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2 Springs in a Box / How I learned to Love the FFB Yokes

Discussion in 'DIY peripherals' started by T R Para, Mar 20, 2021.

  1. T R Para

    T R Para i make stuff up

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    This post describes my latest peripheral project. A Force Feedback Flight Yoke for Flight Sims.
    I have a previous thread on building a FFB yoke. This project takes it to the next level.
    It is still based on the Microsoft Force Feedback 2 Joystick control board sold on Ebay .
    It has been discontinued from Microsoft but still readily available.
    There is still 3rd party software support which allows its use on FS2020, Xplane, DCS and others.
    The new yoke is based on a Precision Flight Controls PCATD Desktop Yoke by Jeppesen.
    These are sold used on Ebay for about $150 US.
    These all metal boat anchors were part of a flight training system.
    The stock FFB2 control board does not have enough power handling capability to run the new 35 watt geared dc motors so an external H-Bridge MosFet output board was built.
    The set-up still allows the control board to regulate the power to the motors so it retains all the characteristics of the original joystick but with a lot more force.
    Most all the parts to make the modifications were purchased from Amazon.
    Example;
    www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GBSYR8B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086CWFDTH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Some pictures.

    Attached Files:

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  2. diySimPilot

    diySimPilot New Member

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    Hi Tom, I just came across this after having reviewed your fist FFB yoke and replied to the thread with some questions DIY Force Feedback Flight Yoke

    This is an interesting evolution from your previous yoke. How does it compare? Would you say it is significantly better? Do you know what force you are getting for Pitch and Roll?

    I can understand that your H-Bridge MosFet mod allows for more powerful motors. However, I am wondering if the 35 watt geared dc motors could be used (after the necessary mods) in the original VR FlightSim’s V1 or the improved version based on V2 concept created by Don (WarmBugle376586) with his "DIY Force-Feedback yoke – hybrid of VR FlightSim’s V1 and V2" as described in the FlightSimulator forum? https:// forums. flightsimulator. com/t/diy-force-feedback-yoke-hybrid-of-vr-flightsim-s-v1-and-v2/376840

    What are the advantages of using Precision Flight Controls PCATD Desktop Yoke by Jeppesen? Is it really necessary to use this yoke or as I am speculating above adapting Jay VR FlightSim design would achieve a similar result?

    Do you have any more details that you could share about this version of your FFB yoke?
  3. T R Para

    T R Para i make stuff up

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    Hello.. I am still using the PCATD Desktop Yoke but I did end up buying another one off ShopGoodwill dot Com.
    I did redo my system.
    I would not recommend geared motors. They have too much drag.
    Belts and pulleys or rack and pinion works very good.
    On the board modifications, I no longer use the outboard fets. There is a chip you can buy that fits right on the original circuit board (ForceFeedback 2). The new chips fits in place of the old ones. They can do 40V, 30A, 48W.....
    You will need some heat sinks. VISHAY SQJ500AEP-T1_GE3 / SQJ500AEPT1GE3....
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/233926287970
    I replaced the motors with Pittman 14204. (used off E-bay)
    The pittman motors can develop enough torque to pull the yoke out of you hands.

    Did you see this guys project? I almost started to build it.

    https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/my-saitek-ffb-yoke-a-wip/489386

    It uses a Saitek yoke for the base..

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  4. diySimPilot

    diySimPilot New Member

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    Hi Tom, good to know about your latest version of the FFB yoke and for your suggestion to not use geared motors.

    I did not see the Saitek FFB Yoke project, that's interesting. Thanks for sharing the link.

    Dan
  5. Avee

    Avee Virtual Pilot

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    I have a yoke exactly like that cirrus one (branded elite) in my attic. It has a serial interface and I was planning to put an arduino in it, but force feedback sounds much better. I might have time for this project next winter. If anyone wants to buy it off me, that is also possible (located in Germany), contact me via PM.
  6. stil550

    stil550 New Member

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  7. Avee

    Avee Virtual Pilot

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    Ok, I now also got the FFB2. It is the green LED USB version though, no red button. I hope that suffices.
    So do you use the original pots in the yoke?
    What power supply have you chosen?
    Is there any calibration or software adjustment necessary?
  8. T R Para

    T R Para i make stuff up

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    Yes you can use the original pots in the yoke. You will have to add an additional wire to each pot. No red button is fine. Green led is ok. Any 24vdc power supply is ok. Unless you do a resistor modification the stock power supply is fine. Use the windows setting menu and search for USB game devices. This is where you calibrate the yoke. The throttle slide pot works also.
  9. Avee

    Avee Virtual Pilot

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    Great. I plan to do the mosfet upgrade and use more powerful brushed dc motors. So I'll get a proper power brick, that gets rid of the high voltage stuff in the metal yoke enclosure.
  10. Avee

    Avee Virtual Pilot

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  11. T R Para

    T R Para i make stuff up

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    I actually did try those motors. I do not think you will be happy with them. At the zero point (neutral yoke position) the cogging of the motors will be noticeable. You are looking for a motor specified as zero cog or low cog. The armatures are constructed so as to eliminate cogging forces at low rpm. It is like a helical twist in the laminations. The smaller pitman motors all tend to be low cog and the scrappers that sell on ebay seem to have them for sale quite often. I think they retail new for hundreds of dollars but I have bought them used for under $30 several times.
  12. T R Para

    T R Para i make stuff up

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  13. Avee

    Avee Virtual Pilot

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    Thank you. I knew such motors would probably be better but had no idea how they were called / how to find them.

    This might be an alternative, says the rotor is slant cut. Might just try it as I have a right of return.
    https://www.reichelt.de/de/en/dc-mo...e655a94e73041dd718f7db8ee5bc&LANGUAGE=EN&&r=1
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2022
  14. T R Para

    T R Para i make stuff up

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    My Motion Simulator:
    AC motor, 6DOF
    Rotor with a slant cut sounds like the right design.
    The pittman I linked above is the actual motor I am using.
    So I know that one works.
    But regardless I think you are on the right track.