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Wind Simulator with USB Fan's controlled by SimTools?

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Building Q&A / FAQ' started by Stan, Nov 24, 2016.

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  1. Stan

    Stan New Member

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    Hi all, the noob question is in the title... is it possible to use USB fan's as wind simulator using SimTools?
    Thanks in advance.

    Stan.
    Stan, Nov 24, 2016
    #1
  2. obobo

    obobo Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    What parameters of the game you want to recover.
    And with what will you manage your fan? An arduino ... it would be best taking into account the speed of the car
    obobo, Nov 24, 2016
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  3. Stan

    Stan New Member

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    Thanks, yes, sure the speed of the car, and no, that's the purpose, I want to avoid using the Arduino, just using the connected USB fan.
    Stan, Nov 24, 2016
    #3
  4. SilentChill

    SilentChill Problem Maker

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    Yes you can but you would have to make your own program to do it as far as I know.
    SilentChill, Nov 24, 2016
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  5. obobo

    obobo Active Member

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    Yes because it forces to modulate the voltage of the USB port where is connected the ventilator
    obobo, Nov 25, 2016
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  6. Stan

    Stan New Member

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    Hi guys, thanks a lot SilentChill and obobo for your answers, now I'm gonna try to figure out how to program it, if anybody have a clue...?
    Anyway, thanks again.
    Stan.
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2016
    Stan, Nov 25, 2016
    #6
  7. obobo

    obobo Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    I do not know if it is possible to vary the voltage on the USB without an external electronic mounting ...
    obobo, Nov 25, 2016
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  8. Stan

    Stan New Member

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    SilentChill seems to think it's possible...?
    Stan, Nov 25, 2016
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  9. BlazinH

    BlazinH Well-Known Member

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    Even if it were possible I don't believe you would be vary satisfied with the results. I use two blowers that can draw over 20 amps each at 12v and while satisfied I still think it would be better if they blew even harder. A USB fan would likely draw less than 1 amp at 5v.
    BlazinH, Nov 25, 2016
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  10. Stan

    Stan New Member

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    Thanks for your reply BlazinH, but I don't think that I need that much blown as I don't wear an helmet while simracing (neither VR for me now, "only" triple screen).
    I remembered having had a lot of fun (25 years ago) trying an arcade station already using a wind simulator... it was a game called "Propcycl" and I am sure that the blower was really small, however if the game was not that great (but really fun), this new concept has had already impressed me on how it was adding to immersion.
    For me the intresting part is not the "full blowing", but more the slow down phase, I only want to feel the speed changes.
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2016
    Stan, Nov 25, 2016
    #10
  11. SilentChill

    SilentChill Problem Maker

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    • Funny Funny x 1
    SilentChill, Nov 25, 2016
    #11
  12. BlazinH

    BlazinH Well-Known Member

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    I don't wear a helmet either but I suppose it does matter how far away for you the fans are. Mine are about 4 feet so I loose a little since their not right up in my face. My setup does mostly let you feel the speed changes except I could use a little more blowing for the fastest vehicles. But I'm not as crazy as some who use RC aircraft ducted fan units to make their wind machines with, lol.
    I agree with SilentChill though, why not keep it simple and use what others already use? Besides, a USB fan is probably like any other computer fan and uses a brushless motor. You can't control the speed on one unless it has a fourth wire for a PWM control signal.
    BlazinH, Nov 25, 2016
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  13. Stan

    Stan New Member

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    @SilentChill
    Thanks again SilentChill, of course I already read your excellent thread and I'm aware of the Arduino/MonsterMoto build method, but as I don't need a "power plant" for the sensation that I am looking for, the ultra easy usb way was tempting...
    Stan, Nov 25, 2016
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  14. Stan

    Stan New Member

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    @BlazinH
    The even more easier usb way was tempting... but if a PWM controller is mandatory with no other solution, then I'll have to do it with the Arduino/MonsterMoto for sure, I was just trying to find the easiest way to do it
    Thanks you.
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2016
    Stan, Nov 25, 2016
    #14
  15. Stan

    Stan New Member

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    Post error, sorry
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2016
    Stan, Nov 25, 2016
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  16. Stan

    Stan New Member

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    Last edited: Nov 25, 2016
    Stan, Nov 25, 2016
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  17. SilentChill

    SilentChill Problem Maker

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    SilentChill, Nov 25, 2016
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  18. Stan

    Stan New Member

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    Thanks for the links you've posted but I would really like to use an AC directly plug to the arduino as I am not good at all at soldering, if it's possible?
    Stan, Nov 25, 2016
    #18
  19. Stan

    Stan New Member

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    Last edited: Nov 26, 2016
    Stan, Nov 26, 2016
    #19
  20. SilentChill

    SilentChill Problem Maker

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Thats to power the Arduino not the motors for the fans, for decent fans you need fast motors and they would kill that psu
    SilentChill, Nov 26, 2016
    #20
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