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Showroom Build Log: 2DOF Cockpit

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Projects' started by Fyn, May 9, 2022.

  1. Fyn

    Fyn New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2022
    Messages:
    8
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Balance:
    52Coins
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, Arduino
    For whatever reason that I can't remember from two weeks ago (because time means nothing anymore), I decided I needed a motion rig for Star Citizen, Hunternet and MSFS, and whatever else will let me fly around. I tried many times to plan this properly with drawings and whatnot, but I found there were too many dependencies on measurements I didn't yet have. Now that I have the seat in a mountable state, I have the dimesons for the upper base I can work off of. Which is to say, I'm completely winging it :D

    I will log my build progress here.

    Rough parts list so far:
    • 2040 frame (not sure if this is a poor choice yet, I'm a big fella)
    • Arduino
    • Hall Effect Pots x2
    • BTS7960, because sabretooths are sold out for months
    • 2x 20A 480W PSU
    • Universal joint - assembled from 2 flanges and a bearing
    • Motors off eBay x2, jazzy wheelchair with zero data documentation on the WHOLE internet
    • Subaru Outback passenger seat from the junk yard, early 2k model
    • Also building the rudder pedals out of extrusion, some hall effect ics/magnets and an Arduino Micro
    • various 3d printed bits and extrusion brackets, etc.
    Software will be the tricky part, as the man reason for me doing this isn't supported by anything (Star Citizen) so I might end up rolling my own software to simply translate stick movement to rig movement. It looks like FlyPT Mover might also be an option? Happy to hear ideas around this.

    PXL_20220428_193706224.jpg PXL_20220430_220345435.jpg PXL_20220504_232852188.PORTRAIT.jpg PXL_20220509_054345548.jpg PXL_20220509_165956788.jpg PXL_20220501_211701581.PORTRAIT.jpg
    • Like Like x 1
  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    20,461
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,602Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Great start :thumbs

    There was a SC plugin, but the problem was no SC exposed telemetry API, so it became unmanageable to maintain with constant SC game changes: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/star-citizen-plugin.6219/page-4#post-149707

    If you are so inclined you could write and maintain a SC plugin:

    Current SimTools 2 guide: https://www.xsimulator.net/communit...lugin-for-simtools-2-0-api-documentation.131/

    SimTools 3 (currently in closed alpha): https://www.xsimulator.net/communit...ols-v3-0-api-documentation.17019/#post-228198
    • Like Like x 1
  3. Fyn

    Fyn New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2022
    Messages:
    8
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Balance:
    52Coins
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, Arduino
    heh, yeah - and they're using EAC now, so that gets in the way too. I think I'd be happy with just leveraging the stick output and shipping that data off to SMC3. That's all a later problem tho :D

  4. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    20,461
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,602Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    In that case you can use SimTools, the existing generic Joystick plugin and extend its use with vjoy, see the FAQs here: https://www.xsimulator.net/communit...otion-plugin-and-vjoy-controller-mapping.291/
  5. Fyn

    Fyn New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2022
    Messages:
    8
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Balance:
    52Coins
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, Arduino
    Ah! This looks helpful. I do have a DIY license for SimTools already, so I'll test this at least for sure. BTW, how do I download plugins? They all say "Download Not Available". Is this the Coin system or my DIY license keep it from me?
  6. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    20,461
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,602Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Plugin access is separate from SimTools licensing and is either via forum activity coins or paid membership, see the FAQs here: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/coins-and-how-to-download-plugins.2/
    • Like Like x 1
  7. Fyn

    Fyn New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2022
    Messages:
    8
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Balance:
    52Coins
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, Arduino
    Little update, new challenges... I need to figure out how to pivot or slide the gear mounting bit, as I cannot get into the seat when it's in "flight position". If I can't do it on the ground, I definitely wont be able to when it's mount up and moving around. Considering a hinge on one side and a latch on the other, or a some linear sliders. Sliders are cooler for sure, but there's an extra $65 at least, and more time figuring out how to make it work.

    Right now it's just mocked up - nothing set in stone (or, aluminum, as it were) yet.

    Suggestions welcome!

    PXL_20220510_194246088.jpg PXL_20220510_194257498.jpg
    • Like Like x 1
  8. Fyn

    Fyn New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2022
    Messages:
    8
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Balance:
    52Coins
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, Arduino
    Found a working solution for entry - simple hinge does the trick. Found rough balance point and mounted the universal. It's easy enough to adjust, so it'll get me going.

    Not sure how to build out the base, and toying around with the idea of the motors mounted up front rather than the rear. I suppose that'll sort itself out on it's own as the build progresses.


    PXL_20220518_223746845.PORTRAIT.jpg
    • Like Like x 2
  9. Kevin123

    Kevin123 New Member Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    May 1, 2022
    Messages:
    23
    Occupation:
    Computer Programmer
    Location:
    Colorado
    Balance:
    58Coins
    Ratings:
    +14 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, Arduino
    @Fyn I'm curious to know if you have thoughts on how the 2040 frame is working out so far. Do you notice any flex when balancing on the u-joint? I just put in an order for a bunch of 4545, and did not even think about 2040. Hmmmm.

    I've also been trying to decide on how to mount my yoke/throttle. Yours looks pretty good. If you have tried playing around with the yoke, how stable was it?

    Thanks! I am not far behind you... (in the build process, not literally behind you ;))
    • Like Like x 1
  10. Fyn

    Fyn New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2022
    Messages:
    8
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Balance:
    52Coins
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, Arduino
    Thanks! I'm honestly not sure about the 2040 yet. So far, it's holding up just fine. It being vertical is key. I've done some basic load testing with me on it and most of the gear mounted up, and it's fine (which is to say, it didn't bend or break). Right now it's mostly held together with 90degree brackets just to get things all mocked up, but I'm pretty confident when I get things drilled, tapped and bolted together it'll be more ridged.

    The yoke is pretty solid, especially with the VKB mounts and sticks on. There's a tiny amount of play but it's coming from the hinge. When shoving the sticks around that play is all but gone with them being so low.

    I'll likely end up replacing the hinge I have on there now with an industrial door hinge.