Thrustmaster 2 pedal mods

[Manx-Andi]

Hi Guys,

Does anyone know if it is possible to add a clutch to the TM 2 pedal box ? Does it use the same PCB as the T3PA or T3PA-PRO, or am I p1$$ing into the wind on this one ? Looking to convert a racecar pedal box to a sim racer hydraulic pedal box with loadcell for my T300 and trying to figure out what bits I need to buy for the conversion. I already have a TM 2 pedal surplus to requirements that I could canibalise for parts if suitable, but, happy to buy a second hand t3pa if I need to. Just want the electronics out of it. Got the rest of the bits figured out. Main thing is that I need to connect it to the T300 wheelbase as I am running on PS4. I don't have a gaming pc at the mo.

Any help, advice or ideas gratefully received !

 

[asteroulis]

No electronics , just pots. So if you find the connection diagram to the base it's easy to connect any pedal set with up to 3 axis.
But if you want to have one axis to be a load cell then you'll need a load cell amplifier like the one from leo bodnar .
Though if you're not on console then it's much preferable to connect it as a standalone device that will give you much more resolution with a board like this one (16bit) or this one (12bit) that has lots more inputs for button boxes handbrakes etc..
So in my opinion dont use the stock 3 pedal set as a donator. No reason for that. Build your new solid pedal set , connect it to the base or a board like the above mentioned and keep the T300 to resell with the base when time comes for your future steering wheel upgrade. If you build a solid pedal set you'll probably keep it for some time.
Good Luck!

 

[Manx-Andi]

Thanks Asteroulis !

If it is just pots in the T300 pedals' then, presumably, I can just check the values and get some to match for the new pedal set ? Would you happen to know the pin out connections at the RJ type plug on the lead ? Or, where I could find out ?

 

[asteroulis]

Google is your friend. It's there for sure.
Keep in mind the TM connector is an offset rj12 plug, not easy to source. Doable though.

 

[Manx-Andi]

Yeah, I noticed the offset RJ12 - I am sure I have seen someone on ebay selling replacement cables for the T300 and T3PA (+Pro) with the correct offset plugs fitted - that maybe the appropriate route.

I found the pinouts diagram for the RJ12 plug, and have had a look at Leo's website. Thanks for the link !

The other thing I have discovered is that the pots used by TM in their pedal boards are 12k - how much of a difference would it make if I used 10k pots instead ? Just thinking ahead incase I can't get the right ones !

 

[asteroulis]

Since the pedals can be calibrated I don't think you'll have a problem. 10k should be fine. But hey, if you plan on going diy you could even use hall sensors instead of pots.

 

[Manx-Andi]

Will hall sensors make much difference on console ? No harm in going that route though, at least it will be futureproofed ready for upgrade to pc when I eventually get there !

 

[asteroulis]

The difference is in span of life. Pots will wear out at some point. Though if you have made yourself the pedals it will be really easy to replace them. I just always found hall sensors interesting..

 

[Manx-Andi]

Ok, worth considering then.

I have no experience with hall sensors, but plenty with pots, so a little research will be in order !

Thanks for all the advice so far - still open to any further thoughts or ideas !

 

[asteroulis]

Keep us posted!

 

[Manx-Andi]

Right then,

No progress on this as yet, however, I have found on ebay the guy selling the TM RJ12 offset cables and have ordered one in readiness.

I have decided that I will be getting a set of TILTON 600 Series race pedals to convert. The brake uses dual biased master cylinders, so, I will need to figure out how I am going to do the hydraulics - either two independent clutch slave cylinders with springs and rubber bushes on both, or, if it works, both masters connected via a 'T' piece operating a single clutch slave cylinder. If I go the two-into-one route, then I will probably need to use a slave with double the bore of the masters or it will operate too quickly and 'bottom out' at half pedal throw.

I hope to use a hydraulic pressure sensor in the brake line, instead of a pot - will I need something like the Bodnar loadcell amplifier to make that work ? or is there something else needed ?

Clutch setup is giving me plenty of though time at the mo - current thinking is master cylinder -> slave with spring, but, trying to figure out how to introduce the 'Bite Point' feeling into what would otherwise be just a soft, squishy pedal ! I have seen this set of pedals
which seems to have that problem solved - same TILTON pedals I am planning to get, but, with a non-hydraulic conversion. Clever solution, mind !

I wonder if they would sell me a conversion kit ?!