Motorized Elevator Trim Wheel Overview

Motorized elevator trim wheel unit.

This generic trim wheel assembly has been constructed and built by me as a proof of concept in order to test it with MSFS2020 and Mobiflight.

I share the files under the Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 DE  - (Namensnennung - Nicht-kommerziell - Keine Bearbeitung 3.0 Deutschland (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 DE))as described here: CC-License – without any guarantee or liability whatsoever. 

Motorized trim wheel during test run.

The 3D-printed parts can be printed with any FDM-3D-printer with a print bed size of at least 150 mm x 150 mm which includes most of the standard printers on the market. No supports are required, just check for the right orientation on the print bed. I printed the parts with PETG but PLA will most probably do well also.

The geared motor functions as a servo motor and is powered by a servo controller electronic salvaged from a 20kg RC-car servo. It is permanently attached and connected to one geared 10:1 potentiometer. This potentiometer shall be connected to the servo electronic also. This results in a stable working servo assembly which can be controlled via a Mobiflight servo output as a gauge.

The other geared potentiometer is connected to the yoke/joystick input either with Mobiflight or standard Arduino Micro game controller unit and controls the elevator trim function in the simulator.

The trim wheel is mounted to the swivel unit and is always engaged with the swivel gear. The SG90 servo connects to the swivel unit and is controlled by Mobiflight

Geared potentiometers, SG90 servo and servo motor.