The SimFeedback-AC DIY Motion Simulator thread

[sjb266]

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:

• O-Ring - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Kit-419Pcs-O-Ring-O-Ring-Black-Rubber-32-Sizes-With-Case-3-50mm-W8D7/223152697816?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
• D-Sub breakout board - DB25 25pin Female Adapter RS-232 Serial Terminal Module Breakout Board Connector
• Emergency Stop - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Reliable-Emergency-Stop-Push-Button-Box-600V-Switch-for-Elevator/192115082001?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
• Arduino Wiring - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/40-pcs-Dupont-Cable-20cm-Jumper-Wire-for-Arduino-RPi-breadboard-AU-Stock/202436863098?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&var=502467628096&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
• Breadboard - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mini-Solderless-Breadboard-400-Contacts-Tie-points-Universal-Available-New-lemon/123145741183?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
• D-Dub Cable - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Black-D...h=item3f6ace6403:g:038AAOSw9mpaSsU2:rk:1:pf:0
• Screw Shield for Arduino Leonardo - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Scr...h=item25a9d471a4:g:5BgAAOSwraJbc9rC:rk:1:pf:0
• Arduino Leonardo Replica - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DIY-Eduino-Leonardo-Module-with-USB-Cable-for-Arduino-ATMEGA32U4-Blue-Black/132719951279?epid=916281063&hash=item1ee6b9bdaf:g:2QUAAOSw5iNbWv6b:rk:123f:

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

 

[sjb266]

Ah man.. the tracks are perfection.. and some of the cars are getting really good... To have all your gear and not use iRacing and it's great content is a travesty!!

 

[metalnwood]

I like iracing, it really came in to it's own when I got a DD wheel. Before that a ot of it didnt make total sense and then all of a sudden cars that seemed hard to control were a lot more simple.

I have been a member there for ten years and you would think by now I should have my A license and a million races under the belt. Truth be told is that I find it hard to race to schedules so I don't do a lot of it's organised racing but it is always there when I have time to hop in a practice session or hosted session on a car/track that takes my fancy and practice racing alongside real people who for the most part are good drivers not out to ruin your day. I own a lot of the road content, it is very good in VR for me so ticks all the boxes.

 

[anton_Chez]

Agree with the points regarding VR and the DD wheel. I felt the same. I hadn't tried it for ages and then I did after having the OSW for like 6 months and I was like 'what the hell, everything feels way better now!'

 

[Mascot]

Quick Q for P1 owners: what's the gap between the underside of the P1 chassis and the floor with the SFX fitted and in the 'resting' position? I'm trying to determine the correct position for my TV wall mount and it's something I want to do in advance before any additional weight gets added to the rig, as it'll have to be moved out of the way first. The NLMv3 already makes things tricky.
Ta.

(Still no response or even an acknowledgment from Kinetic, BTW. I've still no idea whether they realise I've paid for the goods).

 

[metalnwood]

@Mascot , it really depends where you mount them, I am going for keeping the centre of gravity as low as possible so I mount the actuators so the bottom of the printed part that holds the linear bearing is at the same level as the bottom of the profile.

You could go lower perhaps, but then you would have to be sure that the front of the P1 wont bottom in to the floor when the other end is at full extension. This I guess depends on how each has set their up.

If you mount them as I am then the bottom of the p1 will be about 3 1/2" above ground + whatever you use for your rubber feet.

 

[HoiHman]

The SFX100 with my new 34" monitor directly lets me enjoy some of the non-VR casual race games.

Titles like Dirt 4, Forza Motorsport 7 and F1 2018. Somehow the motion fills the gap of the missing VR. Not sure how, but it does.

These games are great fun with the SFX100. One of the strangest experiences was being rolled back into the pit box in F1 2018.

I could feel the car being lifted and i can swear i actually felt it turn as it wobbled back and forward while being pushed backward into the pit box.

For guys that have monitors on their rig, if you try my DTM R3E profile, turn it down for safety. When i run in VR is always remove my monitor which gives me much more room to increase the intensity of the motion, without of the fear of my VESA mount cracking.

 

[sjb266]

I wasn’t aware these were playable with the SFX100 yet.. I love a bit of Forza 7!

 

[anton_Chez]

I think a single 35" and lower shouldn't be a problem while running fixed to the chassis. Any bigger than this however and I think we're asking for trouble if you don't make a conscious effort to reduce intensity in the motion. I've put a very small amount of padding on my monitor where it makes contact with the OSW wheel base and it's made things a lot more tolerable for me while the monitor remains mounted. I do wish to try to run without it mounted and see how it affects the overall feeling. I am going to miss it not being there, however. I use is a lot while driving in VR for alt tabbing adjusting settings, Discord and all the things you take for granted. I know I can use a virtual desktop but with the Oculus it's probably going to be a nightmare. When the Pimax gets here it may be more feasible.

 

[anton_Chez]

We really need AMS......

 

[HoiHman]

I wasn’t aware these were playable with the SFX100 yet.. I love a bit of Forza 7!

F1 2018 and Dirt4 work both through the codemaster plug-in and i have uploaded a profile for each on the discord server.

Forza 7 is officially not supported, i'm waiting on some feedback from @saxxon66 to proceed with it. Forza 7 is my "morning racer" the game you play when the whole family is still sleeping an you need to be quiet.

Using the codemasters plugin i have managed to extract a sort of heave, roll and surge from Forza 7.

It works pretty good at low intensity settings. Combined with the GS-4, simvibe and using the AccuForce force feedback foundation, i have created a pretty good, but completely silent profile.
Simvibe fill the gap for the curbs, because the simulated heave it not 100% correct for each and every road detail.

This lets me enjoy the game in the nightly hours while having a pretty convincing motion and tactile feedback without waking up the family.

Getting Forza 7 to work is a long awaited dream coming true. I think we all have played one or two Forza games. I have always wished to be able to play it with our high-end hardware.

For this nostalgic reasons, i just love playing Forza 7 with all the toys enabled, including SFX100 and wind simulator.

 

[Specialist68]

Any idea where to get neck flanges like this at 3:46 to hold everything down on top a traction loss platform?

is there room on the SFX100 build on the anduino leonardo electronics to connect a 5e actuator for traction loss?

 

[saxxon66]

is there room on the SFX100 build on the anduino leonardo electronics to connect a 5e actuator for traction loss?

The Arduino can drive 4 actuators and is already at its limit. So the answer is no.

 

[saxxon66]

We really need AMS......

Anton, go for it.

It is rfactor 1 based so I tried the rfactor 2 plugin, but no luck.
Searched for documentation in their forums, also no luck.

But we do have factor 2 and for me it's the best simulation for motion and Force Feedback.

Rfactor 2 ffb handling is 400hz vs 60hz in iracing.
So guys, if you feel like your dd wheel came alive using iracing, i recommend to give RFactor 2 a try. Sebring in GT3 is a blast.
Or if you want to use iracing try irffb and enable 360hz mode in iracing.

 

[BenKay]

SO how would you run a RTL actuator? A second Arduino? can the software handle that?

 

[anton_Chez]

FINALLY.............

I got my bluetooth earbuds working in Windows without them destroying my ears whilst sounding like a WW2 radio.



Oh, and I tried the V3 with the SFX-100.

 

[Steve D]

Anton, go for it.

It is rfactor 1 based so I tried the rfactor 2 plugin, but no luck.
Searched for documentation in their forums, also no luck.

But we do have factor 2 and for me it's the best simulation for motion and Force Feedback.

Rfactor 2 ffb handling is 400hz vs 60hz in iracing.
So guys, if you feel like your dd wheel came alive using iracing, i recommend to give RFactor 2 a try. Sebring in GT3 is a blast.
Or if you want to use iracing try irffb and enable 360hz mode in iracing.

That's really interesting info and might explain why I'm having such an absolute blast with rFactor2 with the SFX-100. Indeed, I followed @anton_Chez's advice last night and tried Bridgehampton with the Flat6 series cars and was absolutely blown away with regards the detail and feedback I was getting from the actuators, my NLRv3 and the OSW combined.

My wife thought I had taken an illegal substance when I went down to dinner with a crazy grin on my face albeit she nodded and acknowledged dutifully and in all the right places when I tried explaining the epic experience I had just had!

However, as variety is the spice of life and others have given it the 'thumbs up' I may well give iRacing a look anyway!

 

[Steve D]

FINALLY.............

Oh, and I tried the V3 with the SFX-100.

And......

 

[anton_Chez]

@saxxon66 Thanks for your input Micha. When you say 'go for it' it sounds like you're asking me to create the plugin? I wish I knew how! I do appreciate rF2 and firmly believe it's probably the greatest driving experience we can have in sim racing today. Of course everyone has their favourites but I agree with your sentiments.

AMS is also awesome. If not for the fact that it does not support VR, I'd probably have 3 times the amount of time in it than I already do. Are you saying that there is no way to have support for it since we've tried other plugins that don't work? I know my V3 platform supports motion for it but of course this is completely different. I say that just to confirm that the title should have the ability to send all the necessary data to SimFeedback.

 

[anton_Chez]

And......

I will post some findings tomorrow on my first impressions. Hitting the sack pretty soon and want to mash some buttons before doing so.

 

[Specialist68]

The Arduino can drive 4 actuators and is already at its limit. So the answer is no.

Oh man thats a Bummer! But wil a second arduino work with the software
As second device?
http://www.prosimu-shop.com/fr/p5mp-p7mp/77-t1000.html works with
5 actuators how he is doing that I don't know ( simcommander ? )