PT-Actuators 3DOF system?

The third wire that is not connected, is the earth ground. Connect that to one of the PE terminals, which is the earth connection for the motors...!

Also read about my tests and conclusions abouts ground issues on my thread on Racedepartment (keep reading on next pages there):

https://www.racedepartment.com/thre...motion-controller-thread.168360/#post-2969583

Thanks a lot Thanos, appreciate your help. I will try that later and report back.

Assuming that does solve the problem, then I think PT Actuators should update their wiring diagram (see below) to also include the ground wire from the power cable, as currently it only shows two connections for live and neutral. Also on the 3 pin power cable they supplied they had cut and wrapped the earth wire so that it's not visible and I will need to strip the wire back to access it.

Ok striping back the wire and then connecting the ground wire has completely solved the problem. Thanks a lot.

Pic for reference for anybody else reading this. The yellow wire is earth from power cord, which is now going to one of the actuator earth terminals.

....and this is about as far as I can get until Simlab P1-X arrives in a few weeks time. I'm happy everything is tested and working correctly, and I will update again when it's all mounted properly onto the new chassis.

@LukeBrown , did you use SimTools for your test?

With 3 actuators, I wonder if the front actuator will obstruct with the pedals!?

Yes I used Simtools for the setup and testing, seems very good and highly customisable.

For the pedal mounting I've already checked the dimensions of my current rig and because I'm not particularly tall I'm able to mount them without needing any front overlap. You're right though, for somebody with longer legs it could be an issue depending on how far backwards the seat could be mounted.

Thanks for your answer. Look forward to seeing your final assembly!

Some videos could be found at Youtube of my son driving my simulator.
Its a 3DOF + TL + extra surge. PT-actuators and AMC-MDBOX.
Very mixed feelings about the surge but TL is a must
Still work in progress!

@Hocky A-M-A-Z-I-N-G-!

Why the mixed feelings? Have you tried it in vr maybe the effect would be better suited for that? Also have you tried flipping it so it move backwards on acceleration just to see? I get that its supposed to move forward to simulate acceleration gforce by pushing the seat into your back but I would be curious to feel both ways.

Wow looks great! Did you design the traction loss platform yourself or did that come from PT-actuators?

@LukeBrown

I sent you a private message on August 16th ...

Did you see it?

Sorry only just saw it, have replied.

The extra surge effect is really good time to time when doing racing where there its alot of acc/braking like rally or such. When doing other racing where longer acc/braking is done the effect is to short and fades to quick when the limit is reached (adds some immersion but maybe not so natural).

I did try making the inversed surge but the regular surge and the extra surge even out the feeling, as it should

I really want to try VR but I have been waiting for the Index...and now for the Cosmos

Its my design combining surge/TL in one layer.

Very nice . Certainly some engineering and dollars have gone into that . Tried a surge table back in 2013 and yes it does have its limitations, although the software to control it is way better now. Can really recommend fitting G systems - Ie. active harness, paddles etc if you want to get closer to the real thing.

The Simlab motion rig build begins!

Out with the old....


And in with the new.....

Oh good news! I follow you ...

I agree, you can tune the extra surge separate from the regular surge now, axis a and b.
Is designing a simple belt retraction and hope it will make it even more real.

Just a quick update that I've now got everything built and working. Just a few smaller things still to do like mounting the buttkickers, attaching seatbelt and also fitting the DD1 when it eventually arrives!

The only major problem I had was related to EMI from the actuators. It was causing maasive problems with my pedals. The signal from the load cell brake was bouncing around all over the place (+/-20%) to the extent that it made cars impossible to drive. Eventually I discovered I had to run a ground wire from a metal bolt on the brake pedal to a ground pin on the pedal controller board. Doing that completely solved it. Sounds simple but took me days to figure out, trying all sorts of things and nothing was working!

Haven't done too much driving yet, but initial impreaaiom is that I'm very impressed with PT actuator motion system. They are much quieter than I was expecting and also the road detail you can feel is fantastic. Also having just the 3 actuators is working out just fine and I'm glad I didn't go with 4 actuator kit.

I'll post some videos and more pics soon once everything is properly finished.