Another newbie here!

Hi!

Some info on how I came here:
Around a week ago, I've woken up from a dream about having my own motion simulator. There were no events leading up to it, no reason why I dreamt about it. But I did, so I googled around, looking for some prices. They were really expensive, so I thought about building my own. I searched for some prices on pneumatic and hydraulic actuators. Since I'm only 18, those were too expensive as well. After some more searching, I found X-Simulator.de. I looked around and saw some projects, like the old JoyRider and the newer JoyRider with wiper-motors. This design is quite affordable for me, so I am gathering a LOT of information from this site.
My aim is to make a simulator like the JoyRider wiper-motor edition, which can handle fast motion (not a softmotion simulator).
So I have a few questions:

1. Is it true that the Velleman K8055 is too slow for fastmotion simulators?
2. If yes, what other solutions (I prefer it to not be too expensive) do you suggest?
3. Is there a somewhat-complete document about making a simulator and connecting it to the Profiler?
4. Are wiper-motors really strong enough to move a person in the JoyRider design?

I have searched for answers, I really did. But most of the threads I found tell the people to search... Which is not helping me

Thank you so much! I appreciate it! :hi:

Jeff

Hello Jeff and welcome!

If you want fast motion, look into SCN5 based chair movers.


1. Yes, it is.

2. What is not too expensive? How much do you want to build (electronics, mechanics)?

3. Yes, there are lots of projects on the internet on how to make a simulator. Connecting it to the profiler depends on the electronics, which can be found in their
topic. If you are willing to spend the money on SCN5 actuators, there are documents for that.

4. A hamster in a wheel could move a person with high enough gearing... The question is: How fast?

Hi Frakk, thanks for your reply!

I mean a chip which I can connect to the PC thats ~50 bucks or less (or 40 euros or less or something) to which I can connect wiper motors and SCN5 (just to be sure that I can change my mind later).

Well, the problem is that I'm only 18 and I don't have the funds to pay for SCN5's, as they are 150 euro's a piece, right? That's a bit too expensive for me at the moment, maybe for a future project.

Fast enough to create quite a shock when colliding with, say, a wall in a racing game.

Thanks for your time!!

Jeff

Hi Jeff

Welcome

Just like you, I decided that I would love a simulator. I raced motorbikes for years, but racing anything with a real engine just strips you of every penny that you have.
I have just completed building my chassis and am now looking at adding the motion.
For a race simulator the scn5 based systems are the way to go......but, they are not cheap. I wish they were 150 euro each, they are almost 500 each!!

I am currently trying to get the money up together for the simxperience starter kit SX-3000. prole is that it will cost me over £1000 GBP :thbd:

Wiper motors will do it and the easiest way for the electronics is the Pololu JRK12v12, but they are out of stock everywhere until April :thbd:

There is a wealth of information on this site and plenty of people happy to help, but be prepared to try and work things out for yourself if you can by reading about other peoples projects and experiences.

Good luck

Deaks

Thank you so much for your kind and informative reply!
I think I'm now sure that I'll use wiper motors for this project, and will keep looking for the JRK12v12! I heard of it some days ago on these forums and came to the conclusion that, indeed, it's sold out.
But this will not stop me from building my skeleton, ofcourse, as it will take me a while to build it (both time and money-wise).
And yet another question comes to mind: Is the type of wiper-motor important? Or could I just go to my local car parts shop and pick one?

Thanks!

Jeff

Hi Jeff,


We have the same budget, next to none, but where there is a will there is a way.

Check out this thread as there is some good info and even templates to build your own seat. Doesn't matter what you build you are going to need one and they are not cheap.

2dof-wiper-motor-car-simulator-by-deriy-sato-t2405-50.html

I got an hour or so to work on mine this evening and fingers crossed I will have it built by tomorrow evening (not covered).

Like you I am fuzzy on the controller side of things and looked into the K8005, It would seem it is slow, but, it is cheap.
I would like to have a go at building Tronic's motion controller stuff but I don't think there is a kit option (is there an option?) so that would mean making your own curcuit board and sourcing the components.

Just do as I am going to do and read a little more before you start spending.

I hope to see you build soon!!.

John

IMHO this kind of hobby need money and alot of time. but you still have an option. If you can afford more money than you can reduce the time drastically. But never under estimate DIY electronic much cheaper than SCN5...especially in my case. if you really really wanna go deep into simulator world. DIY everything including the code inside the controller and its cost more money and a few month of headache ... i can say it worth every penny you spend. good luck :hi:

In the end a DIY approach is not always cheaper if you consider the time and frustration it comes with. The worst thing that can happen is you loose interest and just get sick of trying to make something that won't work, then it turns into a complete waste of time and money. Don't get me wrong, DIY can be very rewarding and I personally enjoy the actual process more than the end result, but you have to realize if thats what you really want..

You have to have the tools and resources, but more importantly skills to troubleshoot the problems along the way. If you start building your frame you better have a good saw and sharp drill bits, if you want to make electronics, you better have a good soldering iron and lots of spare parts.

In the end you might spend ~$500 and build a toy simulator in ~3-6 months time. Or you could buy ready-to-run SCN5 hardware and build a professional, top of the line simulator (with a bunch of already existing high quality profiles) for ~$2000 in ~2weeks time.

My personal view: Adrenalin is addictive. After you get used to sim racing you will want more, and wiper motors will only make the addiction worse. I have learned over the years to spend the money once and spend it right.

your are right Frakk.. good advice for newbies.
ps: the worst case happen when you addicted to make 5DOF with scn5...that the only reason I stick with wiper for now