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 · Aug 30, 2019

saxxon66 said:
SimFeedback 00.09.08 – Multi Controller Release

Exactly one year after the first public release and just in time for the SimRacing Expo the time has finally come, after several beta phases the new release is ready to download.

https://github.com/SimFeedback/SimFeedback-AC-Servo/releases/tag/00_09_08

Here are the important highlights at a glance:

More supported games:

Assetto Corsa Competizione

Assetto Corsa

iRacing (360hz)

iRacing (60hz) by JamesClonk

Project Cars 1 and 2

Dirt Rally 1 and 2

F1 2018, 2019

DIRT4

RaceRoom

RFactor 2

no limits 2

DCS

KartKraft

Automobilista

RFactor 1

Forza Horizon 4

Forza Motorsport 7

Kart Racing Pro

New functions:

Multi Controller Support

Multiple controllers are now supported. So it is possible to use SimWind, belt tensioner, traction loss, ... all systems can be controlled via one software.

SimFeedback Extension API support
With this it is possible to create your own extensions for SimFeedback.
Control SimFeedback with a button box or joystick, access SimFeedback via a web interface, have SimFeedback as a VR-Overlay, ... and what else can you think of?

Change the telemetry value by selecting from a list of all values, in the same way you can change the type of effect (Pitch, Roll, Heave, ...).

Drag&Drop is now supported across profiles, just drag and drop the effect into a new profile to copy it.

Now much more micro controllers are supported

The sound generation for the bass shaker has been completely overhauled.
It is now possible to turn it off globally by setting the soundcard to "non".

Changing the profiles is now much easier, the system shuts down automatically and restarts if necessary.

Have fun and maybe I will see you at the SimRacing Expo

Great work! I have a question regarding importing old profiles: I have the old profiles copied to the new profile folder, it shows all the correct profile values, but like you said the global acceleration and speed params are different.. how do they translate from the old ones? In AC I had overal effects:
intensity = 1
acceleration = 50
min speed = 132
max speed = 170

on the new interface I can't select these values...
to have it identical, would that now be:
intensity = 50
acceleration = 25
min speed = 65
max speed = 85

Is this correct? It just doesn't feel the same and I don't know what to change to make it feel the same..

Steve D · Aug 30, 2019

@HugoB have you used the CLI profile-converter?

https://github.com/ffxf/sfx100-profile-conv

There's a method to convert the whole profile directory as well.

Can recommend checking out the Discord topic.

https://discordapp.com/channels/455119401599893531/610548327456571608

HugoB · Aug 30, 2019

Steve D said:
@HugoB have you used the CLI profile-converter?

https://github.com/ffxf/sfx100-profile-conv

There's a method to convert the whole profile directory as well.

Can recommend checking out the Discord topic.

https://discordapp.com/channels/455119401599893531/610548327456571608

Thanks! Now it makes sense, I overlooked that converter, thought it was automatic on import

Eric Bergeron · Aug 31, 2019

Jasje said:
is anyone else having issues with ordering from Kinetik? I have ordered on June (!) 20 and still haven't received my profiles... I called them 4 weeks ago and they said the profiles were out of stock but would arrive the week after. 2-3 weeks later and still nothing. I'm from Belgium so shipping is not the issue.

They certainly received it, I ordered mine on August 3 and they are in transit. I'm waiting after customs clearance. Good luck..

Eric Bergeron · Aug 31, 2019

@saxxon66 Hi, i have the same problem as "dedraro" but i don't know yow to find the new UID

saxxon66 · Aug 31, 2019

Have a look at the License tab, it is called "License UID".

HugoB · Aug 31, 2019

@saxxon66

Ok so I did the conversion of all my profiles and everything went fine, I imported the new profiles into the new SFB 00.09.08 and they look exactly the same as my old profiles, all settings have been transported, good. But driving it doesn't feel the same, it feels like they are much slower, much softer. Should they feel exactly the same? Or should I tweak settings all over again to have them feel the same?

Also I have an issue with AC, when I restart a race (in-game) the tactile RPM is gone. I need to restart AC and Simfeedback, completely shut down both programs and restart, to get back RPM tactile (transducer) from SFB

Steve D · Aug 31, 2019

@HugoB just posted this in the Discord to you. Hope it helps.

"The Acceleration slider now works the other way around. So left to right to increase motor speed, rather than right to left. So try moving it to the right first before changing anything else. That worked for me. Thereafter, try reducing Smoothing. Can't help you with your tactile RPM issue I'm afraid as I don't use it but I take it your sound card is selected in Set Up?"

HugoB · Aug 31, 2019

Steve D said:
@HugoB just posted this in the Discord to you. Hope it helps.

"The Acceleration slider now works the other way around. So left to right to increase motor speed, rather than right to left. So try moving it to the right first before changing anything else. That worked for me. Thereafter, try reducing Smoothing. Can't help you with your tactile RPM issue I'm afraid as I don't use it but I take it your sound card is selected in Set Up?"

Thanks, I’ll try that, make sense, it was feeling slower to react, though looking the same in the graphical menu.

Tactile, yes, I have the correct sound card selected and it works fine when starting a race in AC, but when I restart the race (like in hotlap, when I crash, I have a button on my buttonbox to restart race), the motion is still working but tactile to my Buttkickers is gone. No matter how often I restart, it won’t come back. I need to quit Content Manager and SFB and restart everything. On the old SFB it was always working no matter what I did. Any ideas @saxxon66 ?

RVGriff · Sep 1, 2019

I just got the last of my parts in so now I am just waiting on my printer. Most of the prints are taking 2 days on my CR-10 in Simplify3D. Is that normal?

Why does 3D printing have to take so LONG....UUUGGHHHHH!!!!!

DJ_Psymon · Sep 1, 2019

Unable to start SimFeedback?

Hi all,
I'm not able to start the SimFeedback app on the PC that I use for sim. I tested everything with my other PC (a Mac running bootcamp) and everything was ok. But when I tried opening SimFeedback on the sim PC, I get the SimFeedback logo / startup screen for a second, then it disappeared and nothing happened.

Any idea what am I missing? Thanks.

o Tiger Feet o · Sep 1, 2019

1) Try having a folder in Documents with all the files in there. (Maybe call it SFX)

2) if you have Excel shut it down first.

DJ_Psymon · Sep 1, 2019

Just tried... still the same :-(

o Tiger Feet o said:
1) Try having a folder in Documents with all the files in there. (Maybe call it SFX)

2) if you have Excel shut it down first.

o Tiger Feet o · Sep 1, 2019

Have you

Run remove_blocking.bat file as administrator.

Before trying to launch?

DJ_Psymon · Sep 1, 2019

Yes. Did try running remove_blocking, which was also unable to launch.

I just tried creating a new user on the PC, restarted the PC with the new user. Both the remove_blocking and the SimFeedback ran successfully.

Something is clashing with remove_blocking and/or SimFeedback in my user account. Now trying to trouble shoot which one it might be. I'm a Mac user, don't have much experience with Windows 10 :-(

o Tiger Feet o said:
Have you

Run remove_blocking.bat file as administrator.

Before trying to launch?

HoiHman · Sep 1, 2019

This is me looking back at a great couple of days at the Sim Racing Expo 2019.

Besides meting a lot of people including @saxxon66, i also got to try out several motion rigs.

Honestly i can say that with the SFX100 we are in a very very good place.

On the Sim Racing Expo you meet a lot of different sim racers who all have different perspectives on what provides the best immersion. We are all trying to replicate the real thing as close as possible.

With exception of the (commercial) Porsche Racing Experience i can tell you guys that the best sim racing experience of this weekend was this morning at home.......

in my own SFX100 simulator.

Wmacky · Sep 2, 2019

saxxon66 said:
@dedraro If you get this message, the license is not valid.
This can be due to pc hardware changes.
The license is only valid on the pc you created the license on and is bound to the UID.
Please send me a message with your new UID (setup tab) so I can create a new license for you.

Saxxon I'm having a same issue now, as I did build a new VR computer. The old upgrade Lic. file did work with the original program, but not this new build with this new computer. I'll send a PM too.

Number 20Seven · Sep 2, 2019

HoiHman said:
Honestly i can say that with the SFX100 we are in a very very good place.

On the Sim Racing Expo you meet a lot of different sim racers who all have different perspectives on what provides the best immersion. We are all trying to replicate the real thing as close as possible.

With exception of the (commercial) Porsche Racing Experience i can tell you guys that the best sim racing experience of this weekend was this morning at home.......

in my own SFX100 simulator.

Thanks for the great write up, sad I couldn't be there, annoyingly I'm testing at the Ring next week so just missed it! What did the Porsche Racing Experience have over the SFX-100? Having tested the 2016 Mercedes F1 Simulator I'd agree that SFX-100 is right up there!

HoiHman · Sep 2, 2019

Number 20Seven said:
Thanks for the great write up, sad I couldn't be there, annoyingly I'm testing at the Ring next week so just missed it! What did the Porsche Racing Experience have over the SFX-100? Having tested the 2016 Mercedes F1 Simulator I'd agree that SFX-100 is right up there!

It was a D-box mounted under the seat in an actual race car. It felt really good but obviously the feeling of sitting in actual race car helped the experience a lot.

The experience could only be reserved in advance and the whole day was fully booked within 15 minutes.

The experience took me by surprise. I thought it was a nice gimmick but it actually turned out to be pretty good. From the outside you can't see the D-box, since the car is not moving but the seat inside is.

First engine rev felt very impressive.