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Question Actuators not responsive - hardware or software failure?

Discussion in 'Commercial Simulators and Peripherie' started by Critical_Thought, Dec 5, 2023.

  1. Critical_Thought

    Critical_Thought New Member

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    Hi all

    I’m supporting a family member identify the root cause (and ideally remediate) a problem with their 10+ year old CXC Racing Simulator. It has the foot pedals, steering wheel and hydraulic actuators. It’s running SimXperience Sim Commander 3 (latest version - 3.0.1.9999) on a fairly dated Windows 10 machine.

    I have very limited knowledge / understanding about this so am still at the initial stages of trying to work this all out.

    What’s working / not working?

    The racing wheel and pedals work as expected, but the hydraulic seat actuators do not show any signs of life.

    When did this first happen?

    It’s not clear to us what actually triggered the failure in the actuators, although we do think that an electrical fault occurred which resulted in a fuse breaking. We’ve since had an electrician inspect every electrical component of the system and all fuses have been replaced.

    It may be that in attempting to get the system working that changes were made to the software that is now causing this issue.

    What investigations have I undertaken?
    • Visit by electrician to confirm no electrical faults - blown fuse replaced.
    • No obvious loose wires/cords/etc.
    • Windows Device Manager does not identify any hardware or driver faults.
    • Windows Device Manager shows that that the following are working as expected:
      • “SimXperience USB Actuator Port (COM3)”
      • “SimXperience USB Actuator Port (COM4)”
      • “SimXperience USB Actuator Port (COM5)”
    • SimXperience software is up-to-date
    Help requested!

    I suppose at this stage all I’m seeking to understand is if I should be seeing more than the 3 COM ports that have been detected in Windows - unfortunately I don’t have any recollection of what Device Manager looked like when the system was working. The COM ports do reference the Actuator but this doesn’t narrow it down for me as I just don’t have the technical nous to appreciate the implications.

    IMG_2607.jpeg IMG_2611.jpeg IMG_2609.jpeg
    Critical_Thought, Dec 5, 2023
    #1
  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    That the SCNs identify in Device Manager is a good sign.

    Just a stab in the dark but the likelihood of all 3 SCNs being faulty at the same time is highly unlikely, which suggests perhaps something else is going on with the control software or communications with them.

    If you are interested in using SCNs with SimTools then see the FAQs here: https://xsimulator.net/community/faq/scn5-scn6.2/category
    noorbeast, Dec 5, 2023
    #2
  3. Critical_Thought

    Critical_Thought New Member

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    Thanks @noorbeast.

    What I be correct in assuming that the actual actuators will not show up as a 'device' in Device Manager as they are controlled by the SCNs (3 of which, as you say, are visible)? Do you have any thoughts as to how I can narrow this down?
    Critical_Thought, Dec 7, 2023
    #3
  4. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    They are registered as connected to individual ports, which is good, as they are recognised by your computer system.

    Move on to how you are going to control and configure them, as per the FAQ link already provided.
    noorbeast, Dec 7, 2023
    #4