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Question Power demand for my project

Discussion in 'New users start here - FAQ' started by Justin_2, Apr 1, 2022.

  1. Justin_2

    Justin_2 New Member

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    Hi all,

    I am new to this forum. I am planning a simulator project in my basement room. Before getting too much into detailed planning, I am checking right now if the electric cables for the room are good enough. Right now there is a 16A Fuse for the whole room, which should be the maximum for the current cable size according to our electrician. So besides a relatively small room that would be the constraint for my project.

    My plan is hopefully not sounding unrealistic:
    - A Flight Sim Homecockpit for 1 Person (General Aviation Instruments, some Analogue Gauges, maybe 2 Touchpads, buttons, switches)
    - sourrounded by 3 x 55 inch TV's for the visuals
    - decent sound & shaker
    - lastly this is why I am posting it in this forum: install all on top of a motion rig

    Though for the motion rig I am not sure yet which concept will be the best for me - in its simplest form "just" 2DOF, but after reading some experience reports, a heave axis would be really good for flight sims, so probably rather 3DOF or even more...not sure yet!

    So for the Power demand my rough estimate is here below.

    Available:
    220V x 16A = 3520 W

    Need:
    PC 1000W
    3 55" TV 600W
    Cockpit (I have actually no idea but i guess no more than) 500W
    Sound 200W
    Sum so far 2300W
    Thus Left for Motion Rig: 1220W

    Am I doing something essentially wrong with this calculation - if not, is 1220W even nearly enough for a motion rig?

    Thanks so much and best regards
    Justin
  2. zapata_h

    zapata_h Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, AC motor, Arduino
    You must also calculate the weight that the platform will support, the more weight, you will need more powerful engines and you will have higher consumption
    • Like Like x 1
  3. Justin_2

    Justin_2 New Member

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    Thanks for your answer. Yes I know. I am not even sure yet if 2 or 3 DOF, which will make a big difference too I guess.
    My platform including pilot may easily weigh more than 200kg.
    In the PSU discussions I saw many people using 1000W PSUs, which would be good news as that would work for me. Although I dont believe you would be able to heave 250kg with 1kW.
    Did not find any threat yet where I could guess as a rule of thumb, how much power I would need for that. I am okay with not so fast motion as I do not want to build a racing sim
  4. zapata_h

    zapata_h Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, AC motor, Arduino
    In my case, my platform with the pilot weighs approximately 150kg, in the front I use 2 motors of 0.18kw and in the rear one of 1.5kw, the rear is the one that supports the most weight, it works very well but more powerful motors do not They would be not bad, go through my profile and you can see the construction of my aluminum platform
  5. zapata_h

    zapata_h Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, AC motor, Arduino
  6. Justin_2

    Justin_2 New Member

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    I see. And which PSU do you have?

    I guess I need to start laying out a more concrete plan in order to start the iterations of design and be more clear about my design specs. Otherwise I get lost in too much research, too few answers
  7. Gadget999

    Gadget999 Well-Known Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino, 6DOF
    if you use DC motors you can use a a battery to power the motors - they have very high cranking amps and can give a lot of power very quickly

    the regenerative braking charges them back up and you can use a low current power supply to keep them charged
    • Like Like x 1
  8. Justin_2

    Justin_2 New Member

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    I have seen this option a few times in this forum. Just quickly googled for videos of people short cutting a Pb battery. The cables start smoking but the battery doesn't blow up.. I've also never heard of a burning battery in a car, just the cables.

    So it seems a lot safer to me than using a PSU and house Fuses constantly at their limits.

    And you can decide how much more safety margin or power you want, basically open end.

    Well, I've seen this solution but I guess I needed somebody encouraging me. Thanks a lot :)
  9. zapata_h

    zapata_h Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, AC motor, Arduino
    One of the most important points is to have the center of gravity well placed, on that the strength of the motors will depend.
    • Like Like x 1
  10. Gadget999

    Gadget999 Well-Known Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino, 6DOF
    I use 2x 12v batteries and a 25 amp powersupply / charger

    I have 6 x 800w 24v DC motors
    • Like Like x 1
  11. zapata_h

    zapata_h Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, AC motor, Arduino
    The batteries provide a high amperage and in turn can be charging
  12. Justin_2

    Justin_2 New Member

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    how much capacity do your batteries have? The rule of thumb is not to discharge with more than 1C (for example 100Ah batterie -> max discharge = 100A)...
    In your case, the worst scenario would be all 6 motors at full load would demand 4800W which at 24V result in 200A. So your batteries should have minimum 200Ah right?
    Although I don't know if at direction change of the motors they could even draw more...
  13. Gadget999

    Gadget999 Well-Known Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino, 6DOF
    the batteries are 12v 420 amps each !
    • Like Like x 1
  14. Justin_2

    Justin_2 New Member

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    That sounds good...but uhm...A quick research revealed they cost around 400€ each...did you actually spend that much? :confused:
  15. Gadget999

    Gadget999 Well-Known Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino, 6DOF
    no - they were about £40 each

    a battery has two amp ratings - amps and cranking amps

    It can provide a very large amount of amps for a short period of time when you start an engine
  16. Justin_2

    Justin_2 New Member

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    Ok to be clear...
    You wrote 420Amps, but I assumed you meant 420Ah of capacity.
    Could you tell me the exact product so I can check out the specs as an orientation?
    Very much appreciated.
  17. Gadget999

    Gadget999 Well-Known Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino, 6DOF
    • Like Like x 1
  18. Justin_2

    Justin_2 New Member

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    Thank you so much!
  19. Justin_2

    Justin_2 New Member

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    Do you have a plan for the complete circuit aswell? I wouldn't know how to construct it in that way that the motors charge back the batteries. Or do the controllers take care if that?
    Cheers
  20. Gadget999

    Gadget999 Well-Known Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino, 6DOF
    Its simple - use 2x 12v batteries together to create a 24v battery - (connect the plus to minus between the batteries)

    now connect the plus and minus to your motor driver(s)

    use a 240v to 24v 25A power supply to charge the 24v battery

    the battery absorbs the regenerative power when the motors start braking

    I used a set of 24v 200A relays to each motor driver - an emergency stop button can cut the power to the drivers.

    I use a voltage and current LED display so I can see the amps being used at any time.