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

Steve D · Jul 28, 2019

HoiHman said:
Monitor ON the rig definitely for me. If you look at my youtube channel you can see i have tried both for a while. The Samsung 49" on the rig in a dark room is almost VR.

But.... you have to compromise with your motion profiles. The SFX100 has enough power to snap of any monitor, no matter how well you have mounted it. It's a matter of mass and inertia.

That's why i can remove mine within a couple of minutes a go full out in VR.

Here's a small video i recorded this morning. The monitor is so close i have to put my reading glassed to get clear vision

@HoiHman Henk, that is fantastic. Brilliant video!

Off topic but what direct drive wheel are you using? OSW, Accuforce etc?

You're wheel work looks great but I just cannot dial my OSW Small Mige in to DR, or DR2 and have almost given up on playing both titles. I cannot get anywhere close to replicating what I used to get out of my old Fanatec CSW and that's the only sim where I've struggled. If you'd be so kind to share your wheel and in-game settings (especially for DR) it would be much appreciated.

Feel free to PM me.

Cheers,

Steve

HoiHman · Jul 28, 2019

Thanks Steve,

I'm using the AccuForce with the Steering Force Feedback Foundation, which is a fancy word for FFB created by Simcommander 4 instead of using the game FFB. So sorry i have no ingame FFB settings to share.

iigator · Jul 28, 2019

HoiHman said:
Monitor ON the rig definitely for me. If you look at my youtube channel you can see i have tried both for a while. The Samsung 49" on the rig in a dark room is almost VR
But.... you have to compromise with your motion profiles. The SFX100 has enough power to snap of any monitor, no matter how well you have mounted it. It's a matter of mass and inertia.

That's why i can remove mine within a couple of minutes a go full out in VR.

Here's a small video i recorded this morning. The monitor is so close i have to put my reading glassed to get clear vision

Hi henk..
Could you show pictures of how you set the monitor to the simulator rig?
photos of the rear area and the 4 corners of the monitor..many thanks

Hanser256 · Jul 28, 2019

HoiHman said:
Monitor ON the rig definitely for me. If you look at my youtube channel you can see i have tried both for a while. The Samsung 49" on the rig in a dark room is almost VR.

But.... you have to compromise with your motion profiles. The SFX100 has enough power to snap of any monitor, no matter how well you have mounted it. It's a matter of mass and inertia.

That's why i can remove mine within a couple of minutes a go full out in VR.

Here's a small video i recorded this morning. The monitor is so close i have to put my reading glassed to get clear vision

Thanks for your reply and great video indeed. Because I also use a pimax for vr I will try to do the same: make a flexible 80/20 solution.

DJ_Psymon · Jul 29, 2019

Thanks.

anton_Chez · Jul 29, 2019

I never got asked for any of that and none of us are using the brake option as far as I know.

DJ_Psymon · Jul 29, 2019

Anybody's cable came with these labels?

anton_Chez said:
I never got asked for any of that and none of us are using the brake option as far as I know.

saxxon66 · Jul 29, 2019

As long as you are not really sure how to use these motors I would recommend you to use the proven sources.

We do not use brakes and use 5V.

DJ_Psymon · Jul 29, 2019

Will order then 5V and no brakes then. Thank you.

saxxon66 said:
As long as you are not really sure how to use these motors I would recommend you to use the proven sources.

We do not use brakes and use 5V.

sn4il · Jul 29, 2019

HugoB said:
It has something to do with the tracking used by Valve (and any other system that uses the lighthouses are affected in more or less ways). It depends a lot on what differences in configuration users have, location of components, cable management and many other factors like shielding or earthing. It’s hard to say if your Valve Pro will or won’t work with the SFX100 but one user on the German forum never figured it out and gave up I think. I use the Index and it works fine, with a minor inconvenience note though: when the SFX100 is running and I’m sitting in my rig I cant hold the Index HMD by the sides or the screen will go grey, as soon as I remove my hand image comes back and during racing not one single problem has ever occurred. I can however hold the HMD in the middle part somehow (to adjust it for example). I think @HoiHman also reported this. With the OG Vive I never had any problems though. A lot of Pimax users also successfully use the SFX100. Only report I’ve ever heard of unsolved compatibility was one user with the Vive Pro.

Thank you Hugo. I will go ahead and pull the trigger on Valve Index. I'm very happy with my Vive Pro. WIth new lenses (GR mod) and lens mount adjustment it really became a new set of goggles.

sn4il · Jul 29, 2019

HoiHman said:
Thanks Steve,

I'm using the AccuForce with the Steering Force Feedback Foundation, which is a fancy word for FFB created by Simcommander 4 instead of using the game FFB. So sorry i have no ingame FFB settings to share.

Your video really convinced me to get curved monitor. I thought that AccuForce is too big to fit that screen on top.

Jan Feenstra · Jul 29, 2019

Hi Guys,

I made a donation on the 15th of July for the Expert mode on the Simfeedback software.
Does anybody when i can expect a reply on the donation?

Best regards,

Jan

HoiHman · Jul 29, 2019

iigator said:
Hi henk..
Could you show pictures of how you set the monitor to the simulator rig?
photos of the rear area and the 4 corners of the monitor..many thanks

It's mounted on an aluminium plate, which on it's turn is mounted on a couple of 80/20 profiles.

saxxon66 · Jul 29, 2019

Jan Feenstra said:
Hi Guys,

I made a donation on the 15th of July for the Expert mode on the Simfeedback software.
Does anybody when i can expect a reply on the donation?

Best regards,

Jan

Jan, I sent you an email on Tuesday, 16.07.2019 22:05.
Please check and send me a PM if you didn't get it.

iigator · Jul 29, 2019

[QUOTE = "HoiHman, publicación: 3016997, miembro: 9312"]

Está montado en una placa de aluminio, que a su vez está montado en un par de perfiles 80/20. [/ QUOTE]

HoiHman said:
It's mounted on an aluminium plate, which on it's turn is mounted on a couple of 80/20 profiles.

Thanks ...henk

Jrnd · Jul 30, 2019

Hello everyone,
After a long pause, because my actuators indicated an error message, I decided to reconnect everything to make new tests ...
but when i click on simfeedback, the software does not launch, and tells me: your license has expired on 01/07/2019.
I want to take the license expert, but how can I do if the software does not launch?

thanks in advance

ThugUK · Jul 30, 2019

I am sure you can just uninstall it and reinstall it to 'set the clock' back so its no longer expired.
The reason it expires is to ensure you have the latest version I think.

Pyronious · Jul 31, 2019

Hey folks, just wanted to drop a note in here to say that the second group buy for the SFX-100 shields is now complete and all boards have been shipped. I ended up with a few extra boards, so if you want a board but missed the group buy please send me a direct message and I can get you sorted. Thanks to everyone who participated in making round 2 a success!

Darren George · Jul 31, 2019

Hi guys,

For those of you building an SFX-100 or thinking about it and would like to see what it takes. Then maybe my series of YouTube videos will help.

Part 1 - Preparing the aluminum profiles -

Part 2 - Wiring up the motor drives -

Part 3 - The 3D printed parts -

Part 4 - Building up the actuator - https://youtu.be/L1PC1UfX9mo
Part 5 - Building a chassis to mount the actuators - https://youtu.be/JDC2_Usp5Do
Part 6 setting up the motor drives - https://youtu.be/8qssyrxLwOU

DJ_Psymon · Jul 31, 2019

Edit: found the info here... :

Stroke and Position

Is 1.5 inch really "Good Enough" for Sim Racing? Assuming the front & rear actuators are 1000mm apart, and left & right actuators are 600mm apart.... a 1.5 inch (38mm) system gives you only 4.4° for Pitch and 5.2° for Roll Where as a 100mm system gives you 11.4° for Pitch and 16.9° for Roll...

eracing-lab.com

Actuators positions?

Hi guy,

Is there's a rule / guideline for where the actuator must be mounted?

I see most people mounted the front actuators just besides the left and right columns holding the steering wheel deck. Would it be ok if I mount them towards to the front, besides the pedals?

I tried looking from this site but the section 5.6 "Mount to Rig" is greyed out.

Thanks.