I think I need a cockpit... (7th November 2012)

[the_greeze]

If your still counting you havent spent enough.

Ain't that the truth! lol

 

[sesselpupser]

Your button boxes look like they'd be more at home on a mixing desk, so pretty... Speaking of which, my brother has one of these:

I wonder if they'd make a good button box?
(this is a joke, before anyone takes me seriously)

Might I ask where you found those illuminated buttons? They're very Tron. I think I'll stick to knitter switches and momentary-off-momentary toggle switches for my own box but I'd like to use some for other ideas I've got, if you wouldn't mind sharing.

Oh, and this is another one of those threads (like museumsteve's) where I instantly regret being curious. I need to get the lead out and make my own look presentable, not that I think it'll ever match welded and powdercoated steel!

 

[left888]

Well, I'd whole-heartly recommend a motion setup to anyone if it's within their budget. It adds soooo much 👍

I haven't seen Mike Perry's rig. Could you post a link please? Be very interested to see it...

http://members.iracing.com/jforum/posts/list/1868620.page His is not a motion cockpit. He oval races and I think his dash is out of a real late model, although all of the gauges don't work properly until symproject gets their new rev burner software (Sim Dash?) going which is rumored anytime now.

 

[the_greeze]

Might I ask where you found those illuminated buttons? They're very Tron.

Oh, and this is another one of those threads (like museumsteve's) where I instantly regret being curious. I need to get the lead out and make my own look presentable, not that I think it'll ever match welded and powdercoated steel!

The buttons are from Maplin, here in the UK (Radio Shack in the States, I believe?) They're very good apart from the red ones which seem to have a high failure rate (or I'm incredibly unlucky!). Check out the pictures I posted above and on some shots they're lit, others not. They tend to have a life of their own! Blue and green ones are perfect though. Weird...

I've worked with steel all my life so it was the natural choice for me when it came to building the rig

 

[the_greeze]

http://members.iracing.com/jforum/posts/list/1868620.page His is not a motion cockpit. He oval races and I think his dash is out of a real late model, although all of the gauges don't work properly until symproject gets their new rev burner software (Sim Dash?) going which is rumored anytime now.

Thanks for that link Left 👍

A nice rig with some very interesting hardware fitted (love those pedals but wouldn't know where to start hooking them up to a PC!) And that dash, hope he gets the other gauges working too. That'd be very cool.

Looks like he got a few people fooled in that thread too! lol

 

[Mr Latte]

Great update, exudes class and accomplishes a very professional look.
As I have previously mentioned your execution and attention to detail are to my own personal desire.

You lot are trying to brainwash me into motion, lol.

 

[the_greeze]

Great update, exudes class and accomplishes a very professional look.
As I have previously mentioned your execution and attention to detail are to my own personal desire.

You lot are trying to brainwash me into motion, lol.

Thanks Mr. L! 👍

I intend to spend most of the forthcoming Easter weekend tweaking the motion profiles (and test driving, of course ) and the weekend after that, I'll break it all down and take it in for powder-coating. After that, re-assemble and take some more photos and a video or two.

BTW, that 'chirping' sound you hate is present, but not as audible as it sounds in the video. For me it forms part of the immersion; the general ambience of the racecar, if that makes sense? I don't find it distracting at all.

 

[left888]

They're very good apart from the red ones which seem to have a high failure rate (or I'm incredibly unlucky!).

Seeing that your button boxes are completed it might not matter anymore but ask Derek Spear over at iRacing forums. I'm sure he would help you out.

Looks like he got a few people fooled in that thread too! lol

That was funny, had me going for a second. I think a few folks were pissed off a tad.

 

[Mr Latte]

Good to hear about the immersion is something you enjoy and the noise isnt so annoying as in videos. Look forward to hearing what games you think are best with the motion from enjoyment perspective not just simulation aspect.

Hell Ive spent enough in the past few months to easily buy it but I'm still not convinced it suits me. Maybe I need to go visit the local Hexatech again, shame though your far away I could of brought you a box of cookies for a visit.

Im not vastly impressed with the D Speare box I got delivered yesterday.
Nice looking but the plastic box and empty hollow sound might of been better with a metal box.

 

[the_greeze]

Im not vastly impressed with the D Speare box I got delivered yesterday. Nice looking but the plastic box and empty hollow sound might of been better with a metal box.

That's a shame. I've got my eye on those pedals he's working on...

 

[Mr Latte]

I think RMK's control box looks awesome.
Will compare one of those to the Speares unit, it isn't bad at all but well just feels a little cheap. I could end up using both however but still have a notion to also utilise the "new ipad" on the cockpit.

Have you considered a tach, I got one of those 11k "Type R" models for about £30 ish on ebay. Think one of these would give your cockpit that little bit more "wowness"

 

[Mr Latte]

Forgot to ask would you ever consider the rear traction loss add-on to your sim?

"The Rear Traction Loss Add-On allows for an even more precise simulation by adding a third actuator arm and motion base extension in order to simulate vehicle rotation in addition to G-Forces! This patent pending design allows drivers to find the edge of traction by feel unlike any competing simulator.."

 

[the_greeze]

Forgot to ask would you ever consider the rear traction loss add-on to your sim?

I have, however the design of my cockpit would make implementing a traction-loss unit quite difficult. Not impossible but would require major re-works to all the framework.

Never say never though! You know me... lol

 

[Mayaman]

That rear traction loss module would be the icing on the cake.

 

[the_greeze]

That rear traction loss module would be the icing on the cake.

You're not wrong but like I posted earlier, it'd be a real **** to do.

 

[the_greeze]

Have you considered a tach, I got one of those 11k "Type R" models for about £30 ish on ebay. Think one of these would give your cockpit that little bit more "wowness"

Sorry, missed this earlier. Yeah, I'm giving dials some thought

Can you link to that tach please? 👍

 

[Mr Latte]

Sure can...

Here


Tinker over at ISR bought several tach units, he stated in the end that really these are good enough for sim racing and spending a lot on them while maybe more accurate isnt really needed.

I like the idea of having the colours to match my G19 keyboard and my cockpit frame will be chrome.
I bought a sym projects rev burner unit and gear indicator. Aint got a digital speedo yet but reckon the CSW could be used for that?

 

[the_greeze]

@ Mr Latte: Mmm, shiny! Thanks for the link 👍

Now the bulk of the work is done on the 2-DOF add-on, I think my next (much smaller) project will be incorporating two rear speaker stands. Now the framework for the actuators in fitted, it gives me the capability to move the rear speakers from off the wall behind me to directly behind the seat. Should be an improvement. Naturally, I'll custom-make the stands

-----

 

[left888]

greeze if you drive the Lotus79 or some of the other high revving cars make sure you get an 11,000 RPM tach. Also, when you connect it to the rev burner make sure you set up the tach in four cylinder mode and that will work with any size cylinder engine in iRacing.

Also be cautious of some of those cheap tachs, some of them are so far out of calibration.

 

[the_greeze]

greeze if you drive the Lotus79 or some of the other high revving cars make sure you get an 11,000 RPM tach. Also, when you connect it to the rev burner make sure you set up the tach in four cylinder mode and that will work with any size cylinder engine in iRacing.

Also be cautious of some of those cheap tachs, some of them are so far out of calibration.

Cheers for the info Left 👍 I've just joined the SymProjects forum and posted in this thread regarding the forthcoming control board. Until this is released, I'm probably a bit stuck but I could proceed with designing the dash.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Besides the OP hating welding -can't see why, oh that's my bias since one of my degrees is in it - do you guys usually stick with tack welds or do you actually run full beads. Also what thickness mild steel are you using. I have a massive idea of what I want to do for my rig but need to see what others find best and build off of it.

 

[the_greeze]

Besides the OP hating welding -can't see why, oh that's my bias since one of my degrees is in it - do you guys usually stick with tack welds or do you actually run full beads. Also what thickness mild steel are you using. I have a massive idea of what I want to do for my rig but need to see what others find best and build off of it.

My rig is fully welded and the steel I use(d) is 25mm x 25mm x 3mm box-section. There is a fair amount of 6mm plate in the build to, but I tend to used bolted connections wherever possible. 👍

The primary framework (the seat / steering wheel section) I fabricated myself in a friends garage but I've currently lost this facility (his beloved Series One Landrover is tucked-up for the winter!) so I have had all my other fabrications handled by a local engineering company. I've got a cash-deal going with them so it's not too painful on the wallet!

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

My rig is fully welded and the the steel I use(d) is 25mm x 25mm x 3mm box-section. There is a fair amount of 6mm plate in the build to, but I tend to used bolted connections wherever possible. 👍

The primary framework (the seat / steering wheel section) I fabricated myself in a friends garage but I've currently lost this facility (his beloved Series One Landrover is tucked-up for the winter!) so I have had all my other fabrications handled by a local engineering company. I've got a cash-deal going with them so it's not too painful on the wallet!

Sounds great, I'll be doing my own work, I was thinking of an aluminum frame. It will be much lighter and easy to move around as well as work with for the way I want to build the frame. I just need to finish the AutoCAD mock up and find a way to put it on the site. I also plan to TIG weld it so I get a much smoother finish then I would with an initial MIG weld and grind.

Also what are the benefits to having the button box? At the moment I'd rather go for a full function F1 sim wheel that I can swap in and out for a regular wheel.

Another question (last one for now), is there any system out there that makes wheel shake. The issue I have with the accuater systems/motion systems is that the steering wheel doesn't move like in real world settings it is too stationary. Is there a system that I can get, or would I have to engineer it (another degree I'm working on )?

 

[the_greeze]

I also plan to TIG weld it so I get a much smoother finish then I would with an initial MIG weld and grind.

Good choice. There's not much worse than grinding up welds to a nice profile!

Also what are the benefits to having the button box? At the moment I'd rather go for a full function F1 sim wheel that I can swap in and out for a regular wheel.

If F1 is your thing then you'll probably be okay with an F1-style wheel. I race tin-tops mainly so having those button-boxes is much better than fiddling with a computer keyboard.

Another question (last one for now), is there any system out there that makes wheel shake. The issue I have with the accuater systems/motion systems is that the steering wheel doesn't move like in real world settings. Is there a system that I can get, or would I have to engineer it (another degree I'm working on )?

Do you mean apart from the wheel's force feedback? Like, the whole steering assembly moving? If so, then I'm afraid I don't know of anything... Sorry.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Good choice. There's not much worse than grinding up welds to a nice profile!

Thanks, I guess I was taught well.

If F1 is your thing then you'll probably be okay with an F1-style wheel. I race tin-tops mainly so having those button-boxes is much better than fiddling with a computer keyboard.

Well I love to race V8 Supercars, Rolex, LMP/GT, Nascars and WTCC it's just I love the F1 seat position but don't want to run two seperate seats (don't have the money) for the different skill sets or facing. However, I am a massive F1 fan and want a good system in time for F1 2012, pcars and new cars that iracing will come out with...oh and rFactor2. So with that said, would a simple button system be ideal?


Do you mean apart from the wheel's force feedback? Like, the whole steering assembly moving? If so, then I'm afraid I don't know of anything... Sorry.[/QUOTE]

Yeah sort of, FFB is great and all but a bit more movement and vibration that one would get from actually racing. Or do you think that FFB is enough, I've never used the accuator system for long times, just short test since I don't own one. So do you feel it is that realistic or better yet how realistic is it for you, does it help give your body an immersive feel?

 

[the_greeze]

Well I love to race V8 Supercars, Rolex, LMP/GT, Nascars and WTCC it's just I love the F1 seat position but don't want to run two seperate seats... So with that said, would a simple button system be ideal?

Yeah, don't see why not Go with the wheel, you can always add a button box further down the line.

Yeah sort of, FFB is great and all but a bit more movement and vibration that one would get from actually racing. Or do you think that FFB is enough, I've never used the accuator system for long times, just short test since I don't own one. So do you feel it is that realistic or better yet how realistic is it for you, does it help give your body an immersive feel?

Right, gotcha 👍 I have added tactile feedback to my wheel mounting plate to pass on engine vibration (I also included the gearstick too). There're various threads on here regarding tactile (do a quick search of the forums) to give you an idea of what's possible. Our resident tactile expert Mr. Latte would be worth PM'ing if you want good advice

So, on the wheel there is the usual force feedback and the added vibration from the tactile transducer. It feels absolutely superb and I'd highly recommend you incorporate multi-channel tactile into your build 👍

The actuator system is brilliant! Really, really good (hard to put into words) and adds a massive amount of immersion and I find it very realistic. Again, I highly recommend it...

Hope all this is of help?

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Yeah, don't see why not Go with the wheel, you can always add a button box further down the line.



Right, gotcha 👍 I have added tactile feedback to my wheel mounting plate to pass on engine vibration (I also included the gearstick too). There're various threads on here regarding tactile (do a quick search of the forums) to give you an idea of what's possible. Our resident tactile expert Mr. Latte would be worth PM'ing if you want good advice

So, on the wheel there is the usual force feedback and the added vibration from the tactile transducer. It feels absolutely superb and I'd highly recommend you incorporate multi-channel tactile into your build 👍

The actuator system is brilliant! Really, really good (hard to put into words) and adds a massive amount of immersion and I find it very realistic. Again, I highly recommend it...

Hope all this is of help?

Trust me you're helping me out immensely and I'm putting together a grocery list to get the project off the ground.

 

[the_greeze]

Trust me you're helping me out immensely and I'm putting together a grocery list to get the project off the ground.

Good stuff

Start a thread detailing your progress; plenty on here would be interested in seeing a build from the 'ground up'. Good luck 👍

If I can help anymore, just let me know...

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Good stuff

Start a thread detailing your progress; plenty on here would be interested in seeing a build from the 'ground up'. Good luck 👍

If I can help anymore, just let me know...

Sure thing. I probably wont get the thread started till after my technical school training for the Air Force.

 

[Mr Latte]

Hey greeze, no expert on tactile, just a curious hobbyist and I enjoy the experimentation of it.

I think I'm upto 20 tactile units with my build plans now. Using a combination of 5 different types. Learned some new things recently too and have some surprises for the future.

Although to be fair I have dropped out one of the planned 12" subwoofers from my build as it has been replaced by the biggest 1000w Buttkicker model. It is wicked, well just slightly more powerful than a BK Gamer, lol. It however will bring my whole approx 8ft x5ft base platform to life for the main build.