Question Anyone have Alex Swann's Contact info ... I have a MaxFlight

I have a MaxFlight vr2002 that blew a hard drive ... AND PC... Due to the fact it was conceived back in 1993 I'm taking this opportunity to bring her back to life with a whole new kick using Arduino and SimTools. I saw @Alex Swann has posted a ton and SAW his project come to life doing the exact same project as im facing... but after numerous attempts I can not get a hold of him via this forum....

Here's What I have
1993 MaxFlight Vr2002 (Hydraulic Version)

Pump side
- Down Switch
- Up Switch
- A1 Up Valve
- A2 Down Valve
- A3 Pressure Valve (?)
- Vickers Proportional Valve (Roll)
- Home Shaft Switch

Cabin
- Two seat switches
- Emergency Switch
- Top Switch
- Counter Weight Motor
- Roll Encoder Star drive Side
- Vickers Proportional Valve (Pitch)
- Pitch Encoder
- Up Switch

Star drive Side
- Vickers Proportional Valve (Pitch)
- Pitch Encoder
- Up Switch

EVERYTHING WAS WORKING until PC took a dump beyond repair (even maxflight said I'm Screwed)

Any Contact Info or Info that may help me rebuild my big red beast would be a TREMENDOUS amount of help

Thank you in Advance
Charlie

Hi @Charlie Hein
My name is Alex, and I'm the proud owner of two maxflight simulators (one electric & one hydraulic version). These things are not user friendly, I think I finally understand why no one wants them. Even if you had the computer, getting it to sync with the motors / encoders / etc, is the hardest part of setup according to the last tech I spoke with.

I've also been looking for Alex Swann, I even messaged people on the forums asking for his info, but with no luck. What he's managed to do in his backyard with an adruino is very impressive. If you're lucky to bump into him, I would love to learn from his experience. With that said, maybe we can help each other out?

Have you made any progress in getting the simulator to function? Just out of curiosity, where did you get your simulator from?

Hey Alex, sorry for the delay in response, I was out of pocket... At this current moment I have my simulator in the air flying... BUT not controlled. Keep in mind this was a working unit before the computer took a dump. With that said I have the lift, counter weight system, and encoders reading and responding flawlessly... but driving the valves for pitch and roll is my current issue at the moment

What I have found out
The pitch and roll valve (on hydraulic version) when given 5vdc the valve opens (i believe all the way) rolling right ... or pitching head over heal... i have pushed 10vdc same direction maybe a tad quicker... 10 - 0 same direction different speed.. 0vdc = valve closed

My assumption -10 to 0 will produce opposite direction ...

At this very moment im building a circuit to test just that and hope to be testing it tmw!

Now as far as your maxflights... I am actually looking for another are you wanting to sell them or rebuild?

@Alex Reno ... Welp Day #8 straight shes flying... not 100% yet but as of tonight

- Counter Balances (by sliding the 500 lb weight)
- Lifts until top two switches are closed
- Manually Pitches using keystrokes
- Manually Rolls
(I have it set for NO MORE THAN -4.5 to 4.5 volts... any more is SCARY FAST)

- Return's to Home (setby code)
- Tracks encoders and all sensors once every 360ms

It's a long road but I'm nearing the end, tying in the game as I type

Hey Charlie,

I hope things are going well. Glad to hear you made some progress a while back, just curious where your project is now. Did you ever get it to hookup with any games? I'm curious what your project looks like at the moment.

Kind Regards,
-Alex

I have made a ton of progress she's flying WELL but ... I'm still working on Loops and Corkscrews they are a bit tricky to catch because the game engine isnt built for 360 output and the speed of the game output is quicker than the physical motion I can produce in the maxflight ... I'm on my 4th circuit configuration trying to master op amps for both positive and negative drive to the valves... IT's been a painful learning experience

Nicely done mate. What game are you referring to?

I thought you said earlier that the system was too fast when applying +/- 10V, and so you turned down the voltage to the Vickers valves to +/-4V. Did you end up doing something different? I'm definitely curious to see your circuit and would love to learn from your 'painful experience' so I don't have to repeat the mistakes you made earlier.

As for myself, I've recently got the computers up and going for both my hydraulic & electric versions. On the electric versions, they use two computers, one for the flight sim, and another for the motion control, and they somehow talk via network. Not sure if this is helpful to you, but I made an image of my hydraulic PC since you mentioned your hard disk crashed.

Ooo man i would love to have a copy of both electric and hydraulic hdd images.... I still havr the computer and controller just no drive.

As far as all my circuitry I would love a second pair of eyes on it as i am still very knew on driving industrial valves like vickers.

I did indeed turn down the voltage because the coaster was so flippin fast (no pun intended) but i just found out last night its not because of the coasters end....

Some how i have configured simtools to not utilize the whole axis on the coaster pc but when i got home i figured out some conrigurations that just may work ... Wont know for sure until i try it out monday.

Im running 'no limits 2' and let me tell you its been the most advanced game ive ever seen for 86 bucks it is insanely amazing software!

Hey check me out on facebook
https://facebook.com/charles.w.hein

Ill send you some videos of what i have