So I've been quite busy the past couple of weeks and almost have my stand complete. I'm just awaiting a boatload of final parts to arrive this week and will hopefully have this ready for a beta test next weekend.
I set up the proof of concept with the 4 Dayton pucks inside the seat and having it driven with an old car amp, and WOW, it definitely changes the entire gaming experience for the better. Within 5 laps I'd beaten an old fast lap time in iracing.
I mounted the pucks to sheets of plexiglass to better distribute the vibrations while inside the seat and it worked really well. I have 2 on one plate under the bottom portion of the seat, one on the lower back portion of the seat, and another stuffed in the top back of the seat through the zippers. These little pucks work great in this application.
https://ibb.co/mNO5b6
https://ibb.co/cnm2Om
That of course pushed me to go full bore and start my stand build and to order components to go full 7-channel tactile. For the Chassis mode, I have 4 AuraSound AST-2B-4 on order, to be driven by a Sure 4x100W @ 4ohm amp board. I have a second 4x100W amp to power the 4 x Dayton pucks in the seat (wired in parallel for 4ohm) and another AST-2B-4 for the pedals.
I split the top of the stand into 4 sections to better isolate each corner vibration. The Playseat F1 will be bolted to each panel respectively. I'm still waiting on the parts, but the top will also be suspended above the bottom cabinet for better vibration isolation, so the vibrations from the rig don't bleed down to the cabinet.
https://ibb.co/kbpYUR
All of the support components (PC, Amps, etc) will be stored neatly underneath and out of the way. At the last minute while building this yesterday, I decided to make the top hinged so the entire rig, chair and all, can be lifted up in order to better access all of the components underneath. I had to reduce the overall height from my original design as it was too difficult to get in and out of the chair, so having to work on the PC through 6" tall side opening would have been difficult. Now I can just "lift the hood" and fix whatever's needed
https://ibb.co/gNJSpR
There's still a bunch to do, but its mostly finishing details now. I'm also planning to add LED lighting under each of the 4 top panels that will light up in sync with that corner's chassis vibration. Considering adding some others tied to the "Revs" as well, or a custom much larger shift light.
This project has taken on a mind of it's own, but the rig should be pretty badass once its all done.