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

Furnace Inferno · Aug 9, 2019

What’s the current situation on an Automobilista motion profile?

Also I see kartkraft files on GitHub but not sure how to add them, I forgot how I added the updated Raceroom files but those were in a single zip file?

GeniFx · Aug 10, 2019

Im reciving my 4 motors tomorrow and need to build A box for the Electronic and i whant A power innlet on IT with A on/off button.

I shuld have A 16a one but can only find 10a is IT okey to use something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07MMH3T7D/ref=sspa_mw_detail_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ThugUK · Aug 10, 2019

You wont find a 16amp one as most circuits are only rated for 13amp.
Some may have a 30amp supply for cookers etc, but most wall outlets are only 13amp.
That is also the maximum size plug fuse you can get.
I personally think it should be ok, because there is little chance of running all motors at full power.
Someone with more knowledge of electricity may say different though.

BluePotato00 · Aug 10, 2019

GeniFx said:
Im reciving my 4 motors tomorrow and need to build A box for the Electronic and i whant A power innlet on IT with A on/off button.

I shuld have A 16a one but can only find 10a is IT okey to use something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07MMH3T7D/ref=sspa_mw_detail_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I assume you're in America having linked Amazon.com. I power on/off my actuators with the single power switch on the step-up converter.

GeniFx · Aug 10, 2019

BluePotato00 said:
I assume you're in America having linked Amazon.com. I power on/off my actuators with the single power switch on the step-up converter.

No im in Norway (europe) Just found A link on Google that was in english

Was thinking 10a was good since ppl have reporter max 700w? Across all 4 motors.
And i did see some place that max they can pull is 13A but that shuldent happend realy

Tim Palmgren · Aug 11, 2019

GeniFx said:
No im in Norway (europe) Just found A link on Google that was in english

Was thinking 10a was good since ppl have reporter max 700w? Across all 4 motors.
And i did see some place that max they can pull is 13A but that shuldent happend realy

I have a 10A fuse in the 4 plug power strip in the back of my Server rack, it is then daisy chained to another 10A fused power strip which has an off button for each plug. A fuse has never tripped so yes you should be fine with 10A. I don't know what @ThugUK is on about with 13A being a standard breaker, maybe that is a UK thing but at least in NZ it is 10A/16A breakers for lighting circuits generally and 16A/20A for Power circuits unless it has been uppped to 32A for things like water cylinders, stoves or other appliances.

ThugUK · Aug 11, 2019

Tim Palmgren said:
I have a 10A fuse in the 4 plug power strip in the back of my Server rack, it is then daisy chained to another 10A fused power strip which has an off button for each plug. A fuse has never tripped so yes you should be fine with 10A. I don't know what @ThugUK is on about with 13A being a standard breaker, maybe that is a UK thing but at least in NZ it is 10A/16A breakers for lighting circuits generally and 16A/20A for Power circuits unless it has been uppped to 32A for things like water cylinders, stoves or other appliances.

Yeah, in the UK the max plug fuse size you can use on a standard ring mains is 13amp.
The ring mains itself is more than that and a cooker socket is 30amp.
This is standard single phase in the UK. You then go to 3 phase (industrial not domestic) which is 45amp.

GeniFx · Aug 11, 2019

Tim Palmgren said:
I have a 10A fuse in the 4 plug power strip in the back of my Server rack, it is then daisy chained to another 10A fused power strip which has an off button for each plug. A fuse has never tripped so yes you should be fine with 10A. I don't know what @ThugUK is on about with 13A being a standard breaker, maybe that is a UK thing but at least in NZ it is 10A/16A breakers for lighting circuits generally and 16A/20A for Power circuits unless it has been uppped to 32A for things like water cylinders, stoves or other appliances.

Thank you. Then ill go with A 10a and Keep an ete out for it and see if it Will get hot. Can see if i put an 10a fuse inside the box aswell Just to be safe

ThugUK said:
Yeah, in the UK the max plug fuse size you can use on a standard ring mains is 13amp.
The ring mains itself is more than that and a cooker socket is 30amp.
This is standard single phase in the UK. You then go to 3 phase (industrial not domestic) which is 45amp.

Thank you again. In norway we have 10 and 16a on normal circites aswell. Have A 16a for the room my simrig is.

C64 · Aug 11, 2019

Lebois said:
Thanks a lot for your Quick reply !
I only can agree with you ! Opensfx 100 seems really really awesome !
Otherwise you didn't reply directly to my questions IMO ^^.
2.5 nm isn't very tough so I wonder how it's possible (i own a direct drive wheel based on a 80st that output 4 Nm)...

The torque may appear low ... but when it is delivered at 3000rpm through a ballscrew that is a lot of linear force. A simpler way to look at it is that they can provide 750 watts of energy/work - comparing this with your stepper motor max watts will give you a true comparison. These motors hardly get warm driving very heavy rigs - I suspect they will outlast most of the rig owners

HoiHman · Aug 11, 2019

Me and my son made a "service mode" plugin

This basically means that the press of a button sends out max/min heave, roll or pitch and will keep it at that level until the button is pressed again.

Will be supported in the upcoming multi controller release and is very handy if you need to work on your rig or measure what clearance you need for your fixed monitor / walls ect ect.

anton_Chez · Aug 11, 2019

To answer @sdubbin before his question gets buried, no I haven't extended the DB cables at all. I've had issue with USB extension to the Arduino so I've tried to stay clear of making anything longer than absolutely necessary.

Not sure how sensitive those cables are to extending. Hopefully someone else can chime in, as I'm not much use other than bumping the post!

Tronicgr_6DOF · Aug 11, 2019

anton_Chez said:
To answer @sdubbin before his question gets buried, no I haven't extended the DB cables at all. I've had issue with USB extension to the Arduino so I've tried to stay clear of making anything longer than absolutely necessary.

Not sure how sensitive those cables are to extending. Hopefully someone else can chime in, as I'm not much use other than bumping the post!

I don't see any reason you would need to extend these, however there are no issues with such DB25 cables up to 10feet long. All the signals are digital 0 or 5v, so even with voltage drop for long cables, they should still register high state signals (low limit is usually 2.8v).

Stevie_007 · Aug 11, 2019

brought some 5m ones as my sfx100 cabinet is in another room and I want my new AMC-AASD15A controller by my rig

dedraro · Aug 11, 2019

Hey guys, I'm trying to improve my simfeedback profile for AC, especially on the heave, I'm trying to have a good profile for all cars not too aggressive, but that gives me nice impacts on the curbs

I added 2 "heave "a soft linear, and one with 0 smoothing right for the curbs. I would like to have your opinion, if someone wants to try it I leave it attached, so as to improve it together.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sdjw2kzw9ctiqoz/ac_Assetto_Corsa_-_Curbs.xml?dl=0
Or if you want to give me some advice on how you use it, bye

Lebois · Aug 11, 2019

Would it be possible to open a new thread with a list of parts that can be ordered from aliexpress or ebay ? I already read 40 pages to find some but it's not very efficient...
And by the way, would this part :
https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/32869180779.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.19cd2e0e4R2Y8e
ok to replace this one ?
https://www.rc-letmathe.de/CNC-Mechanik/Kugelumlaufspindel-mit-Mutter-1605---verschiedene-Laengen

anton_Chez · Aug 12, 2019

Curbs are Roll effect.

GFJunky · Aug 12, 2019

Lebois said:
And by the way, would this part :
https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/32869180779.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.19cd2e0e4R2Y8e

Yes that looks fine, I will post a list of all the parts I ordered from Aliexpress (UK links but should be fine for france) in a separate post.

GFJunky · Aug 12, 2019

Specialist68 · Aug 12, 2019

That angle brackets are really cheap but how about strength?

GFJunky · Aug 12, 2019

They are very cheap compared to other ones I've used. They are light and definitely not as strong or stiff as the Item brackets that are 10x the price. I've used them for parts that are naturally already braced, I can't see them breaking, just flexing more than others.