The Thrustmaster T500RS Thread

  • Thread starter TomN
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Falaut
Hello,

So I've completed the fan upgrade. At this point I am still using the stock fan at the top case because the silenx fan I bought ended up being too thick. Please be sure to purchase a 60x60x20mm fan for the replacement of the stock one. The silenx is about 25mm. One can go to 80x80x20, but you would need to cut of the screw pegs from the inside of the top cover. Just to give an idea of the upgrade, I now run the wheel at 10 in GT5 (wow btw) and running Nur, the stock fan turns on 2 and a half laps in. Which in short means, the other three fans are keeping it cool enough for 2.5 laps at strength 10 of Nur.

What you need:
small phillips screwdriver
tweezers
wire cutter/stripper
soldering iron
good quality foam double sided tape
super glue (gel)
multimeter (if you want to find a different 12v lead)
electric tape

***please note. this is just a guide to give people an idea of how upgrade the cooling in the T500rs, which in my opinion is horrible at OEM/stock level. If you fry something, I take no responsibility. Be smart, take your time, google and youtube is your friend.***

First thing first. Fan size is really important because of room inside the case. The HD cooler fans I bought on a whim ended up being really good 1. in getting fresh air in 2. to get the right side of the motor cooled. I think they are 50x50x10mm. If replacing the top fan (stock fan), which was what started all of this, you need a 60x60x20mm and no thicker. This size is actually a little difficult to find.

HDFAN.jpg

HDFANAPART.jpg

FAN.jpg


I suggest using the official TM manual to remove the casing. My opinion is that its much easier to work with the wheel with the steering wheel on. Just don't move the base too much like this.

First take off all the screws (red arrows)
2copy.jpg


Take off the top cover and unscrew the one screw, take out the small bolt with tweezers. I've also dremeled in more vent holes at the top.
1copy.jpg


If you have the steering wheel sitting like this, pull the bottom cover toward you and it should pop off. Undo all the screws shown by the thick red arrows.
3copy.jpg


Again undo the screws shown. Do not forget the two front face screw, they are black, one on each side.
4copy.jpg


Now is the hardest part, gently prying the top off. Be very careful in doing this, I suggest having it pop of slightly and then slide the cover off up and towards you. Basically you don't want to hook this little circuit board on the back of the top motor. Just have patience in doing this part and you'll be fine.
5.jpg


Once everything is off, you need to mount your fan/fans how you want, solder everything up and you're golden. TIP!!!! If you want any of the fans to be controlled by the thermal sensor, just splice the ground of your extra fan into the ground of the main fan. Its this ground that controls the thermal sensor...control? Please note that the 12v lead that I chose to run of, is a constant on lead, meaning that the fans attached to it are running even when the wheel is off (but plugged in). If you want the fans only to turn on when the wheel is on, either use the main fan socket, or use a multimeter to find a 12v lead that only has voltage when the wheel is ON.

6.jpg


7copy.jpg


8copy.jpg


Hope this helps anybody undertaking a similar project.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

Oh my god .....how daring you are
 
Hi guys, I've only just purchased my t500rs and am waiting for the playseat to arrive (tomorrow I hope). I've read a lot of this thread but it's huge and I've got a couple of questions I can't find answers for.

1. I tried the wheel very quickly in GT5 on my lap (OMG, the FFB is good!!) but as it was on my leg I turned the FFB down to 2 in the global wheel settings however the damping still felt high. Do you guys feel a big difference when going from 1 - 10 in the settings? and should setting it to 1 or 2 mean it has not much resistance?

2. The wheel arrived last week and on checking the sticker on the bottom it says it's a V.3. Does anyone know the differences between the V.3 and the V.4 that I've read exists in this thread?

Cheers guys
 
UPDATE
Well as some of you know I had a problem with "The Fan"
The replacement Top cover and Fan came this morning.................And rather worryingly it looks no different than the Fan it's replacing. Except that the metal casing around the old one is now gone ..........perhaps the reason for that god awful rattle!!!!! So now for a proper road test lol
PS Yes the fan is very small....... And if I was more confident with electrics I'd definitely upgrade with additional fan's already seen in this thread
 
excellent news about new shifter for october 👍 hopefully will work 100% with GT5

PS had my wheel since Jan and still going strong and no problems so far. still on v35 firmware, didnt bother with v37 yet
 
Falaut, looks like you did some amazing work there. Very clever but I lack the courage to try something like that. I always wear either my headphones or blast my surround sound so I never notice the fan. And I turn off my wheel when not in use

spenm
Hi guys, I've only just purchased my t500rs and am waiting for the playseat to arrive (tomorrow I hope). I've read a lot of this thread but it's huge and I've got a couple of questions I can't find answers for.

1. I tried the wheel very quickly in GT5 on my lap (OMG, the FFB is good!!) but as it was on my leg I turned the FFB down to 2 in the global wheel settings however the damping still felt high. Do you guys feel a big difference when going from 1 - 10 in the settings? and should setting it to 1 or 2 mean it has not much resistance?

2. The wheel arrived last week and on checking the sticker on the bottom it says it's a V.3. Does anyone know the differences between the V.3 and the V.4 that I've read exists in this thread?

Cheers guys
Click to expand...

#1 I think it depends on the vehicle physics & track. The X1 seems crazy strong no matter what (even on 1 if I recall correctly) while other cars with higher suspension the low ffb works more closely as expected.

#2 spenm I have read it's just the default firmware differences or something minor.
 
spenm
Hi guys, I've only just purchased my t500rs and am waiting for the playseat to arrive (tomorrow I hope). I've read a lot of this thread but it's huge and I've got a couple of questions I can't find answers for.

1. I tried the wheel very quickly in GT5 on my lap (OMG, the FFB is good!!) but as it was on my leg I turned the FFB down to 2 in the global wheel settings however the damping still felt high. Do you guys feel a big difference when going from 1 - 10 in the settings? and should setting it to 1 or 2 mean it has not much resistance?

2. The wheel arrived last week and on checking the sticker on the bottom it says it's a V.3. Does anyone know the differences between the V.3 and the V.4 that I've read exists in this thread?

Cheers guys
Click to expand...

Download the latest firmware from thrustmaster then hook up the wheel to your pc and your good to go as they say......The firmware updates are for petal and steering sensitiveness. As far as I know........I noticed a difference in the both, mine is V1 and I only downloaded the firmware a few weeks ago
 
I've already done the firmware using my laptop last night. It was on v35 and I took it to v37.

I suppose different cars/tyres would give a different feel. I'll see how I go. UPS is telling me the playseat is only 20 miles away so hopefully will arrive tomorrow!!!

Got my last online sticks race tonight, can't wait for the fun to begin!!

I've booked the TV from my wife for the next 2 months :-)

Thanks for the quick replies.
 
spenm
I've already done the firmware using my laptop last night. It was on v35 and I took it to v37.

I suppose different cars/tyres would give a different feel. I'll see how I go. UPS is telling me the playseat is only 20 miles away so hopefully will arrive tomorrow!!!

Got my last online sticks race tonight, can't wait for the fun to begin!!

I've booked the TV from my wife for the next 2 months :-)

Thanks for the quick replies.
Click to expand...

Buttkicker is now on the shopping list?..........although they start at £150 and depending how deep your pockets are you could spend 3 or 4 times that........
 
rebla47
playnthru, please, could you confirm me that:

1.- Left and right paddles on your V2 base are identical.

2.- Left and right paddles on your two V4 bases are identical, but differ from those mounted on the V2 base.


Thrustmaster is traded to make me believe that there is no different paddles between versions, and say they replaced the entire kit.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Hello,

The paddle shifters are identical in size and shape.. It is my opinion that the level of polish (quality) is different. Could be a different person polishing?

However, I have not taken any T500rs's apart and have no idea about the insides.

Thrustmaster told me they no longer repair Wheel's. That's why they sent me new bases and returned my old one.

They should send you a new one too. Not sure why they are making you fix your broken one?

I dealt with Thrustmaster Tech Support in Canada.

Hope that helps you.

Thanks,playnthru
 
playnthru
Hello,

The paddle shifters are identical in size and shape.. It is my opinion that the level of polish (quality) is different. Could be a different person polishing?

However, I have not taken any T500rs's apart and have no idea about the insides.

Thrustmaster told me they no longer repair Wheel's. That's why they sent me new bases and returned my old one.

They should send you a new one too. Not sure why they are making you fix your broken one?

I dealt with Thrustmaster Tech Support in Canada.

Hope that helps you.

Thanks,playnthru
Click to expand...

Thanks, playnthru, but, are not the paddles of your V4 bases harder to press than the older V2 paddles?.


I don´t want a new base... I want two identical paddles in both sides of mine!.
 
Oh, Sorry I was not understanding.. I was writing about the look being different.

The Feel of the Paddle Shifters does seem do differ slightly between V2 and V4.. I have no way to confirm that, just my opinion from memory. I would say V2 felt Harder more soild, than the V4.

Thanks,playnthru

I was having a problem with the Left Down shift lever on my V2(missing shifts).
 
They posted some info on their facebook page last night, but it is basically what they have already said at gamescon. No update on exact release date or any new details that I noticed.
 
This pic lets you see a little bit more of the versatility of the mounting system of the shifter.

303966_264573640237045_177715455589531_1050607_100261_n.jpg


Judging by the seemingly rotating faceplate, I think you'll be able to mount it in just about any position, even from behind the shifter, rather than its front.
 
Can someone confirm the following? I sent this to tech support, they say it's normal. But if I recall correctly this should be smooth.

Hi there,

It's kind of hard to explain but I seem to have some sort of mechanical issue. The following steps prove my problem:

- When the wheel is idle I turn it a quarter to a direction.
- With my hands on the wheel I very slowly turn back to it's center position.

This feeling should be smooth which it isn't. It feels jaggy, like the cogs aren't aligned correctly due to wear of some sort. I have the last firmware and software updates (firmware version 37)
 
Zalathas
Can someone confirm the following? I sent this to tech support, they say it's normal. But if I recall correctly this should be smooth.

Hi there,

It's kind of hard to explain but I seem to have some sort of mechanical issue. The following steps prove my problem:

- When the wheel is idle I turn it a quarter to a direction.
- With my hands on the wheel I very slowly turn back to it's center position.

This feeling should be smooth which it isn't. It feels jaggy, like the cogs aren't aligned correctly due to wear of some sort. I have the last firmware and software updates (firmware version 37)
Click to expand...

You're still in the "break in period"?
 
Carson79
@Dave

Are you saying that after some more use that it becomes smoother??
Click to expand...

Slightly. Then again, I don't have hundreds of hours on my wheel. There are noises it made at first which have been reduced as well. I don't think the notchy feeling will vanish. The belt has notches. Plus electric motors, when turned at slow speeds, have a feeling of grab-release-grab-release... because of the magnets.

The "whine" you hear when steering back and forth quickly is less in the T500 than any other wheel I own. Best to worst: T500, GT3rs V3, G25, DFP. The DFP sounds like a small dog being beaten!

The only way to completely eliminate any jaggy feeling is to go to one of the uber high end PC wheels. One has a screw type system and another has a smooth belt that turns a smooth cylinder.

What stands out in the T500 is how natural it feels compared to the rest of my wheels.

I realize it is not a rack and pinion system like a real car. So, I'm not expecting it to be butter smooth.

Would you say that it's a grinding feeling? Like something is definitely not aligned? Does it have a harsh sound?
 
Last edited:
DaveTheStalker
Slightly. Then again, I don't have hundreds of hours on my wheel. There are noises it made at first which have been reduced as well. I don't think the notchy feeling will vanish. The belt has notches. Plus electric motors, when turned at slow speeds, have a feeling of grab-release-grab-release... because of the magnets.

The "whine" you hear when steering back and forth quickly is less in the T500 than any other wheel I own. Best to worst: T500, GT3rs V3, G25, DFP. The DFP sounds like a small dog being beaten!

The only way to completely eliminate any jaggy feeling is to go to one of the uber high end PC wheels. One has a screw type system and another has a smooth belt that turns a smooth cylinder.

What stands out in the T500 is how natural it feels compared to the rest of my wheels.

I realize it is not a rack and pinion system like a real car. So, I'm not expecting it to be butter smooth.

Would you say that it's a grinding feeling? Like something is definitely not aligned? Does it have a harsh sound?
Click to expand...


MINE
Its just a feeling of every tooth in the belt at slow turning speeds...very slow!
I would say its a very very good wheel!! 👍👍 I've only had logitect wheels the last a DFGT

The new fanatec coming out looks very very good it has a duel smooth belts and changeable wheels
 
BLACK86
good job you can adjust stiffness because that looks well too lose for me
Click to expand...

Stiffness, length if throw and activation point are all adjustable. You will also be able to buy replaceable shift plates for 4,5 and 6 speed gear boxes. Having hall effect sensors is a great idea and really helps with the adjustability.
 

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