I'm trying to start my first 2DOF

Hi Guys,
I just registered to become a member a few days ago. I got into sim racing 4 years ago, specifically with F1 sim racing. I'm always fascinated with the shape of Formula 1, it seems that it's out of this world. I enjoy building things on my own. I didn't want to spend too much money for the cockpit so I built my own cockpit, out of lumber and bought one of the cheapest steering wheel set from Thrustmaster. Later on, I got really hooked up with this F1 sim racing so I decided to buy me an inexpensive force feedback steering wheel. The rest is history. A few years later, I decided to build a look-a-like Formula 1 cockpit (my Avatar). Now, I want this cockpit to move with 2DOF and eventually I want to convert it to 3DOF. I watched several DIY You Tube videos how to build a motion sim and that's where I landed to this web site. I'm pretty decent designing and building things mechanically but I'm very poor when it comes to electrical/electronics and computer programming. I never heard of the "Arduino Uno" before, until several months ago. I just built me a platform under budget with two 24 volts wheelchair motors. Hopefully, it's robust enough for my F1 cockpit on top of it. I got me a cheap after market Arduino Uno and some H bridges and other materials to make this platform to move. I think I have everything I need so far. I'm getting ready to put together the wiring soon by following the diagram that I found in this website. Also, I just downloaded the free Simtools app, right after I signed up couple of days ago. Eventually, I'm planning to purchase and download the unlimited access, if everything goes right with this free Simtools that I have now. I have attached a picture of my cockpit on top of the platform tat I made in CAD. The platform is designed as 3DOF but the 3rd motor platform can be easily removed to become 2DOF. Should I go ahead and start 3DOF now instead of 2DOF? I assumed the weight of the cockpit maybe the issue but who knows. The cockpit weight approximately 75 lbs. My weight is 165 lbs. The platform is made out of mostly 1 inch square steel tubing. The pivot (universal joint) is made out of 4 bearing pillow on 2 inch square steel. I think my platform is pretty robust to carry the 250 lbs. weight. I'm open for any suggestions. Thank you!

Wow! Never thought about that. I will check out the simcal. Thank you!

Thank you for the heads up on the clone Arduino issue, noorbeast! I decided to continue wiring the clone Arduino to see if I will have some issue with the SMC3. If it does, I will replace it with the genuine. Also, I will keep my present platform the way it is now, for the sake of testing the Sim Tools app. I will keep posting my progress for other to see and hoping some other members will see and make some kind of suggestion.

Hi Guys,
I'm not sure if this questions has been answered before. Anyway, is it ok to combine my platform with two different voltage motors? (which is two 24 volts motors for pitch and roll and a 12 volts motor for yaw) See attached below. I'm too cheap to get me another 24 volts motor, if the 12 volts motor work will work anyway.

The Issue I had with the Clone, is that I never got both axes working, always one of the 2 refused to move both sides. After resoldering all cables, using other motor controllers.. I bought the original arduino....worked flawless... So this for me is a no brainer....
With the Clone I also have issues with simhub... so it is clear that these clones are not the best.....

I would advise to use same motors.... pitch/roll yaw/surge uses the strength of both motors.... so 1 is pulling, the other is pushing... using 2 different motors means that or the strengths are not the same... or 1 engine has to use all strength for 2 movement.
My setup is 24v with wheelchair motors.... they totally do not get warm (19v)... next to the IBT;s are also not warmer then 30C...

Thanks for the input Radje748! How about the AC/DC converter? Do I need to put one converter for each motor? Because I see that one diagram shows only one converter the other diagram shows one converter for each motor.

Yep, I used 2 seperate 24V power supply's and 2 seperate IDT2's

Thanks again Radje! I got the genuine arduino and using IBT-2 on each motor. I assumed the arduino is working fine. Now, when I started running the SCM3 utility and turn on the motor one at time, the motor is shaking right away.

Maybe this has something to do with what type or what size potentiometer I need? What do you think? I have a short video on the motor shaking but for some reasons I could not upload the video. I'm still learning how to maneuver this Forum.

Thank you sir! Next time, I will make the SCM3 utility picture larger. Anyway, I just ordered the 10k pot. I heard that the typical 10k pot will wear out fast. So I decided to order the hall sensor as well. Unfortunately, the 180 hall sensor will not arrive until the mid April from China. I can wait to proceed this project so I decided to get the 360 hall sensor, instead. I wonder is the 360 hall sensor will work as well. Please advise.

I hope the picture is readable now. Anyway, I put all the values to zero and Clip input to 255, while the motor is off. Then I turn on the power on motor and motor still shaking. Also, may I ask why there is no value on Fpwm and PWmax before I turn the motor? Also, I'm still using the 500K pot anyway. I'm still waiting for the 10k pot and 360 hall sensor to arrive.

Thank you sir! I will wait for the correct hardware then (10k pot). I hope this 10k pot will do for now. So question again, 360 hall sensor is not good to try then? (so I can return it as soon as it arrives, and order the 180 hall sensor). Thank you for your patience! I'm not ready to give up yet.