Lalancelot's Rigs Experimentations

Hello everyone.
I did mostly redesign this week, because I getting close to the ending of the main mechanical part and I need to correct all the errors and last minute change I did.
I made my part that gauge the position of the actuator so that I can make fine adjustment without having to remove the gear of my potentiometer.


I redesign the bottom part for the limit switch to be in an angle so it clears the 45 degrees wheel part.


I removed the power surge diodes that were between the batteries and the Sabertooth as it seems not to be the right place for it. I need to put them between the PSU and the Batteries. My electronic is cleaner.


I placed my seat.


I was able to do so, even though I'm still waiting for may other part co come back, because I attached it to the pole with an climbing cord.



So, in a sense, nothing's prevent me to sit on it...



Pierre.

You do rock climbing? (OT, I know, but...)

No, I don't. I only do boulder inside. But it's already been years since I did some. Shame. I like that. For the real climbing, I'm scared of heights.

It's the same for flying and climbing: The further away from the ground you are the safer you are. But I know, it's not easy to explain that to your instincts.

Once again, I am a bit late in my schedule.

So, I SAT ON IT. I did my 2 first ride.
I'm still missing the last actuator part, but the two other are active.
Soon, we will move to calibration.



Pierre

It was time to find a new design for my pedals as I have new rudders pedals and they don't fit with my present configuration. It's not done, but it is started.



Now, I need to test pedals position for the maximum comfort. I'm using hi-tech to do that:


I explain most of it in this video.



Totally unrelated. This is how their is still snow at my other house at Matane. It is a lot more Est and it received a lot more snow than we do here in Drummondville.


Pierre.

Ok, after some testing that was often really frustrating, I determined that was the height that my pedals were the most convenient. My carbon plate is ready to be add to the rig.


I hope I will have enough carbon tubes left to do a solid installation. I'm afraid I'll have to order some more.


My VR is ready and I installed the monitor on the rig so I can adjust games and setting while seated on my rig. Since it blocked the bases for the VR, I change the bases position.


My other base is there. I have tried so many configurations that my walls now look like Gruyere Cheese.


This is the testing I did to determine the right pedals position. Yes, that part can be a pain in the...


Pierre.

I have received my missing part. But I did not have time to test it much. Installed. Working.
But now, I need to glue my carbon tubes to support my pedals.



I'm installing systems to their (mostly) final position. It's becoming harder to change things around as more and more systems add up. Better thinks this through and install things at the right places. Takes more time, but I have less surprises.


Pierre.

I started to glue the structure for my pedals. It is always nerve breaking at first when you stick carbon tubes permanently.


You can also see all the hair that my cat left on my seat. It is certainly not my hair. Trust me, I tried to take it off.


I will solidify the structure with more little plates. But, building a carbon fiber structure is a long process.


Pierre.

What glue do you use for the carbon fiber tubes?

3M dp420. I wanted to buy ec2216 that seems stronger, but I made a mistake and buy big containers of it. It work well so far, but I am not cheap with it. I would have prefer ec2216, but it is damn expensive too. So, for now, I STICK with the dp420.

I think which glue is best largely depends on how tight your fittings are. If you have to glue a well fitting sleeve over a tube with a tight gap a more liquid glue is better. Gluing flat sheets to round tubes requires a more viscous, paste-ish glue so it doesn't leak out before curing.

DP420 and EC2216 are both quite expensive ($30..40 for 50ml). Are there any differences in viscousity?

I originally planned to weld a frame from steel or aluminium tubes for the overhead panel supporting the projectors for my rig. But the carbon tubes seem to be a good alternative. Lighter and don't require welding.

I never had the chance to try the EC2216, so I don't know. The DP420 is quite viscous, more than honey, and it stick quite well to surface. I can build intricate shapes with it and this is how I get away with plates and tubes.

I do recommend carbon tubes structures. They are quite easy to build, strong and incredibly light (and expensive). Good luck!

Pierre.

As you can see, the gluing of my pedal carbon structure is well under way. Still a lot to do. I added tube to the plate to make sure it was stronger. It might not support my full weight, but I should be able to take support on it to get out of that thing.


Adding plates part at corner is my way to make the structure safe and sound.


This side is full and done.


A little video that shows the progresses:


Pierre.

I've been lazy since I have done all the glue. It was a long process in many layers and I got bored. But I got it done. I had not much to do anymore and then... One of my batteries broke. So, since I wanted to do some test with my old camera, I took the opportunity to do a none educative video. I had not much to say anyway.



Then, I got my battery out of the circuitry and it CHARGED! Eureka!
Unfortunately, it did not keep the charge. The next day, it was down to 8v. Damn it!
So, the battery IS broken and I need a replacement.
Until I get a new battery, I'm not sure what to do.



Pierre.