RUDDER PAD FS2020-2024 simu

Here is my interpretation of the Trusmaster rudder pad for a weight-shift control aircraft simulator:

I designed this rudder pad for my simulator chair, so it attaches to a solid surface.

It replaces the Saitek pad I had, which was too heavy, too bulky, and malfunctioned after four years… (Saitek potentiometers are really poor quality; I also had the same problem with their yoke).

The advantage here is that, although the potentiometers are rated for 10,000 rotations, you can easily replace them!

This rudder pad is simple to assemble and requires few materials. (It cost about €30 to build, but it was cheaper for me because I already had diodes, wires, metal rods, and RC-type arms…)

It prints in 2 days and can be assembled in a morning.

You will need a 10mm and an 8mm rod, which you will need to cut to the following dimensions:

10mm rod - 14cm

8mm rod - 13cm (2 rods)

Bolts are not required…

2 articulated rods, like those used in RC cars: adjustable from 3 to 6cm, depending on your preference… (approximately €20)

1 Arduino micro board (important for HID USB) (€4) from AliExpress. 3 1K potentiometers (€3) (see photo for potentiometer type)

1 red LED (20 cents)

1 220 ohm resistor (20 cents)

2 springs, 2 cm long, with hooks (3 euros)

code for arduino :

#include <Joystick.h>



Joystick_ Joystick(JOYSTICK_DEFAULT_REPORT_ID,

JOYSTICK_TYPE_JOYSTICK, 0, 0,

true, true, true,

false, false, false,

false, false, false,

false

);



const int potX = A0;

const int potY = A1;

const int potZ = A2;

const int ledRouge = 10;



int readSmooth(int pin) {

const int samples = 5;

long total = 0;

for (int i = 0; i < samples; i++) {

total += analogRead(pin);

delayMicroseconds(5);

}

return total / samples;

}



int applyDeadzone(int value, int center, int deadzone) {

if (abs(value - center) < deadzone) return center;

return value;

}



void setup() {

pinMode(ledRouge, OUTPUT);

digitalWrite(ledRouge, HIGH);



Joystick.begin();

Joystick.setXAxisRange(0, 1023);

Joystick.setYAxisRange(0, 1023);

Joystick.setZAxisRange(0, 1023);

}



void loop() {

int xValue = readSmooth(potX);

int yValue = readSmooth(potY);

int zValue = readSmooth(potZ);



xValue = applyDeadzone(xValue, 512, 6);

yValue = applyDeadzone(yValue, 512, 6);

zValue = applyDeadzone(zValue, 512, 6);



Joystick.setXAxis(xValue);

Joystick.setYAxis(yValue);

Joystick.setZAxis(zValue);



delay(10);

}

Note that you will need to install the MHeironimus joystick library for your Arduino, available here:

https://github.com/MHeironimus/ArduinoJoystickLibrary

For the rear axle, simply use a slightly thick elastic band that you can twist several times if necessary to create tension. There are pre-drilled holes; if you wish to improve the design and add springs… that's possible!

The Arduino circuit diagram is simple:

A0, A1, and A2: Solder to the middle pin of the three potentiometers (A0 for potentiometer 1, etc.)

GND: Connect all the GND pins of the three potentiometers and the red LED.

VCC: Connect the three positive terminals of the potentiometers to VCC (5V).

Pin 10: Connect a 220-ohm resistor to the anode of the red LED (longer leg).

The code is designed to prevent potentiometer wobble, making it a precise rudder pad (adjustable dead zone in the code).

It will need to be mounted on a board or support to be used.

The rudder pad that inspired me costs €550 and weighs 7 kg. Here's the link:

https://flightsimzone.com/fr/products/tpr-thrustmaster-pendular-rudder-a-vendre

For printing profiles, to save time, print at a 0.2 mm layer height.

Four parts must be printed at 100% infill. This is normally correctly configured in the 3mf profile, but check the following:

the axle that allows the crankset to pivot,

the cover for the rear potentiometer,

and the two pivot points for the front potentiometers.

You will find the 3MF and STL files for printing at the following address:

https://makerworld.com/fr/models/2345281-rudder-pad-type-pendular-rudder#profileId-2564250

And here, the video for demo :