LeaderDream 6DOF

Hi,
My name is Gerrit and I live in Phuket, Thailand.
I am too old to build a simulator so I bought a big 6dof one from a Chinese Alibaba firm called LeaderDream that is actually made for amusement halls.
It came with its own proprietary menu system and a set of racing games with a very good overall quality and performance. I was very impressed with the whole purchase and delivery process of this 450kg package too.
I did not know much (and still don't) about simulators but after digging around in the internet I found out that this machine actually works pretty well with Simtools V3 so I bought a pro license.
My first problem with SimTools V3 was that it does not save parameters for the MBOX interface if you select [6 Axis]. So now I have to fill these parameters in every time after a PC reboot.
Did anybody of you know about this?

I noticed that the parameters are actually saved as you can see in the last picture where I scanned for the port number as text in files from the AppData\Local\SimTools3 files.
It does save the parameters if you leave the [MBox Type] to [3 Axis] but NOT when you use [6 Axis] instead.

Just to follow up on this problem,
I contacted Rich at simtools about this problem too and he solved this problem quickly by issuing an updated version of the MBOX plugin.
Thank you Rich.

Hi Gerrit,

I have the same motion platform which has been in storage for quite some time. Bought it pre used.. Now I'm ready to blow off some dust and would like to give it a try to get it work. Would you be able to guide me through some steps? Since I have no idea where to start. Especially on the software/ interfacing side. In the end I would like it to use it with iRacing, Asseto Corso, Xplane and MSFS etc. I have been in touch with the manufacturer but since I bought it pre used I cannot lean on their customer support.

Although your name sounds Dutch I read that you don't quite live in NL, bummer for me ;-) Would have been much easier. Anyway, I would love to hear from you and hopefully guide me in the right direction.

Regards

G

Yes, I am Dutch but please, don't hold that against me.
With the help of Rich, and after a successive DBox interface update, I can now save the DBox settings.

This machine works perfect from the unpacking with the preinstalled GodPlayer menu/interface system and all installed racing games. It is a real bargain considering the prices you pay in Europe or USA for a full blown 6DOF Stewart platform.
I did manage to add games like Assetto Corza and Competition, Dirt Rally 2.0, F1 2020 and F1 22 to this existing GodPlayer system once I figured out how that is done with the very good support of the Chinese supplier. This support team even asked me if I could help you!
I installed 2 more SSD's, one 240GB for a new Windows 11 install and one 2TB for additional games.
I am using MSFS2020, Xplane 11-12 with SimTools V3 because I could not use the GodPlayer system for these simulator games.
I also installed FlyPT Mover 3.7.0.17 because it could potentially give even more control over the LeaderDream 6DOF platform but I think that the UDP interface of this Mover does not work as advertised.
Interfacing the platform with Mover, during initialization, it moves very, very violently and ends up in an error state. (It almost banged into my Livingroom wall so make sure you have enough space on ALL sides including ceiling!! This 450kg platform can extend its 6 actuators 500mm within a second and can knock you out standing next to it)
I hope this helps a bit.

Hi,

Can you share with me the settings used in Mover?
Want to know what caused that violent move.

Thanks

What caused this violent move was that the FlyPT Mover program uses Little-Endian with the UDP interface. I do not know or understand why!?! (SimTools V3 DBox network interface works fine but the UDP network interface has the same result as FlyPT Mover) Why Little -Endian and no mentioning it anywhere ??? (The UDP interface could have a radio button to select either Endian)
This is the sentence that I send.:
<85><170><0><0><20><1><0><1><255><255><255><255><0><0><0><0><0><0><0><100><R0.A1.P><R0.A2.P><R0.A3.P><R0.A4.P><R0.A5.P><R0.A6.P><18><52><86><120><171><205>
expecting that it would softly initialize to the park position but .........
It appears that FlyTP Mover uses Little-Endian for the 4 byte in all 6 Axis Ro.Ax.P data (without informing anyone about it in the manual) but my platform reads Big-Endian.
That WILL upset any motion platform with violent moves and errors.
I wrote a program that converts this Mover sentence into Big Endian and then it (kind off) initializes okay. Still the actual values are way off and it looks like the initializing sequence has values that are exponential increasing instead of linear.
I really blame the lack of information in the FlyTP Mover manual (for more than alone UDP interfacing)

Thanks Gerrit, I've sent you a DM.

Thanks for your DM but I like to keep this issue in the forum thread.
It is about interfacing this LeaderDream 6DOF Stewart platform with UDP Lan connection to SimTools and FlyTP Mover applications.

Thank's for the reply
I will add a check to add that option in the outputs.
Will be on the next release.

Sorry for the low quality manual... I promise I will update the info to the new Mover soon. There's many changes still going on but I think that after the next release I can start updating the website.

Thanks, having the option for either Endian would help a lot.
Could you also have a look at the initialization sequence when pressing [Connect] because I suspect there is something wrong there too or else maybe my Rig and actuators settings are incorrect. (I tried several settings)
At [Connect] the values that are being increased to get to the (I guess) driving position is incrementing exponentially and end up at Hex 2F C4 43 43 (Little-Endian). (Way too high for my Rig)
[Disconnect] runs down to 00 00 80 3F (Little-Endian)
My actuator controllers can only handle from 0-1,000,000 (Decimal)
Are my settings incorrect?

No problem.
I do have some questions prior interfacing: I bought the platform, second hand a few years ago. Original idea was to build a flightsimulator in a commercial facility. The plans, has been changed over time and the platform has been in storage ever since in a place that is not really accessible for me. Now I would like to give the platform a new destination which is my basement at home. To see if it will fit and my room is suitable I have some questions.
-Can this platform be transported to a basement? Can it be taken apart to reduce the weight etc. How heavy is it?
-How many amps does it draw, or do I have to change my electrical installation? (Supplier said that the specs are the same as yours)
- My platform has a flat top which means that I have to sit on top, that makes the total height that the might be a possibility to hit the ceiling. Would you estimate my platform to fit in a 2.5m ceiling room including a chair on top?
If I have answers to the questions above I can arrange pickup of the platform beginning of next year. Would be a bummer to realize that it won't fit at the very last moment ;-) So any help on these pre interfacing stage will be appreciated.... Thereafter the fun part can begin . Thanks in advance

https://sc04.alicdn.com/kf/Hbf658df...457294/Hbf658df8bbf14c29b3753c5d3f2b464dZ.jpg

My living room height is also 2.5m and I can use my platform without a problem. But I need almost 3m diameter in a circle horizontal space.
I don't know how wide the door of your basement is but you could disassemble the bottom part, actuators and top part. It looks like two man can do that.
From your picture, it looks like you could operate that platform in your basement.

The Platform that I have has 6 actuators rated 750W with a length of 1,240mm and a stroke of 500mm.
That would be 6x750W=4,500W max. But the whole platform is fused with a 16A breaker.
There should be a decal on your actuators/motors with a current value in Amps on it (or Power in Watts) but that system should be using less that 2000W (10 Amp) total.
I just checked the Alibaba LeaderDream webpage with your exact system and it mentioned 200kg and 2kW.

Ok, sounds good on the dimensions side although your seating position looks lower than I can make. I will give it a shot. Can the maximum stroke of the actuators be set in the software?
Will the platform be driven from the main (game) pc, or is it a separate pc that can be connected to the main pc?

My platform Top-part floats 65 cm from the floor in its lowest position and the actuators maximum stroke is 500mm.
In the upmost position, the 3 displays have about 5cm clearance. (It was a bit scary to test that)
It came as a complete system with 3x42" displays, a STABLECU JS-9D Lan UDP to Can-bus Actuator Control System and a Windows 10 PC in the Bottom-part with Nvidia graphics card, SSD and a proprietary GodPlayer menu/control software and a lot of Racing Games . In this GodPlayer system and also in SimTools V3 the max actuator movement can be set. I have it at 400mm (800,000 units)
I don't know if your system came with a PC but you should have the Actuator controller system in the bottom part. That could easily be connected with a LAN cable to a PC with SimTools V3 on it using the MBox network interface plugin.