1. Do not share user accounts! Any account that is shared by another person will be blocked and closed. This means: we will close not only the account that is shared, but also the main account of the user who uses another person's account. We have the ability to detect account sharing, so please do not try to cheat the system. This action will take place on 04/18/2023. Read all forum rules.
    Dismiss Notice
  2. For downloading SimTools plugins you need a Download Package. Get it with virtual coins that you receive for forum activity or Buy Download Package - We have a zero Spam tolerance so read our forum rules first.

    Buy Now a Download Plan!
  3. Do not try to cheat our system and do not post an unnecessary amount of useless posts only to earn credits here. We have a zero spam tolerance policy and this will cause a ban of your user account. Otherwise we wish you a pleasant stay here! Read the forum rules
  4. We have a few rules which you need to read and accept before posting anything here! Following these rules will keep the forum clean and your stay pleasant. Do not follow these rules can lead to permanent exclusion from this website: Read the forum rules.
    Are you a company? Read our company rules

Question Motor choice for DIY FFB wheel

Discussion in 'DIY peripherals' started by LuisG, Jul 25, 2021.

  1. LuisG

    LuisG New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2021
    Messages:
    11
    Balance:
    76Coins
    Ratings:
    +0 / 1 / -0
    Hi folks,
    I've been interested in building a FFB wheel after watching this video:

    I even bought most of the components, including the motor, the one suggested is this one:
    XD-63120
    https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/32977274318.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.1acf2e0eL2BnoZ
    But there is almost no information about it.
    After looking at other topics in this forum I saw a bunch of other projects with more powerful motors and Im wondering if thats a good choice.
    TLDR:
    What is a good choice in the $50 to $100 range?

  2. elnino

    elnino Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2010
    Messages:
    240
    Occupation:
    Computer Geek
    Location:
    Adelaide, Australia
    Balance:
    1,518Coins
    Ratings:
    +137 / 1 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    Most people here that I recall are going for DD wheel, hence the much bigger motors (and power). There is no problem with that design if it is known to work (as it seems). The link does not show nm in the specs so I could not speculate as to the final torque you will get.

    For some crude maths, I am running equivalent of 250w in DD (1000W 48v motor @12v) and the force is plenty for me. I have not measured the force but I can dial it up so that it is painful to drive after a few mins. If that is 180W with seemingly a 4:1 ratio, it should be fine but it depends on the stall torque of the motor really.

    DD can be easier but it all depends what your skills are.


    2021-07-30_14h34_26.png
    • Like Like x 1
  3. LuisG

    LuisG New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2021
    Messages:
    11
    Balance:
    76Coins
    Ratings:
    +0 / 1 / -0
    Thanks elnino.
    I've been considering the 1000w my1020 too but it would increase considerably the price of the project since I would need a pretty powerful power supply and these do not come cheap where I live (and Im not sure I can trust chinese brandless ones). Aside from more drivers etc etc...
    Another cheaper option for me would be a 250w my1016 that I can get locally. But I dont think that would be good enough for DD
  4. compaq

    compaq New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2025
    Messages:
    1
    Balance:
    16Coins
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    Arduino
    can you show me more pictures of your project? how did you connect the encoder?
  5. elnino

    elnino Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2010
    Messages:
    240
    Occupation:
    Computer Geek
    Location:
    Adelaide, Australia
    Balance:
    1,518Coins
    Ratings:
    +137 / 1 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    There are quite a few pics of my build over on my main rig build. It's somewhat outdated as I abandoned the 2dof setup but the wheel is mostly the same. HERE

    To connect the encoder requires some work.
    You have to disassemble the motor*, then drill out a hole in the middle of the backplate, to allow for extending the shaft.

    Drill and tap m3 thread into the shaft, being careful to keep it square. This also involves covering the entire stator in painters tape to make sure no metal shavings contaminate it.

    I then used a cut down m3 screw to make an 'all thread' to join it and a PCB standoff/riser to it with the addition of some thread lock glue.

    For the actual mechanical joint between the motor and the encoder, I used some rubber fuel hose. No need to secure it, and 'gives' a little if you're a bit off with mounting the encoder or tapping the motor shaft. There's no load on it as such so it stays on perfectly.

    I also removed the mesh from the ~8mm breather holes and increased them to 12mm. This helps a lot with airflow and we're not overly concerned with foreign objects entering the motor like there is in a normal use case.

    *Tips for disassembly:
    • Mark the end plates in relation to the outer shell. Some have markings already but some don't. This ensures motor 'advance' is not changed, which can impact the amount of force in one direction over the other.
    • Try to push the shaft in from the front, leaving the front plate attached to the housing and pushing the back plate off. This ensures the commutator stays between the brushes and prevents them from smashing together and/or damage to the commutator. The magnets will make this hard!