Total newb

hey guys, my name is Jordan I am looking to build a 2DOF racing rig using a set of wiper motors, dash out of an old car, a spare sparco racing seat I have kicking around, tripple monitors, and then build a nice race panel full of switches, lights, and lcd outputs for stuff like lap times, gears, and MPH. I have never done anything quite like this before but I have done lots of soldering with car related stuff and wiring.

hoping some people can point me in the right direction.

hi @supraman welcome here. You know the slogan "Veni vidi vici". This means: read the many postings about the rigs from other users. Read the FAQ or some parts of it, show us your concept and then there will be nothing more which can stop you to build your first simulator

thanks for the kind words @Pit , I have already started looking at some of the others build and trying to figure out how I'd like to build it using ideas from what I have seen done. the one rig I think I really like so far is actually the one in the DIY tutorials. He has a very good looking frame and how he used the wiper motors is very similar to what I had in my head.

I would strongly advise that you take careful consideration how and where you mount the motors as wiper motors vary in performance. The main disadvantage is that wiper motors do not turn at the same speed in reverse as they do in forward. To reduce this effect you must mount the wipers so when the rig moves forward in pitch/surge both motors are rotating in the same direction (both either forwards or backwards). This will give your platform a bit of an offset to one side but will make sure that you wiper motors rotate at the same speed for pitch. For roll/sway I don't think it is as much of an issue.

@Alexey , Thank you for bringing this up I was actually wondering how that worked and I am lucky space isnt an issue.

May I suggest using JRK boards for simplicity

do you have any designs in mind?

@bsft , yea I has some design ideas and I found a video on youtube of a guy who has a set up almost exactly like how I was planning on constructing mine. I like how his monitors are stationary but the entire rig plus pedals move as one not just the seat. he later goes on to make his 2DOF a 3DOF and I plan on making my chassis with the capabilities of suck upgrades with little work involved.

here is the video I am referring to, I hope its ok to post up vids from other sites.. if not I am sorry and I will take it down.

Yes I have seen that video before, although I didnt know it was converted to a 3rd DOF drift
Ive done a few full frames in the past as well



So its possible in several setups.
I still recommend larger DC motors and the Pololu JRK control boards for easy setup and overall better performance

@bsft can you explain what those things are? I am honestly just kind of jumping face first into this world so alot of these terms are still new to me as is the software. Also for me it will come Down to cost and availability as I work at a parts store and can get wiper motors for practically nothing.

@noorbeast do you have any input as to some of the part numbers for wiper motors that will work?

Wiper motors 50-60 rpm, cheap, like $10 each
Larger DC motors 150-170 rpm , stronger , $100 each is
Pololu JRK 12v12 $99 US each plus shipping , need one per motor, no code to write, 12 bit controller. Handles 30 amp continuous all day
Arduino and Monster moto driver, depending on where you get them, probably uner $150 for all for motor control, have to use existing code and or re-write to suit your application. 8 bit controller

Also I have Been doing some research into Hall effect sensors and it seems Honda has used these on their K series engines to monitor the throttle position. Kinda Interested on finding out if this would also work and or be more accurate of readings as this is also a three wire sensor.

Are you going to use an arduino or JRK?
Ard reads 1027 positions ( I think)
JRK reads 4095 positions (I think)

I'm not sure i still have to look into what each is and how it operates

Welcome! and my recomendation (being a noob myself) is to read as much as you can, there's so much good info here on the forums. I really knew nothing a month ago, and now I have a pretty good idea on what I will build and how to do it, just need to polish some details. People on this forums are awesome and really helpfull.

haha thank you for the nice words hope to have my rig up and running in a month or two

I agree the guys here are awesome and great with advice