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DIY 2 DOF on a budget

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Projects' started by Denis Mowberry, Aug 21, 2023.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Denis Mowberry

    Denis Mowberry Member

    Joined:
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    116
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    New Zealand
    Balance:
    63Coins
    Ratings:
    +19 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, Arduino, Motion platform
    My budget for this project was extremely small and with no welding skills I have come up with this simple motion platform. By using parts I already had along with some I have had to buy I have put together a rig for less than NZ$300.00 .
    My cost so far Timber sheet $45.00
    2 Holden Commodore wiper motors $60.00
    1 CV Joint of unknown origin $30.00
    Arduino uno $30.00
    Electrical wires plugs stop switch $52.00
    2 x IBT2 motor controllers $38.00
    Threaded rod nuts bolts ect $42.00
    Computer box and power supply $0.00
    Total $297.00
    What has not been include as I already have them are the seat, wheel ,pedals ect.
    My progress to this point has been to assemble all the parts as shown in the pictures . My only problem so far was my first 2 IBT2s were faulty a situation I resolved with the help from the members of xsimulator. I have now had the system running using the SMC3 software . Next step will be to finish assembly and move on to sim tool software for testing. I will update at that stage and let you know if the power supply cancope and the wiper motors have enough torque.

    DSCN9180.JPG

    Attached Files:

    • Like Like x 1
    Denis Mowberry, Aug 21, 2023
    #1
  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    +10,902 / 54 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Have you tested your rig, really looking forward to a video when you have a spare moment.

    Out of curiosity, have the wiper motors been ground isolated?
    noorbeast, Aug 24, 2023
    #2
  3. Denis Mowberry

    Denis Mowberry Member

    Joined:
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    Occupation:
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    +19 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, Arduino, Motion platform
    Hi yes I have cut the ground wires on the motors even though the rig is timber and not metal . I have movement using the SMC3 software but am waiting for the Sim Tools Diy key to finish setting it up . I will add a video when it is up and running
    Denis Mowberry, Aug 24, 2023
    #3
  4. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
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    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    148,547Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,902 / 54 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    The demo version of SimTools comes with the fully functional plugin for Live For Speed, specifically for testing purposes: https://www.lfs.net/downloads

    LFS must be run before patching for motion, as that generates some required files: https://www.xsimulator.net/communit...run-in-first-person-mode-before-patching.365/

    Part of the requirement for a free DIY license is that a build, and thread, show adequate effort, progress, detail and evidence that a project is complete as being at the testing phase: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/request-a-free-diy-simtools-2-0-license.262/
    • Informative Informative x 1
    noorbeast, Aug 24, 2023
    #4
  5. Denis Mowberry

    Denis Mowberry Member

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    Occupation:
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    Location:
    New Zealand
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    63Coins
    Ratings:
    +19 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, Arduino, Motion platform
    Some more help please I have downloaded sim tools but when I try and run it I get the first pop up screen that says sim tools but then it disappears and I can do nothing. If I try again it says sim tools is already running but I can't see it and the only way I can stop it is in Task manager
    Denis Mowberry, Aug 25, 2023
    #5
  6. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
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    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
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    Balance:
    148,547Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,902 / 54 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    SimTools automatically minimises to the System Tray, so click the ^ near your clock on the bottom right of the task bar and you can access and maximise SimTools from there.
    noorbeast, Aug 25, 2023
    #6
  7. Denis Mowberry

    Denis Mowberry Member

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    +19 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, Arduino, Motion platform
    Thanks I have found it and have tried to set it up but the game manager says not connected and I get nothing when I try output testing in the game engine
    Denis Mowberry, Aug 25, 2023
    #7
  8. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    Location:
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    Balance:
    148,547Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,902 / 54 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Can you please post pictures of all of your settings, that way members can help spot potential issues and advise on sensible settings.
    noorbeast, Aug 25, 2023
    #8
  9. Denis Mowberry

    Denis Mowberry Member

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    +19 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, Arduino, Motion platform
    These are the setting I am using
    These are my settings but when I go to test I have no movement
    Untitled.jpg Untitled1.jpg
    Denis Mowberry, Aug 26, 2023
    #9
  10. Denis Mowberry

    Denis Mowberry Member

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    +19 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, Arduino, Motion platform
    I just tried it again and it reminded me that I forgot to add I get a beepbeep noise when I turn the testing on
    Denis Mowberry, Aug 26, 2023
    #10
  11. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
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    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
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    Balance:
    148,547Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,902 / 54 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Before testing in a game, first test in Output Testing.

    The Interface Settings are related to the code and port used. Fore example, using @BlazinH's modified SMC3 code for Sabertooth the configuration would be: [A<Axis1a>][B<Axis2a>]

    BPS: 500000
    DataBits: 8
    StopBits: 1
    Output BitRange: 10
    Output Type: Binary
    Packet rate 10ms
    noorbeast, Aug 26, 2023
    #11
  12. Denis Mowberry

    Denis Mowberry Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, Arduino, Motion platform
    I have changed the settings and tried in Output Testing still nothing but I do get a double beep when I select turn on
    settings.jpg
    Denis Mowberry, Aug 27, 2023
    #12
  13. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    Balance:
    148,547Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,902 / 54 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Are you using using @BlazinH's modified SMC3 code for Sabertooth and have you properly configured it using the SMC3 settings app, that has to be done, and verified as working before messing with SimTools?
    noorbeast, Aug 27, 2023
    #13
  14. Denis Mowberry

    Denis Mowberry Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, Arduino, Motion platform
    When I use the SMC3 software everything works fine it is only when I move to sim tools do I have a problem . I assume a sabertooth is a motor controller . I am using IBT2 controllers will this amke a difference .
    Denis Mowberry, Aug 27, 2023
    #14
  15. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    148,547Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,902 / 54 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Apologies, I have not slept all night.

    If IBT2s work as expected in SMC3, but not in SimTools, then often it is something interfering with communication, such as antivirus or firewall, presuming everything is properly configured. Try temporarily disabling both.

    Usually, if interface settings are correct, including the pot, Axis Assignments are properly defined for the Default profile, then Output Testing should work in SimTools.

    A beep tends to indicate an error, such as a USB disconnect or similar fault, is there any actual error message?
    noorbeast, Aug 27, 2023
    #15
  16. Denis Mowberry

    Denis Mowberry Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, Arduino, Motion platform
    There is no error message and without changing any connections it works inSMC3 . Turning off the firewall made no difference . Can you please list the settings I should have using the IBT2s
    Denis Mowberry, Aug 27, 2023
    #16
  17. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
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    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    148,547Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,902 / 54 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Antivirus being off is more important and if there is a chance AV has messed with SimTools then uninstalling plugins the SimTools and then reinstalling them should be done, plus initial testing, with AV disabled.

    For IBT2s the SMC3 code must be set to Mode 2 before it is written to the Arduino, like this: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/problems-with-my-simulator.15382/#post-207320

    Please post a picture of SMC3 running the Sine test in Output Mode.

    The SimTools Interface Settings are:

    Interface Type - Serial

    ComPort = the Arduino ComPort, as in Windows Device Manager, should be the same as SMC3.

    BitsPerSec - 500000

    Data Bits - 8

    Parity - None

    Stop Bit -1

    Output Bit Range - 10

    Output Type - Binary

    Interface Output - [A<Axis1a>][B<Axis2a>]
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2023
    noorbeast, Aug 27, 2023
    #17
  18. Denis Mowberry

    Denis Mowberry Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2023
    Messages:
    116
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    New Zealand
    Balance:
    63Coins
    Ratings:
    +19 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, Arduino, Motion platform
    You are an absolute legend Thank you everything is now working as it should I now have to work through the fine tuning but the basics are all there Thanks again
    • Winner Winner x 1
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 28, 2023
    Denis Mowberry, Aug 27, 2023
    #18
  19. Denis Mowberry

    Denis Mowberry Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2023
    Messages:
    116
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    New Zealand
    Balance:
    63Coins
    Ratings:
    +19 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, Arduino, Motion platform
    Another thank you I received my DIY sim tool activation code yesterday and it loaded without any problems . Just need to build up my coins to get some plugins . Thanks again
    • Like Like x 1
    Denis Mowberry, Aug 28, 2023
    #19
  20. Denis Mowberry

    Denis Mowberry Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2023
    Messages:
    116
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    New Zealand
    Balance:
    63Coins
    Ratings:
    +19 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, Arduino, Motion platform
    Thank you for giving me enough coins to get the plugins . Again I must be doing something wrong . When I try to purchase the 1 week download pack the system says I do not have enough coins even though my profile shows 250 .
    • Like Like x 1
    Denis Mowberry, Aug 29, 2023
    #20
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