XKeys

[Marvin]

Hey guys,

I have an extremely dumb question here.  10 years ago when I built my last cockpit I was a COMPLETE moron that new nothing about this stuff and required a lot of help from guys like you to get me through it.  So 10 years later I still classify my self as COMPLETE moron as I am starting all over again.

So I decided to go with the Vipercore after checking many different options, and ordered a big load of it, and it looks like as though the solution for the switches is the Xkeys considering he has an adapter to help.

So looking at Xkeys, it appears to be set for 128 switches.

So if you can assist please:

First off, if I want to wire every switch for future implementations in BMS I obviously need more than 128 switches.  So I am guessing I can purchase two boards?

Secondly, when I am calculating how many switches I am using, IIRC I need to count each movement and not each switch correct?  For example a three position switch would be two slots and a rotary encoder that has lets say 4 positions needs four correct?

Thanks for the help guys!

[sagrzmnky]

You are correct. I have 3 Xkeys in my pit. One for the ICP, and one for each console. Xkeys is perfect for the right console, but it is limited on the left console and ICP. The ICP has pots that the Xkeys cannot handle, and the left console has indicators and mag switches, which Arend's light board can handle. A Pokeys board would work well for the pots on the ICP.
 You are also correct about the switches in a way. When wiring up a two position switch, you will only need a common wire and a signal wire. ou can assign two movements to the switch action. Sort of like a toggle.
 If you have any issues just send me a pm. I can help you through it.

[henkie]

A rotary switch of say 4 positions needs at least 3 "slots". If none of the 3 slots is active you can decide (in software) that the rotary switch is set at the 4th position.
A rotary encoder always needs just 2 "slots". That is inherent in how a rotary encoder works. Of course, if the rotary encoder also has a "push" switch contact, that switch contact would require another "slot".
You would need to check the XKEYS/PoKeys documentation whether rotary encoders are supported. The two "switch" contacts generate pulses which are always 90 degrees time shifted. Each transition is a "click", and depending on which of the two switch signals changes first you know the rotation direction. So, the two signals of a rotary encoders must be processed together and XKEYS/PoKeys must be told that there is a rotary encoder connected on two pins.

[Red Dog]

Rotary encoders can't be connected to xkeys, they are not supported. For encoders, i use Leo bodnar BU0836X.

i have two Xkeys in the pit and that's about just enough for the full pit including ICP and Mfds
3 would be better for wiring: one for left side, one for centre and one for right but there is almost nothing on the right side and a lot on the left side.
So i decided to place my two xkeys on the center console. One is distributed to the left and right and centre console, the other is for the ICP and MFDS and has a branch that goes the the left console to supplement the first Xkeys.
Maybe a little bit more complicated but that spared me buying a third one.

I just updated my old xkeys - which were not programmable under Win7 - but worked fine though - to newer boards that i can now program without the use of an old winXP laptop

[Marvin]

Guys,

Ok, great thank you so much for the information.  This helps a lot!   This is exciting buying and building all this stuff again.  The only down fall is I need to re-learn it all again.

I thank you for your time and patience!
Jody

[sagrzmnky]

 Xkeys allows you to assign either one or two "callbacks" for each position. To set up a two position switch, you have to use two "callbacks" for one position, like a toggle switch. To set up a 3 position switch you have to assign 2 toggles. The top position has two "callbacks" and the bottom position has two "callbacks".  One "callback" will be the position that you are going to and the other will be the "callback" for the center position. 
 
The only issue I found with Xkeys and rotary switches is that you can only assign one "callback" per position. For example, the Air Cond panel.  You have the "Off, Norm, Dump, and Ram" positions. You will have to wire up all 4 positions along with a "common". You can only assign one "callback" per position. The "Off" position is also assigned as a "callback". The reason for this is so that Xkeys will know which direction you are going. You cannot set up a rotary like a toggle switch because it confuses Xkeys. It will not know which way you want to toggle.
 
Rotaries are actually easier because you only have to assign one position. It just sounds harder with my long drawn out explanation.

Red Dog is correct. Xkeys does not work with encoders or pots. You will have to use Pokeys or Bodnar or something else. I use Pokeys.