Hey y'all

[Lanian]

Hey y'all
Wanted to introduce myself and explain why I signed up
I'm from California and I love racing. That's me in a nutshell!
I'm looking to build a simulator for iracing, and the pre-built ones I see online are ... ridiculous
(seriously- $35,000? $58,000? if I had that kind of money, I wouldn't need a simulator!)
so, be that as it may, I figured I would build my own.

Here's my building capabilities:
I'm good with woodworking, I'm decent with pvc or similar, I'm not too good with metal, and I'm worthless with electronics.
With that said, I was thinking of making a simulator with either wood or pvc, and I'm actually leaning towards the pvc for weight purposes.
I want the movement but not the space. I'd prefer as much movement/response in the mechanism (2 dof minimum, 3dof or more preferred)
I would like the screen and pedals to move with me.
So, does anyone know of a good place/person to buy all the electronics/hydraulics/motors from?
if there are instructions to follow, I can hook things up, but modifications are a little beyond me.
and yes, I am on a budget, I'm making this on the cheap side with the hopes of improving later, so I need a solid foundation!

current setup:
logitech g27
1 monitor, but want the ability to add more later if desired

So I didn't know if one of those platform models would be able to move the way I want, but if it does, would that be the best way?
then I can build the setup the way I want over the platform.
Do the non-platform types (the whole wrap around the body like a bathtub) respond better?

From what I've seen on this site, you guys seem very knowledgable and really know what you are doing.
I saw that some members also made setups for others.
Any tips/tricks/advice would be appreciated. The more I look, the more it feels over my head, but I know it is doable!
Thanks in advance for any help.

[motiondave]

G'day, hopefully I can enlighten a bit.
If you are hopeless with electronics like I am, use these http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1393 one per motor, 7 wires and one usb cable, 12v and 30 amps continuous.
Motors, take your pick, you can use car wiper motors, which can be found cheap but usually need to be earth isolated.
Failing that, perhaps these http://www.motiondynamics.com.au/worm-d ... orque.html
Or these http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online ... escription
If you want the screen and pedals and wheel to move with you and you are good with pvc, go a joyrider frame http://www.acesim.com/main.html this can be setup to move short and sharp unlike some joyriders that move more for flight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKAcXtnxHXU this was my first ride and not very good profiles, but wiper motors.
I can supply instruction for the pololu JRK, as simple as I can make them.
With some planning you could build a sim for about $1000 ish, that includes frame, motors and control boards.
Have a dig through the projects and ask questions as you need to.
Cheers, David.

[Lanian]

Hi David,
Thanks, $1000 is a lot more reasonable. I'm budgeting 700-1000, and wouldn't complain if it ran less than that
a few questions:
the usb motor controller- are you saying I will need one for each motor?
how many motors do I need?
the joyrider frame looks doable- but where do I install the motors on it? and the setup to make that chance is in the software or in the way I make it?

my goal in this is to build it right the first time as best I can.
my second goal is to have this thing beat me up so I feel exhausted after a race - build some stamina.

Thanks again for the help. This is definitely helping.

[motiondave]

Hi David,
Thanks, $1000 is a lot more reasonable. I'm budgeting 700-1000, and wouldn't complain if it ran less than that
a few questions:
the usb motor controller- are you saying I will need one for each motor?
how many motors do I need?
the joyrider frame looks doable- but where do I install the motors on it? and the setup to make that chance is in the software or in the way I make it?

my goal in this is to build it right the first time as best I can.
my second goal is to have this thing beat me up so I feel exhausted after a race - build some stamina.

Thanks again for the help. This is definitely helping.

One board + one motor = one axis, you will need 2 for a 2DOF.
Best place to put the motors is at the best point of leverage. On the roll frame, on the farthest side of the frame. One the pitch. At the back of the seat, sitting on the roll frame and levering to the shoulder of the seat.
I will post photos of my setup later. I have to move the photos to another server because of pop ups associated with the image hoster.
Not sure about that you mean when you say "and the setup to make that chance is in the software or in the way I make it?"
As for stamina, depends how long you plan to game for...

[Lanian]

go a joyrider frame http://www.acesim.com/main.html this can be setup to move short and sharp unlike some joyriders that move more for flight.

setup to make that change* is in the software or in the way I make it (hardware)?

well, the 'stamina' was more of a joke. but I still meant the part about feeling like I got beat up
the joyrider is a 2dof, correct?
so, I would need 2 motors (~$200) and 2 boards (~220)
plus all the materials for the joyrider (know an estimate of cost on that?)
aside from the wheel/chair/pedals/shifter/belts/monitor/computer, are there other materials needed?

is there any benefit of a 3dof vs a 2dof?

[Lanian]

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=132&start=30

Also- is that a new cheaper board that one of the members made?

[motiondave]

If you are worthless with electronics like i am , stick with pololu JRK. Mind you, it is stuck to 12v at 30 amps
If you want to take the time to get a PCB, find components and solder it yourself, go the tronic card. But use aftermarket h-bridges, so the cost adds up, oh and tronic card react to 1ms, even though motors dont get any where near that!
you also have the potential to expand on different voltage motors later.

[Lanian]

go a joyrider frame http://www.acesim.com/main.html this can be setup to move short and sharp unlike some joyriders that move more for flight.

setup to make that change* is in the software or in the way I make it (hardware)?

well, the 'stamina' was more of a joke. but I still meant the part about feeling like I got beat up
the joyrider is a 2dof, correct?
so, I would need 2 motors (~$200) and 2 boards (~220)
plus all the materials for the joyrider (know an estimate of cost on that?)
aside from the wheel/chair/pedals/shifter/belts/monitor/computer, are there other materials needed?

is there any benefit of a 3dof vs a 2dof?

considering what you said made absolutely no sense to me, I'll stick to what is simpler. lol. I just don't want to have to buy things twice- I'd prefer to add options than have to change parts.
as for my post above, trying to figure prices and kinda get a list sorted in my head for what I will actually need.

[motiondave]

Ok, to try to make is simpler,
You are experienced with PVC and you like a frame with screen on it, joyrider 2DOF.
Yes, 2 x motors = $400 ish + 2 control boards JRK $230, single turn pots x 2 for feedback, $6, various brackets, bolts, nuts, rod ends, threaded rod, say $100 to $150?
Joyrider frame, maybe $450 in materials.
Hmmm....$1250 ish so far....
Plus you have to add seat, wheel , pedals, speakers, screens, blah blah.
A 3DOF would give you heave is you wanted it, but it gets costly

[Lanian]

alright, I like the breakdown!
so, the joyrider cannot give 3 dof, correct?
I may have to stick with the 2dof for cost purposes, but just curious if it is 3dof capable
what are the better motors? You linked me to a couple choices, one was a winch, another was a worm drive, and also wiper motors
Assuming the prices are similar, which are better?

http://www.bourns.com/ProductLine.aspx? ... singleturn
^is that what you mean by single turn pots?


Thanks again david, I really appreciate the help