Question Dofreality H3 - Not detected

Received and built the DOFReality simulator. For some reason, it's not being detected by my PC. I've plugged it into my laptop to test the cable and the rig did an initial movement (I assume it does this to show it's now receiving power). The rig doesn't move and no new (or unrecognized) devices show up in Device Manager on two different PCs.

I've installed the driver as per the instructions, tried every port (all of the ports are tested and work) but I can't figure out why the rig doesn't at least receive power to do it's initial jerk when I plug it in.

Has someone experienced similar?

Hi,
I just received my DOF Reality P3, put it together and works great.
I have little experience with it, but I was able to set it up with Assetto Corsa and RF2, tuning it to my liking for each of those 2 sims, it is amazing.
So first thing first: The Device Manager on your PC ( BTW the rig does not do any initial jerking when you plug it in).
Before anything, you must see the following under your Ports (COM & LPT) (it could be a different COM#, does not matter):



If you don't see that, then you have a problem and need to contact DOF Reality.
Before we go any further, let me know if you see that on your PC.

I'll reach out to them. I've tried so many things and there's no detection and no output. I do see the COM port on device manager (and I've already uninstalled/reinstalled it). Doesn't refresh or change when I plug in the rig.



Forgot to mention I've also tried the SMC util and set it to COM4 and the program couldn't establish a connection as expected

So it is being detected by your computer as COM4? Are they using SMC in their rig - maybe not? Have you setup simtools as required for the rig? Maybe better to use the Simtools - 'GameEngine /Output testing'.

I don't want to state the obvious, but I made that mistake when I followed their youtube instructions, you must first download and install their file with your rig turned off and USB cable unplugged:
http://dofreality.com/DOFREALITYSetup.exe
Instead I went and directly installed the simtools and could not see my rig in the Device Manager.
Probably not helping, just double checking.

I just placed my order last week and have not received it yet, but yesterday they told me with the new windows 10 update, drivers wont work unless you use a powered/active USB hub for the connection.

Yup, after talking with them over the weekend that's what they told me too. That said, I actually tried a powered usb hub today and had the same issues. They're about to connect to my desktop and have a look though. Hopefully gets resolved.

Please let us know what was wrong once you solve your issue.
Let us know as well how you feel about their customer service,
Just interested and curious about your problem as a DOF Reality owner myself.
Thanks

Ended up opening the box and checking the wiring... Found out the Arduino was only turning on when the power supply wasn't plugged in. Only when the USB was connected to the Arduino and the power supply was unplugged would the Arduino turn on. Which meant something was stopping the Arduino from getting the power from the power supply when it was plugged in. Long story short, it had to do with grounding: I loosened the screw holding the arduino to a metal board and finally worked. There was a bit of excess soldering around there and I scratched it off which I believe was causing the grounding issues and finally the COM device for the rig was detected on my PC. No USB power hub needed.

Next issue is getting Output Testing to work in Simtools... From what I understand based on the instructions, I should be able to move the rig around using this but after setting up the Interface and Axis Assignments as per the instructions nothing happens. I've troubleshoot using SMC3 and the motors are working but go totally crazy and I'm not able to turn them off in the program. Now, every time I open the program, the motors go nuts. Only way I can stop it is turning off the power or unplugging the USB from my PC. Not fun.

Overall customer service has been good so far. During the device detection troubles I have been emailing back and forth with them and they respond promptly. They remote accessed my PC a couple of times to see if they could find the issue and were quick to reply when I followed up after trying whatever they recommended. Now I've emailed them about the new, current issues so we'll see how this goes.

Interesting.
Did you get a spare Arduino board with your rig when it was delivered?
I did without asking anything, I got mine delivered about 2 weeks ago.

Maybe you should ask for one...
I am sorry to hear about your trouble. I feel fortunate that my experience with it was smooth as silk, a part from my incompetence about it. I can assure you now that I understand how to tune it for my different sims, it has been few days now where I just go to my sim racing game and just drive and drive, it works every time like a charm and it is so much fun. Hang in there, fun will come to you very soon : )

With the help of customer support, I did end up figuring it out. The whole process ended up frying a $7 part of the 3rd motor though, but they're send me a new one free of charge since it likely happened due to the other issues I had. Now on to developing for the rig with the Unity game engine!