Separate Headlight Switch option

[ubitmoosie]

Hey,

Just had a thought. Some of us use switch/button control boxes, and I had the idea that maybe SCS could add the option of assigning the clearance and headlights to separate keys (or switches) similar to how they did the ignition switch and electricity recently. I apologize in advance, this will be confusing.

I've noticed trucks either have:

A round switch that you turn once and it turns the markers on, and twice to turn the headlights on, just like a car

A 3 position rocker switch where down is off, middle is clearance, and up is both markers and headlights

2 individual rocker switches, one for clearance and one for headlights.

My button box is configured where there are 2 separate switches. So, to turn the markers on I switch the first switch to on, and to turn the headlights on I do the second switch. Since it is a sequence (off-->mkrs-->headlights-->off) it is hard to do so (Just like how the wipers used to be Off, low, high, off, and you had to turn them off to turn it back to low.) So, to turn them off, I have to push both rockers at the same exact time in order to cancel one out, to make the switches in the off position since they both are assigned to the same function, so if you don't time it right then it thinks you hit the key twice and turns the lights back on.

My idea is that they could add an option to have them separate. So, you could assign the markers to say, "M" on your keyboard (or switch), and the headlights to "L" on your keyboard (or switch.) So, this way they are 2 separate systems and don't interfere with each other. This would make the sequence just "On off" and set them individually, rather than a sequence like it is now.

Now, I know not everyone uses or wants that, so that is why it would be an option.

[vcsigda]

I use the button boxes from Derek but there are many awesome others out there as well. This was my first time using button boxes and had no idea what to expect but they add to the realism. I also use Tobii head tracker 5 so I assign a pause button on my wheel if I need to look at the button box switches when I turn away from the monitor.
http://derekspearedesigns.com

I purchased 3 boxes with different style switches

Maybe they will separate lights some day (would be a welcome addition) so for lights I have to do the same as you:

Switch one - marker lights on
Switch two - headlights on (with marker lights on)
Switch two again - to turn all lights off
Switch three - interior lights on/off
At the moment I use a rocker switch for Hazard lights on/off

Wipers
I found wipers to work best with a 2 way rotary switch design
Rotary switch one - Wipers on - turn to right to select different speeds
Rotary switch one - Wipers off - turn to left to select different speeds

Engine Retarder
I use any push button switch to turn on/off
Rotary switch two - turn to right two increase
Rotary switch two - turn to left to decrease

2 way Rotary switches I found to be very useful.
I do use the push buttons for many things as well as the rocker switches and on/off switches.

I know this doesn’t fix anything for you at the moment but as you know certain assignments in ATS/ETS work better with different switch designs. It was something for me to learn as well.

Cheers

[ubitmoosie]

Originally posted by vcsigda:

I use the button boxes from Derek but there are many awesome others out there as well. This was my first time using button boxes and had no idea what to expect but they add to the realism. I also use Tobii head tracker 5 so I assign a pause button on my wheel if I need to look at the button box switches when I turn away from the monitor.
http://derekspearedesigns.com

I purchased 3 boxes with different style switches

Maybe they will separate lights some day (would be a welcome addition) so for lights I have to do the same as you:

Switch one - marker lights on
Switch two - headlights on (with marker lights on)
Switch two again - to turn all lights off
Switch three - interior lights on/off
At the moment I use a rocker switch for Hazard lights on/off

Wipers
I found wipers to work best with a 2 way rotary switch design
Rotary switch one - Wipers on - turn to right to select different speeds
Rotary switch one - Wipers off - turn to left to select different speeds

Engine Retarder
I use any push button switch to turn on/off
Rotary switch two - turn to right two increase
Rotary switch two - turn to left to decrease

2 way Rotary switches I found to be very useful.
I do use the push buttons for many things as well as the rocker switches and on/off switches.

I know this doesn’t fix anything for you at the moment but as you know certain assignments in ATS/ETS work better with different switch designs. It was something for me to learn as well.

Cheers

---------------------------


I have mine set up very similar to that. My hazards are on a rocker, as well as beacons and my dif lock.

My lights, like i said before (and you said in a much better way) are individual rockers, and to turn the lights off, I flick both of them at the same time so the computer ignores one (hence giving the effect that they both worked, and resetting the switches for the next time I use them)

For my mid axle (if the truck I am driving is equipped with one) is also a rocker switch. I also have it linked to a button as well. Trailer axle is just a button.

My radio volume and channels are on rotary switches, as well as my exhaust brake and cruise control.

Wipers I have on 2 buttons next to each other, but I may assign them to a rotary.

Then I have my gps map view (in the truck) on a button, and the stats display/trip computer is on another button. The last 2 or 3 of the buttons are spares, as well as the second pull switch that is supposed to be trailer brake.

High beams i find easier to just use on my keyboard.


Thanks for sharing!! Glad I am not the only one!

[Goggles56]

I just finished turning my sim racing rig into a trucking setup. I made a left and right dash panel and have 7 double pole toggles, 11 push buttons and 4 rotary encoders as well as 2 pull on switches for truck and trailer brakes. Plus there are 2 buttons and paddles on my ancient G25. I'm not using the buttons on the shifter because it will be replaced with a TH8A real soon. I have one toggle set up as a signal switch and a foot operated push button for a headlight dimmer. There is also a retarder switch on the shifter knob.
So that adds up to 42 functions i think. Not having to use a keyboard other than for typing is great. I like sound of your setups. Looks like you guys put some serious thought in to it.

[ubitmoosie]

Originally posted by Goggles56:

I just finished turning my sim racing rig into a trucking setup. I made a left and right dash panel and have 7 double pole toggles, 11 push buttons and 4 rotary encoders as well as 2 pull on switches for truck and trailer brakes. Plus there are 2 buttons and paddles on my ancient G25. I'm not using the buttons on the shifter because it will be replaced with a TH8A real soon. I have one toggle set up as a signal switch and a foot operated push button for a headlight dimmer. There is also a retarder switch on the shifter knob.
So that adds up to 42 functions i think. Not having to use a keyboard other than for typing is great. I like sound of your setups. Looks like you guys put some serious thought in to it.

Yours seems to be much more than mine haha! I still use my keyboard and mouse for steering and looking around :(

The control box and shifter i have make it much more realistic, but sometimes as im shifting, I end up kicking the printer under my desk because i instinctively try to go for a clutch pedal (I drive a manual car) haha

[Goggles56]

I use a mouse to look around too. It's on a little shelf just below and right of my shifter. I changed my 62 Caddy to a 5 speed 12 years ago. I'm worried that when I get it out in the spring I'm going to try floating gears in it. I had to do that once when my clutch linkage failed coming back from a show. I would just shut it off when I got to an intersection after getting down to first gear. Re-start it and lurch away from the light. It wasn't pretty.

Hope your printer survives!

[ubitmoosie]

Originally posted by Goggles56:

I use a mouse to look around too. It's on a little shelf just below and right of my shifter. I changed my 62 Caddy to a 5 speed 12 years ago. I'm worried that when I get it out in the spring I'm going to try floating gears in it. I had to do that once when my clutch linkage failed coming back from a show. I would just shut it off when I got to an intersection after getting down to first gear. Re-start it and lurch away from the light. It wasn't pretty.

Hope your printer survives!

Hahaha its a xerox so its pretty hardy. As for the caddy, Ooof that sounds bad. Id love to drive one of those some day. I have a 2019 VW Jetta, that i specifically requested in manual. Add the fact I am only 18. The entire VW showroom was in shock when I told them what I wanted LMAO

[Goggles56]

Awesome. It is sad to see so few people driving sticks these days. My 22 year old daughter wants to learn to drive a standard so I'll probably show her the ropes on the sim then into Mom's Miata and then maybe the Caddy.

Cheers!

[ubitmoosie]

I actually learned on my old school bus. It was built like a tank, from the 70s, and it had a 5 speed Fuller (Yes, just Fuller. Before Eaton bought them). Some even had 10 speeds!! They were built locally in Los Angeles for 50 years. They were actually built on custom truck chassis, and used alot of truck parts. It was one of the only ones left in service. They are called Crown Supercoaches. I would sit up front and my driver would explain everything. I got a shifter for ATS and it took me a day to get the clutch once I got my car.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_Supercoach#:~:text=The%20Crown%20Supercoach%20is%20a,the%20same%20body%20and%20chassis.

[Goggles56]

I had a 1976 Ford Louisville with a Fuller 10 speed and then a 95 with an Eaton Fuller 9 speed. The difference was that on the 9 speed after you move to high range 6th gear is in the second gear hole. On the 10 speed it comes back to the 1st hole. Both were good ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥.

I like that you took an interest and learned from your bus driver. I bet he liked it too.

[LarryA]

Appreciate the post and all the comments..Like to order a Button box so the information provided by you all helped in making a informed decision. Have A Great Day.

[LarryA]

Originally posted by vcsigda:

I use the button boxes from Derek but there are many awesome others out there as well. This was my first time using button boxes and had no idea what to expect but they add to the realism. I also use Tobii head tracker 5 so I assign a pause button on my wheel if I need to look at the button box switches when I turn away from the monitor.
http://derekspearedesigns.com

I purchased 3 boxes with different style switches

Maybe they will separate lights some day (would be a welcome addition) so for lights I have to do the same as you:

Switch one - marker lights on
Switch two - headlights on (with marker lights on)
Switch two again - to turn all lights off
Switch three - interior lights on/off
At the moment I use a rocker switch for Hazard lights on/off

Wipers
I found wipers to work best with a 2 way rotary switch design
Rotary switch one - Wipers on - turn to right to select different speeds
Rotary switch one - Wipers off - turn to left to select different speeds

Engine Retarder
I use any push button switch to turn on/off
Rotary switch two - turn to right two increase
Rotary switch two - turn to left to decrease

2 way Rotary switches I found to be very useful.
I do use the push buttons for many things as well as the rocker switches and on/off switches.

I know this doesn’t fix anything for you at the moment but as you know certain assignments in ATS/ETS work better with different switch designs. It was something for me to learn as well.

Cheers

Thank you for the info and link..Been wanting a Button Box set up..Any suggestions for a desk top set up would help. Thank you and Have A Great Day.

[ubitmoosie]

I have the ASP box and I really like it. Has the yellow parking knob as well.

[vcsigda]

Yes ubitmoosie , the ASP box is another awesome one.

Thanks Goggles56 for getting the wording I should have used for my lights, should have been double pole toggle switches.

For my setup....when I’m sitting in the seat, I’ve created an environment where everything I need is right in front of me, I didn’t want anything too fancy but it has to be able to be completely put away if needed in a couple hours. Compact was key although my setup is 5ft x 5ft square when setup.

Desk 1 main
Top is only 4’ L x 22” W and a height of 30”
Opening is 29” height by 30” width (where you fit your legs into)
the desk is able to hold:
- desktop computer in the back
- sub woofer is on floor and speakers are on the desk with headphone controller
- 34” curved monitor with tobii eye tracker 5 towards front
- a second gaming laptop
- two USB fans for air circulation
- two powered USB hubs
- keyboard is placed just under monitor (front of desk).
- battery backups on the floor

Desk 2 secondary
Top is 2ft length x 20” width x 27” height

This desk is placed on my right hand side about 14” away from front of main desk and indented about a foot from right edge of main desk (going towards Center).
I then place a 3/4” board ( 29” L x 15” W ) on top to take up the gap and to hold my second 27” monitor, mouse and keyboard and a dimmer style lamp for light.

Now I needed something to hold the Thrustmaster T300 RS GT Edition ( 3 pedal ) as this wheel servo is much bigger than my G29 so it can’t be mounted on top of the desk. Also the Thrustmaster TH8A shifter can’t be mounted on top.

So I purchased the classic GT Omega wheel stand which fits nicely under the main desk in the opening. I was able to achieve all the correct angles needed. The wheel now sits 3” lower from top of main desk and doesn’t interfere with the eye tracking as the monitor height is about 6” up (from bottom of monitor to desk top). The stand presses up nicely to the desk and is solid with no movement. The stand goes under the desk towards the wall about 14” with 7” to spare.

The wheel stand comes with two options to mount a shifter. I use the forward mounting plates on the right hand side of the stand for the shifter which is now lower. I then just used the plate from the second option and mounted it on the right hand side of wheel stand but at the height of the T300 wheel (lower side of wheel).....this allows me to put my Razor Trinity mouse in place.

The pedal setup has very good angles and slide adjustments and I have lots of leg room.

Two button boxes are mounted by the wheel (pressing tightly to the wheel for added support), one on each side.
The third box is mounted to my right and a little lower from the one box but now rests on the secondary desk as a support. All three boxes are fastened to the wheel stand using a complex set of Ram mounts to get correct positioning of boxes.

Chair

The chair I needed had to have arm rests, be able to lock at different angles, back support and have good height adjustments. Most importantly...the chair had to tapper in at the front so it can be brought close enough to the wheel with out hitting the shifter. Also arm rests had to be adjustable with different heights and angles.

I chose the T2 Road Warrior Gaming Chair by Corsair which nicely fits into place. I put duct tap on the wheels so the chair has no movement when I’m using the pedals. I can just swivel the chair to get in and out.

The process took about 3 months of planning (I’m kinda slow these days and my daughter thinks I’m half nuts for spending so much on a trucking game, lol she’s probably right ... but I do have my class 1 license and like to practice backups) but works nicely for a trucking setup. I’m completely surrounded by everything I need and everything is functional.....I ordered the shifter knob from the wrong person so I don’t think I’ll be receiving it anytime soon.

With lots of planning, everyone will come up with a setup that works best for them, just takes time, patience and money!!! My setup LarryA just gives you an idea of what can be done and I’m sure other’s have much better setups but I’m happy with what I have.

Cheers