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Wiring and connectors recommendations?

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Building Q&A / FAQ' started by gSeat, Dec 13, 2017.

  1. gSeat

    gSeat Member

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    Was reading over what @armpit No-Weld 2DOF Seat Mover On Homebrew Ricmotech RS1 Clone

    said about poor quality wire and connectors, so would like to ask for any recommendations, kits are okay to. Have seen many fantastically wired up rigs here, and would appreciate any info on wiring recommendations for the JRK/worm gear build, but maybe for others feedback regarding SCN5/SNC6 could be of benefit as well.

    Seems so simple, was hesitant to ask, but not big on hardware so appreciate the support!
  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Consider using larger terminal blocks or direct soldering to the JRKs: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/larger-terminal-blocks-for-10awg.284/

    Female RC 3 pin plugs are adequate for the pot connections to the JRK.

    In terms of quick connect plugs there are lots of options, just make sure they are robust, even for the pot wires as I found male to female RC connectors could create issues.

    Personally I use two 9 pin trailer connectors, a USB and 3.5 audio plug, and a cigarette style 12V power connector for quickly connecting all of the various systems on my rig:

    [​IMG]
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    Last edited: Dec 14, 2017
  3. Zed

    Zed VR Simming w/Reverb Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, JRK
    For wire I found audiophile heavy gauge speaker wire is good for this stuff. It tends to have lots of strands so isn’t stiff which makes it easy to work with.

    For connectors I used high current bullet connectors from DigiKey. They are very similar to trailer connectors that Noorbeast recommends but are single male or female connectors.
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  4. gSeat

    gSeat Member

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    Hey @noorbeast, while contemplating @Zed's 3d prints for the fans/heatsinks on the jrks, found self wondering you and others are "fanning" the JRKS...in your pic above you have the jrks with heatsinks only and no direct fan. The case they are in...I don't see a fan, curious if the top cover has fan(s) or how else you're cooling?

    Thinking basic box, with PSUs/jrks and basic 2 fan push/pull.
  5. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    I actually have 2 X 120mm fans @gSeat cooling the JRKs and an amp that is mounted under them. The hinged lid, which is out of the previous picture, has one of the fans and the other is at the front of the box housing, plus there is another 80mm fan at the rear.

    [​IMG]
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  6. gSeat

    gSeat Member

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    Nice, amp is for the bassshaker I take it, cool!

    Think will go a jumble of wires for the sim to the box until I settle down the design, then will probably use some 9 pin connectors like you mentioned/show, very clean
    I think I understand the use of all of the connectors except the single 12v power one - if each of the 3 JRKs has it's own PSU, am confused on the 12v single cigarette power connector that you'd plug into the sim rig?

    I was thinking your power was also coming through via some of the 9 pin adapters, your main box appears to have 3 PSUs in it. Streamlining cables with that mesh wrap through the bottom of the rig is definitely an end game for me too, thanks for any insight.
  7. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    The 12v power is for the 3 X on-board fans and an additional on-board amp.
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  8. gSeat

    gSeat Member

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    Thank you, appreciate it, more food for thought!
  9. gSeat

    gSeat Member

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    does the 12v power come from one of the PSUs that power motors or amp, or a small dedicated PSU? Very late to realizing the need for an emergency shut off, and thought if kept fan power on separate PSU it'd make life easier, but guessing no as I write, that 'd be just another PSU in place of learning how to wire safely in the first place. Still curious as to the circuit setup of that 12v though. Thank you
  10. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    It is powered from one of the existing PSUs.
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