############################################################################### # # # RCBfld30.zip: Fuel dump/load gauge for FSX & P3Dv2/3/4 # # # # By Rob Barendregt Release 3.0 31 jan 2018 # # # ######################################################################## Introduction ===========- This freeware Fuel Dump/Load gauge for FSX/P3D (all versions) can be added to any aircraft. It provides refuelling and fuel dumping, with a pilot-settable rate. It's based on Doug Dawson's freeware fueldump gauge (included). Installation ============ 1. Copy the contents of this V3.0 zipfile to your main .../gauges/ folder, so you have a new folder .../gauges/RCB_FLD3/ , with all files in it. For every aircraft you want to use it in: 2. In the panel.cfg, add the gauge as a seperate 2D-window: - In the [Window Titles] section, add the line: Window**=Fuel Dump/Load where '**' should be replaced by the next free number. - After the last [Window**] section, add: [Window**] size_mm=106,53 visible=0 ident=10093 BACKGROUND_COLOR=16,16,16 window_size= 0.10, 0.09 //Hor-size: 10% of the screen; Vert-size: 9% of the screen. window_pos= 0.10, 0.10 //This places the Window at the top/left of the screen. Type=SPECIAL gauge00=RCB_FLD3!FLD_Default,0,0,106,53 //gauge01=RCB_FLD3/dsd_p3d_fuel_dump_x64!fuel_dump, 0,0 // Use this one for P3Dv4 gauge01=RCB_FLD3/dsd_fsx_fuel_dump!fuel_dump, 0,0 // Use this one for FSX and P3Dv2,3 where '**' should be replaced by the same number as in the [Window Titles]. !!! IMPORTANT !!!! - Use a simple texteditor (like Notepad) to edit a panel.cfg or xml file. - Always make a backup before editting a file. - Use Copy/Paste to avoid typing errors. - In FSX/P3D, you can open the Window via the View-InstrumentPanel menu. Or (if ** is 08 or less) via default key Shift-* (1: Window00, etc..) - In case you want the gauge visible in your main 2D panel window: you can add both gauges to the main window (usually [Window00]; of course you need to find a free spot and adapt the coordinates / size value in the gauge definition. Detailed Functionality (see picture rcbfld30.gif) ====================== The gauge has a bitmap with the following (clickable) area's; see also tooltips: - A 3-position switch: o UP: Add fuel o CENTER: Off o DOWN: Dump fuel RightClicking the switch toggles the Units you prefer: Pounds/min (default), Kg/min, Gallon/min or Liter/min - Light above the switch: Fuel load status. o Off: gauge Off. o Flashing Green: fuel loading is active. o Flashing Amber: fuel dumping is active, but total fuel level is > 95%. o Red: fuel dumping has stopped, because all tanks are full. - Light below the switch: Fuel dump status. o Off: gauge Off. o Flashing Green: fuel dumping is active. o Flashing Amber: fuel dumping is active, but total fuel level is between 5% and 10%. 0 Red: fuel dumping has stopped, because total fuel level below 5%. - Fuel load/dump rate, in 'Units'PerMinute. You can change this rate (default: 2000) by LeftClicking the rate field: o Leftside: decrease in steps of 100 units. o Rightside: increase in steps of 100 units. - Total fuel, in selected 'Units'. (tooltip: as a percentage of total capacity). Note that, after Fuel Load/Dump stops automatically (light becomes Red), the switch must be set Off manually. For aircraft with a multi-tank configuration, fuel load/dump is handled the following way. Fuel dump: The tanks (whichever are available) are emptied in the same sequence that FSX/P3D aircraft use fuel for its engines (provided no fuel transfer switches are used of course): 1. External 1/2 tanks. 2. Tip L/R tanks. 3. Aux L/R tanks. 4. Main L/R tanks. Notes: - Tank configuration is auto-detected. - The next paired tanks are only used when both paired tanks are empty (and/or not defined). - The 3 Center tanks (whichever are defined) are sequentially emptied, in parallel with step 1,2,3 and 4; in the order Center3, Center2 and Center tank. - The amount of fuel dumped (=rate) is equally distributed over the selected tanks. Fuel loading: as fuel dump, but in reverse order. Known "problem": When fuel loading is Active and a tank has been filled once, it remains being filled during the entire loading process, to avoid being emptied again by the engines. So at low loadrates and full engines thrust, the load rate becomes a bit inaccurate since tanks being presently filled may not be tanks from which the engines uses fuel. The latter may be influenced by the fuel switches. HowTo use different gauge versions for various aircraft ========================================================= The default dump/load rate and "units" can be changed by editting the FLD_Default.xml gauge using a simple texteditor like Notepad. See the Comment section in this file. The best way to do that: - In folder ...\Gauges\RCB_FLD3\, make a COPY of file FLD_Default.xml and RENAME this copy FLD_'YourName'.xml - Edit this copy with the proper parameters for default Rate and Units. - In the panel.cfg of the aircraft, use these new filenames in the gauge definition instead of the *_Default filename. IMPORTANT: DO NOT MAKE TYPING ERRORS. Even a misspelled name may cause it not to work. Also, unless you know what you are doing, don't change the RCB_FLD3 folder name. Copyrights and Disclaimer ============================ This package is freeware (NOT: public domain), and is available for your personal use only. Without my explicite written permission, it may NOT be sold, modified, copied, re-distributed and/or uploaded to another website in ANY shape or form. If you want to bundle this package with your (freeware) aircraft, you may ONLY do so AFTER my explicite permission and inclusion of this documentation file. And obviously, installing & using this package is at your own risk. However, if you execute the Installation instructions properly, this package should NOT crash you PC or FS, nor should it have any substantial impact on performance. Credits ======= - Doug Dawson, for his great gauge that allows for versitile fuel load/dump scenario's coded in an XML gauge. As with all of my gauges, I'm always open for questions, or suggestions for improvement. But PLEASE !!, READ this manual properly before mailing me. Enjoy, and fly safe ..... Rob Barendregt, The Netherlands Email: rc.barendregt@planet.nl ***************************** End Of Readme ********************************