Using GIT and T8 switch to connect GRD PWR via CDU

RayProudfoot · April 2019

Hi Steve,

Given the problem there is with the GRD PWR LED not functioning correctly on the 737 I've decided to adopt a different approach.

The SDK includes the relevant commands for each section of the CDU and via GIT and FSUIPC.INI I've successfully programmed the CDU button presses to enable GRD PWR instead of having to navigate via the mouse. Those commands are via a T8 switch.

What I can't work out is whether I can assign a command to the Light command so it's either on or off according to whether that option is selected in the CDU. This is what I have but the LED is always on. Can you help please?

admin_pps · April 2019

Hi Ray,

I have just had a look in the SDK and nothing is available.

You could fake it, by creating a bespoke event for turning it on and another for turning it off and in there set a Bespoke Variable to either 0 or 1 and then assign that Bespoke Variable to the LED.

E.g. Using "Bespoke Var 0", On would be:

Send EVT_CDU_L_MENU
Set Bespoke Var 0 1

and Off would be

Send EVT_CDU_L_MENU
Set Bespoke Var 0 0

Best wishes

Steve

RayProudfoot · April 2019

Hi Steve,

I shall try that tomorrow. Thanks very much.

RayProudfoot · April 2019

Morning Steve. I've done as you suggested but the LED always remains on. Here is the entry in PMDG.xml...

Control ID="1" EVENTType="NGXEvent" EVENT="EVT_CDU_L_MENU" ACTIONType="EventCmd" ACTION="CUSTOM" LIGHTType="Var" LIGHT="Bespoke Var 0" LIGHTACTIONType="LightCmd" LIGHTACTION="ON" LIGHTVALUEType="Float" LIGHTVALUE="1" ACTION_OFFType="EventCmd" ACTION_OFF="CUSTOM" /

I've removed the leading and trailing < > as the code wasn't showing in my post.

admin_pps · April 2019

There are no Bespoke Events assigned. You need to go into Detective to build those. Create one with these Tasks:

Send EVT_CDU_L_MENU
Switch Bespoke Var 0
Case 0:
Set Bespoke Var 0 1
Case 1:
Set Bespoke Var 0 0
EndSwitch

Then assign this bespoke event to your ON event on the switch.

RayProudfoot · April 2019

Steve,

Detective is disabled with the PMDG737 loaded.

admin_pps · April 2019

Of course it is

I can write you some Lua to do the same if you want?

RayProudfoot · April 2019

Thanks Steve, that's nice of you. Do you need anything from me?

admin_pps · April 2019

Open the Lua Console. Create a new Lua script and call it what you want. A text editor should then open with a blank Lua script file. Copy and paste the following into the text editor and then save the file:

sendevt("EVT_CDU_L_MENU", MOUSE_LEFTSINGLE)

if (getbvar("Bespoke Var 0") == 0) then
    setbvar("Bespoke Var 0", 1)
else
    setbvar("Bespoke Var 0", 0)
end

Assign the Lua code as you would a normal event, Look for LUA_ followed by the script name you entered.

Best wishes
Steve

RayProudfoot · April 2019

Steve,

Having done all that I've hit a problem. The switch I want to assign to that LUA script currently holds all the commands used by FSUIPC to navigate to the CDU and select keys to turn GRD PWR on and off. If I replace those with the call to the LUA program then GRD PWR won't work.

I suppose the solution is to embed those commands into the LUA program. I'm pasting them (bit cheeky!) in case you can embed them.

70=P109,1,C70183,536870912 -{Custom control: <70183>}-
71=P109,1,C70176,536870912 -{Custom control: <70176>}-
72=P109,1,C70168,536870912 -{Custom control: <70168>}-
74=P109,1,C70167,536870912 -{Custom control: <70167>}-
75=P109,1,C70168,536870912 -{Custom control: <70168>}-
76=P109,1,C70169,536870912 -{Custom control: <70169>}-
77=P109,1,C70171,536870912 -{Custom control: <70171>}-
78=P109,1,C70171,536870912 -{Custom control: <70171>}-
79=U109,1,C70183,536870912 -{Custom control: <70183>}-
80=U109,1,C70176,536870912 -{Custom control: <70176>}-
81=U109,1,C70168,536870912 -{Custom control: <70168>}-
82=U109,1,C70167,536870912 -{Custom control: <70167>}-
83=U109,1,C70168,536870912 -{Custom control: <70168>}-
84=U109,1,C70169,536870912 -{Custom control: <70169>}-
85=U109,1,C70166,536870912 -{Custom control: <70166>}-
86=U109,1,C70171,536870912 -{Custom control: <70171>}-
87=U109,1,C70171,536870912 -{Custom control: <70171>}-

P represents a switch on; U represents a switch off. 109 is the button ID as shown in FSUIPC. You will know the rest probably.

admin_pps · April 2019

You could just use FSUIPC to do all the key presses and remove the sendevt from the lua script so all it does is flick the variable between 0 and 1.

RayProudfoot · April 2019

I've never used LUA before so need my hand holding. I have all the key presses plus the GRD PWR switch working on a T8 switch. How can I send the value of that variable via a FSUIPC command? I know any LUA file in the Modules folder is automatically executed.

Sorry to ask basic questions.

admin_pps · April 2019

if you use Lua in the GIT Lua console and modify the script you did so its just:

if (getbvar("Bespoke Var 0") == 0) then
    setbvar("Bespoke Var 0", 1)
else
    setbvar("Bespoke Var 0", 0)
end

You can assign this to the switch and assign you key commands in FSUIPC to the same switch.

Best wishes
Steve

RayProudfoot · April 2019

Steve, really sorry but where is the GIT Lua console? Separate executable or within GIT? I can't see any reference to LUA.

admin_pps · April 2019

On the Status Tab.

RayProudfoot · April 2019

Thanks Steve. I've assigned the lua script but the light doesn't go on or off.

admin_pps · April 2019

Sorry Ray I'm talking out of my backside, its the NGX so its doesn't support Bespoke Events or Bespoke Variables.

Its not going to be possible in GIT until the completely rewritten version is released at the end of the year'ish

You might be able to do it in FSUIPC using Lua and Pete's GoFlight Lua commands.

RayProudfoot · April 2019

Thanks Steve. I’ll have a word with Pete but it’s not a big issue with the LED. I can now turn on GRD PWR with a single switch which is the main thing. The LED is just the icing on the cake.

fsam · April 2019

Hello, is it possible to use an AC AMPS Value for GRD PWR Selector as trigger to switch a GND PWR IN USE Light on/off?

RayProudfoot · April 2019

That's an interesting take on things. Would that be possible Steve?

admin_pps · April 2019

I can't see a numeric value for AC Amps in the NGX SDK.

Best wishes
Steve

RayProudfoot · April 2019

Okay, thanks.

fsam · April 2019

Hello Ray, too bad - the idea behind was that only if a current flows, the EP can be in use...

The problem seems to be that you need a light which does not exist in cockpit - the EP IN USE LT, which is located at EP Connection panel. In my understanding the logic behind this LT is as follows:

EP LT ON CASE: if ON GND and EXT PWR LT ON and EXT PWR SW ON
EP LT OFF CASE: ifnot EP LT ON CASE or EP LT ON CASE and then AT LEAST ONE APU GEN SW ON or EP LT ON CASE and then BOTH ENG RUN WITH GCB ON

EP and APU providing elec power whichever was switched at last but not in parallel, ENG overrides EP (if in use)
Maybe you can program a logic depending upon switch settings and light ON/OFF variables.

Best regards

RayProudfoot · April 2019

fsam, you're describing things that mean little to me I'm afraid. I haven't a clue what EP is or does. The GRD PWR light staying on or off throughout the various phases of the flight is not a major issue for me. GSX prevents me pushing back with GRD PWR connected and I also have a checklist to make sure I do the right things in the right order before I start to taxi.

But thanks for your interest.

fsam · April 2019

sorry, EP means external power.
Best regards

RayProudfoot · April 2019

Thanks fsam.

Using GIT and T8 switch to connect GRD PWR via CDU

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