Showroom 0 DOF Rig with lots of FFB features WIP

Hello,

I'm new to the forum as a member but I read a lot of you guys' posts about your interesting builds, ideas and downloaded a few arduino sketches and SimTools plugins. Let me say I'm more than impressed with what some have created in their own garage, backyard or basement. Massive props! Sometimes you can guess the professional background or the layman's enthusiasm and passion. I really inspired me so far.

Concerning my own build I went a (maybe) total different route:
I build the pyramid from the top down so to say - by which I mean I tried to get a (semi) realistic driving experience before I'm venturing out into the field of DOFs.

Let me try to tell you about the FFB effects I managed so far:
- motor RPM / wheel slide in gas pedal (1 rumble DC motor)
- ABS stutter / wheel lock in break pedal (1 rumble DC motor)
- front right vibration / shift "knock" on pedal mount vertical backside (2 rumble DC motors)
- front left / right vibration ("road texture") on pedal bottom plate (4 rumble DC motors)
- acceleration G-Force as 12" Fan WindSim 1
- Speed (car max speed ~ 3000 rpm on) 12" Fan WindSim 2
- Road texture / bumps / curbs etc on 2 x 100W bodyshakers (DIY buttkicker) @H&K amp
- Surge SimTools effect on 4 point harness via 33.5kg servo (DIY BreakSim)
- Head tracking with 3 IR leds on headset via opentrack set for pitch and X movement

accessories: Sparkfun Pro Flyoff Handbrake DIY from

Button box DIY from Ferrero Rocher box
16 RGB led RPM shift light
tiny backlit bluetooth keyboard (so incredibly useful)

I'm looking forward to replacing the clearance below the rig which is a placeholder for X DOF mechanics/electronics with some "live stuff" soon.

On a side note I love renting Ferraris for the weekend and driving country roads in summer with the windows down, yes sometimes the autobahn is the fastest way to get to the countyside but I'm more of a cruiser than a racer when it comes to real HP. In my 2nd livingroom is that changes dramatically.
I'm into Project Cars 2 atm but I own and sometimes drive the other usual suspects, AC, ACC, Dirt series, esp. DirtRally, RR, iR...
I enjoy 3D printing accessories and parts like Arduino cases, mounts, holders etc and cut-plotting vinyl foil

TL;DR No DOF as of yet but looking to get more cables in general

Added a 100 watts chassis subwoofer and 3D printed a case for the amp...
Really adds an engine feel to the whole rig. I can even feel the vibe in my feet. I didn't know that it was missing until i saw some builds on this page. Because it was getting a bit toasty I mounted an old CPU fan on top, undervolting so it turns quietly. Also found out in the process that I can configure the audio ports front and back to what I want them to be. Since I'm still using the headset with motion tracking and Yamaha monitor speakers, that saves the connectors from wear from being plugged in and out, and who needs a second mic input on the backside anyways?!

Fully 3D printed cockpit with 3 adjustable fans rev RGB led 2 samsung phone displays, illuminated bluetooth "keyboard" with one finger "mouse pad" 7 gears H-Shifter, 150W bassreflex subwoofer under seat, surge dependent 3 point belt pully with 37kg force max and some idle and speed dependent rumble FX done with different arduino types and sketches. Going for the DOF finally because the driving experience is pretty realistic except of actual movement now. Will be an interesting 2020. Looking forward to reading your amazing posts and copying some good ideas, and remember don't drint and drive

June Update:
After cancellation of my wedding planed originally for August I tried to focus again on a different projects that allows for keeping of social distancing rules - you already guessed which!

So, I'm finally joining the 3DOF squad
Wiper motor 2DOF + Actuator Yaw (traction loss)

This thread will become my diary...


And yes, I grounded these Wipers like they were my teenage daughters coming home late...

3 way harness pulling tensioner servos: sway each 25kg @6,8V
surge (only breaking of course) one 45kg pull servo @8,4V

DIY wheel. Took me a while...a few dead ends later and evenings wasted: It was not in vain. Aluminium with 3D carbon optic vinyl looks and handles better than an actual carbon fiber sheet. The drilling holes are a pain in the ... with real carbon fiber.

Hi! could you please elaborate a bit more about your "3 way harness"? that sounds interesting

I'm on vacation in Denmark atm but i found this snapshot on my phone: basically three 180° servos, two pulling the harness at the top to the left or right, so your outer shoulder feels "more weight" in the corner. One stronger servo pulling down on both shoulder straps for deceleration. Even if i don't have actually movement in my rig atm it feels pretty good. I've collected and assembled everything I need for a 2Dof but I wasn't able to mount it onto the rig and flex off the seat base yet. Then i will have to review the harness system and probably change the mounting points and reverse direction (for me it's hard to imagine physics & forces when I don't have the rig in front of my eyes) i will keep updating this thread. I have a 360 Modena drive ahead of me in September, I will have two gopros, one on the road and one on me driving, I'm going to fine tune the system to my body memory and video "evidence" that evening. I already know i will need some heave motor sooner or later...

It's been a while...
Moving on to a new PC! (since AMD is giving you xtreme performance for almost no money now
I've already reactivated the licence and copied C:\Users\XY\AppData\Local\SimTools\GameEngine etc to the new machine

What else do I need to watch? Did anybody who already upgraded noticed something important?

Pic is a flashback to when I first started with a simple seat and the girls teamed up to hill climb Pikes Peak
*fond memories of easier times*