In this post, we’ll dive into the features of the Leo Bodnar BU0836X USB joystick interface board. This versatile board allows you to connect various components like buttons, potentiometers, sensors, rotary encoders, and switches to your flight simulator.

Let’s explore what it offers and how to set it up.

The Leo Bodnar BU0836X is a USB joystick interface board priced at around $70 USD. You can purchase it directly from the Leo Bodnar website. The board features simple push-in wire connectors, making it easy to connect your components.

Here’s a quick overview of its specifications:

Length: Less than 5 inches

Total Terminals: 93

USB Connector: Standard USB B type (cable not included)

Analog Inputs

The orange section of the board is for analog inputs, where you can connect potentiometers. Potentiometers are used to build hardware like throttle quadrants, yokes, rudder pedals, and trim wheels. Each potentiometer has three terminals, and the board can accommodate up to eight potentiometers. Make sure to use linear potentiometers with values ranging from 1kOhm to 100kOhm.

Hat Switch

The blue section is for connecting an 8-way hat switch, which is commonly found on yokes to control cockpit views. This switch moves in eight directions: up, down, left, right, and at 45-degree angles. You can also use 3- and 4-way hat switches if needed.

Digital Inputs

The gray section is for connecting buttons, switches, and encoders. The board has 32 digital inputs, labeled B1 to B32, each with its own GND terminal.

You can connect:

32 SPST switches

16 encoders (each encoder requires two inputs)

Various combinations of buttons, switches, and encoders

Some components, like dual rotary encoders, require more terminals (up to eight). If you run out of room, you can add another board. For those not using the analog section or a hat switch, consider the BBI-32 or BB1-64 boards, which focus solely on digital inputs.

Soldering the Wires

Before connecting any components to the board, make sure the USB cable is not plugged into the PC. For secure connections, solder the wires to your components. If you’re new to soldering, don’t worry… it’s easier than it looks. Watch a few YouTube tutorials to get started.

Watch the video above to see a basic setup of the following components:

1. Connecting Potentiometers
2. Connecting Buttons, Switches, and Encoders
3. Dual Rotary Encoder Example

Additional Tip

Daisy Chaining GND Inputs: If you need to save wiring, you can daisy chain the GND inputs.

This will be demonstrated in a later video when I build a custom panel.

Final Thoughts

The Leo Bodnar BU0836X is a powerful and flexible interface board for building your flight simulator cockpit. With the ability to connect a wide variety of components, it simplifies the setup process and enhances your simulation experience. Stay tuned for upcoming videos where I’ll build custom hardware and go into more detail about using the board.