2DOF seatmover -> Joyrider

Hi all,
I thought I should create a thread with my thoughts/ambitions for my own simulator, if for nothing else than to get things clear in my own head!

My final goal will be to construct a 2DOF joyrider for racing, flight Sim & with any luck space Sim, (I’m hoping when Eve Valkerie gets released it has the relevant output data that some clever fella can implement it into the motion simulator world!).

But firstly I would like to build a 2DOF seat mover just to get my head around the mechanical basics, the software and the dreaded electrical control. I already have a few components to get me on my way that I have accumulated from various places so hopefully this first prototype build shouldn’t cost too many pennies.
I plan to use 2 off 12v electric golf trolley drive units (that I knew at some point would come in useful for something – cheap deal from Ebay a few years ago) they are 15 amp units with a 25:1 worm drive giving 132 rpm.

I also have a DC Sabertooth 2x25 controller as seen in the picture; hopefully this will at least give me a start! From what I have gathered from the vast amount of data on this site the Sabertooth has a simple little unit that attaches to it called a Kangaroo this gives you the ability to add motor feedback by means of potentiometers and end of travel limit switch capability’s. Although from what I can ascertain from various threads this is not the best (function wise) or easiest unit to work with but I think it’s a good cheap option to get me off the ground and get my motors turning!

So earlier today I also ordered a Kangaroo X2 from Technobots and a USB to TTL cable along with 2 X 180Deg Hall sensors from Farnell. This will give me something to play with over the weekend I hope. Now I just have to gather enough information on how to wire them to my PC, read up on and download SimTools and get them to run. (ohh yes I do know it’s not going to be that easy but hopefully it will be a lot of fun!)

Will keep this updated !

Hi All.

Ok so I have started to sketch out the mechanical geometry for this but I would like some advice if possible on the amount of ideal movement.

The below sketch shows what I have so far.


As you can see I am getting 4deg forward and back each way and 8deg left to right each way, I am rotating the motors +/- 60 deg and I have a crank length of 45mm.

Will this be sufficient or would you suggest adjusting to create more or less in each axis ?

Also a small animation of the current geometry...



Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated ! Cheers.

I run 65mm CTC levers but only use 80 deg of the turn of the motor, resulting in about 80mm of travel which rolls the chair about 10deg. And when it get a shacken and rollen its quite hard to keep a car straight, like being thrashed around in a real car.
8 deg is plenty for a seat mover but you can lengthen the levers a bit and use less rotation to gain the same angle or more , resulting in snapper movements too, as in the motor turns less to reach its min and max points.

With what you have there it looks like the mount (pivot) is under the middle of the seat, it needs to be in the cg point of the chair , a little more forward, balance is the key in a nice responsive seat mover. But overall it will produce a nice effect.
Looking good cant wait to see it come to life.

Hi @LostMyEd
How have you done the animation? Looks great!

Thanks for your advice eaorobbie, I will do some adjustments after work. I should be picking a seat up over the weekend so I will mock something up to gauge the C of G also. Again many thanks.

value1 the software I use is Autodesk Inventor - it comes with a simple animation bolt on. Its A1 for mechanical design, just no help with the electrical and control where I struggle!