VIRPIL VPC MongoosT-50 Base User manual

VPC MongoosT-50® Base
Quick Start Guide
Version 1.4 - 09/2017

VPC MONGOOST-50® BASE
QUICK START GUIDE
INTRODUCTION
This quick start guide is intended to be used to get you started with the basics of the VPC
MongoosT-50® Base. An in-depth user manual will be provided at a later date.
SPECIFICATION
Grip Interface: Mini DIN 5 Pin
PC Interface: USB 2.0
Number of Axis: 2
Samples per Axis: >4864
Minimum Detected Deflection: 0.006°
Max Axis Deflection: 30° (± 15° from central position)
Stroke Length with VPC MongoosT-50® Grip: 150mm (± 5mm)
Max Force per Axis: 3.5kg
Base Dimension - without Stem (L x W x D): 85 mm x 83 mm x 130 mm
Stem Height: 50mm
Weight: 1.1kg
*Note: Compatible Grips:
●VPC MongoosT-50® Grip
●VPC MongoosT-50® BE Grip
●VPC MongoosT-50® LH Grip
●Thrustmaster® HOTAS Warthog™ Grip
●Thrustmaster® HOTAS Cougar™ Grip
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Included with the VPC MongoosT-50® Base:
●VPC MongoosT-50® Base
●Axis Cams
○2 x Hard Center Cams
○2 x Soft Center Cams
○2 x No Center Cams
●Axis Compression Springs
○2 x Light Springs
○2 x Medium Springs
○2 x Heavy Springs
●U-Bracket Mount
●User Manual
●Packing Slip
●Warranty Card
●Packaging
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VPC MONGOOST-50® BASE
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VPC MONGOOST-50® BASE
FIGURE 1


1. 4 x M4 Screws - Affixing upper plate to base exterior.
2. U-Bracket for attaching to the VPC Desk Mount or other mouthing method.
3. 4 x M4 Screws - Affixing upper plate to gimbal structure.
4. Grip stem with screw-thread connector and Mini DIN 5 Pin connector.
5. Rubber boot for dust protection.
6. Access port for adjusting the “Pitch” (Y) axis loading force.
7. Access port for adjusting the “Roll” (X) axis loading force.
8. 5 x M3 Screws - Affixing rubber boot to upper plate.
9. Base exterior housing.
10. Upper plate.
11. 4 x M5 Screws - Affixing U-Bracket to base exterior and gimbal structure.
12. 4 x M5 Screws - Affixing U-Bracket to VPC Desk Mount or other mounting solution.
13. 4 x M4 Screws - Affixing lower plate to base exterior.
14. Lower plate.
15. USB 2.0 cable.
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VPC MONGOOST-50® GIMBAL
FIGURE 2
1. Roll axis lever bearing
2. Roll axis lever arm
3. Pitch axis tension adjustment screw (with compression spring)
4. Roll axis tension adjustment screw (with compression spring)
5. Pitch axis cam
6. Pitch axis lever arm
7. Gimbal mechanics structure
8. Pitch axis lever bearing
9. Roll axis cam bearing (same for Pitch axis)
10. 2 x M3 Roll axis cam mounting screws (same for Pitch axis)
11. Roll axis cam
12. Grip stem bearing
13. Upper plate
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VPC MONGOOST-50® BASE
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VPC MONGOOST-50® CAMS
           Hard Center Cam                   Soft Center Cam         No Center Cam
VPC MONGOOST-50® SPRINGS
                  Light Spring      Medium Spring           Heavy Spring
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VPC MONGOOST-50® BASE
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BASIC OPERATION
●The VPC MongoosT-50® Base is compatible with the VPC Extensions. Extensions up to
150mm are supported, extensions larger than this are not recommended, especially when
combined with heavier springs.
●The VPC MongoosT-50® Base should be mounted with the included VPC U-Bracket. If this is
unsuitable, a custom mount can be created to connect directly to the existing 4 x VPC
U-Bracket mounting points. Different length screws should be used to account for the
difference between the original VPC U-Bracket and any custom solution. It is not
recommended to mount the base via the underside bolts. Any damage caused by a custom
mounting solution is not covered by the  standard warranty.
●When adjusting the spring loading screws via the upper plate adjustment holes the minimum
allowed tension is when half of the joysticks deflection is free of any spring force. The
maximum allowed tension is achieved by roughly 25 clockwise turns. Over tensioning the
spring loading screws can result in the joysticks total deflection being limited. If you require
stronger spring tension, replace the axis compression springs for the heavier set.
●The VPC MongoosT-50® Base is a complex piece of equipment aimed at the experienced
user. Replacing the springs and cams can be a complicated process and if you are at all
unsure, please contact VPC directly for help to avoid damage to your set. User damage while
attempting to make adjustments to the base is not covered by the manufacturer warranty
and would be subject to a repair cost.
REPLACING THE AXIS COMPRESSION SPRINGS
1. Disconnect the base USB cable from the PC.
2. Remove the base from the VPC Desk Mount or other mounting method.
3. Remove the attached grip from the base.
4. Loosen the spring loading tension on the Pitch (FIGURE 1 - #6) and Roll (FIGURE 1 - #7) axes via
the adjustment holes on the upper plate.
5. Remove the 4 x M4 screws from the lower plate (FIGURE 1 - #13). Store the lower plate in a
safe location to avoid damage.
6. Remove the 4 x M4 screws from the upper plate (FIGURE 1 - #1).
7. Remove 5 x M3 screws affixing the rubber boot surround to the upper plate.
8. Remove the 4 x M4 screws affixing the upper plate to the gimbal structure (FIGURE 1 - #3).
9. Completely remove the rubber boot (FIGURE 1 - #5) and upper plate (FIGURE 1 - #10) over the
grip stem (FIGURE 1 - #4).
10. Completely loosen the spring loading screw for the axis you wish to replace the spring on.
While you do this, hold the cylindrical nut from the lower side of the base.
11. With the spring loading screw completely loosened, remove it from the gimbal and you will
be able to remove the currently equipped spring. Replace the spring with your desired
choice.
12. Place the spring loading screw with the newly equipped compression spring, back into its
recess.
13. While holding the cylindrical nut from the lower side of the base, hand tighten the screw
until the spring starts to become loaded.
14. Reassemble the base by repeating the steps in reverse from step 9.
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VPC MONGOOST-50® BASE
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15. Fine tune the spring tension using the Pitch (FIGURE 1 - #6) and Roll (FIGURE 1 - #7) axes
adjustment holes on the upper plate.
REPLACING THE AXIS CAMS
1. Disconnect the base USB cable from the PC.
2. Remove the base from the VPC Desk Mount or other mounting method.
3. Remove the attached grip from the base.
4. Loosen the spring loading tension on the Pitch and Roll axes via the adjustment holes on the
upper plate.
5. Remove the 4 x M4 screws from the lower plate (FIGURE 1 - #13). Store the lower plate in a
safe location to avoid damage.
6. Remove the 4 x M4 screws from the upper plate (FIGURE 1 - #1).
7. Remove the 4 x M5 screws affixing the U-Bracket to base exterior and gimbal structure.
8. Remove 2 x M3 screws on the front side of the base, affixing the VPC-Controller board to the
interior of the base housing. NOTE: Pay attention to the spacers used for mounting the
VPC-Controller board.
9. Carefully lift the gimbal and electronics from out of the base housing, being sure not to
damage the electronics or wiring.
10. Completely loosen the spring loading screw for the axis you wish to replace the spring on.
While you do this, hold the cylindrical nut from the lower side of the base.
11. When the spring loading screw is removed from the cylindrical nut, open the lever axis arm
(FIGURE 2 - #2 #6) to access the cam.
12. Remove the 2 x M3 cam mounting screws (FIGURE 2 - #10).
13. Remove the existing cam (FIGURE 2 - #5, #11) from the gimbal and replace with your desired
cam. NOTE: Removing the cams for the first few times can require additional effort,
especially the pitch cam. To help remove the pitch cam (FIGURE 2 - #5) you can rock the cam
side to side to ease it out of the cam slot.
14. With the new cam installed, complete the reassembly of the base by following the steps
back in reverse from step 15.
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