Fueling the discussion...

Unbalanced tanks fuel test.

Tanks were changed for the following capacities;

- Central 3 = 10 gal
- Central 2 = 4 gal
- Central 1 = 3 gal

- Wing auxiliary left = 7 gal
- Wing auxiliary right = 8 gal

- Wing main left = 6 gal
- Wing main right = 5 gal

- Wing tips (both) = 1 gal (each)

The same three tanks started emptying first; Central 3, wing auxiliary left and right. When wing auxiliary left was finished, central three still had 3 gallons and wing auxiliary right had one gallon.

Wing main left took the relay of auxiliary left and, when auxiliary right was emptied, wing main right did the same. Worth noting; main right and left were emptied exactly at the same time.

As expected, wing tips never emptied.

Central tanks simply emptied one after the other in the following order; 3 - 2 - 1.

Conclusions.

Central tanks act as an independent group, along the order mentioned above. Tanks "numbering" in the AIR file has no visible effect.

Wing auxiliary and main tanks act as an independent group on both sides. The auxiliary tank empty first and the main tank take the relay, no matter tanks "numbering".

Wing tips tanks are totally useless. I don't know if it is me screwing something in them or else. If anyone knows otherwise, please, post here.

Tanks empty all at the same rate, no matter the size of other tanks participating in the feeding process. The more tanks are emptying at the same time, the slower is the emptying rate. The lesser, the faster.

Now, I will test fuel switches gauges with 10 gallons tanks for all (even the tip ones, we never know).
 
Thanks Hubbabubba,

This is very interesting. Which fuel switching gauge are you using for these tests? I found that without a gauge, the tanks I had installed were all emptying at the same time, but WITH a switching gauge, only the selected tank was emptying. I didn't use all the tanks you are using though.

The test I did wasn't intentional. I used a Me 109E panel for the Ki-61 Tony. The problem is that the 109 only has one tank. The Ki-61 has a fuselage tank and two wing tanks, so without the switching gauge, all tanks were used. When I put in a P-51D fuel switch, only the selected tank emptied.

- Ivan.
 
Ivan said:
Thanks Hubbabubba,

This is very interesting. Which fuel switching gauge are you using for these tests? I found that without a gauge, the tanks I had installed were all emptying at the same time, but WITH a switching gauge, only the selected tank was emptying. I didn't use all the tanks you are using though.

The test I did wasn't intentional. I used a Me 109E panel for the Ki-61 Tony. The problem is that the 109 only has one tank. The Ki-61 has a fuselage tank and two wing tanks, so without the switching gauge, all tanks were used. When I put in a P-51D fuel switch, only the selected tank emptied.

- Ivan.
Click to expand...

These tests were made without fuel switch gauge. Gauge testing follows.
 
Name of the gauge: TANKS.GAU
Internal name: tanks
Organization: Dome Fliteware
Version: 1.0.0
Copyright: none (Chuck Dome presumably)

Size at 1/1 ratio; 150 width, 100 height

View attachment 18294

Visual: 15 bitmaps, bitmap #1 is the background, 7 bitmaps representing the moving knob-style button, 7 invisible bitmaps for for clickable zones, the background bitmaps has the following inscriptions according to clock positions; 8 O'clock = OFF, 9 O'clock = L.Au, 10 O'clock = L.Mn, 12 O'clock = CTR, 2 O'clock = R.Mn, 3 O'clock = R.Au, and 4 O'clock = ALL. In the upper-left corner, we can read FUEL and, in the upper-right corner, TANK. Inscriptions are all in white (R=247, G=247, B=247) and a one pixel border line of the same color runs around the rectangle. The background color is blue-gray (R=99 ,G=123 , B=156). The four corners have a one pixel dot of black (R=0, G=0, B=0).

Audio: none

Functioning: The button is on the ALL position and, if moved before start-up, will return automatically on that position upon start. Placing the mouse cursor over one of the inscriptions and left-clicking will "turn" the button to that selection. The FUEL TANK inscription has no effect. You don't have to click repeatedly to get to a selection.

Effect: On ALL position, all tanks (with the exception of wing tips tanks) are emptying according to the "no gauge" pattern already described in previous posts. In OFF position, engines starve and no fuel is spend.

On CTR position, center 1 tank is being emptied. Once empty, the engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

On L.Au, left auxiliary tank is being emptied. Once empty, the engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

On R.Au, right auxiliary tank is being emptied. Once empty, the engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

On L.Mn, left auxiliary tank, if with any fuel in it, is emptied. Once empty, left main tank is being emptied. Once empty, engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

On R.Mn, right auxiliary tank, if with any fuel in it, is emptied. Once empty, right main tank is being emptied. Once empty, engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

CONCLUSIONS

The gauge works, but only to some extent. The center tanks order is starting with center 1 tank but, unfortunately, center 2 and 3 are not used. For that to happen, you must return to ALL configuration. The wing main and auxiliary positions always empty the auxiliary tank first, the only difference between main and auxiliary position being that, if left on auxiliary position, the main tank is not solicited.

The gauge shape may be modifiable, as the black corner dots suggests. The clickable areas could probably be modified with an hex-editor, but this is a job for experts only.
 
Name of the gauge: TANKSB.GAU
Internal name: tanksb
Organization: Dome Fliteware
Version: 1.0.0
Copyright: none (Chuck Dome presumably)

Size at 1/1 ratio; 150 width, 100 height

View attachment 18303

Visual: 13 bitmaps, bitmap #1 is the background, 6 bitmaps representing the moving knob-style button, 6 invisible bitmaps for clickable zones, the background bitmap has the following inscriptions according to clock positions; 8 O'clock = OFF, 9 O'clock = L.Au, 10 O'clock = L.Mn, 2 O'clock = R.Mn, 3 O'clock = R.Au, and 4 O'clock = ALL. In the 12 O'clock position, we can read FUEL TANK. Inscriptions are all in white (R=247, G=247, B=247) and a one pixel border line of the same color runs around the rectangle. The background color is blue-gray (R=99 ,G=123 , B=156). The four corners have a one pixel dot of black (R=0, G=0, B=0).

Audio: none

Functioning: The button is on the ALL position and, if moved before start-up, will return automatically on that position upon start. Placing the mouse cursor over one of the inscriptions and left-clicking will "turn" the button to that selection. The FUEL TANK inscription has no effect. You don't have to click repeatedly to get to a selection.

Effect: On ALL position, all tanks (with the exception of wing tips tanks) are emptying according to the "no gauge" pattern already described in previous posts. In OFF position, engines starve and no fuel is spend.

On L.Au, left auxiliary tank is being emptied. Once empty, the engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

On R.Au, right auxiliary tank is being emptied. Once empty, the engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

On L.Mn, left auxiliary tank, if with any fuel in it, is emptied. Once empty, left main tank is being emptied. Once empty, engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

On R.Mn, right auxiliary tank, if with any fuel in it, is emptied. Once empty, right main tank is being emptied. Once empty, engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

CONCLUSION

The gauge works, but only to some extent. The wing main and auxiliary positions always empty the auxiliary tank first, the only difference between main and auxiliary position being that, if left on auxiliary position, the main tank is not solicited. They're is no provision for central tanks but, if you switch to ALL, they will empty in the "no gauge" order.

The gauge shape may be modifiable, as the black corner dots suggests. The clickable areas could probably be modified with an hex-editor, but this is a job for experts only.
 
Name of the gauge: TANKSC.GAU
Internal name: tanksc
Organization: Dome Fliteware
Version: 1.0.0
Copyright: none (Chuck Dome presumably)

Size at 1/1 ratio; 150 width, 100 height

View attachment 18307

Visual: 9 bitmaps, bitmap #1 is the background, 4 bitmaps representing the moving knob-style button, 4 invisible bitmaps for for clickable zones, the background bitmap has the following inscriptions according to clock positions; 8 O'clock = OFF, 10 O'clock = LEFT, 2 O'clock = RIGHT, and 4 O'clock = BOTH. In the 12 O'clock position, we can read FUEL TANK. Inscriptions are all in white (R=247, G=247, B=247) and a one pixel border line of the same color runs around the rectangle. The background color is blue-gray (R=99 ,G=123 , B=156). The four corners have a one pixel dot of black (R=0, G=0, B=0).

Audio: none

Functioning: The button is on the BOTH position and, if moved before start-up, will return automatically on that position upon start. Placing the mouse cursor over one of the inscriptions and left-clicking will "turn" the button to that selection. The FUEL TANK inscription has no effect. You don't have to click repeatedly to get to a selection.

Effect: On BOTH position, all tanks (with the exception of wing tips tanks) are emptying according to the "no gauge" pattern already described in previous posts. In OFF position, engines starve and no fuel is spend.

On LEFT, left auxiliary tank, if with any fuel in it, is emptied. Once empty, left main tank is being emptied. Once empty, engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

On RIGHT, right auxiliary tank, if with any fuel in it, is emptied. Once empty, right main tank is being emptied. Once empty, engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

CONCLUSION

The gauge works, but only to some extent. The LEFT and RIGHT positions always empty the auxiliary tank first. They're is no provision for central tanks but, if you switch to BOTH, they will empty in the "no gauge" order.

The gauge shape may be modifiable, as the black corner dots suggests. The clickable areas could probably be modified with an hex-editor, but this is a job for experts only.
 
Hi Hubbabubba,

Seems to me I need to re-think the layout of tanks on the SBD-3 Dauntless yet again. The real aircraft has the equivalent of a Aux and Main tank in each wing. If a selector with only Main tanks will still empty the Aux tanks, then that will work just fine for my plane. I prefer to stick with stock gauges if possible.

It also sounds like this is a way to set up a standpipe reserve if you re-label the tanks so that the Aux is called "Main", and Main is called "Reserve".

- Ivan.
 
Ivan said:
Hi Hubbabubba,

Seems to me I need to re-think the layout of tanks on the SBD-3 Dauntless yet again. The real aircraft has the equivalent of a Aux and Main tank in each wing. If a selector with only Main tanks will still empty the Aux tanks, then that will work just fine for my plane. I prefer to stick with stock gauges if possible.

It also sounds like this is a way to set up a standpipe reserve if you re-label the tanks so that the Aux is called "Main", and Main is called "Reserve".

- Ivan.
Click to expand...

Hello Ivan,

I haven't finished testing fuel switch gauges but, like you, I'm inclined to rename tanks and position them according to our own requirements rather than to stick to a very arbitrary labeling in AIR files. Thinking "out of the box" is how I see things; a "left tank" doesn't have to be on the left just because it was labeled that way. Functionality should have precedent over names.

So far, I'm a bit disappointed by the fact that central position only works with center 1 tank but, since FS98 style tanks only had one center tank available, I understand why. The wing tips tanks are beyond disappointment. "Disgust" would be more appropriate. What a waste!
 
Name of the gauge: WJR_CD_R4D.Tanksb.gau
Internal name: tanksb
Organization: Dome Fliteware
Version: 1.0.0
Copyright: none (Chuck Dome presumably)

Size at 1/1 ratio; 150 width, 100 height

View attachment 18422

This is a mod of TANKSB.GAU. It is interesting in the sense that it confirms my suspicions; background bitmap can be modified in shape with true black #1 color on the palette (R=0, G=0, B=0).

Functuionalities are the same as the original.
 
Hello Hubbabubba,

Have you figured out how to program a gauge yet? There are a few that I would like to create that I don't believe have equivalents today.

- Ivan.
 
Ivan said:
Hello Hubbabubba,

Have you figured out how to program a gauge yet? There are a few that I would like to create that I don't believe have equivalents today.

- Ivan.
Click to expand...
Hi Ivan,

Nope; I can do pretty much everything in an aircraft but the gauges. I can change textures, in some cases I can change fonts, in a very few gauges, I can hex-edit them and I can light them, thanks to smilo for that.

I would have to learn C programming and, quite frankly, I'm getting old to learn new tricks.
 
I am a pretty experienced C programmer, but don't know the process of creating gauges. Hmmmm....

What I would like to do would be some specific fuel gauges, multi engine gauges and some digital trim gauges.

BTW, have you figured out what the rest of the fuel tank fields do? Warning level, residual fuel level, etc.?
- Ivan.
 
FS98 - FS98 Misc. Creating FS98 Gauges Using CBuilder 3.x
[SIZE=-1] [ Download | View ] [/SIZE]
Name: cbfssdk1.zip Size: 281,823 Date: 07-31-1998 Downloads: 1,664
[SIZE=-1] Creating FS98 Gauges Using CBuilder 3.x. Description and step by step example by Jay Crawford.[/SIZE]
Click to expand...
at FlightSim

This should be a good "primer", although I wouldn't know myself...:kilroy:
 
I just printed the instructions. Next step is to acquire the compiler that is described. I do have a compiler installed on even my work machine and at home, but I don't know that Gnu C is compatible.

Thanks, I think.....
:isadizzy:

- Ivan.
 
Hi Hubbabubba,

I finished reading the instructions. They don't really say much except how to use a specific compiler or IDE instead of the standard MSVC compiler. Not really all that much content beyond that. Since I don't have the specific compiler mentioned, I don't know that I am any further ahead. Also, this is C++. I program in plain old C though I will learn C++ at some point.

On a different note, I was checking out the stock Hurricane Mk.I this morning. It has a fuel selector for Left, Right, Center and a dummy marking for Reserve. From the Hurricane Mk.II manual, the fuel selector should be able to draw equally from the two main tanks in the wings or use the fuselage tank. This one can't.

- Ivan.
 
Hello Ivan:wavey:

C, C+ and C++, this is all Greek to me:icon_lol:!

I have downloaded and installed a free C compiler, which is also doing C++, and "do it yourself" tutorials on the subject but, to do that, I would have to take a long pause from CFS1. In the past, I learned Visual Basic all by myself, and forgot almost everything by now, so it should be feasible. Time will tell...:kilroy:

After having done all fuel switches I can find, I will do CFS1 stock switches. Other matters kept me occupied recently.

Unless tailored-made, I can't see the day when all fuel systems will be accurately depicted for each aircraft. So many of them with so many arrangements are possible that it would take a special library just to sort them out.
 
Name of the gauge: gbyjfuel_sw_aux.gau
Commentary:MSVC++ version Cessna 337 Fuel Switch - (Main/Center)
Internal name: gbyjFuel_sw_Cntr
Organization: GaugesByJay
Version: 2, 0, 0, 1
Copyright: ©1998,1999 Jay Crawford All Rights Reserved

Size at 1/1 ratio; 114 width, 114 height

View attachment 19624

Visual: 9 bitmaps, bitmap #1 and #2 are backgrounds, as it appears that the same gauge was used to create two fuel switches. 7 bitmaps represent the moving key-style button positions. Inscriptions are as follows; 8 O'clock = OFF, 10 O'clock = AUX LEFT, 11 O'clock = MAIN LEFT, 12 O'clock = ALL, 1 O'Clock = MAIN RIGHT, 2 O'Clock = AUX RIGHT, 3 to 4 O'clock = FUEL TANK SELECT. Inscriptions are all in white-grey from R=250, G=250, B=250 to R=66, G=66, B=66. The background color is mainly black of different RGB (R=9 ,G=8 , B=8 to R=1, G=16, B=0) with a greyish border of RGB going from reddish to brownish. The outer square appears to be pure black (R=0, G=0, B=0) with screw heads at the four corners. The pure black is transparent.

Audio: none

Functioning: The button is on the ALL position and, if moved before start-up, will return automatically on that position upon start. You must click repeatedly right or left to move the key on a selection. So, if you are on AUX LEFT and want to switch to AUX RIGHT, you will have to go through MAIN LEFT - ALL - MAIN RIGHT before getting to it. The FUEL TANK SELECT inscription has no effect.

Effect: On ALL position, all tanks (with the exception of wing tips tanks) are emptying according to the "no gauge" pattern already described in previous posts. In OFF position, engines starve and no fuel is spend.

On AUX LEFT, left auxiliary tank is emptied. Once empty, engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

On AUX RIGHT, right auxiliary tank is emptied. Once empty, engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

On MAIN LEFT, left auxiliary tank is emptied. Once empty, main left tank is emptied. Once empty, engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

On MAIN RIGHT, right auxiliary tank is emptied. Once empty, main right tank is emptied. Once empty, engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

CONCLUSIONS

The gauge works, but only to some extent. It works exactly the same way as TANKSB.GAU as emptying order is concerned, only the clicking method differs.

The gauge shape is modifiable, as the "screws" are surrounded by black pixels (#1 R=0, G=0, B=0) that are invisible on the panel.
 
Name of the gauge: gbyjFuel_sw_Cntr.gau
Commentary:MSVC++ version Cessna 337 Fuel Switch - (Main/Center)
Internal name: gbyjFuel_sw_Cntr
Organization: GaugesByJay
Version: 2, 0, 0, 1
Copyright: ©1998,1999 Jay Crawford All Rights Reserved

Size at 1/1 ratio; 114 width, 114 height

View attachment 19625

Visual: 9 bitmaps, bitmap #1 and #2 are backgrounds, as it appears that the same gauge was used to create two fuel switches. 7 bitmaps represent the moving key-style button positions. Inscriptions are as follows; 7 O'clock = OFF, 10 O'clock = LEFT, 12 O'clock = CENTER, 2 O'Clock = RIGHT, 5 O'Clock = ALL. FUEL TANK SELECT is written on top. Inscriptions are all in white-grey from R=250, G=250, B=250 to R=66, G=66, B=66. The background color is mainly black of different RGB (R=9 ,G=8 , B=8 to R=1, G=16, B=0) with a greyish border of RGB going from reddish to brownish. The outer square appears to be pure black (R=0, G=0, B=0) with screw heads at the four corners. The pure black is transparent.

Audio: none

Functioning: The button is on the ALL position and, if moved before start-up, will return automatically on that position upon start. You must click repeatedly right or left to move the key on a selection. So, if you are on LEFT and want to switch to RIGHT, you will have to go through CENTER - RIGHT before getting to it. The FUEL TANK SELECT inscription has no effect.

Effect: On ALL position, all tanks (with the exception of wing tips tanks) are emptying according to the "no gauge" pattern already described in previous posts. In OFF position, engines starve and no fuel is spend.

On LEFT, left auxiliary tank is emptied. Once empty, main left tank is emptied. Once empty, engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

On RIGHT, right auxiliary tank is emptied. Once empty, main right tank is emptied. Once empty, engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

On CENTER, center #1 is emptied. Once empty, engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

CONCLUSIONS

The gauge works, but only to some extent. It works as if it was a mix of TANKS.GAU for #1 center emptying and TANKSC.GAU for the right and left tanks, as far as emptying order is concerned. Only the clicking method differs.

The gauge shape is modifiable, as the "screws" are surrounded by black pixels (#1 R=0, G=0, B=0) that are invisible on the panel.
 
Name of the gauge: rww2-tank-sw.gau
Internal name: BCK.F3M_Fuel_Selector.gau
Organization: unknown, probably BCK
Version: unknown
Copyright: unknown

Size at 1/1 ratio; 140 width, 140 height

View attachment 20089

Visual: 6 bitmaps, bitmap #1 is the background. Bitmaps #2 to #6 are representing a red pointer knob in different positions. Only ON (8 O'clock) and OFF (4 O'clock) positions are marked. At 6 O'clock position, it is written FUEL VALVE.

Audio: none

Functioning: The button is on the ON position and, if moved before start-up, will return automatically on that position upon start. You must click repeatedly right or left to move the knob on a selection. So, if you are on ON and want to switch to OFF, you will have to go through three positions before getting to it. The FUEL VALVE inscription has no effect.

Effect: On ON position, all tanks (with the exception of wing tips tanks) are emptying according to the "no gauge" pattern already described in previous posts. In OFF position, engines starve and no fuel is spend.

On 10 O'clock position, left auxiliary tank is emptied. Once empty, main left tank is emptied. Once empty, engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

On 2 O'clock position, right auxiliary tank is emptied. Once empty, main right tank is emptied. Once empty, engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

On 12 O'clock position, center #1 is emptied. Once empty, engines cut-off and no other tank is solicited.

CONCLUSION

The gauge works, but only to some extent. It works exactly like gbyjFuel_sw_Cntr.gau, excepting that OFF and ON (ALL) positions are inverted.

The gauge shape is modifiable, as the "screws" are surrounded by black pixels (#1 R=0, G=0, B=0) that are invisible on the panel.
 
Hello Hubbabubba,

I believe I ran into something strange recently in flight testing: I had noticed that the test panel I use would seem to ignore fractions of a gallon in fuel tank capacity. I thought it was just a rounding issue. I just noticed that the Selector / Dump gauge in your test panel does the same. It reads to 0.1 gallon, but doesn't start except at even values in gallons. When tank capacities are 75 gallons or 300 gallons, a fraction doesn't make much of a difference, but when the total tank capacity is only 5.8 gallons, and fuel consumption is low, it DOES make a difference.

Have you run into the same thing?
- Ivan.
 
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