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FS2004 XML APU via FSUIPC

A

arrex2

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22
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italy
Dears,

I am working on an XML gauge to provide something similar to an APU/GPU. I achieved many interesting results but obviously I cannot use the gauge to actually charge the battery.
I was wondering if via FSUIPC it is possible to write to some offset to force the battery to stay charged. I have no experience in C/C++ types of gauges, so I am a bit lost here. Furthermore, is there a way to have a .gau react to L:vars?

Thanks in advance

A.
 
The registered version of FSUIPC has a "infinite battery" function. For generic APU functionality, check out the gauges of Dave Maltby's BAC 1-11. He uses a third engine to simulate a GPU.

You can interact with .gau files through C: variables, as long as the .gau is set up to recognize them.
 
Thanks for answers.
FSUIPC magic battery feature cannot be controlled by a gauge, AFAIK. Can it be? To me it can only be controlled manually. Can i slave it to a variable or control it externally?
Using a 3rd engine it is an option I already exploited, but it is intrinsically incompatible with 4 engine planes. So I didn't want to use it.
 
You can still use engine #4. Just code the RPM gauges to stay at 0 if APU/GPU is running. In FS, if N1>10%, the generator can be engaged.

Code: 
(L:GPU_REQ,bool) (A:TURB ENG N2:3, percent) 12 < and (L:APU_SW,number) 2 != and if{ (>K:TOGGLE_STARTER3) }
            (A:TURB ENG N2:3, percent) 11 > (L:GPU_REQ,bool) * (>L:GPU_AVAIL,bool)

The above code is how I controlled the starter for engine #3 on my Mercure (a 2-engine aircraft, so I do not have tweaked engine rpm gauges). In case APU is used instead, I start tyhe engine. You my not want to do this, and just use the "keep below 12%" starter trick above... (APU_SW =2 means APU start is engaged. another code starts #3. #3 generator is then engaged if either APU or GPU is available)
 
in case of a 4-engine aircraft, you may add a delay (silence) a few seconds in the starter sound... otherwise you can add engine #x parameters in sound .cfg and point it to invalid entries, or proper APU sounds...
 
I actually find a better solution. Wondering if nobody thought of it before. The idea is to do the opposite: use FSUIPC to force the battery not discharge. Then use a gauge to simulate a battery. The amperage is used to slowly draining it. When below a certain voltage it triggers electrical failure. When connected to a generator, apu or gpu the battery gets recharged. Still need to work a bit on it, but works much better. And potentially the same gauge can work for every aircraft installed.
 
And apparently there is even an easier system to charge the battery, without FSUIPC or any other tricks. You just need to define an electrical system with a negative amperage. For example you can set the cabin light or any other seldom used light to emulate external power. In aircraft.cfg just set something like this:
light_landing = 0, -60, 17
When on this light will provide -60 amps in the system and hence charge the battery....
A pit disappointed that it was so easy...
 
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