advise on possible values.

Thx

Steve

Slayer

You can search the LVARS in detective It's the fastest way to locate something. 

 

If you want to know WHAT to send usually with rotary it is 1 or -1 as in the example. You will have to refer to the varlist.xlsx spreadsheet where you look up the names to figure out what are valid values to send (BOOL, INT, etc.)

If you let me know what you are trying to control I may have already done the functions for you as there are lots of bespoke events I implemented but didn't put into the MCP or  EFIS (light switches etc)

I'm not against helping make functions that you want to use on your T8 or RP-48 and including them in the profile I made because other people would probably use them too. Then you can pick or choose where and how you want them to work by just picking the function. I didn't go farther on my profile because I don't own either of those panels but the bespoke events that are implemented will work for any of those.

admin_pps

Thanks Slayer. I was hoping you would chip in and help being the resident expert on the Dash!

Best wishes

Steve

boblawson

G'day again Steve and also G'day to you too Slayer,

Yes Steve, I cannot find the MJC_VAR_WRITE_VALUE

I have searched numerous times as you have suggested.

I have also deleted the GFIT several times and re-loaded it, but still cannot find it??

Slayer what I would like to do is control the light such as taxi, landing, position, red/white strobes etc with my GF-T8 switch panel.

I have 8 switches so whatever I can get for this would be good.

then I have 2 x RP-48 switch panels

each of these have 4 x rotary switches and 8 x push button switches

this gives me 8 Rotary switches and 16 Push button switches

I would like to control as many functions as I can with these, rather than use the mouse to do same.

I have the MCP Pro working ok I think.

I would appreciate your help as I have spent the best part of 15 odd hours trying to do something that will work for me

Any info you need just ask

Thanks Steve, Thanks Slayer

Kind regards,

Bob

admin_pps

Hi Bob,

Make sure you have clicked the Lvars button before typing MJC in the search box. When you press Enter or click Search, the Searched button should be automatically selected and it should be listed.

What version number of the Q400 are you using? If I recall you said you had the Pro version and if so I'm wondering if Majestic have changed the SDK for that version. Slayer may know.

Best wishes

Steve

Slayer

Steve, the Pro works fine, that's what I'm using. I suspect there are more things that are unpublished as that spreadsheet looks like it was made based on the non-pro version but the core between the 2 versions is the same. 

I can see nearly 1000 (!) mouseclick events that we can hook into using your program...it's just a long process of discovery to figure out what they do :P  

Bob, I did make functions for the lights already. All of the bespoke events I created  start with MJC - the others you see  are stock.

So if you go into your switch panel in GIT the bespoke events you will want are: MJC_Lights_  (the rest of the event is the light type so it will be APP, posn, logo etc) there is an _ON and _Off for each so you will have to assign the on and off switch positions. 

boblawson

Thanks Slayer,

I have found that ok

I put my first switch as Taxi lights

Flipped switch to On position then,

for switch event I put on MJC_Lights_Taxi_On

Switch action = Nothing Custom value = 0

Light Data = Light_Taxi

Light Action = On Light Value = 0

Then I flipped switch to off position,

Switch event = Off MJC_Lights_Taxi_Off

Switch action = Nothing Custom value = 0

Light data = Light_Taxi

Light action = On  Light value =0

I tried the taxi light switch but nothing happened

What am I doing wrong?

regards,

Bob

Slayer

If you have the MCP Pro, I assigned light switches to the 2 FD switches and A/T arm since they had no function in the Dash 8. 

It might be that we are using  the same function twice so it's ignoring the input when you set it up on your switch panel. I'm almost sure that's what the problem is. Go ahead and set those 3 switches back to  to _NO_EVENT to remove the function from the MCP so you can use it in your switch panel.

On the MCP I reversed the the switch action, on is off and off is on so that the switch positions match what is shown in the VC of the airplane. on the MCP Pro "on " is up, not sure if you will have to do this on your panel or not.

Here's a little tip I use a lot if you aren't sure if the function is broke or if it's the switch assignment.

With the sim running and aircraft loaded, open detective, pick the bespoke event you are wanting to test, then press the test button on the bottom of the detective window. If it works in the detective then it is most likely the switch or dial setting for the panel.

boblawson

G'day again Slayer,

Thanks for your reply

Tried that but no good

Now I am getting error messages for every bespoke event such as MJC EFCP1 TCAS (Duplicate from Import)

I cant shut GFIT down until I delete several , I mean 60 or so of these messages

I think I will just give up on this idea

Thanks for your help anyway

It is appreciated,

regards,

Bob 

admin_pps

Hi Bob,

The "Duplicate from Import" errors are because you have imported the Bespoke Events 2 or more times. Delete My Documents\GoFlight Interface Tool and start again.

Best wishes

Steve

Slayer

Have you ever used teamviewer Bob? I can probably give you a hand if you are struggling with the profile.

boblawson

G'day again Steve and Slayer,

Thanks for your continued support guys

I will have a look at it all on Monday and let you know the results.

Thanks heaps once again,

Kind regards,

Bob

boblawson

G'day again Slayer

I have done as Steve suggested and deleted the files from My Documents

I have then reloaded the GFIT and imported the xml file ( 47kb )

I have not downloaded the GF MCP Pro xml file as I will use my GF MCP Pro as it is

I can now find the MJC VAR WRITE VALUE line ok

I see all of the MJC lights I want to install

How do I assign these lights to my 8 switches on my GFT8 switch panel

I am sorry to be a pain in the butt, but I just cannot get my head around how I do this

Thanks again my friend, I appreciate your ongoing assistance

I am sure the penny will drop soon and I will then fully understand how it is done

BTW I have never used TeamViewer

Kind regards,

Bob

boblawson

G'day Slayer

Success!!

I now have the App, Flare and Taxi lights working, but the switch positions are reversed

on my GFT8up is off and down is on

I now have up as on and down as off??

Is this easy to change?

this is great and I am sure I should be able to work the rest out ok

Thanks heaps yet again

Kind regards,

Bob

Slayer

Just flip flop the bespoke events for on and off positions

boblawson

G'day Slayer,

Thanks for that info,

All lights now working perfectly

I will try and program some of the RP49 Rotaries and switches tomorrow

Thanks heaps and sorry if I was a nuisance asking all those questions,

Kind regards,

Bob

boblawson

G'day again Slayer,

I just have a couple more questions if you would not mind

Once I have my 8 switches working ok how or where do I save this?

Do I go into settings on the GFIT and click save, or do I save it somewhere in particular?

Also how do I get my LED lights for each switch to work when I select the switch.

I have read the section on lights but I do not fully understand what it is telling me to do- sorry!

Also I would like to assign some of my rotary and push button switches

I have tried to save the Baro set rotary without any luck

I used MJC ADC Baro L CCW and CW but iy did not work

Am I using the right one

I am trying to use only the ones in the GFIT, as I do not wish to try and make any in fear of losing what I have if you understand me

Thanks heaps Slayer. Your help has been of great benefit to me

Kind regards   Bob   

boblawson

Gday Steve and Slayer

Sorry an update

After I used FSX this morning I turned it off

Then I turned back on this arvo none of the switches will work anymore?

They still show up under T8 and are correct

Am I doing something wrong?

regards  Bob

Slayer

If your config is intact and the bespoke events still show up in detective it is likely something else. Had you installed or changed anything other than the profile?

I've had Goflight hardware become non responsive before if I let the computer go to standby then wake up, usually a full reboot fixes it. I don't have any power saver settings on anymore because of that.

boblawson

Gday Slayer,

I am using the bespoke events that you created for the Dash8

I have not created my own ( afraid I will stuff something up!

I am using the lights that you have created for the Dash8

I had them all working yesterday, however after turning FSX off for a couple of hours and then restarting it, they would no longer work

They still show up under the T8 tab

Do I need to save these somewhere in particular to get them to stay in the system??

May be we can try and communicate on that Teamviewer thing you spoke about

I am at the end of my knowledge, and none of my flight sim buddies use this software.

Thanks Slayer,

Regards   Bob

boblawson

G'day again Slayer,

Just noticed that the third green light ( aircraft ) is blinking rapidly when I am connected.

Is this correct or could it be my problem?

Regards  Bob

Slayer

I'll be around pretty much all day tomorrow. Shoot me a PM or reply to this thread and we can do a teamviewer and see if we can get you sorted.

boblawson

G'day Slayer,

Thanks for your reply

Sorry don't know how to do a PM?

I will be around from 2PM Perth Western Australia time

We are plus 8 GMT

Whereabouts is your location?

Do I need to download anything to do Teamviewer?

Thanks heaps,

I was thinking earlier, would it be possible for you to do a program that would cover my light switches on my GF-T8

and one for the RP48?

Kind regards,

Bob

Kind regards,

Bob

Slayer

I'm in the US, eastern time, that puts us 12H apart.

Go to www.teamviewer.com and get their program, it's free. I'm usually up pretty late on the weekends.

to send a message, just click on my name here, when the new window opens up , there is a message button in the right side.