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

HugoB · Jul 12, 2019

I'd dare say nobody uses the tactile effects on the SFX100 actuators

But maybe somebody does, albeit it has never been mentioned in the last 260 pages

There really isn't any case for it.. all the canned effects in the world can't compete with real 1:1 telemetry to motion... imho

Cote Dazur · Jul 12, 2019

HugoB said:
There really isn't any case for it.. all the canned effects in the world can't compete with real 1:1 telemetry to motion

Are you saying tactile only reproduce canned effect?

HugoB · Jul 12, 2019

Cote Dazur said:
Are you saying tactile only reproduce canned effect?

No, not only.

But if I’m not mistaken tactile on the SFX100 actuators can only be canned, otherwise it would be called motion right? If roll/pitch/heave doesn’t already do what you want, you’re just adding bumps and vibration effects to certain events. Like adding TC/ABS vibration effects to your FFB, which isn’t there in a real car. Or am I completely wrong here? I understand you can also get telemetry based tactile with transducers that represents real things like track surface feedback, but this is what roll/pitch/heave is already doing with the SFX100 actuators right? What tactile effects are you thinking of that aren’t included in roll/pitch/heave?

Cote Dazur · Jul 12, 2019

HugoB said:
But if I’m not mistaken tactile on the SFX100 actuators can only be canned

I did not realized you were talking specifically in the case of the SFX 100.

SixDegreesOfFlight · Jul 13, 2019

For Aussies. Picked up the frame extrusions. 80x40mm heavy duty.

2x1200mm
7x600mm
30 sets cast 40x40 brackets, T-bolts and nuts
Plus cutting to length
$430AUS

Australia MK Group Pty Ltd
Website : www.mkalu.com
Factory address : Unit 7, No 103 Lewis Road,Knoxfield Vic 3180
Contact : Daniel
Email address :
austmkalu@gmail.com
danielsun1995@hotmail.com
Contact number: Daniel 0403 683 919
Tel: 03 9887 2697

SixDegreesOfFlight · Jul 13, 2019

The Bunnings run was interesting. I am going to give this box a try for the servo drivers. It has corner mounts so I can put the four servos on timber then screw it into the box. The box is very sturdy and only cost $24. Should be easy to work with

SixDegreesOfFlight · Jul 13, 2019

Daniel and Amy from AliExpress have been great. Very quick to Melbourne Aus (about a week). I simply contacted Amy and said I was making an SFX100 simulator. She sent me the list of what I needed and a price. Daniel too was super helpful. Sent the servos in two seperate parcels. The second one immediately after I confirmed delivery of the first one. Job done! How easy was that.

Edit: yes, it was David not Daniel fro AliExpress. Daniel was for the aluminium order

anton_Chez · Jul 13, 2019

Daniel? You mean David? For the servo drivers and motors yeah? Anyway, that box is fine. I'm using a $5 Kmart plastic basket. I've not even remembered it's there since I got everything up and running. It's perfect. My OSW power box sits on top of it and they just blend in nicely with everything around it. I even bought Wago connectors to re-do the wiring once I'd seen others using them. Haven't touched them yet. The breadboard seems to be holding up just fine. If anything happens to it, I'll do it then.

Furnace Inferno · Jul 13, 2019

Mr Latte said:
Yes its the tactile vibration only that Id like to see if possible.
Possibly by placing only a glass of water on the foot support as that is often used to demonstrate bass shakers etc. If its not possible to have the tactile operating on its own with no motion, then it would be nice to see the reactions in a glass/container of water with the motion only and then the motion also with the tactile active.

Its not something I have seen anyone show but I am trying to get an impression how SFX handles effects like deceleration/braking as well as others like L/R bumps people have commented on in previous posts.

There is no point trying to compare tactile with motion they are too very different things.

I assume you’ve seen top gear episode when they do joke tests with the cars on cobblestones? If not look it up and you’ll get your answer of what will happen in a motion rig...

.

The energy the SFX-100 can create is well beyond any tactile unit vibrations. I hit a load of bumps in rF2 at speed and the force winded me as it jumped up and down! That’s with smoothing, there are levels of madness beyond that.

wrxawd123 · Jul 13, 2019

Can anyone answer how the simlab p1-x stacks up against the gt1 evo x. Planning to pickup a cockpit in a few months but don't know if the simlab p1-x is worth the extra coin. I'm definitely planning on an sfx-100 build so would like to know if the extra rigidity of the p1-x even matters.

Mr Latte · Jul 13, 2019

Furnace Inferno said:
There is no point trying to compare tactile with motion they are too very different things.

I assume you’ve seen top gear episode when they do joke tests with the cars on cobblestones? If not look it up and you’ll get your answer of what will happen in a motion rig... .

The energy the SFX-100 can create is well beyond any tactile unit vibrations. I hit a load of bumps in rF2 at speed and the force winded me as it jumped up and down! That’s with smoothing, there are levels of madness beyond that.

Im not trying to compare tactile with motion, I agree one cannot replicate the other in what each can fully do but my own build will incorporate both. So I am trying to determine ahead of time what effect sensations people use or enjoy from the SFX.

I was trying to find out what effects/sensations it offered that people were possibly enjoying. I understand it can produce high energy and this will be good for bumps and I fully intend to use it for this with the tactile my own build will also use. Yet I expect via tactile, specific detailing for effects, going direct to different body regions can bring its own advantages.

Its still not clear to me, by peoples comments and talk of canned effects, if some effects they are referring to is from the vibration/energy caused by the motion. Or if some effects offer vibrational feedback and by this I mean like tactile, in that the user can alter the frequencies, there strength or the character for the sensation and control them independent of the motion.

GFJunky · Jul 13, 2019

Tactile transducers is a very good question, I'm interested as well. I'm currently building, most of the way there. Rig already has 4x transducers with Simvibe in chassis mode. Not sure whether to bother wiring them back in and making space for the two big amps they use.

saxxon66 · Jul 13, 2019

Tactile and motion are very subjective.
I do like both, both for different effects.

SimFeedback can do tactile using the actuators and/or shaker.
Both are very limited compared to a full featuered tactile solution.
Shaker are mono only. The actuator tactile will use all motors at once.

The actuator tactile effect needs to be merged with the motion. You will use it best for a limited time. I. e. It works nice for the iracing telemetry that gives you a hz value going over curbs. (Most curbs in iracing are not moddeled in 3d and so you can feel them very nice.)

SimFeedback is like a toolbox, you can do tactile effects for any telemetry value coming from the game.
For this you define a tactile effect and choose the telemetry value you would like to use.
You can define the hz and intensity matched to the incoming telemetry data.
I do use it for the engine rpm and gear shift only.

If you are looking for a full featuered tactile solution I would recommend using a dedicated software.

Furnace Inferno · Jul 13, 2019

Mr Latte said:
Im not trying to compare tactile with motion, I agree one cannot replicate the other in what each can fully do but my own build will incorporate both. So I am trying to determine ahead of time what effect sensations people use or enjoy from the SFX.

I was trying to find out what effects/sensations it offered that people were possibly enjoying. I understand it can produce high energy and this will be good for bumps and I fully intend to use it for this with the tactile my own build will also use. Yet I expect via tactile, specific detailing for effects, going direct to different body regions can bring its own advantages.

Its still not clear to me, by peoples comments and talk of canned effects, if some effects they are referring to is from the vibration/energy caused by the motion. Or if some effects offer vibrational feedback and by this I mean like tactile, in that the user can alter the frequencies, there strength or the character for the sensation and control them independent of the motion.

Hmm, it creates a ton of vibrational energy but not in the same way tactile does, it’s difficult to explain really. Movement just feels different to vibration because you can feel it’s moving you up and down rapidly rather than vibrating.

Wmacky · Jul 13, 2019

OK, i gone through the servo PDF several times, but do not see a reference to the L1, and L2 single phase connection with respect to which gets the hot and neutral. Only 3 phase power is shown.I have to assume that in this case it does not matter or they would have stated such in the factory manual?

Davidhatton · Jul 13, 2019

wmacky
For single phase uk 240v wiring L1 is live ( brown wire)L2 is neutral (blue wire) and the earth ( yellow/green wire) goes to the earth tag on the chassis of the motor controller.
Hope this helps

Wmacky · Jul 13, 2019

Davidhatton said:
wmacky
For single phase uk 240v wiring L1 is live ( brown wire)L2 is neutral (blue wire) and the earth ( yellow/green wire) goes to the earth tag on the chassis of the motor controller.
Hope this helps

Thanks David

Wmacky · Jul 13, 2019

Double post

C64 · Jul 13, 2019

I use rumble and rpm in my iracing profile for the sfx100, I don’t have any other tactile stuff on my rig. Simfeedback certainly makes my rig vibrate convincingly at tickover rpm and smooths out at higher rpm. Driving over kerb rumble strip feels really good. I will investigate other tactile stuff in the near future but probably after getting some DIY seatbelt tensioning and G force seat paddles.

anton_Chez · Jul 14, 2019

I think it's pretty safe to say that there's not too much going on with the tactile if it's barely been mentioned in over 200 builds. It's not that people aren't aware that tactile indeed has benefits in its use. Myself as well as others have dedicated tactile setups that we very much use every time we take a car out, sometimes even without the motion. It's that the SFX-100 software and hardware don't do tactile as well as anything used solely for tactile. I did try it and found it to be a little overwhelming, in the sense that I didn't want to overdrive my motors with both high power motion AND a lot of high frequency (comparatively) vibrating.

In other words, for someone as serious as Mr Latte, tactile from the SFX may as well not even be there.

You get gain, hz options and an RPM scale for engine. That's pretty much it. No layers, no individual channel support, a very basic shaker output to a dedicated unit, and very little in the way of actual effects that the tactile is used for.

So, long story short, if you have ZERO tactile hardware or interest in adding it, sure, go for it. Use SFB for your tactile, perhaps with not too much gain to balance out both motion and tactile output from the same motor. If you have even a single decent unit (BK Mini or higher) then there is no reason to not use Shake It instead. Absolutely none.