Heli Controls - Programming & Wiring

This is the 3rd and final video of the Helicontrols. This one describes the wiring and programming of the interface e using Mobiflight. Mobiflight doesn't have to be connected to the sim to function.
This video is the 3rd of 3 in the series.
Video 1: Collective build ( • 3D Printed Helicopter ... )
Video 2: Cyclic Build ( • 3D Printed DIY Helicop... )
If you would like to help support the channel and the build, our Patreon link can be found here:
PATREON
/ 737diysim
CAD & STL files for purchase here:
www.737diysim.com/helicopter-...
The Plans/Designs/Parts and wiring diagrams are available at:
www.737diysim.com/copy-3-of-b...
Facebook: Boeing738v2
Instagram: 737DIYSIM
A massive Thank You to Sebi Woelke for the Intro and Logo!
0:00 Intro
0:26 Interface Unit Build
5:02 Leobodnar Wiring
8:07 Stepper Motor Wiring
11:00 Cyclic Button Wiring
15:17 Collective Wiring
16:19 Stepper Driver Wiring
18:07 Enable Line Wiring
20:56 Mobiflight Programming
36:30 Leobodnar Axis Calibration
40:40 Installing the controls into the sim
42:40 Power Management
44:06 Attempting to fly a Heli
45:35 Outro

[@jaredauger6046]

Can't wait for the pedals!

[@timstallard2090]

As a fellow helicopter avionics technician, I really enjoy watching your videos. Well done!

[@helimech8152]

Thanks Tim, always great to meet a fellow avionics engineer!

[@ImpendingJoker]

As a helicopter mechanic in the US that specialized in doing rotor system track and balance and flight control rigging, I love the mechanical building aspect of this the most. I have and can do wiring but I've never really enjoyed doing it and leave it to those that do it well and seem to enjoy doing it. Fly Army.

[@helimech8152]

Brilliant! Its great to see so many rotary wing guys here! A big Hello!

[@388thalpha]

Thank you for taking the time to put this video together for us with so much detail

[@helimech8152]

Thank you for the support! It's one of my worst performing videos yet! But I expected that because of the level of detail and the subject matter.

[@philippkrause2269]

🤯 All of your videos are amazing. I left FlightSims a few years ago, I really want to come back and your builts are just next level. Thank you!

[@helimech8152]

Thank you!

[@jplorge]

Our dream has become reality!!! just have to do it. thank you for these wonders DIY Karl.

[@helimech8152]

Thank you! This is a great project for a homebuilder.

[@TheFlyingSPR]

Really well done mate great great work as usual

[@nathanhoughton8951]

You're builds are fantastic! When do you think you'll be doing the pedals?

[@Bacardibatman]

Fantastic, really enjoyed watching this all come together.

[@helimech8152]

This was a massive project for me. The filming of the wiring took forever compared to a mechanical build. But its finished and time to start the next project!

[@rickestabrook4987]

Phenomenal. What a project. Thanks Karl.

[@helimech8152]

Thanks rick, defo one of my favourites while being also very rewarding and at times frustrating. Some days I can fly like a sky God, then others it's all goes wrong. I think I really still need to be a lot more confident in the hover

[@fsprimo]

Unbelievable level of knowledge ! I love to watch your videos.

[@helimech8152]

Thank you very much! At the moment, i have enough to make my projects come to life. But there are always new things to learn all the time.

[@andrewdunn9307]

Mint as usual well done mate

[@helimech8152]

Thanks Andrew, I tried to put a lot of detail into this video to help those that have never done anything like this before. So it might bore the pants off my regular viewers, but I hope it shows everything to get people going.

[@garyfly8244]

You are such a genius! Love your videos!

[@helimech8152]

Thank you so much! Humbled!

[@TDSWaldo]

Are you planning on updating the 3d print files/diagrams/build guide to show the changes from POTs to Hall Sensors? Great videos, with even better looking controls. Nicely done with keeping everything looking clean.

[@helimech8152]

I wasnt going to update the build guide as they should be a direct swap. Its just different ways of mounting and yes different parts. I may have to look into it, if you think its confusing?

[@georgelza]

you're just at next level... wow...

[@B747-4OO]

Hi Karl! Excellent video! Now, have fun with your controls. 👍😎 So, perhaps another video is in the pipeline: Heli flies the heli! 😉 Cheers Hans

[@helimech8152]

Defo, I want to film around 10 minutes every day for a week and see if theres any improvement?

[@TheSirBlackbird]

Superbe travail, le rêve dans DCS avec l'Apache AH-64 avec ce système de trime excellent, merci pour tut.

[@helimech8152]

Thank you!

[@asklapios]

You are so good more then talented , i will be member of your patrion

[@helimech8152]

Hello Onder, Thank you!

[@C1Rob1990]

Ive followed the series with great interest and might end up building a set some day :) Really cool and nice work!! If i do end up building a set i would need to look at how to set it up to be able to use it in DCS aswell (would be using it for the blackshark and apache for example) aswell as for MSFS and xplane. Very cool!! Looking forward to the pedals as that is the only piece of hardware im still really missing myself currently.

[@matteo4800]

for DCS there is DCSBIOS which, in a very simple way, interfaces all the Arduino boards

[@Neptune730]

I like the project. I'm not into simulators but I like watching your creation. There is only 1 issue I can see. All those wires hard wired to the boards. I would have used connectors. I would not want to screw and unscrew all those wire if I need to disconnect a portion for service.

[@MeppyMan]

Watching you make this look so easy when I know it will take me weeks to do what you did in this video. I did feel better watching you try to hover though lol (definitely try taxiing slower :).

[@helimech8152]

Thank Mark, Now that this video is out of the way, I can just jump on and practise when i like. Do like having the VR for that additional feel. Makes flying helis much easier than just on the flat screen.

[@MeppyMan]

@@helimech8152 I had a go at an H135 VR sim at an air show here recently. Did pretty good, until I spend too long looking inside and got all bent out of shape. It’s time I learned how to use this printer I borrowed and start making these controls! Thanks again.

[@JoeSmith-zv4ic]

Any news on the pedals? Thankyou so much for your work and all the effort.

[@marcosblanes3508]

That's great

[@helimech8152]

Thank you!

[@_PSantos]

Hahahahah Loved the wiring and programming!!! The flight ?? Oh well I could do a lot worst!!!😂😂😂😂 Great video!!!! I do need that C172 cockpit!

[@helimech8152]

I think i might film my learning to fly over the next few weeks. to see if i improve at all. Thank you

[@_PSantos]

@@helimech8152 we would love to see you “improve” your flying skills. On the programming side of your world, please give Sebastian a call and ask him if there’s anything you can “help” with on my project! 🤣🤪🤣🤪🤣🤪🤪

[@GTH112]

Are the stepper motors controlled by the sim? So that the collective and stick move when the autopilot steers? Great project, thanks for your implementation. I hope I can do that too. I would use your basis for the H145. Thank you for your videos, greetings from Germany. 👍👍👍

[@chrsfincher]

If you don't already have it i highly recommend the huey from dcs and it's mission packs that thing is amazing compared to all the other stuff I've flown

[@helimech8152]

Thank you! I will check it out! I do love the Huey!

[@chrsfincher]

@@helimech8152 this setup looks made for it i would be amazed if you haven't already flown it off not o boy are you in for a treat. It's not forgiving at all but it has made me really enjoy flying helis they are so much more difficult than I thought

[@0686399]

hi it's nice to watch your videos can't you seal this as an diy pack so people can assemble them self. thanks

[@timstallard2090]

Any progress on designs for a set of rudder pedals? I have almost finished building the cyclic and collective, and I have had thoughts on how it could be done with some remodelling the collective levers, main gear and geared servo motor. But would definitely prefer to purchase the designs from you to help keep you innovating in the aviation sim world.

[@TWOKDOK1]

where did you source that seat? Brilliant video as always.. thank you

[@marcovalenzuela5947]

Hello Karl. I really enjoy watching you build everything with such enthusiasm and joy. I have proposed to create an MCDU for A320 from your FMC, I made some inquiries through the contact form but you have not answered me. I wanted to know if I can edit the texts in the models I use a little bit of Fusion360. Thank you and congratulations on your entertaining channel. Marco from Chile

[@simple-controls5507]

Makes me realize what a poor job I did on my build videos. Great build. Do the steppers provide any FFB or are they just for force trimming?

[@ingmarm8858]

Love your work. What build area do you need on a 3d printer to print the parts for these projects?

[@miket3445]

Karl……not heard of a trim beep up and down for collective in 4 axis AP……..yes there is a hat switch on collective up and down but only via the AP upper modes for say VS or ALT and also for auto hover mode for up and down in height and anti torque left and right. But no means of trimming collective up and down per se as far as I know. Yes you can trim release and manually move it to new position….that is correct. Cheers

[@helimech8152]

Hi Mike, Great info. If you dont want the collective beep function, just disable the line in mobiflight. That will stop the collective from moving. Kind regards, Karl

[@matteo4800]

I'd like to see how you build an HSI, maybe for A10C

[@Falken207]

Do you have a video for your power management boxes and how you build them? If not can I bother you for details regarding the transformers and powerrail

[@deltafox52]

I m a bit jealous as I have to keep using mouse / keyboard combo to fly helos on fs (muscular disability) ... These controls look the flight far more easier to handle O.o For now I just accept "some" inputs "imprecisions" (crash setting must be on de-activated, else I m consumming at a rate of 5 ou 6 h145... per day xD). I manage to get some things right, far more you would think off !!

[@alainaubry5615]

Thank you very much Karl, for this awsome video serie 👍 I noticed you used a Dymo Rhino 4200 label maker. What size of heat shrink label tubes do yo use for AWG 28 wires?

[@helimech8152]

I use 6mm, it actually doesnt shrink done enough, so you can still slide the heatshrink along the cable. Both good and bad, but i guess you knew that. I have found smaller yet.

[@allthegearandnoidea2023]

Ordered my 3d printer today. Very excited. Quick question. Do you use flux for your soldering because I never see it. Thank you again for your inspiration.

[@No1sonuk]

Probably uses solder with flux in it.

[@miket3445]

Hi Karl…..are you able to tell more about your wiring labelling……is that a special labeller that can use heat shrink material for labelling? Thanks …..Mike T

[@helimech8152]

Hi Mike, Thats the Dymo RHINO 4200 heatshrink labelling machine. Love it and we now use it at work too.

[@550stanley]

Hello, in one of your videos of this cyclic build, you mention that you swap this stick with your fixed wing stick. What would the primary difference be? This looks to be perfect for fixed wing flying as well, with a modification in code to control the trim incrementally only for the pitch, as you do for the fixed wing aircraft and keep the roll axis fixed in the center. This can probably be done in code relatively easy with a switch that would flip between the two states (heli / fixed wing). With that you have a trim-able yoke for fixed aircraft and helis in one stick. Hope you can shed some light on your thinking here. I was also thinking if it would be "easier" to swap the motors for a solenoid that would control a dry friction clamp on each axis. This way, as you engage the solenoid, it would spread the clamp apart allowing to freely move the stick with the springs not stretching, and then as you let go of the trim button, the solenoid disengages, the clamp tightens back down (via its own spring) and now your cyclic springs are fixed in that position and the movement of the stick is now against those springs. This would loose out on any ability to incrementally adjust the trim and would only work as an on/off switch though. The solenoids are about the same price as these motors that you use, so there is fractional savings in terms of the parts costs, although solenoids do not need controller boards. So yeah, I think your design is still better, just thinking out loud here to be honest. Have you considered building a full force feedback joystick? There are a couple floating out there, but they use home-grown drivers and the support for FFB is marginal at best from the sims themselves so the biggest challenge is probably getting the appropriate telemetry and doing calculations yourself for FFB. Thank you.

[@emsoutdoors1]

How easy it mapping buttons with this in DCS?

[@86abaile]

What was the reason you chose to use a leobodnar when you could have wired everything to the arduino?

[@helimech8152]

The Jitter experienced on the axis. I didnt want this to affect the controls as they needed to be so precise. I couldnt be bothered to get out the oscillciope and find the route cause, Easier for me just to slap the leobodnar in after seeing it was jitter free.

[@80aj]

Hey Karl, could you please please please please please tell me what wire you use!!! PLEASE

[@ttyoung3046]

he uses 28 awg wires, check one of his collective, cyclic build videos. he mentioned the company too

[@alainaubry5615]

Hello again Karl. You use a Leo Bodnar board, which is seen as a HID joystick by Windows. I designed an Arduino Leonardo based board (for MSFS2020 and various devices rudder, throttle ...), which acts the same, in my opinion. Do you think it's possible to use this kind of own board instead?

[@helimech8152]

Yes Alain, As long as theres no jitter on the axis. After all, you are only moving the cycling millimeters and you dont want that level of accuracy been interfered with axis jitter during your flying.

[@miket3445]

Hi Karl……sorry one more query…..I see that you have a twist grip on a 139 collective……I gather that you have done this to make the 139 collective a more generic system, say, if using a Bell type helo. Can the twist grip be removed from the collective? That is, can you print it out without the twist grip? Ta Mike T

[@helimech8152]

Hi Mike, The twist grip isnt supplied with the collective, because currently you cannot use it in MSFS. Thats because the throttle is used for the collective axis. But it was created for those that have DCS or XP. Its there just as an example.

[@miket3445]

Ok great! I’m hoping to have a go to build it for a 139 sim as I’m rated on the 139 and 169……hopefully can find a 139 acft for P3D…..?? Cheers

[@zoeyzhang9866]

Informative content it is! Wondering if any custom PCBs may help for any upcoming project? Would love to supply freely, and wish to reach any cooperation together if possible.🤗 (PCBWay zoey)