The Thrustmaster T500RS Thread

[JohnBodin]

Sweet

Without having taken apart the T500 (don't tempt me!), would a small piece of lexan (0.010" thick) on the foam help? I race slot cars too, we call the stuff "body bullet proof". Basically thin plastic with self adhesive. I use this stuff everywhere as stick-on shim stock (like on the paddles of my home rig's extensions).

I think something like Lexan would work great -- if you try it, please report back.

Also, if your wheel is still under warranty, contact Thrustmaster tech support through their Website -- they're pretty good about passing out replacement shift paddle switch assemblies for warranty repairs from what I've heard.

Very easy to disassemble, remove, and replace, too. I'd recommend that if my recommended fix doesn't work.

 

[VINCE__]

I searched, where is the info on the steering column screw's that need to be Loctited? I went to do mine up and it just so happens I have one broke off on the threads. I'm going to try and drill and tap it out but I need replacement sizes. Anyone know what size they are? Would like to replace all with better quality ones.

 

[LogiForce]

Do any of you know the pinout of the wheel connector?

I am getting a nice thick leather wheel from a neighbour and wish to get at least a horn functioning. So if any of you know than it saves me the trouble of opening up my GT rim.

 

[Dhalism]

is t500 still in production? I've been on a look out for it in case i can get a discount, and all i see is it going out of stock.

 

[LogiForce]

is t500 still in production? I've been on a look out for it in case i can get a discount, and all i see is it going out of stock.

When I check the Dutch webshops it's still full in stock. So I doubt it's out of production.
Maybe a shipment got delayed at customs that was for your country? Dunno.

 

[JohnBodin]

Do any of you know the pinout of the wheel connector?

I am getting a nice thick leather wheel from a neighbour and wish to get at least a horn functioning. So if any of you know than it saves me the trouble of opening up my GT rim.

A guy on the iRacing forums used one of the Derek Speare T500 adapters and a USB controller board and did his own custom wheel with 6 buttons using a coiled USB cord. I'll try to attach a zip file with some pics. If you'd like to get in touch with him via e-mail, drop me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll try to hook you up.

 

[LogiForce]

A guy on the iRacing forums used one of the Derek Speare T500 adapters and a USB controller board and did his own custom wheel with 6 buttons using a coiled USB cord. I'll try to attach a zip file with some pics. If you'd like to get in touch with him via e-mail, drop me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll try to hook you up.

The problem using such a solution is that I wouldn't be able to use a button box based on an Arduino Uno or Mega in conjunction with my Thrustmaster hardware on the PS3.
This because I already need one Arduino to act as a controller for use with my hydraulic handbrake, and I plan to make a center console using an Arduino Uno (or mega) for those buttons.
That's two controllers, plus the fact that the Arduino Mega could act as a double controller (emulating two DS3 controllers).

Now I've looked at the hardware in the GT rim just now and it's quite simple actually. There is no microcontroller in them, just two static shift register chips. Namely...

StMicroElectronics HFC4021B (SOP):
http://www.st.com/web/catalog/sense_power/FM140/SC1798/PF63016?s_searchtype=partnumber

That together with the Panasonic 104 surface mount resistors:
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/ERJ-8GEYJ104V/P100KECT-ND/203250

And a single 104 surface mount capacitor per chip:
http://uk.farnell.com/avx/08055f104kat2a/capacitor-0805-100nf-50v-x8r/dp/1301790


The hard thing to get I think would actually be the 6-pin Mini DIN male chassis/panel mount connector that Thrustmaster uses in their steering wheel bosses to make the connection.

I will dig a bit deeper to see if I could use the internal electronics.
Thanks for the offer though, John.


ps. I have made a image set on my Flickr account with images of the electronics. Thought I made share for all of you.

GT Rim Electronics: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjEnC7zz

 

[JogoAsobi]

ps. I have made a image set on my Flickr account with images of the electronics. Thought I made share for all of you.

GT Rim Electronics: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjEnC7zz

Big thanks for sharing Logi! Nice to have on-hand for reference.

 

[itrdc5]

For DIY peeps, the RMK Basic Adapter by Rs74 lends itself well for adding a board with your adapter, very much like the one Left888 posted.

See the pics here with the Leo Bodnar BU0836 stuck on the the adapter. The pics are just for illustration purpose only. You would want to securely mount the board to the adapter. Notice I had to file the BU0836 PCB down to fit nicely. However, smaller boards would fit nicely including Sam Maxwell's board. If only he sold that separately by itself then you can just wire his board up to a connector to connect to the one on the wheel and have full PS3 compatibility. Anyway, you can see his wheel in one of the pics too.

Room for things to be inserted

View of USB port when attached to wheel

RMK Links (in case you want to contact him, since there is no website):
Rotating Paddle Mod
Button Box

 

[LogiForce]

For those curious modders I also opened up and took photographs of the Ferrari F1 rim.
It seems this one has a single Sonix microcontroller though instead of 2 shifter chips.

Which leaves some room to play I suppose, since both options can be explored as long as you talk via a serial line to the microcontroller in the T500 base. At least that is my guess.

Have fun modding.

Sonix SN8P2708AQG: http://www.sonix.com.tw/sonix/product.do?p=SN8P2708A

F1 Rim Electronics: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjEobkyx

 

[Dhalism]

When I check the Dutch webshops it's still full in stock. So I doubt it's out of production.
Maybe a shipment got delayed at customs that was for your country? Dunno.

thanks for looking it up!
I would guess, theyre moving towards Amazon being their sole distributor in the US.

 

[LogiForce]

thanks for looking it up!
I would guess, theyre moving towards Amazon being their sole distributor in the US.

Could be. Amazon is big over there, but not in my little country.
There isn't even a Amazon page for the Netherlands.
The country on our left, the UK, has one. The country on our right, Germany, has one. We just seem to be the unfortunate ones in the middle or something.

Here is my Dutch pricewatch site. Though you might not be able to read it, you can make out what the little trucks mean behind the shop names.

Link: http://tweakers.net/pricewatch/279117/thrustmaster-t500-rs-zwart-pc-playstation-3.html

 

[TRL_Importlife]

Selling my t500 for 380 pm me

 

[left888]

Selling my t500 for 380 pm me

Is this still for sale and in good condition? I believe I might know someone.

 

[TRL_Importlife]

Is this still for sale and in good condition? I believe I might know someone.

Yep:tup:

 

[RacerXXX]

got a t500rs v5 from frys today for 375$, box and wheel both show as v5. haven't fitted it yet. hopefully it works lol.

 

[paskowitz]

I really should have bought a couple of these when it was $380 USD on amazon. I returned the one I ordered ($380). I thought the price was going to go down... but I guess not.

 

[left888]

Yep:tup:

The buyer bought one 2 weeks ago, I PM'ed him on another site. Had you posted a few weeks ago and I seen it, I could have been a middle man.

I really should have bought a couple of these when it was $380 USD on amazon. I returned the one I ordered ($380). I thought the price was going to go down... but I guess not.

I purchased two of them when the first released. Both of them have ran most excellently since then. I believe they are two years old now.

 

[Mahnegold]

Interesting for Germans:

T500 RS @ 326€ from Amazon.de

 

[LogiForce]

Can an Italian explain what was done here exactly and why?
It looks interesting and a good upgrade/improvement for the smoothness of the wheel, but I am not sure.

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[TheDabbinDave]

Can an Italian explain what was done here exactly and why?
It looks interesting and a good upgrade/improvement for the smoothness of the wheel, but I am not sure.

Thanks in advance guys.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_I5V9fu1to">YouTube Link</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yfB4OxUrgA">YouTube Link</a>

Yes please! It looks like an important repair, adjustment, or mod. Too bad it's not in English.

 

[spinner]

I've got captions on with English translation. Half of it I can make sense of , the rest is just weird with occasional laughs.

From 5.44:
"Remorse this world all screws ,

you can see there are no more ,

morsels of cat"

Very poetic indeed Youtube !

Edit: Oh man , it gets better ! lol

 

[LogiForce]

I've got captions on with English translation. Half of it I can make sense of , the rest is just weird with occasional laughs.

From 5.44:
"Remorse this world all screws ,

you can see there are no more ,

morsels of cat"

Very poetic indeed Youtube !

Edit: Oh man , it gets better ! lol

Gotta love it. lmao.
I have to ask. Did you have stomach cramps from laughing so much and ending on then floor, or was it still safe for the human body to handle the level of laughter?


I was hoping someone would have already translated it by now, or at least the important bits. I really wish to know why he swapped the plastic rollers for some metal bearings, as in how it improved,
With the steering axle he seems to have used wedges of metal to stop any movement. Not that I have any though.

 

[somebodysb2]

Those of you kind souls out there with the F1 wheel could you please do something for me?

1. Measure the diameter of the F1 wheel
2. Measure how wide the big paddles are from one another (Left edge to Right edge distance)
3. Try shifting using the big paddles and not the small ones on the F1 wheel (is it uncomfortable?)

Asking this because I would like to fit this wheel on the T500.
http://www.formula-seven.com/shop-products/steering-wheels/

 

[thriller69]

Damn, was a sweet deal on my country's one web site, 249 euros for the T500 Wheel+Pedal set..pretty low priced..no wonder it didn't last too long before ran out of em

 

[JohnBodin]

Those of you kind souls out there with the F1 wheel could you please do something for me?

1. Measure the diameter of the F1 wheel
2. Measure how wide the big paddles are from one another (Left edge to Right edge distance)
3. Try shifting using the big paddles and not the small ones on the F1 wheel (is it uncomfortable?)

Asking this because I would like to fit this wheel on the T500.
http://www.formula-seven.com/shop-products/steering-wheels/

Sam Maxwell -- the guy who does the custom Momo wheels for the T500 -- sells the adapter and button plate separately (minus the wheel), and he also sells a version that includes MOVABLE paddle shifters.

Might be worth contacting him to see if you could order an adapter with paddle shifters MINUS the button plate for use with that wheel. Drop me a PM if you need to get in touch with him.

 

[somebodysb2]

Sam Maxwell -- the guy who does the custom Momo wheels for the T500 -- sells the adapter and button plate separately (minus the wheel), and he also sells a version that includes MOVABLE paddle shifters.

Might be worth contacting him to see if you could order an adapter with paddle shifters MINUS the button plate for use with that wheel. Drop me a PM if you need to get in touch with him.

Sent!

 

[JohnBodin]

Reply sent back.

 

[spinner]

Gotta love it. lmao.
I have to ask. Did you have stomach cramps from laughing so much and ending on then floor, or was it still safe for the human body to handle the level of laughter?


I was hoping someone would have already translated it by now, or at least the important bits. I really wish to know why he swapped the plastic rollers for some metal bearings, as in how it improved,
With the steering axle he seems to have used wedges of metal to stop any movement. Not that I have any though.

I survived the laughing without any permanent damage although when I read "horse penis" I almost lost it !

My interpretation of the first video was that he somehow increased the belt tension which reduced the deadzone and increased the level of detail in the FFB.
The downside to the increased tension was the damage to the original plastic rollers (which he replaced with the steel ones) and also he had to replace one of the bolts that mount the motor at the top.

I guess if you're not satisfied with the standard range of FFB , you could copy his mods but it seems to be placing too much pressure on the "chassis" to be a long term improvement.

I have noticed a small amount of movement around the steering shaft on my wheel but its not worth worrying about yet. I'm guessing his wheel had a lot of play to warrant the installation of those shims.

Anyway , it was worth a watch , good for a laugh !

 

[LogiForce]

I survived the laughing without any permanent damage although when I read "horse penis" I almost lost it !

He mist have been referring to the steering shaft. Lmao
I will see if I can get those subs here too tomorrow. Seems more interesting than the contents of the video. Haha!

My interpretation of the first video was that he somehow increased the belt tension which reduced the deadzone and increased the level of detail in the FFB.
The downside to the increased tension was the damage to the original plastic rollers (which he replaced with the steel ones) and also he had to replace one of the bolts that mount the motor at the top.

I guess if you're not satisfied with the standard range of FFB , you could copy his mods but it seems to be placing too much pressure on the "chassis" to be a long term improvement.

I have noticed a small amount of movement around the steering shaft on my wheel but its not worth worrying about yet. I'm guessing his wheel had a lot of play to warrant the installation of those shims.

Anyway , it was worth a watch , good for a laugh !

So not really worth the effort when it all feels fine I suppose. Than I won't bother and risk anything as my wheel feels fine.
I just thought it might make it all feel a bit smoother overall. Though an increased belt tension can also cause other issues to turn up. So better not touch if it is not needed.

Thanks for taking the time to make some heads and tails out of it. Although that tail seemed to be in there quote literally in a way. lol