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2dof rig project

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Projects' started by Paddy1970, Sep 20, 2017.

  1. Paddy1970

    Paddy1970 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2017
    Messages:
    18
    Location:
    Durham
    Balance:
    374Coins
    Ratings:
    +29 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, JRK
    I've been a huge Rfactor fan since its launch but adding motion to the game has always been my goal. I have a very good mechanical/engineering background in the sports car motor trade, and have been running my own engine conversion garage business for the last 17 years, so have a very good understanding of fabrication/electrics etc

    Around a month or so ago I decided to build my rig, the plan is one you have seen many times before but here it is anyway....

    2dof full rig (including pedals/wheel but not screen)
    2 x Pololu jrk 12v12
    2 x 12v 150rpm 25:1 motors
    2 x bourns 6639s-1-502 pots (with flexi couplers)
    2 x HP DL380 575w server PSU
    Simtools
    shoulder mounted

    I had initially started out with an Arduino and MM plan, but quickly disliked that option due to the complexity of it and issues others were having, also the MM doesn't seem too reliable (cheap Chinese copys etc) and indeed on testing my first effort I found one dead channel on the MM.... so I have gone the Jrk route.

    I also previously started out with Lexus wiper motors, but they were not possible to ground isolate, so they were ditched in favour of proper motors.

    My rig took a few weeks of fabrication and still needs work.

    The lower frame is 40mm box, seat frame is 20mm box and 30mm box added for strength to carry the UJ and pedals etc.

    This is how it looks currently while I wait for my new motors to arrive, using G25 stuff, pedals slide on a rail for adjustment and I have welded in the old static steering wheel stand I used to use which is fully adjustable up/down/forward/back/tilt.

    The upper frame has been fully balanced at COG with me sat in it, there is a little more weight to add, chequer plate footrest and minor items but pretty happy so far.

    There is approx. 40 hours in the build so far, the frame will be 2k painted with matting agent, adjustable feet added, harness and hopefully later some sort of car speedo conversion/real gauges added, I am still researching that part.

    I will be using simtools for this build and read somewhere I might qualify for a free copy with it being a DIY build, is that right?

    I will have loads of questions for you guys I am sure, I am a complete novice in terms of motion sim building, the software and settings part is going to be difficult for me, so I might need my hand holding through that part, hopefully you guys don't mind stupid questions at that stage that you've answered a million times before!

    I'd also like to thank everyone for the information on this forum, without it I just wouldn't have got this far.

    Thanks Paul.
    2017-09-07 17.18.54.jpg
    • Like Like x 4
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2017
  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
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    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,452Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,730 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
  3. Paddy1970

    Paddy1970 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2017
    Messages:
    18
    Location:
    Durham
    Balance:
    374Coins
    Ratings:
    +29 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Great stuff, I will apply for simtools when I'm at that stage but equally happy to make a donation to support the forum.
    • Like Like x 2
  4. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    20,437
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,452Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,730 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Ultimately you can get SimTools for free as a genuine DIY builder and if active on the forums you can get free access to all SimTools plugins via the activity coins you earn.

    Just so you know License fees support SimTools and site membership revenue goes to Xsimulator.net, see here about the revenue sharing arrangement: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/simtools-and-xsimulator-partnership-explained.275/
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  5. Paddy1970

    Paddy1970 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2017
    Messages:
    18
    Location:
    Durham
    Balance:
    374Coins
    Ratings:
    +29 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Some previous build pics.

    2017-08-29 16.52.01.jpg

    These Lexus motors are no longer being used, not possible to ground isolate them.

    2017-09-01 17.44.44.jpg

    Early shot of my seat frame construction.

    2017-09-07 15.41.30.jpg

    Here you can see how I stepped the pedal area of the frame down to give a more comfortable seating angle, the pedals slide on the frame for adjustment and have since had lock knobs fitted. The wheel stand is taken from my old static rig and adjusts in every direction.

    2017-08-29 18.57.32.jpg


    My first design of the control electronics, Arduino/MM and server PSU/Bourns pots.... I have since ditched this entirely due to the MM having a dead channel straight out of the box, cheap Chinese rubbish.

    So just waiting for my new motors and Jrks to arrive for stage two. I hope to use the Arduino later on to control some real dash instruments.
    • Like Like x 2
  6. AceOfSpies

    AceOfSpies Living the Dream!

    Joined:
    May 8, 2012
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    260
    Location:
    Kilwinning, Scotland
    Balance:
    19,614Coins
    Ratings:
    +244 / 1 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK, Motion platform
    Looking good @Paddy1970. Make sure you have enough height above the floor, that your pedals don' t hit the floor when the sim is pitched forward.

    Mike
    • Agree Agree x 1
  7. Paddy1970

    Paddy1970 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2017
    Messages:
    18
    Location:
    Durham
    Balance:
    374Coins
    Ratings:
    +29 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Thanks Mike, yes It clears nicely in all axis, I'm also looking for subtle slight movements on this rig, not a bucking bronco like some builds I've seen on Youtube, so it will have limited movement.
  8. paulopsx2

    paulopsx2 Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2016
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    613
    Location:
    brasil
    Balance:
    616Coins
    Ratings:
    +163 / 2 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, Arduino, Motion platform
    my project its arduino and MM too... motors are 50nm 80 rpm and 24v. working under 24v doble MM project.. see here on thread
  9. paulopsx2

    paulopsx2 Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2016
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    Location:
    brasil
    Balance:
    616Coins
    Ratings:
    +163 / 2 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, Arduino, Motion platform
  10. Paddy1970

    Paddy1970 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2017
    Messages:
    18
    Location:
    Durham
    Balance:
    374Coins
    Ratings:
    +29 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, JRK
    I ditched the Arduino/MM setup in favour of Jrks, I'm still in the construction phase but will add videos when I'm up and running.
  11. paulopsx2

    paulopsx2 Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2016
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    Location:
    brasil
    Balance:
    616Coins
    Ratings:
    +163 / 2 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, Arduino, Motion platform
    hum.. good luck. post news from time to time.. tks
    • Like Like x 1
  12. Icefox

    Icefox Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2015
    Messages:
    84
    Location:
    France
    Balance:
    549Coins
    Ratings:
    +29 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF
    nice project, on the other hand attention with the server feeds on my simulator it cashed badly the calls of current: - / I replaced a Chinese power supply .. and it works very well ^^
  13. Robbie Teengs

    Robbie Teengs RobbieT

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2016
    Messages:
    30
    Occupation:
    Director
    Location:
    South Africa
    Balance:
    353Coins
    Ratings:
    +11 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF
    Hi Paul,
    Have you had a look at going the Sabertooth 2 x 32 route with the Kangaroo x 2 from Dimension Engineering. Been using the system with Simtools and have only got good to say about it. The calibration of the motors is really a walk in the park.
  14. yobuddy

    yobuddy Well-Known Member Staff Member Moderator SimAxe Beta Tester SimTools Developer Gold Contributor

    Joined:
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    Computer Technician
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    +5,024 / 16 / -0
    @Robbie Teengs,
    I have herd some people have had problems getting the original Kangaroo's working correctly.
    Maybe you could post a blurb about the new Kangaroo x 2?
    Get an idea of how they work for everyone.
    Thanks buddy,
    yobuddy
  15. Paddy1970

    Paddy1970 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2017
    Messages:
    18
    Location:
    Durham
    Balance:
    374Coins
    Ratings:
    +29 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Testing my hp dl380 power supply units, one is showing 12.5v constant output and the other is showing 12.2v , I would expect them to be identical?
  16. Paddy1970

    Paddy1970 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2017
    Messages:
    18
    Location:
    Durham
    Balance:
    374Coins
    Ratings:
    +29 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Work has progressed on my rig, added cappings and strengtheners to the seat base along with some gussets on the pivot bracket.

    2017-09-29 17.10.56.jpg


    Added some switch panels from BBJ and relocated the gearstick to a more normal position. 2017-09-29 17.11.06.jpg

    Added a machine switch, this is the main on/off for the sim linked directly to the PSUs, it controls three separate circuits, so I have one circuit left for something else.

    2017-09-29 17.11.17.jpg

    Also made progess on the pedal adjusters, this slides very nicely and locks in place.
    2017-09-29 17.11.27.jpg

    Looking forward to getting some paint on this thing and getting my motors fitted.
    • Like Like x 4
  17. Paddy1970

    Paddy1970 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2017
    Messages:
    18
    Location:
    Durham
    Balance:
    374Coins
    Ratings:
    +29 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, JRK
    No pics to show you today, but my new 25:1 motors have arrived, I have taken one apart and reversed the output shaft direction to make the motors handed.

    By today I should have my electronics/wiring completed, pics of that coming later.
    • Like Like x 1
  18. Paddy1970

    Paddy1970 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2017
    Messages:
    18
    Location:
    Durham
    Balance:
    374Coins
    Ratings:
    +29 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, JRK
    So good progress made, my new motors are mounted, pots are fitted using 12mm x 6.35mm flex couplers, push rods done and motors braced. 20171016_165724.jpg it now needs a full strip down for painting , almost there.

    Attached Files:

    • Like Like x 3
  19. Paddy1970

    Paddy1970 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2017
    Messages:
    18
    Location:
    Durham
    Balance:
    374Coins
    Ratings:
    +29 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, JRK
    My electrical bits, Jrks mounted on a heatsink, I need to box all of this in. 20171018_080436.jpg p
    • Like Like x 5
  20. Paddy1970

    Paddy1970 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2017
    Messages:
    18
    Location:
    Durham
    Balance:
    374Coins
    Ratings:
    +29 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Hi, I've applied for the free Simtools key but not heard anything back since last week, does anyone know how long it normally takes? I'm deperate to get my rig moving but can't progress without Simtools, thanks guys.