2 DOF Seat Mover - GIB

Yeah, fuses are cheap. Definitely a LOT cheaper than a Jrk.
After being in contact with Pololu, it became clear the Jrk is damaged. I will need to get a replacement. I guess a Jrk 12v12 is getting pushed pretty hard with the way they are used on our simulators. It's just a shame that one of mine died instantly before even getting to use it.

I now have the choice of getting another Jrk and hope it will work, or I need to look at what other controller is available that has a higher current rating as this seems to be what has killed one.

But from I can tell, many people here have used them successfully.

So I'm not quite sure where to go from here. Any advise, anybody?

Hi @GIB SimRacing - I would stick with the JRK.

I think you are using DPS-600B PSU? My DPS-600B wiggs out well before the Max momentary current that a JRK can take. Given the HP PSU is rated for 46A, I have had the PSU trip out before the JRK fails, so I guess it coped with 46A for a second or two.

The JRK's are pretty rock solid. Mine came to me with a fault as well, but just a loose ground shield on the USB (seems a common issue) but I resoldered and it's been fine ever since.

I can run my sim for hours (literally) and not have any issues with heat / Amps / tripping, and that includes flying off the track when most of the issues happen as all the forces "hit" the JRK at once.

The only thing to trip my Sim was the demo of No Limits 2. That thing throws the sim around!

Thanks for your input guys. I am really hoping the Jrk's are the right thing. I guess after problems you always think about what else could possibly go wrong.
I will have another chat with the tech from pololu but will most likely try another Jrk.
I just have to make sure to start with very limited settings like low duty cycles etc.
I really want this thing to work.

In the Pololu app, set your max current below 40A and you'll be fine.

Mine are set to 35A.

(I think - Can't screenshot my settings as I unplug the JRK's when not in use and I'm at work)

I feel your pain @GIB SimRacing - When I first got my sim working the JRK's kept "disconnecting" from the USB and that would crash SimTools.

I was tearing my hair out...

...and then I realised I was using 180 electrical degree, continuous pots and they were going out of range about 160degree's into the Sims full motion. Once I found centre on the POT and ensured my Sim movement kept the feedback "in bounds" it's been fine ever since.

(I will be replacing my pots soon for 340 electrical degree, continuous pots)

I will definitely triple check everything before turning any power on to the system when I get the replacement.
I will re-check the pots as well. I have done that but before but will check again.

MM and arduino has just as much chance of blowing up on start up as a JRK. I also have had JRK blow on initial start up. NOTHING to do with how much current we run through them. When they run properly, they shut down internally with too much current drain.
Stick with what you have is suggested. Crap happens.

Thanks for your input mate. I will get another Jrk and get it going that way. What I will do though is post some screen shots for you guys to have a look at before I apply any 12V to the unit. Just to make sure I haven't set anything stupid.

Replacement Jrk on order. Getting it directly from Pololu this time, so not sure how long it will take to get here. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

Hey @GIB SimRacing - Where did you get the JRK from originally? Can't you just get a swap out / replacement?

I got mine from here - cheapest I have seen (in AUD), unless someone knows a better supplier??

@Archie - Originally I got mine from core electronics (http://core-electronics.com.au/search?q=jrk 12v12). I had contacted them but still waiting to hear back...In the mean time I also got in contact with Pololu directly to see if there was a way to maybe fix the problem. The tech at Pololu was really helpful but unfortunately there was no magic fix. Because on paper, the motors and PSU we use could potentially damage a Jrk 12v12, the only thing they could offer me was a 50% discount on a new Jrk.....better than nothing I suppose.

Have to say that is quite good of Pololu to do that. Given that any number of things could have caused the issue, they could of said "Oh well. Better luck next time. Bye."

I still feel you got sent a faulty JRK though....

Yeah i think you might be right. Since i didn't even get all the way through setup with that one. But it's hard to say. Hopefully i have more luck with the next one. The build itself is almost complete now so i am really waiting on getting the motion done. I haven't had a chance to do any work on the setup for a few days now but should be able to get back to it very soon.

Sorry for the lack of updates for a while, but I haven't done any work on the sim or even spent much time on the forum in what seems ages!
BUT, I have my new Jrk now and I'm hoping to get it set up within the next few days. Getting close now!

@noorbeast - My spirit is as healthy as ever!
Can't wait to have it going.

Right'o. I got both Jrk's configured and I have both motors responding to the Jrk config utility. That's a good start!
But, as I always thought, when it comes to the software part there will be teething problems.

So here is what I'm up to:
I am using an old laptop (win XP pro SP2) for the motion as I don't want to use any more USB devices on the gaming PC.
I have installed SimTools on both machines. When I start up iRacing, I can see the values changing within the tuning centre. Awesome, things are happening!
But, unfortunately no movement of the motors.
I have looked at various tutorials on how to set things up and I think I am on the right track but as far as I can tell, by now I should have had some motion. I am sure there is something really simple that I'm not doing right but whatever it is, it's not obvious to me at this stage.

So, I will be doing more research and will try to get my head around this whole thing a bit better as there are still a fair few things I don't understand just yet.

I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel!!!

Hey @noorbeast - Here are the documents I have used so far:

I started with this: http://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/how-to-set-up-a-dual-pc-installation-of-simtools.4974/
Where it said to install SimTools on both PC's, I did the Full install both times. I also drag and dropped the plugin on both PC's and that seemed to have worked too.

I have also used the attached document to help me out.

And here are the Simtools settings:


The Commports used within SimTools are the ones called "Pololu Jrk 12v12 Command Port" when I look in the device manager in windows.