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How to I salvage my D-Box rig for Oculus? Or what should I buy?

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Building Q&A / FAQ' started by fixmysim, Jan 6, 2016.

  1. fixmysim

    fixmysim New Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    Motion platform
    I bought a VisionRacer VR3 last year that uses D-Box for motion:

    • D-BOX KAI-1P USB Motion Interface
    • D-BOX 4250i (120V) 4 x 1.5” Motion System (4 units)

    I bought this platform specifically to use and develop VR content with the Oculus Rift.

    It's been lots of fun with some titles like Assetto Corsa but unfortunately D-Box has been remiss in updating their game-specific - no elite dangerous support, etc.

    So here are my questions:
    - Is there any way to make D-BOX compatible with xsimulator?
    - Is there a "simple" way to replace my 4 current actuators with ones compatible with xsimulator or am I better off starting from scratch?
    - Is there an "off the shelf" or custom build solution in the <$10,000 range that I should buy?
    Attached a picture below for reference:

    2.jpeg
    fixmysim, Jan 6, 2016
    #1
  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    A possible DC conversion has been discussed but to the best of my knowledge has never been done: http://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/upgrade-from-d-box-2-actuators-to-xxx-4-actuators.7359/

    Unfortunately the relative cost of Dbox actuators means that for most DIY builders powerful DC motors are a better choice as they provide fast speeds, low cost and robust performance.

    If there was a suitable interface SimTools could run it, but I know nothing about the Dbox setup so don't know how easy or hard that may be. Perhaps @yobuddy or other members could help out with specific advice.
    noorbeast, Jan 6, 2016
    #2
  3. insanegr

    insanegr !N$@n€

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    Dbox gets motion through audio . when installing Dbox software you will be prompted to install a driver
    image012.png
    and then you will find hardware under audio
    Untitled.png Untitled2.png
    perhaps in next version of simtools something could be done for dbox
    insanegr, Jan 7, 2016
    #3
  4. fixmysim

    fixmysim New Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Thanks for the responses.

    Conversion looks like a non-starter.

    Could I replace the d-box actuators with something compatible with xsimulator? What else would be involved in the conversion?
    fixmysim, Jan 7, 2016
    #4
  5. insanegr

    insanegr !N$@n€

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    if you mean just replacing the actuators only and keeping the rest of the dbox hardware, no there isn't a way doing that.
    insanegr, Jan 7, 2016
    #5
  6. fixmysim

    fixmysim New Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    I mean keep the frame, the pedals / joysticks / etc and replace the motion control center and actuators compatible w/xsim
    fixmysim, Jan 7, 2016
    #6
  7. SeatTime

    SeatTime Well-Known Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    AC motor, Motion platform
    Anything is possible, you have a good budget, but that would quickly disappear if you have a professional do the conversion - what is your background ?
    SeatTime, Jan 7, 2016
    #7
  8. fixmysim

    fixmysim New Member

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    Deep computer & hardware tech, I'm assuming that I could do it myself but unfortunately I am very time-poor @ the moment and would prefer to pay somebody else to get this finished / get the conversion made.
    fixmysim, Jan 7, 2016
    #8
  9. SeatTime

    SeatTime Well-Known Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    That's unfortunate, but if cost is not an issue, I would investigate what capabilities your local Engineering companies have.
    SeatTime, Jan 7, 2016
    #9
  10. fixmysim

    fixmysim New Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    What would you reccomend in terms of actuators at that point?
    fixmysim, Jan 7, 2016
    #10
  11. SeatTime

    SeatTime Well-Known Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    AC motor, Motion platform
    Any MechTech Engineer worth his pay should be able to hack into your current servo motors, or just install new ones from companies like Moog http://www.moog.com/products/actuators-servoactuators/. For less money than Moog actuators you could even sit it on a AC motor/gearbox setup, but it would start to take up some more space. You could even sit the whole thing on a AC 6DOF platform which would perform way better then any DBox setup. Lots of options, they just cost money...
    • Agree Agree x 1
    SeatTime, Jan 8, 2016
    #11