Sfx100 like actuators: eracing lab

commandant.brioche · Sep 8, 2021

Hello everyone.

I still have some money left from my costly divorce so I'm now looking at motion platforming.
I am still interested in the SR2 platform from the guys at simrig.se because im not too interested into building a sfx100 from scratch. I am actually interested into assembling the rig myself but I'm not sure I have the time to problem solve any unseen problems (e.g: emi isolation or other issues )
which is why a turn key solution is tempting to me.
Pt actuators offers "sfx100 actuators" at 3600$ which would be within my budget.
I also read on those forums about eracing actuators which are even cheaper than PT actuators.
I'm wondering what else is left for me to do if i choose to purchase already made "sfx100" actuators ?
is it as simple as mounting actuators, installing and calibrating software and good to go?

thanks in advance

Tronicgr_6DOF · Sep 9, 2021

commandant.brioche said:
Hello everyone.

I still have some money left from my costly divorce so I'm now looking at motion platforming.
I am still interested in the SR2 platform from the guys at simrig.se because im not too interested into building a sfx100 from scratch. I am actually interested into assembling the rig myself but I'm not sure I have the time to problem solve any unseen problems (e.g: emi isolation or other issues )
which is why a turn key solution is tempting to me.
Pt actuators offers "sfx100 actuators" at 3600$ which would be within my budget.
I also read on those forums about eracing actuators which are even cheaper than PT actuators.
I'm wondering what else is left for me to do if i choose to purchase already made "sfx100" actuators ?
is it as simple as mounting actuators, installing and calibrating software and good to go?

thanks in advance

Personally I would choose PT-ACTUATOR between the two. The construction quality is by far better and less noisy.

For motion software, they actually include on most packages SimRacingStudio license... even if not, its cheap, just $49...

Edit:
Just had a look on the package you mentioned, it doesn't include the servomotors or motion controller or SRS license... its just an upgrade option...

Maybe eracing-lab would be better choice for you if your budget is not too high.

commandant.brioche · Sep 10, 2021

Excellent info... Thank you very much

commandant.brioche · Sep 10, 2021

Besides i sent them an email a couple of days ago and no reply

Dirtydub · Sep 10, 2021

I recently got the eracing lab mega+ kit and have had no real issues. Overall I am happy with it.

commandant.brioche · Sep 10, 2021

Ok thanks for the reply... But they're just not replying to my email so I'm not sure I will make the jump with them.

Ervinst78 · Sep 16, 2021

I'm selling my sfx100 for 1200eur .

d69morpwr · Sep 18, 2021

commandant.brioche said:
Besides i sent them an email a couple of days ago and no reply

I think they just got back from a holiday over there so are probably behind some. Ive talked to them a few times and they are normally good at returning emails.

commandant.brioche · Sep 18, 2021

He got back to me... Thanks

Pravus · Sep 19, 2021

I found the communication good from them and the systems been running flawlessly for a year

d69morpwr · Sep 25, 2021

Ordering the 150mm version from them this weekend to replace my 100mm sfx build.

paladin21 · Oct 30, 2021

any feedback on their mega+ kit? really interested in the product as well. The mega+. is this a plug n play kit with the additional software?

Tronicgr_6DOF · Oct 30, 2021

paladin21 said:
any feedback on their mega+ kit? really interested in the product as well. The mega+. is this a plug n play kit with the additional software?

If you get the one that includes the AMC-AASD15A controller, yes, you can use SRS with it.

paladin21 · Oct 30, 2021

yes, https://eracing-lab.com/collections/diy-projects/products/diy-mega-1 this is the one I was looking for. This is the one that includes your controller correct?

Tronicgr_6DOF · Oct 30, 2021

paladin21 said:
yes, https://eracing-lab.com/collections/diy-projects/products/diy-mega-1 this is the one I was looking for. This is the one that includes your controller correct?

Yes.. and it seems comes with a basic E-stop box as well...

paladin21 · Oct 30, 2021

that is great! I will send them a message as I will need 6 actuators and I only see that they sell sets of 4. woud like to add seatbelt surge and some rear traction loss

metalnwood · Oct 30, 2021

paladin21 said:
that is great! I will send them a message as I will need 6 actuators and I only see that they sell sets of 4. woud like to add seatbelt surge and some rear traction loss

If you are planning to use a single actuator to pull on a seatbelt rather than moving a surge platform I think there are better ways.

I have seen people use an SFX actuator pulling on a seatbelt but personally I would rather go with another solution and if things did go wrong, the amount of pressure an actuator could put on that seatbelt would not be good.

Its certainly something I would put a physical limit switch on going abck to the servo drivers estop.

paladin21 · Oct 31, 2021

metalnwood said:
If you are planning to use a single actuator to pull on a seatbelt rather than moving a surge platform I think there are better ways.

I have seen people use an SFX actuator pulling on a seatbelt but personally I would rather go with another solution and if things did go wrong, the amount of pressure an actuator could put on that seatbelt would not be good.

Its certainly something I would put a physical limit switch on going abck to the servo drivers estop.

thanks for this clarification. would you be able to elaborate a bit more on the alternative solution? G-Belt is certainly only it comes to mind (which is a valid point as I am contemplating adding a G5 seat with a G-belt addition).

metalnwood · Oct 31, 2021

Quite a few people have done a DIY, or there is the PT one which is stand alone but looks like, at this point, it is SRS software only. Which isnt an issue if thats what you use for driving the sfx.

DJ_Psymon · Oct 31, 2021

metalnwood said:
If you are planning to use a single actuator to pull on a seatbelt rather than moving a surge platform I think there are better ways.

I have seen people use an SFX actuator pulling on a seatbelt but personally I would rather go with another solution and if things did go wrong, the amount of pressure an actuator could put on that seatbelt would not be good.

Its certainly something I would put a physical limit switch on going abck to the servo drivers estop.

Actually I decided to repurpose my old SFX actuator to pull the seatbelt for SAFTY reason! It pulls the belt when it retracts. Once it retracts to the end, it physically can't go any further so the belt won't get any tighter. I find this much safer than other DIY solutions where the belt is pulled by a rotating rod driven directly by a motor. It would be pretty scary when the motor gets out of control!

Additionally, I use a Thanos controller with an estop connected to it. So it cuts the belts too whenever it's activated.