The SimFeedback-AC DIY Motion Simulator thread

sjb266 · Sep 17, 2018

Hey guys. Thought I’d create a thread for those taking the plunge into this brilliant DIY project..
I will be starting mine soon and I know there are others thinking about it.. so feel free to share your knowledge and experiences so we can all enjoy this platform to its full potential. A huge thanks to the developers who have really knocked this one out of the park!

Website: https://opensfx.com/2019/02/20/welcome-to-our-new-site/

Github: https://github.com/SimFeedback/SimFeedback-AC-Servo/wiki

For all the internals for the actuator contact Amy - skye@ntl-bearing.com
She can supply everything you need. Just remind her you want the ends of the shafts chamfered and make sure she sends the right sized ball screw - we have had a couple of issues reported. She is very helpful though and the cost is pretty good.

Huge thanks to @RowanH for writing a comprehensive user guide which can be accessed here - https://www.rowanhick.com/sfx-100-build-and-running-guide

In addition, @anton_Chez has contributed a list of post numbers for some of the important settings etc..
Post #320 SFX-100 thread
Post #327 SFX-100 thread for Discord correlation
Post #339 SFX-100 thread
Post #418 SFX-100 thread
Post #424 SFX-100 thread
Post #439 SFX-100 thread
Post #449 SFX-100 thread
Post #517 SFX-100 thread
Post #554 SFX-100 thread
Post #580 SFX-100 thread
Post #826 SFX-100 thread
Post #837 SFX-100 thread
Post #864,866,867,868,870,887,889,897 SFX-100 thread
Post #911,914 SFX-100 thread
Post #988,992,998 SFX-100 thread
Post #1147 SFX-100 thread
Post #1492 SFX-100 thread
Post #1511,1517 SFX-100 thread

I will try to keep this page updated with links to source the parts in other parts of the world. Just post whatever links you have and i'll add them here.

Please note: Not all the parts listed below are essential for the project. For the essential parts refer to the original shopping list.

Australia:

Thanks to @AussieSim for the following links:

10A power lead(s) * 4
https://www.jaycar.com.au/2m-black-mains-extension-lead/p/PS4152

Top quality wire stripper
https://sydneytools.com.au/product/boxo-cutws205-multifunction-wire-stripper

RCD/safety switch power block
https://www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-4-outlet-heavy-duty-portable-safety-switch_p4420028

WD-40 lithium grease for the ball screws
https://www.bunnings.com.au/wd-40-specialist-300g-high-performance-white-lithium-grease_p6100408

Vibration pads
https://www.bunnings.com.au/whites-on-site-100-x-12-5mm-rubber-anti-vibration-mat-4-pack_p3961547

WD-40 Dry PTFE spray for the slider (free shipping)
https://au.rs-online.com/mobile/p/lubricants/7577134/

Arduino Leonardo (free shipping + frequent 10-15% off discount)
https://www.arrow.com/en/products/a000057/arduino-corporation

DB25 cables * 4 (free shipping)
https://www.arrow.com/en/products/ak401-2/assmann-wsw-components-inc

PETG * 3 (free shipping)
https://www.arrow.com/en/products/petg17bk1/mg-chemicals

WAGO-like connectors to avoid a breadboard (perhaps use genuine ones if you are doing 240V AC)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32906719488.html

D-Sub breakout boards * 4
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32297675967.html

3D printer Creality Ender-3 Pro
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32918302452.html

Wires from Arduino to D-Sub breakout (remove black plastic from the WAGO end)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32887680826.html

Crimp connectors for AC wire leads
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32813550981.html

RowanH · Jan 28, 2019

No worries guys.

Special mention to @saxxon66 for casting his eye over the final draft

oh and giving us a kick a-- system to play with

Now the only problem with the platform is there's soooo many things to try. Taming the Alzen beast on the Nordschleife, avoiding clattering off concrete going down Skyline in a GT3 car, avoiding the curbs at Zolder, seeing how much you can take on Sebring. Choices.. choices.. choices..

Mascot · Jan 28, 2019

Before I hit 'print', is the whole of the 112-page motor manual required for SFX-100 purposes, or (hopefully) just a small part of it? Ta muchly.
https://github.com/SimFeedback/SimFeedback-AC-Servo/wiki/Motor-Test

HugoB · Jan 28, 2019

Mascot said:
Before I hit 'print', is the whole of the 112-page motor manual required for SFX-100 purposes, or (hopefully) just a small part of it? Ta muchly.
https://github.com/SimFeedback/SimFeedback-AC-Servo/wiki/Motor-Test

You can pick some interesting passages from in it digital PDF form and then never look at it again once it works.. don’t know if it’s worth the paper expense..

I didn’t even have it when building my actuators, only later was an English version available, I had to make do with the Chinese one

anton_Chez · Jan 28, 2019

Of course I didn't use it.....

C64 · Jan 28, 2019

Mascot said:
Before I hit 'print', is the whole of the 112-page motor manual required for SFX-100 purposes, or (hopefully) just a small part of it? Ta muchly.
https://github.com/SimFeedback/SimFeedback-AC-Servo/wiki/Motor-Test

I would say that none of the manual is required... it's nice to have but all you really need for the SFX100 is in the Wiki.

Mascot · Jan 28, 2019

sjb266 said:
Very very impressive Rowan! What a fantastic resource for this system.. Look where we are after 4 months since the thread started.. You guys have all been fantastic in your input and the thread hasn't once gone off the rails which is an impressive feat for 100 odd pages..!

Here's to 100 more! :clink:

@sjb266 Hey Simon, do you have any plans to update the first post in this thread to include some of the more important/useful tips and advice that have emerged in this thread, as well as links to @RowanH 's guides etc? There have been some really useful posts with users giving the benefit of their experience (eg lubing the helicoils before winding them into the extrusion) that will probably get lost in the 100-odd pages of this thread, unless the builder does a three-hour trawl of every post.

Maybe those who have completed their builds can list 'things they wish they'd known beforehand' or 'things they wish they'd done differently' to assist those of us taking the first tentative steps? Or is there already a concise resource for this that I'm not aware of?

One tip I can add is to check eBay for a lot of the items on the shopping list. You can save a fair wedge that way. Eg, a big box of O-rings is about £7 delivered on eBay, and twice that much on Amazon for what looks like exactly the same set.

Cheers

anton_Chez · Jan 28, 2019

Yep I have accumulated the posts relating to software tuning to couple with Rowan's guide so we could at least put those together with my list of do-not's....

HugoB · Jan 28, 2019

anton_Chez said:
Yep I have accumulated the posts relating to software tuning to couple with Rowan's guide so we could at least put those together with my list of do-not's....

@anton_Chez How are you enjoying your motion btw? Have you made some good profiles that you like? How is it combined with the V3? Is the SFX100 motion what you hoped for?

Yesterday I installed the new Sol mod for AC, it's amazing. I drove an endurance race from afternoon through night to sunrise (with time progression multiplication of course), on the Nordschleife with a Porsche 962C Kurzheck. I love rowing through the gears and this car is really made for that track. With the motion from SFX100 it was so immersive it gave me goosebumps. I wasn't really trying to break any records, because I was enjoying the motion and the scenery so much

sjb266 · Jan 28, 2019

@Mascot Yeah absolutely.. I don't have time to trawl through the thread but if people want PM me their experiences I can put something together. Will update first post accordingly.. and will definitely include Rowan's link.

Thanks for suggesting it..

Mascot · Jan 28, 2019

sjb266 said:
Thanks for suggesting it..

It was purely for selfish reasons

anton_Chez · Jan 28, 2019

@HugoB It's been hard to fully dive into it as I still race regularly at nights and am back at work now just as I finished the build so not as much time to play with it as I would like. I've yet to use it in a league race yet as I want to make sure I am comfortable with it. I use the V3 like I have been for the last 2 years and just leave the actuators disabled.

In the time that I have had with it, it's awesome. Like, really awesome. I am someone that gets paralyzed by having to mess with settings and stuff before I can fully just get into using it day to day so I have just started combining motion platforms together on a very sporadic schedule. It'll be days until I get back to it and then I forget what I was doing! I've sorted the harness situation, too, with my homebrew (aka tightass) method and had 10 or so laps around Adelaide with my Nissan V8 Supercar and the SFX-100 on and I was still strapped firmly in after I pulled into the pits. So, 300 bucks firmly in the pocket there after all rather than having to go for a high end harness.

I'm actually going to go and have a little play with Dirt Rally now after getting some sort of decent FFB with it on the OSW. It's the first time I've been in it since getting the small Mige and it's amazing (and mortifying) to see how poorly anything that isn't rFactor 2 or iRacing etc. handle the DD wheels. It's proper garbage. I couldn't be less excited for DR2 or WRC 8 at this point and have accepted the fact that if I want a rally experience it's going to have to be from 15+ years ago. Sigh.

TitomakY · Jan 28, 2019

Hello everyone, I am following this SFX-100 project from the shade and I would also like to do my bit. First of all I want to thank saxxon66 for his work. I would like you to give me your opinion about these commercialized actuators and if they could work with Simfeedback.
https://longshine.en.made-in-china....Dynamic-Platform-of-Racing-Car-Simulator.html

sebna · Jan 28, 2019

Bolts and nuts ordered...

Specialist68 · Jan 28, 2019

TitomakY said:
Hello everyone, I am following this SFX-100 project from the shade and I would also like to do my bit. First of all I want to thank saxxon66 for his work. I would like you to give me your opinion about these commercialized actuators and if they could work with Simfeedback.
https://longshine.en.made-in-china....Dynamic-Platform-of-Racing-Car-Simulator.html

Personally I think we must let the FSX100 topic here and no other products in it. Its a DIY project

Mascot · Jan 28, 2019

UK-bods: did any of you get hit for any import duty when your stuff from Emily arrived? If so, how much?
Looks like my bits 'n' bobs might arrive this week.

C64 · Jan 28, 2019

TitomakY said:
Hello everyone, I am following this SFX-100 project from the shade and I would also like to do my bit. First of all I want to thank saxxon66 for his work. I would like you to give me your opinion about these commercialized actuators and if they could work with Simfeedback.
https://longshine.en.made-in-china....Dynamic-Platform-of-Racing-Car-Simulator.html

Hello

- My opinion is they look very expensive and won't be compatible with the SimFeedback software. The SFX100 is a bit like a cult, if you don't follow the build rules then you are likely to be politely asked to form your own cult

anton_Chez · Jan 28, 2019

What's the point of thanking saxxon when you aren't going to use his system??

The SFX-100 is a start to finish project. Designed to be self contained and off the shelf. Buying a literal actuator kind of defeats the purpose.

TitomakY · Jan 28, 2019

I'm sorry, do you think I should delete my previous publication?

Talkwrench · Jan 28, 2019

Mascot said:
UK-bods: did any of you get hit for any import duty when your stuff from Emily arrived? If so, how much?
Looks like my bits 'n' bobs might arrive this week.

Mine arrived today, all present and correct! No whiff of any import duties yet but occasionally they follow up later with a letter, time will tell. I'm just waiting for the last few pieces to print and my actuators are finished! Server cabinet arrives this afternoon for the electrical build. Just waiting on the extrusion & bucket seat to arrive to build my new chassis, its all very exciting

Mascot · Jan 28, 2019

Talkwrench said:
Mine arrived today, all present and correct! No whiff of any import duties yet but occasionally they follow up later with a letter, time will tell. I'm just waiting for the last few pieces to print and my actuators are finished! Server cabinet arrives this afternoon for the electrical build. Just waiting on the extrusion & bucket seat to arrive to build my new chassis, its all very exciting

That's encouraging!
Do they ever follow up after the fact? I thought in the UK the goods were held until payment was made if any duty was outstanding, and if you have goods in hand then no duty is due. That was my understanding anyway - it might be bollocks.