I'm confused about some of the BKSQ variables.

eracer1111

Thank you! I'll let you know how it goes.
Microsoft definitely does their own thing. I try to remind people on the forum that creating an aircraft model isn't simple - especially for MSFS 2024. Some folks think updates from FS20 versions to FS24 should all be free. They have no idea the amount of work involved, especially when faced with a new SDK and Microsoft's DRM strategies.

For that reason alone I can't imagine chasing down problems that happen to some folks, but not to others. So many variables affect how things integrate. Thanks again for a great plane!

eracer1111

@Black-Square

It worked. Thanks!

I edited the XML, dropped layout.json onto MSFSLayoutGenerator.exe, launched the sim, and the cockpit looks normal. I can monitor the status with 'L:var_Breaker_AuxFuelPump_readonly'

Perfect!

I'm going to try it with the other breakers I'm having an issue with.

Aux Fuel Pump (FIXED)
Vent Blowers
Air Cond
Air Cond Blower
STBY Gyro

I assume I need to drop the layout.json onto the 'program' after every XML edit?

EDIT: So I edited the XML 'VentBlowers' section to add the Export line:

<CIRCUIT_ID>@VentBlowersCircuit</CIRCUIT_ID>
EXPORT_LVAR>TRUE</EXPORT_LVAR>

Got the same partial cockpit.

So I dropped layout.json on the 'program' again, but that did not fix the cockpit.
I took the new line out of the XML and the cockpit returned to normal.
I added the EXPORT line back in after the 'VentBlower' Circuit ID and didn't drop the JSON, and got the partial cockpit.
Now I'm back to just having the EXPORT line after the 'AuxFuel' Circuit ID line, and the cockpit is back to normal.

I'm still trying to get the other breakers to return a status. Your method worked for one, but not for more than one.

Please understand that while I'm comfortable (and careful) editing XML files, I don't know the language.

As always, thanks for your help.

Black Square

@eracer1111 Just once after you've made all your edits. Glad that works for you. The engineer in me wants to know why the other ones are working when they kind of shouldn't be, but I will just be happy that you have a solution that works for you. You hit the nail on the head with your previous message. The same thing that makes me rage against the complexity is also what makes me provide custom solutions like this for my users. I know that I have developed tricks that might completely stymie someone else, so I always provide the fastest possible solution that I can, even if it means editing local files. I'm always happy to answer any more questions!

eracer1111

Black Square

The simplest solution would be to add the EXPORT_LVAR line to every breaker component in the XML. This sound tedious, but with the right text editor, or even a clever find/replace, it could be done in seconds. Like I said, there is kind of no reason that the other ones should be working, so I'm not surprised to find that they might be inconsistent. I never back down from a fight with my software, so you let me know what else I can do to help you

eracer1111

That made me laugh. Years ago my main job was building and fixing client video editing computers. My mantra was, "No computer has ever, or will ever defeat me!"

I'll keep working on this, because I still have that "Never give up, never surrender!" mentality.

I just wish I knew more about why things with this sim work the way they do (and sometimes don't.)

Black Square

@eracer1111 By Grabthar's hammer, you shall be avenged!

eracer1111

@Black-Square

OK, I added EXPORT_LVAR to all the Breakers, then dropped layout.json onto the 'Program' and everything is great! All the readonly vars for all the breaker were exposed, and I'm using them to return status.

One exception though, and I'm sure it's a misunderstanding on my part. 'Cabin Lights' has 6 Circuit ID's.
To trip the breaker I set them all to 0, and to reset them I set them all to 1.

<UseTemplate Name="BKSQ_SWITCH_BREAKER_TEMPLATE_MULTI_6">
NODE_ID>Breaker_CabinLights</NODE_ID>
<PART_ID>Breaker_CabinLights</PART_ID>
<CIRCUIT_ID_1>@CabinLight1Circuit</CIRCUIT_ID_1>
<EXPORT_LVAR>TRUE</EXPORT_LVAR>
<BUS_ID_1>@MainBus</BUS_ID_1>
<CIRCUIT_ID_2>@CabinLight2Circuit</CIRCUIT_ID_2>
<EXPORT_LVAR>TRUE</EXPORT_LVAR>
<BUS_ID_2>@MainBus</BUS_ID_2>
<CIRCUIT_ID_3>@CabinLight3Circuit</CIRCUIT_ID_3>
<EXPORT_LVAR>TRUE</EXPORT_LVAR>
<BUS_ID_3>@MainBus</BUS_ID_3>
<CIRCUIT_ID_4>@CabinLight4Circuit</CIRCUIT_ID_4>
<EXPORT_LVAR>TRUE</EXPORT_LVAR>
<BUS_ID_4>@MainBus</BUS_ID_4>
<CIRCUIT_ID_5>@CabinLight5Circuit</CIRCUIT_ID_5>
<EXPORT_LVAR>TRUE</EXPORT_LVAR>
<BUS_ID_5>@MainBus</BUS_ID_5>
<CIRCUIT_ID_6>@CabinLight6Circuit</CIRCUIT_ID_6>
<EXPORT_LVAR>TRUE</EXPORT_LVAR>
<BUS_ID_6>@MainBus</BUS_ID_6>
<WWISE_EVENT_1>bksq_duke_cbsmall</WWISE_EVENT_1>
<WWISE_EVENT_2>bksq_duke_cbsmall</WWISE_EVENT_2>
<TOOLTIP_TITLE/>
<TOOLTIPID>Cabin Lights</TOOLTIPID>
</UseTemplate>

But I only see 1 readonly LVAR for CabinLights, and I'm not getting the image change when it changes with the Circuit.

Black Square

Great. Glad that wasn't too difficult. You are correct that there is only one breaker for all the cabin lights. When my failure code triggers a failure of the cabin lights, it will trip all six circuits off the bus. They only have to be separate because of how the lighting system works in MSFS. If I'm reading your message correctly, it sounds like the L:Var isn't changing when you click the breaker in the simulator?

eracer1111

I think that's exactly right.

IIRC I got those SIMCONNECT Vars from within Developer Mode (Tools -> Behaviors)
I think they are correct, since assigning button presses to them results the breaker tripping/resetting in the virtual cockpit.

But in SPAD Data Monitor 'CIRCUIT CONNECTION ON:40' isn't changing state.
Same for 41,42,43,44,45.

I'll look at Dev Mode to see whether the Vars are changing state there.