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

JohnBeardmore · Dec 22, 2020

My printer arrived today. Ordered from Aliexpress (using the link on the first page) on the 16th December, delivered to the UK today the 22nd. It came from Spain.
Again I cant complain about the service especially when the news is full of port issues around the UK.

Wmacky · Dec 23, 2020

rolles said:
So how is that done? He has to be in discord to verify for someone (saxxon?) Or are there some other methods? I'll try to make this easy for the sponsor because he didn't know how it works. What if he doesn't use discord? Then he cannot sponsor?

Most builders are on Discord, and alll have access. The procedure is he verifys your build / honesty then sends your name and email to Saxxon the creator,

Rumpel_D · Dec 24, 2020

Hi Everyone,

I don’t spend heaps of time on these forums, but I’m here asking for sponsorship for simfeedback too.

I play a bit of Dirt Rally, AC, PCars2, DCS and IL2, but mainly I just like building stuff.

My rig has gone through many evolutions, and I’ve finally added motion in the form of SFX100 (after much research into 6DOF, but I don’t really have room for that

)

I’ve dropped a couple of build pics here, nothing is ever finished and it’s always messy.

It’s a modular build, SFX100 base with swappable chairs and front sections.The pics are missing the h-pattern shift and drift handbrake, not yet attached, or the stick and throttle which are also not attached yet.

pimax 8KX is my display.

thanks everyone merry Xmas

PS half the pics wouldn’t load because they’re too large

there’s a pic in there of 100100 profile from mkaluminium in melbourne, waaay cheaper than kinetic, maybe nearly 1/2 price? Just need to buy 12x1.6 Alu tube ($7.50 for 6m) and tap it for M10 bolts (I did M10x1.25) and use the Item24 mod on the opensfx page. Got that done for about $200 I think, including the M10x1.25 tap.

anton_Chez · Dec 25, 2020

Hey @Rumpel_D , I'm assuming you're a local Melbourne boy like myself. DM me and I'll offer my services as a sponsor for your build.

Wookiie888 · Dec 28, 2020

Ive been asked to be a sponsor nd am happy to help a friend out but how does it work now?

Rumpel_D · Dec 28, 2020

Wookiie888 said:
Ive been asked to be a sponsor nd am happy to help a friend out but how does it work now?

from the virtualracing forum:

What does the sponsorship process look like for a sponsor?

- The sponsor must be a member of the Owner's Club for at least 3 months.

- The sponsor determines whether his candidate adheres to the principles of the SFX project.

- Next, the sponsor contacts Saxxon66 and tells him the name of the candidate and the PayPal email address from which the donation will come. Saxxon notes the candidate's name and the sponsor's name on a list for later matching.

- Then the candidate makes his donation via the "License" tab in Simfeedback. To ensure that the correct UID is sent, the donation should come from the computer that controls the SFX.

- A little later (about 1 - 2 days) he receives an email with his personal license and the invitation to the Discord Owner's Club.

- In the owner's club, the candidate initially sees only one channel, the "landing pad". He writes Saxxon a message (PM) in which he tells him his name so that he can get all channels activated.

Wookiie888 · Dec 28, 2020

Thanks you Rumpel

Mascot · Dec 31, 2020

Rumpel_D said:
from the virtualracing forum:

What does the sponsorship process look like for a sponsor?

- The sponsor must be a member of the Owner's Club for at least 3 months.

- The sponsor determines whether his candidate adheres to the principles of the SFX project.

- Next, the sponsor contacts Saxxon66 and tells him the name of the candidate and the PayPal email address from which the donation will come. Saxxon notes the candidate's name and the sponsor's name on a list for later matching.

- Then the candidate makes his donation via the "License" tab in Simfeedback. To ensure that the correct UID is sent, the donation should come from the computer that controls the SFX.

- A little later (about 1 - 2 days) he receives an email with his personal license and the invitation to the Discord Owner's Club.

- In the owner's club, the candidate initially sees only one channel, the "landing pad". He writes Saxxon a message (PM) in which he tells him his name so that he can get all channels activated.

Jesus Christ. Glad I missed this ridiculous charade.

blekenbleu · Dec 31, 2020

Mascot said:
Jesus Christ. Glad I missed this ridiculous charade.

Reminds me of early years SCCA member sponsorship.

Luscombe · Jan 1, 2021

I just tried to order the K50 (N10) profiles on Kinetik's site. When I get to check out there is no drop down for shipping to USA.
Am I missing something?

KINETIK MSystem

www.kinetikmsystem.de

JohnBeardmore · Jan 1, 2021

Try changing the language to German (and use automatic Google translate to understand the words)
I had the same problem when trying to select Great Britain.

Luscombe · Jan 1, 2021

I had it set up that way. When I went to checkout I had to input my address and when the drop-down list popped up for countries, the USA was not included.....
I don't know what we did but I apologize!

Prototype_ · Jan 3, 2021

So fired up my rig this morning... "your license has expired". Time to move on. Enough of this crap. Goodbye Simfeedback.

anton_Chez · Jan 3, 2021

Another day, another USB issue with this thing. Amazing how much time I've poured into solving this issue time and time again and still it finds a way to creep back in. 3 months no motion, not a single issue with connectivity. As soon as I try and run it again, drop outs galore, on both hubs. Amazing.

Prototype_ · Jan 3, 2021

anton_Chez said:
Another day, another USB issue with this thing. Amazing how much time I've poured into solving this issue time and time again and still it finds a way to creep back in. 3 months no motion, not a single issue with connectivity. As soon as I try and run it again, drop outs galore, on both hubs. Amazing.

I found the Arduino got knocked out by the EMI from the Servo Drivers, as soon as I moved Arduino as from the drivers as I could, the issue was resolved.... might be the same for you?

Mascot · Jan 3, 2021

anton_Chez said:
Another day, another USB issue with this thing. Amazing how much time I've poured into solving this issue time and time again and still it finds a way to creep back in. 3 months no motion, not a single issue with connectivity. As soon as I try and run it again, drop outs galore, on both hubs. Amazing.

Bugger. I was very pleased to hear that your rig had been stable for a while. Hope you get it finally fixed for good mate.

anton_Chez · Jan 3, 2021

Prototype_ said:
I found the Arduino got knocked out by the EMI from the Servo Drivers, as soon as I moved Arduino as from the drivers as I could, the issue was resolved.... might be the same for you?

I've not touched a thing since I had the whole system stable around 6 months ago. I don't lose my pedals, my steering nor the motion platform. The disconnection / re connection of USB devices occurs ONLY on the 2 4 port USB hubs that I have low powered devices connected to. BOTH of them drop out and then come back at random times. There is no reasonable explanation for this happening. It was the first thing that I noticed when I jumped back into using motion after a few months just driving static. And as I sit here typing, the pedals just dropped out and reconnected, with the platform sitting stationary outside of a sim. Absolutely a nightmare that I am soon to be rid of.

Mascot said:
Bugger. I was very pleased to hear that your rig had been stable for a while. Hope you get it finally fixed for good mate

I'll fix it up for good mate, don't worry about that.

In the marketplace.

d69morpwr · Jan 3, 2021

anton_Chez said:
I've not touched a thing since I had the whole system stable around 6 months ago. I don't lose my pedals, my steering nor the motion platform. The disconnection / re connection of USB devices occurs ONLY on the 2 4 port USB hubs that I have low powered devices connected to. BOTH of them drop out and then come back at random times. There is no reasonable explanation for this happening. It was the first thing that I noticed when I jumped back into using motion after a few months just driving static. And as I sit here typing, the pedals just dropped out and reconnected, with the platform sitting stationary outside of a sim. Absolutely a nightmare that I am soon to be rid of.

I'll fix it up for good mate, don't worry about that.

In the marketplace.

Its not one of the hubs that has power switches for each port is it?

Freeon · Jan 3, 2021

Prototype_ said:
So fired up my rig this morning... "your license has expired". Time to move on. Enough of this crap. Goodbye Simfeedback.

All you have to do is update to the latest version.

anton_Chez · Jan 3, 2021

d69morpwr said:
Its not one of the hubs that has power switches for each port is it?

Nope. Little compact non powered 4 way USB hubs that do the job perfectly for things like shifters and button boxes. So I have no patience left for my specific situation and the hardware that I have running here.

I've decided to list the build in full for sale. I don't have access to the Marketplace on RD so if anyone sees this and wants to chat about obtaining a full SFX-100 build, DM me and we can discuss further. The platform itself works fine, it's just not playing nice with the things that I have in my kit and I'm no longer willing to have to mess about with troubleshooting.