Swapping out a gauge??

[UncleJoe]

How complicated is to swap out a heading gauge in a dash panel? I have a plane (Cessna-Soloy T206H) that has a gauge in which the heading bug only turns counterclockwise, jumps in multiple increments, and will not turn clockwise. (yes, I tried right-clicking). This makes it difficult to adjust accurately and timely while in-flight.

Would swapping be as "simple" as replacing it in the panel.cfg with one from another plane that works properly? I have done this successfully with popup A/Ps and radios, but not with panel mounted pieces yet and would prefer not to add another popup.

[mitch66]

Yes, the panel.cfg defines the name of the gauge and its positioning on the panel. These gauges are usually a part of a larger collection of gauges that belongs and is specific to a certain aircraft. Just find the name of the "offending" gauge and swap it with the one you want, making adjustments in the placement and sizing parameters.

[UncleJoe]

Well, so much for that idea. I can't interpret their naming conventions or the flow of their panel setup so I can't readily identify which line that gauge might be. This is a custom-made plane and they did a number of things differently than what I'm use to working with. I wrote the developer some time ago but got no response.

[mitch66]

Try FSDeveloper[www.fsdeveloper.com]. Many extremely knowledgeable folks there willing to help.

[UncleJoe]

Last time I went over there to look for assistance, people wanted in the neighborhood of $100/hr for their time.

[mitch66]

Sure - if you want someone to do all the work for you. If you want to research, investigate and learn, you can post a question and people will answer and help you.

[UncleJoe]

I know that swapping out a picture of the gauge is easy enough (when you can identify which one it is), but does that also effect the function of that gauge? There must be something in the programming of it as well, isn't there?

[Ken "Hondo" Gardner]

I have re-placed non-functioning gauges with a proven functional gauges with good results. What it takes is knowledge of gauge function in the panel you want to fix and a good source of information about replacing gauges ( watching YouTube videos won't help ). I then found a program that was made to build & edit panels,, best investment I've made. It's called FS Panel Studio ( http://www.fspanelstudio.com/ ).

[TextRich]

Originally posted by Ken "Hondo" Gardner:

I have re-placed non-functioning gauges with a proven functional gauges with good results. What it takes is knowledge of gauge function in the panel you want to fix and a good source of information about replacing gauges ( watching YouTube videos won't help ). I then found a program that was made to build & edit panels,, best investment I've made. It's called FS Panel Studio ( http://www.fspanelstudio.com/ ).

Ken, are your edited panels also visible in the virtual cockpit, or only the 2-D panel? I'm looking for something like that to edit a third-party aircraft.

[Ken "Hondo" Gardner]

My edits are visible in either panel it depends on which gauge is acting contrary the program is a complete panel editing tool.
Open the panel.cfg file of most of the 3rd party aircraft and the first lines will have an entry like this:

// This Panel.cfg file created by FS Panel Studio panel editor utility - http://www.fspanelstudio.com
// Built Sunday, November 24, 2019 at 21:44 FSPS Build:22900

Need I say more ?

[UncleJoe]

FSdeveloper suggestions: contact the author (who hasn't responded). That panel studio looks great, but much more advanced (and $) than I need for one gauge in one plane.

The header line in this panel.cfg file mentions CfgEdit. Might have to see what/where that might be?

"// This Panel.cfg file created by CfgEdit
// Built Friday, February 02, 2018 at 22:51 Build:15090"

[TextRich]

Thanks for your recommendation Hondo. I'll look into it soon. I'm training in a new aircraft and the add-on aircraft I want to practice with doesn't have the gauges in the same positions.

UncleJoe, I believe this is for CFGEdit (the first link).
http://simviation.com/fsdesign_panels1.htm

However from what I could tell in other forums people are using FSPanelStudio instead.

[UncleJoe]

I might normally agree about FSPanelStudio, Bullpup. But I can't justify spending $25 to fix one little gauge in one plane in a $25 game. Same reason I don't spend big $ on addon planes that look pretty when I can repaint them for free. Forty years ago I had money to throw away; today I don't. (I'm 68 on Soc. Sec.)

[Ken "Hondo" Gardner]

Originally posted by ;1742266586327436143:

I might normally agree about FSPanelStudio, Bullpup. But I can't justify spending $25 to fix one little gauge in one plane in a $25 game. Same reason I don't spend big $ on addon planes that look pretty when I can repaint them for free. Forty years ago I had money to throw away; today I don't. (I'm 68 on Soc. Sec.)

I have to agree with you since I'm 74 and on Soc Sec. I don't buy aircraft on a whim what I do is look at freeware first and deals second. I purchased FSPanelStudio to edit some of the good freebies's panels and in some that did not have a complete panel for my own enjoyment.

[TextRich]

Originally posted by UncleJoe:

I might normally agree about FSPanelStudio, Bullpup. But I can't justify spending $25 to fix one little gauge in one plane in a $25 game. Same reason I don't spend big $ on addon planes that look pretty when I can repaint them for free. Forty years ago I had money to throw away; today I don't. (I'm 68 on Soc. Sec.)

Totally understandable. Hit me up via friend chat - I have a proposition for you.

[UncleJoe]

Originally posted by BF Bullpup:

Totally understandable. Hit me up via friend chat - I have a proposition for you.

I'm in and out of here quite often. Will catch up with you soon. Thanks.