Here is some information about how I have added Active Load Control (ACL) To my flight simulator using off-the-shelf hardware and my own software.
Works with Pro-Sim and MSFS or P3D.
Sample Videos
Auto Pilot
Hydraulic Power
Aileron Trim
Software:
- Prosim-AR 737
- Flight Simulator 2020 or P3D
- ACL software control
Hardware:
- AC Servo Motor (Nema 34, 750 watts AC motors)
2.4N.M 750W 3000RPM 90ST-M02430 Motor
(more info on mounting here)
Also 80ST-M02430 or 60ST-M01330 could work - AASD-15A Servo Driver with RS482/RS485 support (By default not included)
- Arduino Mega
- USB RS485 Controller
- DB-25 Connector with wires
- EMI filter or similar
ACL Software Features:
https://github.com/vitaltechsol/ACL-SIMThe AC servo motors are very strong. They come with a driver that controls the position and torque. Torque can be as high to the point you can’t move them by hand.
Be default the servo tries to keep the starting position. When forcing against the center position, the servo will try to auto-center. This is what self-centers the controls.
The amount of force (torque) it takes to move the controls can be controlled via the software. Also the position for Auto Pilot can be controlled.
- The servo motors are controlled by a servo driver they come with.
- The driver’s position is controlled by Arduino
- The driver’s torque is controlled via USB/RS485
- The ACL software is the layer between pro-sim and Arduino/RS485 com.
Softare Download:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Y5flEJRxidUOLOMi0u81Ci1rE70dyg2P
Documentation:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XEH6bBTahooCDo0KvF4TxgjvoJibD3_D
Source code:
https://github.com/vitaltechsol/ACL-SIM
Connection Diagram.
