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Considerations before buying wiper motors

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Building Q&A / FAQ' started by Pedro Pablo, Jun 6, 2016.

  1. Pedro Pablo

    Pedro Pablo Active Member

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    Sup

    I'm in campaign to buy wiper motors for my sim (that i'm still design it, but i'll start with chair motion only). Right now i'm figuring out what specification i need to watch out befure buying a motor. @Jun told me some considerations, like:

    • Voltage: 12v because of the Monster Moto.
    • Current: IDK if the Monster Moto works with 30A per motor or 30A maximum (15A per motor).
    • Watts: Watts = volts * current. But it need to be a real consideration? Maybe to get the current if isn't has a specification around. I know that higher the current, the motor will be more faster and needs more electric power.
    • RPM: This is new for me. @Jun told me that the lower rpm, the motor will not react at time. I dont know what RPM I need for my sim, also I dont have idea how to measure it and what's the normal rpm in a motion sim structure. Again, this need to be a real consideration?
    • Gear ratio and Torque: Also new for me, but reading about it, it's very important. Without enough torque the motors can't handle the weight, and about the gear ratio, when a car is going in a uphill it need a high gear ratio to handle the torque, but how it's work here? It's crucial for any motion simulation structure? How can I be sure about that when I get a wiper motor?

    As you can read, I need a lot of help here. I'm still researching (along with cheat engine to make the plugin for initial d) and maybe can I get for free some spare motors for testing the monster moto with simtools.

    I hope any kind of help. For me it's kinda embarrassing for me to ask this without knowledge, that's why im here :think
  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    Can I clarify, are you intending to get wiper motors from a local wreaking yard or are you planning to import motors?

    If you expect to source wiper motors from a local wreaking yard it will likely be availability not specific specification that determine your choice. As a rule of thumb look for 12V wiper motor driving the longest wiper arms, perhaps from a truck, as they are likely to be more powerful.

    If you are planing to import motors then go with known quality motors from a reputable supplier, such as these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/GEAR-MOTOR-...-25-1-ratio-/351066992384?hash=item51bd392f00

    Have a look here if you want to know more about the relationship between torque, leverage and linear speed: http://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/calculating-basic-linear-speed-and-forces.89/
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  3. Pedro Pablo

    Pedro Pablo Active Member

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    Yes, those motors are from a wreaking yard. Maybe with a multimeter I can measure how much current will work in the wiper motor.

    That motor in ebay it's a lot of money for me (even when a buy special edition video games it's not too much compared to that gear motor). Maybe I can consider buying in aliexpress, but I dont have a credit card and i cant pay with paypal.

    Later i will read the link that you provided. I hope that there i can find the answers that i'm looking for
  4. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    The main thing when using wiper motors is to ensure they are ground isolated and design wise have the maximum leverage advantage that is possible.
  5. Pedro Pablo

    Pedro Pablo Active Member

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    Yep, I know about the ground insolation. It will be the first thing that I have to do. And about the maximum leverage, I think that i will resolve that in the meantime when i start to test and build my sim
  6. chu

    chu 2dof racingseat

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    For the levers I use 70mm, and my motors are from two opel corsa. The movements are fine and get a maximun of 30º of oscillation. May this can help you as reference.
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  7. Pedro Pablo

    Pedro Pablo Active Member

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    When I go to a wreaking yard and I talk to the vendor asking for wiper motors, he ask me "what model of car?", and then I respond "it's not important, it's for a project". But if any wiper motor could do the job, I will buy a motor with most current up to 14A, kkeping the consdieration of the gear ratio
  8. chu

    chu 2dof racingseat

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    As I saw in the wreaking yard all the wiper motors are very similar but if you don´t want to get wrong, choose them from german cars. In my litle experience are good quality motors mainly
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  9. Pedro Pablo

    Pedro Pablo Active Member

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    In Chile they are mostly japanese and american brand cars. There is not too much european cars, and right now is entering very fast the chinese cars. So, i'll keep in mind to find a wiper motor from an Opel
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  10. Pedro Pablo

    Pedro Pablo Active Member

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    Well, I came from a wreaking yard, and the vendor show me some wiper motors. One from a Suzuki, other from a Hyundai, and other from a Peugout. IDK about its maximum current, RPM or torque, but showing the following video he told me that any motor will do the job.



    Later i'm going to buy two of these motors. If they work I'll start with the rig (design, materials, etc....), if not I'll pratice with it in simtools.
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    Last edited: Jun 8, 2016
  11. pipis2015

    pipis2015 over-boost

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    As a rule of thumb, the bigger motor size the better chance you have that it is going to be stronger (bigger magnets and bigger coils make for more power).

    If the part that looks like a snail (the gearbox) and is attached to the motor cylinder is big (compared to others) it possibly means that the motor is weak...and rpm are low.

    Just make sure that both wiper motors are of the same kind. To keep forces and motion as equal as possible.

    And keep in mind that even identical motors might have minor differences in performance.

    Some of these differences can be tweaked with arduino coding or interface program features.
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  12. Pedro Pablo

    Pedro Pablo Active Member

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    @pipis2015

    Can you post some images as reference??
  13. pipis2015

    pipis2015 over-boost

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  14. RacingMat

    RacingMat Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

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    this video is not really a good example... poor effects in my opinion
    A tuned simulator should moves accordingly to the cam: look again at the video and focus on how the vista is moving and how the sim itself is moving.

    +1 use identical motors!
  15. dedas

    dedas Active Member

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    I'll would say: always use the same motors, they have the same specs and ratio's. Don't expect too much (especially if your over 90Kg :grin) balance in your design is key.:nerd
  16. drtikol

    drtikol Member

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    For second-hand wiper motors (with probably low RPM) and 2DOF design is there prefered desing in terms of Shoulder mount/heel mount (DX Racer)?
    e.g. If I have 2 wiper motors (most probably 60:1 ratio) would I get better efferct shoulder mount or heel mount?
    I suggest they have enough power but less speed.
  17. drtikol

    drtikol Member

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  18. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    Wiper motors are speed and torque limited @drtikol, so maximise the possible leverage and go with a shoulder or foot mount design.
  19. drtikol

    drtikol Member

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    Thanks @noorbeast . So it does not really make difference between these two in terms of effect gained?
  20. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    The most efficient option would be a shoulder mount seat shaker design, as the mass being moved is significantly less than a full frame design and it still has good leverage. For racing a seat shaker design also provides additional motion cues at the wrists and ankles, so is preferred by many and is also used in commercial sims for that reason.
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