1. Do not share user accounts! Any account that is shared by another person will be blocked and closed. This means: we will close not only the account that is shared, but also the main account of the user who uses another person's account. We have the ability to detect account sharing, so please do not try to cheat the system. This action will take place on 04/18/2023. Read all forum rules.
    Dismiss Notice
  2. For downloading SimTools plugins you need a Download Package. Get it with virtual coins that you receive for forum activity or Buy Download Package - We have a zero Spam tolerance so read our forum rules first.

    Buy Now a Download Plan!
  3. Do not try to cheat our system and do not post an unnecessary amount of useless posts only to earn credits here. We have a zero spam tolerance policy and this will cause a ban of your user account. Otherwise we wish you a pleasant stay here! Read the forum rules
  4. We have a few rules which you need to read and accept before posting anything here! Following these rules will keep the forum clean and your stay pleasant. Do not follow these rules can lead to permanent exclusion from this website: Read the forum rules.
    Are you a company? Read our company rules

Point me in the right direction...

Discussion in 'New users start here - FAQ' started by danwil77, Oct 25, 2016.

  1. danwil77

    danwil77 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2011
    Messages:
    4
    Balance:
    39Coins
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Hi all, I do a lot of simracing and I have a cockpit I built out of wood and I have 8 bass shakers and SimVibe all setup - now after a few years of that I'm bored. I've drooled over the motion rigs on this site for years now and I'm just gonna jump in and do it finally.

    The problem I'm having is that there's so many opinions and ideas and I just want someone to say "here's the tried-and-true way to go; Use these motors, Use this controller, etc..." It feels like even after reading all the posts I can on this site, that everyone that builds a simulator has experience or other knowledge - like I missed a pre-requisite class or somethin'

    A few of the things on my mind:
    Since I mostly just simrace, 2DOF with traction loss is the way to go right?
    I don't want to break the bank but I also don't want to cheap out on stuff so I need parts on a budget but not a tiny budget...
    I can get automotive wiper motors but I feel like the gear motors I've seen in some projects here are nicer, but I don't know which ones are best or best sources (I'm in the USA). What are the recommended motors and vendors?
    I simrace with the Oculus Rift so monitor supports don't have to be figured in
    I have a shop full of tools including a welder so no worries on that front.
    One thing I am worried about, I'm about 240lbs and I'd like to keep the Toyota Supra (about 60lbs) seat that I'm using in my current rig because it's big & tall & comfy and I already have it - is 300+ pounds even doable for a reasonable price?
    I'm the type of person that wants to collect every piece I'll need for a project and then just dive in and bang the whole thing out...
    I guess this whole post boils down to one question: What advice can you give a newbie that wants to dive in, collect all the parts and then build a motion rig over the course of 3 or 4 days? Explain like I'm 5 years old ;-)

    Thanks for any advice!!
  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    20,463
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,614Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Tried and true, go with a seat shaker shoulder mount design and traction loss.

    Check out member approaches to building traction loss: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/traction-loss.174/

    From the US you would be wise to go with the 25:1 or 50:1 from pgsaw in Canada, they are the same price, 25:1s are faster and most commonly used, but 50:1 has adequate speed and extra torque which may be the best way to go for the mass you plan to move:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/GEAR-MOTOR-...384?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51bd392f00

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/GEAR-MOTOR-...L-FEED-SIMULATOR-75-80RPM-50-1-/371596157992?

    There are different approaches to attaching levers depending on the shaft a gearbox has: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/how-to-attach-levers-to-wormdrive-gearboxes.182/

    You can use either JRKs or Arduino + Moto Mosters for control.

    The JRKs are easier to set up and configure but a bit more expensive:
    https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/jrk.8/category

    The clone MMs can often be faulty but with good ones are a cheap option: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/reputable-monster-moto-suppliers-testing-before-use.158/

    JRKs and MMs both need heat sinks and cooling fans:

    https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/attaching-heatsinks-to-jrk.146/

    https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/xilence-cooler-for-moto-monster-sparkfun.211/

    There are plenty of code options for Arduinos, but if you choose the Arduino+MM option then try the SMC3 code first, as it has a handy graphical program for configuration.

    https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/arduino-code-for-use-with-various-hardware-and-simtools.31/
    • Informative Informative x 2
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  3. danwil77

    danwil77 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2011
    Messages:
    4
    Balance:
    39Coins
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Wow, thanks for the reply! Sorry it took me so long to get back here - life...

    So now I at least know which motors and controllers and stuff - I have a couple of unused Arduinos anyway so I'll go that route. I still feel like a kid who missed the first week of school with some of this stuff but I think it'll make more sense as I start working on it. But potentiometers, gear boxes, so many other things that I just keep stopping and wondering just how much don't I know.. .

    My plan right now is to build a seat shaker design and add traction loss later after I know what I'm doing. You suggested the shoulder-mount configuration but I see in the "showroom" forum here that user momclic posted a tutorial on a seat mover design with 3 motors called "Driving simulator building tutorial 3DOF heave axis" What are your thoughts on that design? Would setting up controls and software with the Arduino SMC3 etc... work with something like that?
  4. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    20,463
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,614Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    You can either go with traditional pots or use Hall sensors: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/how-to-choose-potentiometer.238/

    Personally I use Hall sensors instead of traditional pots, as while they are a little more expensive they have an excellent service life, can be directly mounted to the gearbox shaft without needing gearing and provide good quality tracking resolution: http://au.element14.com/bi-technolo...fs/sensor-hall-0-2v-20v-to-10v-pin/dp/2319662

    Choosing suitable motors and gearboxes is directly related to a particular design, availability and costs.

    A 3DOF with heave is a step up from a seat shaker design, but also adds costs and complexity. My own compact simulator started as a 2DOF rig and I upgraded it to 3DOF with assisted heave. Yes you could used the SMC code with a 3DOF design.

    But remember you asked for a tried and true recommendation for sim racing and mine would still be shoulder mount with traction loss, as it is the least complex and costly and is well suited to the stated use case of sim racing. A traditional 3DOF design can be used for sim racing and it is my own personal choice, but a 3DOF is more common for flight sims.

    What matters with respect to design choice are your own goals and expectations, skills and resources. You can build a 2DOF, which is a relatively cheap and simple option, or a 6DOF rig, which is pretty complex and costly, though members here have blazed the trail on how to create such rigs at a fraction of commercial costs.

    It costs nothing to research and plan your intended project. A few months planning is time well spent, and the community here can help you out as you formulate your ideas about what you want to build. You will learn a lot that may seem complex at the moment, but which is relatively straight forward when you take things one step at a time. Researching, planing and asking members what they think can also save you considerable money and frustration.
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2016
  5. danwil77

    danwil77 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2011
    Messages:
    4
    Balance:
    39Coins
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    So I found this pic on another site and i think it's just about exactly what I'm going to build to get started and then move forward from there... I figure if I can get the shoulder-mounted seat shaker system working the way I like then I'll worry about traction loss... The heave axis seems like it would require a redesign but I'll burn that bridge when I come to it.

    I'm going to keep researching while I obtain some metal and weld up the frame... I'll be back with lots and lots of questions as this project moves forward
  6. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    20,463
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,614Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
  7. csrealsimracer

    csrealsimracer New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2016
    Messages:
    25
    Location:
    china
    Balance:
    316Coins
    Ratings:
    +13 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    i suggest you choose a way,buy some mini dc motor, built a mini model first,if you success,you just need scale it .