DIY Wheel Design and Build

Ts656577 · Mar 18, 2020

Hey everyone. I suppose this is a build log of sorts. I'm building this with the intentions of obviously using it but also to figure out what features I like, what I don't like, and what I think I might want on a rev2 wheel. I like options on my wheels so I have tried to incorporate as much as I can onto one wheel. Feel free to throw any comments/criticism into the comments section. I'm really pretty new to anything electrical/arduino so I'm nervous about that aspect working.

Here's a rundown of what I am using in this build:
3mm Carbon front plate
3D printed back housing
2.4" Nextion display
Various buttons/toggles
Custom made aluminum paddle shifters
3mm Carbon paddle shifter handles
320mm OMP wheel
Custom designed PCB with pin headers (would allow for changing up of buttons/toggles if desired)
Undecided on quick release

Ideas for the rev2:
Bodnar board
Clutch paddles
Potentially a machined housing or carbon back plates
Might make a more F1-esque style wheel as well

And now for some pictures
Not so great pictures of the layout being done in 2D CAD

Ts656577 · Mar 18, 2020

Here's some of the 3D modeling from the 2D CAD

Ts656577 · Mar 18, 2020

Working on the PCB board. Here's where I'm wary of it actually working. If anyone has any concerns or suggestions for this Arduino setup, let me know. This is just a sketch because I'm much faster in 2D CAD than a PCB program. I'm going to attempt to use easyEDA unless someone has another idea. Additionally, each wire will have a 10k resistor wired in.

Daniel R. · Mar 18, 2020

Check a software called "Fritzing" for PCB layout. It's easy to learn, free and easy to handle. Much better than drawing it in cad since you have to export special files for manufacturing of a PCB, via, f.e., DirtyPCB.

Good Luck with the project, looks good so far.

PS. : maybe you could also check Fusion360 for 3D CAD... Also easy to learn and to handle and for hobby users free to use....

Ts656577 · Mar 18, 2020

Daniel R. said:
Check a software called "Fritzing" for PCB layout. It's easy to learn, free and easy to handle. Much better than drawing it in cad since you have to export special files for manufacturing of a PCB, via, f.e., DirtyPCB.

Good Luck with the project, looks good so far.

PS. : maybe you could also check Fusion360 for 3D CAD... Also easy to learn and to handle and for hobby users free to use....

Hey, so I have SolidWorks for 3D which is where the above pictures came from. And doing the lines in 2D for the PCB was more for me to visually get a feeling on how to connect/layout all of the lines for the PCB to make sure they connect to the board. My concern is that I'm not totally sure that my MS Paint picture will allow each button to work. I think it will based on matrices I've seen others do online but because I am so new to Arduinos, i'm not 100% positive. As for that PCB program, I will definitely take a peep. EasyEDA seems a bit overwhelming to a newbie. Thanks for the feedback!

Daniel R. · Mar 18, 2020

OK, try Fritzing. It's really easy. It's pretty fun actually ;-)
If you have problems with it just post a quastion here.

Fusion 360 I just mentioned because it's proper modern CAD and it's free to use.
It could be, but I'm not sure, that they have also tools for PCB design in it.... But as I said, not sure.

Ts656577 · Mar 18, 2020

Daniel R. said:
OK, try Fritzing. It's really easy. It's pretty fun actually ;-)
If you have problems with it just post a quastion here.

Fusion 360 I just mentioned because it's proper modern CAD and it's free to use.
It could be, but I'm not sure, that they have also tools for PCB design in it.... But as I said, not sure.

Solidworks has a program but it's an additional program that I don't have so that's why I'm looking elsewhere. Thanks for the info though. I'll check out Fritzing tonight.

Ts656577 · Mar 19, 2020

Just some pictures of the components I have. Still need a cable for the custom coiled USB cable. It's going to need to be 8 wire to account for the display and arduino. Then it'll end in two USB ends. Also need pin headers and connectors. The reason for this is ease of maintenance if a button fails but also because I could switch out toggles/buttons if I want since they won't be hard soldered to the board.

Sieben · Mar 20, 2020

Nice project. What's the diameter of the OMP wheel?

Elaphe · Mar 20, 2020

I'm sure that rim is the Chinese replica sold on Aliexpress and eBay. It's 33 cm, if I remember well. I've owned several of them and it's not bad for it's extremelly low price.

Sieben · Mar 20, 2020

Ok, thanks! Just curiuos because, don't know why, but it looks like to be a bit smaller then "standard". )

Ts656577 · Mar 20, 2020

Sieben said:
Ok, thanks! Just curiuos because, don't know why, but it looks like to be a bit smaller then "standard". )

It's 320mm. So I'd say standard. And yes, it's one of the replicas but my buddy had used one once and for their price, they're really solid. I have felt other eBay ones and you can twist them with your hands, but this one is stout.

Sieben · Mar 20, 2020

Got it. Wanna find one with 250mm, but as I reckon, the price was a bit too high for it) Also use 320mm "standart" )

Ts656577 · Mar 23, 2020

Sieben said:
Got it. Wanna find one with 250mm, but as I reckon, the price was a bit too high for it) Also use 320mm "standart" )

250mm might be really small without going custom. The G29 steering wheels are really small and i think they're 270mm. I have a blank G29 wheel at home if you need one.