VKB Pedals oooold model (MK1,2?) support

[VladZ]

Hey gents,

I am a lucky owner of a pretty old model pedals ( circa 2012..), that were on the shelf for a bit of time, so happens, I need them again.

The issue is under Win10, plugging in USB adds entry under Human Interface Devices - USB Input Device, with exclamation triangle on it - Properties show "This device cannot start (Code 10) .. etc..

For the device itself, if it helps
Hardware Ids : USB\VID_03EB&PID_4F8D&REV_0401 USB\VID_03EB&PID_4F8D


So the question is,
1. Do I need VKB driver for it? and where to get it?
2. any suggestions to have it working again?

Thanks

[Victorus]

What pedals do you have? T-rudder or something else? Have you Tiny box, black box or another?

[VladZ]

Hi Victorus,

Here are some pics if that helps, it's one of the original models from when VKB just started building them, under name Mk I or Mk II ...:

[VladZ]

top view

[Ron61]

You need a photo of the controller in the pedals, preferably on both sides.

[Victorus]

I have the same or similar. 3-axis Mk3. Own controller is old. Obsolete. Long time ago I used standalone external controller. Any of - TinyBox, ThrottleBox, then BlackBox of any color). Any with RJ45 socket. Now my pedals are connected to BlackBox together with GunFighter base and work fine.

[Delta]

then BlackBox of any color). Any with RJ45 socket.

I assume that means Mk1 or Mk2? Since Mk3 does not have the D-MaRS channels onthe RJ45 socket anymore.

[Victorus]

You can connect patch-cord directly from pedal sensors board RJ45 to controller's one. Similar to T-Rudder.

[VladZ]

Thanks, Victorus,

I received BB Mk3 today, figures, I need BB Mk3 RJ45 connector pinout information, where can I find it?

Original controller board, the rudder MARS has pads on the PCB, also each brake pot has pads, all that can be wired to RJ45 patch cable for BB.

I will probably de-solder original board atmega chip, it's not very useful.

Appreciated you help
Vlad

PS: is there something useful I could do with S-bus and L-bus connectors?

[VladZ]

Ok,

Now I did my homework, turns out, this rudder MARS sensor requires 5V (it's KMZ41/UZZ9000 pair).

Pedal brakes are most likely just simple pots, no problem there with 3.3V that BBox uses.

Does RJ45 connector support 3 inputs? 2 for brakes, and 1 for rudder axis?

I need to figure out how to feed 5 V to this MARS sensor, and ensure 3.3V limited output to the BlackBox Mk3 RJ45. If BB provides 3.3V power, it could be a step-up converter 3.3V to 5V, or, alternatively, feed USB 5 V to the MARS, and use resistor divider to lower output to 3.3V range.

Still need RJ45 pinout.

[Ron61]

As I understand, you want to connect the old controller in the ATMega pedals to the BB MK3?
This is impossible.
You can try writing to sales@vkb-sim.pro with a request to send you 3 sensors that will be visible to the new BB MK3.
The mechanical connection of the sensors to the mechanics will be your responsibility. I don't see any other option.

[VladZ]

Ok Ron,

thanks for clarification, since you're the expert on the subject, could you clarify that RJ45 pinout is as follows:

1 : GND
2: 3.3V OUT
3: GND
4: 5V OUT
5: ? (analog input terminal 1)
6: 3.3V OUT
7: ? (analog input terminal 2)
8: 3.3V OUT

Can pin 4 be used as a VCC for KMZ/UZZ pair?
Provided I add a voltage divider on UZZ output side to lower it to 3.3V range, how do I hook up that output to pins(s) 5, 7?

or, at least,

if rudder analog input is applied to pins 5 and 7, what is the volage range it requires? What is the output voltages of your new pedals and what pins their sensor is connected to?

[Ron61]

The T-Rudder V pedals on the BB MK3 do not connect directly even to the previous BB MK2, because they are a bus device and are connected according to this scheme.

It was possible to connect Hall sensors, resistors, i.e. analog ones, to the very first BB MK1 (and to the first Gladiators with Sys and Pedals connectors).
But progress does not stand still, so now this solution.
You need to install sensors on your indestructible mechanics that will be visible to the BB MK3.

[VladZ]

Don't we all love progress, Ron?

I am a bit less electronically challenged than mechanically, everything else being equal..

Is there a picture of the sensors (or drawing) I could see how they could be fitted into the existing fixtures?

Alternatively, what kind of bus (I2C..?) if I hook up some arduino to convert analog to the "USART" ?

By the way, thanks for the chat on your weekend, appreciate that..

[VladZ]

Time to finalize this conversation

Ok, I suppose the support has run out of gas, or had said everything there is to say. Thanks anyway, guys.

As I mentioned, it's easier for me to do electronics part than mess with mechanical fittings, so replacing MARS sensor with new VKB sensor with a serial interface to BBox doesn't look like an easy or cheap option. Already made a mistake buying BlackBox, that doesn't have analog inputs.

So I de-soldered all unnecessary components from the original PCB (ATMEGA etc). Took a Pro Micro ATMEGA32U4, connected 3 analog inputs to original PCB sensor pads, uploaded HID library, re-used calibration code off the web, pedals are back alive and working great.

The "old" MARS sensor on KMZ41/UZZ9000 chips gives a really clean analog output, and only requires slight scaling adjustments to set zero, dead zone and equalize negative/positive slope for the output.

Rudder pedals are smooth and the control feels precise.

Cheers,
Vlad