Axis configuration

alehead
Posts: 72
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2013 10:20 pm
Re: Axis configuration

Post by alehead » Thu Apr 30, 2020 10:48 pm

I took to removing the KA350i and reinstalling a completely clean, fresh copy. I removed all traces of the old aircraft.

I took Chris' advice and used the values directly from FSUIPC, which I entered into the axis.cfg file at the respective points. I then took pictures of my hardware throttle quadrant and a screenshot in-sim to show the respective lever positions. I am more than happy to post these if anyone is interested.

I will attach my axis.cfg file as well...

I notice that the right power lever in-sim is at 44 and the left at 50 with the THROTTLE1 and THROTTLE2 beta positions. I also have problems with the PROP1 and PROP2, in that the in-sim levers are in feather, even when my hardware levers are at the detent above the feather region. Changing the settings has little effect there too...

Using configured THROTTLE, PROP, and CONDITION settings for 1 axis for two in-sim, I don't have any issues at all, but have no single control over the engines, which sort of defeats the object really. (The settings here are the values set by default when saving in MVAMS).

So, back to testing configurations for me... I really want this one to work, because I always wanted a great KingAir that didn't run like a hog...

Here are the contents of my axis.cfg currently:

[GENERAL]
enabled=1
[THROTTLE]
reverse=-16383
beta=-12451
idle=-9830
max=16383
invert=1
[THROTTLE1]
reverse=-16384
beta=-9861
idle=-2545
max=16383
invert=1
[THROTTLE2]
reverse=-16384
beta=-10661
idle=-3626
max=16383
invert=1
[PROP]
feather=-16383
min=-4587
max=16383
invert=1
[PROP1]
feather=-16384
min=-9981
max=16383
invert=1
[PROP2]
feather=-16384
min=-10013
max=16383
invert=1
[CONDITION]
off=-16383
lowidle=-4587
highidle=16383
invert=1
[CONDITION1]
off=-16383
lowidle=-4587
highidle=16383
invert=1
[CONDITION2]
off=-16383
lowidle=-4587
highidle=16383
invert=1

A

ccmh15
Posts: 108
Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2020 2:33 pm
Location: LOWW
Contact:
Re: Axis configuration

Post by ccmh15 » Fri May 01, 2020 9:35 am

So, here's I quick checklist of all the things that come to my mind when it comes to throttle calibration:
  • Remove ALL axis mappings from P3D, for ALL (!) USB devices connected - sometimes the default mappings re-appear, even if you just plug a known Game Controller to a different USB port.
  • Within the P3D Key Assignments, add a keyboard mapping to "Reload User Object" (e.g. STRG+R) - after every manual change in the axis.cfg, you can use this to immediately see the effects of the changes.
  • Within FSUIPC, go to Axis Assignment and assign every throttle lever (use "Send to FS as normal axis"). Important: use the "Axis xxx Set" commands from the list! So e.g. "Axis Throttle 1 Set", NOT the "Throttle 1 Set" command!
  • Don't put any FSUIPC calibration on the throttle/prop/condition axis, also do not reverse them within FSUIPC! Use "invert=1" or "invert=0" within the axis.cfg file (see below)
  • Now it's getting tricky - the FSUIPC "Axis Assignment" tab shows a textbox "Out". This is the actual analogue value, that is transmitted to the simulated aircraft. For every lever, move it to MIN, MAX and all the desired detends in between, and write down the respective values. Note that sometimes, even if you move the lever to physically exactly the same position a couple of times, the values might differ a bit!
  • This values can be used within the axis.cfg file (make a BACKUP before you change anything!)
  • After every change to the axis.cfg file, use the "Reload User Object" key combination you assigned above, and compare the movement of the hardware levers to those within the virtual cockpit.
  • From now on, it's just try-and-test again and again. You need to tinker a bit, but eventually you'll find the perfect values for your setup.
  • Once you are satisfied, right click on the axis.cfg file, select "Properties" and enable write protection. This way, MVAMS can not interfere anymore with the values you set manually. If you need to adjust anything, make sure to remove the write protection first.
  • Finally: make a BACKUP of the file you created!
Below is my axis.cfg file that I use for the VirtualFly TQ6+.
A few notes on this:
  • Obviously, it's save to remove the sections that you don't need. So if you have throttle hardware with 6 levers, you can remove the sections "THROTTLE", "PROP" and "CONDITION", like I did. This avoids tinkering with the wrong values by accident.
  • The values for the PROP1 and PROP2 section are indeed a bit weird, as the whole reverse zone only seems to be only 3 bit wide - however, for me those settings work very well.
  • I have a relatively big BETA-zone (so the difference between the "idle" and the "beta" values is relatively high) - I figured, that this makes it super easy to taxi using fine adjustments of differential thrust.
  • Although my hardware gives me values of around zero at the reverser detend, I used a "beta" value well below (so, the hardware levers are already a bit inside the reverse area). Reason: sometimes during taxi or at rollout after landing, when setting the thrust levers to idle, the right lever entered the reverse zone just a little - which made the aircraft veer right very hard. By setting the values a bit lower, the reversers are only activated when the levers are well within this area.
  • I don't have a creep forward, even without parking brake and with both engines running at high RPM and High Idle. Maybe not realistic, but in my opinion helpful in the sim!
I hope I could help somehow... for me, the setup took a while as well, but once you're through this, you WILL be super happy!
Much success!
Chris

Code: Select all

[GENERAL]
enabled=1
[THROTTLE1]
reverse=-16383
beta=-500
idle=4349
max=16383
invert=1
[THROTTLE2]
reverse=-16383
beta=-300
idle=4349
max=16383
invert=1
[PROP1]
feather=-16383
min=-16380
max=16383
invert=1
[PROP2]
feather=-16383
min=-16380
max=16383
invert=1
[CONDITION1]
off=-16383
lowidle=-9716
highidle=16383
invert=1
[CONDITION2]
off=-16383
lowidle=-9548
highidle=16383
invert=1

alehead
Posts: 72
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2013 10:20 pm
Re: Axis configuration

Post by alehead » Fri May 01, 2020 10:02 am

I’ll get to work straight away Chris. Thank you ever so much for taking the time to do this. I’ll let you know how things progress...

Andrew

alehead
Posts: 72
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2013 10:20 pm
Re: Axis configuration

Post by alehead » Sat May 02, 2020 1:44 pm

That works a treat. I generally use your settings with some slight moderation for my TQ6+. The power levers are not exactly symmetrical in their travel, which is a little disconcerting. Maybe I have an issue with the hardware?

There is also a calibration tool provided by VirtualFly. I might have a look at that, though I am not sure if the tool needs to run in the background all the time...

A

ccmh15
Posts: 108
Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2020 2:33 pm
Location: LOWW
Contact:
Re: Axis configuration

Post by ccmh15 » Sun May 03, 2020 3:35 pm

Glad I could help, hopefully you'll eventually find a setting you're really happy with!

Even in a real multi engine plane, when trying to set symmetrical power settings, the levers won't always match physically. Apart from the actual mechanical system "behind" the levers, this might also be caused by slightly different engine characteristics.

A friend who's a real-life DH8 pilot told me, that the allowed tolerance for this is actually almost the width of the whole lever handle bar - so with a throttle quadrant that's a bit asymmetrical, you're actually putting in some realism! :lol:

alehead
Posts: 72
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2013 10:20 pm
Re: Axis configuration

Post by alehead » Mon May 04, 2020 7:19 pm

Indeed!

I have taken to visually matching the torque settings on the MFD as my guide. Apercentage point or so is not too noticeable...

A


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