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Question First rig, need motors

Discussion in 'New users start here - FAQ' started by Fyn, Apr 27, 2022.

  1. Fyn

    Fyn New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2022
    Messages:
    8
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Balance:
    52Coins
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    +7 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, Arduino
    Hey friends! I've got a pile of hardware and electronics (26ft of 2040, sabretooth 2x25, 24v PSU, pair of hall effect pots) showing up this week for my first 2DOF rig - it'll primarily be used for flight - not looking for anything fancy, just some added realism and to get all this equipment unmounted from my desk lol.

    That said, I'm really struggling to source motors. The Motor shopping list in the FAQ (https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/dc-motors-shopping-list.32/) is just a bunch of 404s, and stuff I'm finding now doesn't seem to have much torque unless I'm dropping $500 on a pair.

    Which is to ask, is something like this good enough?

    It looks like my next option might be some wheelchair motors - I'm looking at Jazzys, but I'm not clear what the white/yellow pair is for (the harness connector has positive and negative, then two additionals - phase? encoder? I'm not trying to fuss with ground removal if I can avoid it), and there's basically no technical data around these things...

    I'm a big fella at 6'1" 250lbs, assuming everything is balanced I think they'll work but I also want to avoid getting something and my first 5min in the cockpit to make me feel like I needed something more.

    Any help, suggestions or working links appreciated. Once everything's in I'll start the build thread.
  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
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    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
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    145,124Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,778 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Wheelchair motors are a DC option and often available second hand at reasonable prices and well suited to the type of rig you have in mind, it is just a question of availability.

    You are obviously aware of low power options like wiper motors, which do need ground isolation and a lot of inherent design leverage.

    The other possibility you could consider is AASD15 Servo motors with gearboxes, not cheap, but reusable in any future upgrade, powerful and pretty simple to set up with the right controller:

    https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/amc-aasd15a-servo-controller.351/

    https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/motion4sim-6dof-aasd15-servo-motion-controller.392/
    • Like Like x 2
  3. Fyn

    Fyn New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2022
    Messages:
    8
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Balance:
    52Coins
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, Arduino
    Thanks, noorbeast! Shortly after posting I came across a pair of wheelchair motors that I saw used in D Max's upgrade build. I didn't get them as cheap as he did, but I got them. Looks like everything will be here by this weekend!
    • Like Like x 2
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  4. Raredog

    Raredog Active Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2016
    Messages:
    134
    Location:
    Denmark
    Balance:
    - 6Coins
    Ratings:
    +69 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, JRK
    I have been using wiper motors for my seat mower for some years now - they hold up and works a lot better than I could have hoped for :)

    I am using VR, and the brain gets tricked so much that there isn't need for large motions, even in MSFS2020. :)

    But of course there is a lot more possibilities with stronger motors.
    • Like Like x 1
  5. bob golding

    bob golding Member Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2021
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    retired
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    penzance
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    +5 / 0 / -0
    i am using wheelchair motors. i am making a 6 dof rig. i got mine of ebay not all the same but 3 pairs at least. the extra wires are for the brake which you wil have to remove. easy just 3 screws usually. still a pile of bits on the bench at the moment. i found they are a bit to fast so am using angle grinder gearboxes to reduce the speed and change the orientation. i am using motion4 sims design . seems more balanced having the motors that way. bit more complex to build but looks better i think. i did hit a snag with the build as i was going to weld it but cant find anyone to do it at less than commercial rates so am going to use round tube and key clamp scaffold fittings ussually used for hand rails instead. there is every possable type you could ever need, i only discovered thenm after i brough a hydraulic tube bender of course!"
    • Like Like x 1