On this page you can see how hardware is connected to Arduino or PokeysNote that the ports are given for Pokeys. Arduino has different ports.Switches, all type of switches can be connected. Push buttons, normal switches, rotary switches…
Switches are alway connected as shown, 1 wire goes to GND and the other goes to a port, no matter which
Rotary switches
A rotary switch has one contact that is common to all switchpositions. The common contact goes to GND, if you have a switchwith 12 used positions than each position goes to a Arduino or Pokeys port.
Potentiometers
A potentiometer has 3 contacts. One outer contact goes to3.3 Volt on the PoKeys card. This is a separate connection. The other outer contact goes to GND, the slider needs to be connectedto a PoKeys port numbers 43 to 47 or Arduino analog portsThese are specific 12 bit analog ports that can handle potentiometers.
Encoders
Encoders always needs to ports to be connectedto. Please use 2 successive ports.Like a potentiometer an encoder has 3 contacts buthere the middle contact goes to GND. The outer contacts each go to a PoKeys port. If by turning the encoder the value goes up in stead ofdown, just switch both outer contacts.On the left you can see different types of encodersused in Flight Simulation. Note that each encoder has it’s specific characteristics and you will also need to configure none, 2x or 4x switching Flight Simulator software like ProSim will handle this for you.The following types have been tested with ProSim
Led’s
Althought it is possible to connect led’s directly toPoKeys or Arduino ports you need to be carefull as to not draw more than 4 mA per port and maximum 100 mA in total per Pokeys card. You will always need a resistor in serie with the led. We strongly advice you to use our led extension board, info here
7-segment displays
7-segment displays can be connected to a Pokeys card by means of the MicroDriver board. These board can drive up to 8 digits. You can connectup to 2 boards, 16 digits in total, to a PoKeys card.Arduino has possibility to connect up to 8 MicroDrivers or 64 digitsHow to ArduinoHow to connect 7-segment drivers
Relais
Relais always needs to be connected by means of a transistorthat can switch the amount of power that the relais needs.We now have specific relay boards that are suited to be connectedto Pokeys card and Arduino’s, without transistors.You can find them in the webshop, click here
LCD display
PoKeys devices support connecting one alphanumeric LCD module up to a size of 4x20 (4 rows, 20 columns). The selection of the module is limited by support for HD44780 or compatible chipset. Usually these displays come in various sizes - 1/2/4 line with 8/16/20 characters and colors (black letters on green background, white letters on blue background ...).Check the PoKeys manual about how to connect