Thanos Motion Simulator Electronics

Where ever you are, I'm hoping you are safe!

Many pilots contact me interested in making "home" simulators. Zaharie along with some others pilots actually used my motion controllers to upgrade the realism of their simulators by building motion platforms.
I feel saddened when I hear the news media with their "theories" of suicide and terrorism of Malaysia Flight 370 at the hands of Zaharie.

I have known him for over a year now and found him to be a good man, husband and father. He was proud of his expertise of do-it-yourself constructions, he even shared with me and a colleague (the now infamous YouTube video) that is being splashed all over the news about his energy efficient air-conditioner.

I'm sick and tired of the negativity the media is spreading about this man without any proof; just theories!

Thinking of you buddy!

Some correspondence about adding motion to his "home" flight simulator (Update:added a few more emails I missed):

From: zaharie shah <zaharies@hotmail.com>
To: "tronickod@yahoo.com" <tronickod@yahoo.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2012 8:11 AM
Subject: AMC644USB board

Dear sir,

I was referred to your web site by Ian of BFF. I am building a 6dof for FSX. Attached some pix. it is a 6monitors setup on 1 pc. I am interested to know if you have a complete AMC644USB board to support Ian BFF 6dof software.

if you have for sale what is your price sir.

Thank you

regards,

zaharie shah

ps I didnt get you name sir. Is it Nick?

From: Thanos Kontogiannis <tronickod@yahoo.com>
To: zaharie shah <zaharies@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2012 10:49 AM
Subject: Σχετ: AMC644USB board

Hi Zaharie,

My name is Thanos. Its actually short for the greek name Thanasis. Your screen setup looks great!

I still have one more prototype AMC644USB board left. A guy from France was supposed to buy the last one but haven't heard anything back from him for days now. This board in combination with the 6DOF extension board can drive industrial VFD inverters with AC motors.

You can see it here in a little demo connected to the 6DOF BFF driver for FSX: http://motionsim.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-test-of-6dof-hardware-with-ians-6dof.html

Of course I can help you selecting correct size VFD inverters, motors and gearheads for your 6DOF platform as well.

Regards,

Thanos Kontogiannis

Thanos Motion Simulator Electronic Blog

From: zaharie shah <zaharies@hotmail.com>
To: Thanos Kontogiannis <tronickod@yahoo.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2012 5:17 PM
Subject: RE: Σχετ: AMC644USB board

Happy new year Thanos,

Thanks for the swift reply. Please reserve the AMC644USB board for me. Ok I intend to use 12-24v DC motor approximately 400watts per motor. will your board support it?

1. Do I have to buy a DC motor controller to couple to your card?

2.Can you send the Paypal request so I can make the payment immediately.

3. Can you sent the PDF or something so I can start reading while the board arrives.Or do you have a website I can collect the info.

regards

zaharie shah

Capt b777 with MAS.

From: Thanos Kontogiannis <tronickod@yahoo.com>
To: zaharie shah <zaharies@hotmail.com>
Sent: Monday, December 31, 2012 9:19 AM
Subject: Σχετ: Σχετ: AMC644USB board

Happy New year Zaharie,

To your questions:

1. Yes, you need to obtain motor drivers (also known as h-bridges). The only DC motor driver that I know is compatible with my 6DOF extension is the Sabertooth 2x12 which has analog input mode. All other known DC motor drivers require PWM that is not possible for 6 motors in this version. I plan to try to move a bigger microcontroller that can handle more hardware PWM signals in about one-two months using ATmega1280 microcontroller. But I can't say for sure yet. Not until I test the performance of these since they need lower crystal frequency.

The 6DOF extension board is designed for control signals for VFD inverters that drive AC motors (110v-220v) but I can adjust the output signal to be compatible with Sabertooth 2x12 in analog positioning mode.

2. I'll send you a paypal request promptly.

3. I'll have documentation about the board available in a few days as I'm changing information for the new additions I made the last month. I'll send you a copy as soon is possible. For now you can see in this video most of its functionality: http://motionsim.blogspot.com/2012/12/amc644usb-6dof-firmware-menu-system.html

Regards,

Thanos Kontogiannis

Thanos Motion Simulator Electronic Blog

From: zaharie shah <zaharies@hotmail.com>
To: Thanos Kontogiannis <tronickod@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, December 31, 2012 11:15 AM
Subject: RE: Σχετ: Σχετ: AMC644USB board

Happy New Year Thanos,

I am afraid the Sabertooth 2x12 is not good enough . I need controller rated at least 30 amps to be on the safe side.

But dont you worry about my problem. I can adapt my plan to suit your original setup i.e " The 6DOF extension board is designed for control signals for VFD inverters that drive AC motors (110v-220v)."

So you dont have to make any adjustment from your original setup, thank you.

1. Is this for AMC644USB board only?

2. What about the 6dof extension board. Do I have to buy separately?

3. Can you please amend the invoice to reflect no adjustment made for sabertooth 2x12.

rgds

zaharie

From: zaharie shah <zaharies@hotmail.com>
To: Thanos Kontogiannis <tronickod@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 2, 2013 7:22 PM
Subject: Shanghai dawn

Morning Thanos,

Thanks for working with me on this project.

Yes , please send me the new board AMC1280USB controller.

I will complete the transaction as soon as I get home to Malaysia.

Question

1. Will the new board work with( MD03 - 24Volt 20Amp H Bridge Motor Drive by Devantech)?

2. Is there any other DC motor drive that will work with your board with higher Amp rating.?

rgds,

zaharie

From: zaharie shah <zaharies@hotmail.com>
To: Thanos Kontogiannis <tronickod@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, December 31, 2012 11:27 AM
Subject: BFF

Additionally all I want is a controller that can read BFF 6dof fsx by Ian and deliver ac motor output as you mention

regards

zaharie

From: zaharie shah <zaharies@hotmail.com>
To: Thanos Kontogiannis <tronickod@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, December 31, 2012 9:25 PM
Subject: VFD INVERTER

Thanos,

from what i understand about VFD INVERTER it is only to save energy which I m not interested because

motion platform usage limited to half hour. Any thing more that that will give u motion sickness.(no longer fun)

Trust me on this haha.

question

1. Can your 6dof extension board be connected directly to AC motor with potentiometer control couple to the mechanical arm to

control the motor output?

Please correct me where I am wrong.

regards zaharie

From: Thanos Kontogiannis <tronickod@yahoo.com>
To: zaharie shah <zaharies@hotmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 1, 2013 7:48 PM
Subject: Σχετ: VFD INVERTER

Hi Zaharie,

The VFD inverter is primarily used to soft-start AC motors for big loads. But in the newer VFD inverter there are extra functions to reverse the motor direction or even set PID parameters to fit your motor. You can fully adjust how strong the motion is going to be or even limit the max speed of the motors.

To your other questions:

1. No, the 6DOF extension board produces the analog and digital signals required from the VFD inverter. It can produce signals for up to 6 VFD inverters. You cannot connect the AC motor directly on the 6DOF extension board.

2. You still use a potentiometer connected on the motors mechanical arm to provide position feedback to the AMC644USB board.

And some sad news, the last AMC644USB board was sold this morning. The French guy finally made the payment so I had to give it to him as he inquired for it months ago. I'll order tomorrow morning the production of some prototypes of my newer model the AMC1280USB that will be able to handle 6 PWM and/or analog control modes as well and double serial communication speed (500kbps). Same price. It should be ready within a month. You can pre-order this prototype model if you like.

Regards,

Thanos Kontogiannis

Thanos Motion Simulator Electronic Blog

From: zaharie shah <zaharies@hotmail.com>
To: Thanos Kontogiannis <tronickod@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 2, 2013 1:27 AM
Subject: RE: Σχετ: VFD INVERTER

Hi Thanos,

Thanks for the info. Now its a bit clearer as to the AMC644 SETUP. I am now in Shanghai (work related). Pretty cold ya.

As soon I get back home I will get to our transaction ok.

The sad news could be a blessing maybe. Now I can get your new AMC1280USB ,hahah

Question

(6PWM and/or analog control modes). Isnt that for DC motor control ?

If yes, can it take on RC SERVOS DIRECTLY?

REGARDS,

zaharie shah

From: zaharie shah <zaharies@hotmail.com>
To: Thanos Kontogiannis <tronickod@yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2013 6:03 PM
Subject: FW: aircon

hi Guys ,

How u today. I just finish making video on how to save electricity with aircon unit. enjoy !!!!!

check link part1......http://youtu.be/Qykj3FeG-p4

part2........http://youtu.be/ep2-sNzLq_4

regards,

zaharie

From: Thanos Kontogiannis <tronickod@yahoo.com>
To: zaharie shah <zaharies@hotmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2013 7:09 PM
Subject: Σχετ: aircon

That's really cool. Good job! Most of the houses here have central air or window units air-conditioners and its not so easy to access the pressure tank like this.

BTW its freezing here for California, its down to 3 Celsius tonight!

Regards,

Thanos Kontogiannis

From: zaharie shah <zaharies@hotmail.com>
To: Thanos Kontogiannis <tronickod@yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2013 5:17 AM
Subject: RE: ????: aircon

What! in california? OMG. All this while I thought u r in Greece. Hehe LOL !
Sent from my Nokia phone

From: Thanos Kontogiannis <tronickod@yahoo.com>
To: zaharie shah <zaharies@hotmail.com>
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2013 7:39 AM
Subject: Σχετ: ????: aircon

Yes, I have been in southern California for 1.5 years now. I wish I would have known about this while I was in Greece, I had an aircon like this! :P

Regards,

Thanos Kontogiannis

From: zaharie shah <zaharies@hotmail.com>
To: Thanos Kontogiannis <tronickod@yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2013 6:49 PM
Subject: RE: Σχετ: ????: aircon

Morning Thanos,

My mistake for assuming you are in Greece. Should have asked that way before.

I am being nosey here .LOL. But do work for some electronic or software firm in California?

Regards,

Zaharie

From: zaharie shah <zaharies@hotmail.com>
To: Thanos Kontogiannis <tronickod@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2013 7:57 PM
Subject: AMC 644

Hi Thanos,

Received the package today. Nice packaging. No damage as to my earlier fear.

Busy upgrading my pc with new motherboard Rampage extreme. Will test AMC soon after.

cheers, thks again.

regards,

zaharie

From: zaharie shah <zaharies@hotmail.com>
To: Thanos Kontogiannis <tronickod@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 9, 2013 4:50 AM
Subject: RE: contactless position sensor

THANKS A LOT. Without that diagram I doubt I could find the terminals because I was looking at the edges of the board.

This should keep me busy for two weeks at least.

One final question

DIP 1,2,4 What should it be ? on or off. And what are they for ?

cheers,

Zaharie Shah

From: Thanos Kontogiannis <tronickod@yahoo.com>
To: zaharie shah <zaharies@hotmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 9, 2013 7:46 PM
Subject: Re: contactless position sensor

Hi Zaharie,

Dip1: enables/disables the LCD menu. Its a little bit faster if its disabled, so when you are ready with all settings you can disable this (off position)

Dip2: Selects Serial speed (ON: 125kbps, OFF 256kbps)

Dip4: Can't remember right now, I have it do something but I have to go back in the code to have a look... Really need to put together that file library for the AMC1280 with proper documentation.

Regards,

Thanos Kontogiannis

Thanos Motion Simulator Electronics Blog

From: zaharie shah <zaharies@hotmail.com>
To: Thanos Kontogiannis <tronickod@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 2:20 AM
Subject: RE: contactless position sensor

Thks alot Thanos,

I think I hv enough on my plate for now. I will send u the video once a get the motor running.

cheers,

zaharie

(EDIT by Thanos: I happen to find some photos of the actual package I sent him!)
http://murobbs.plaza.fi/1712893472-post3745.html