1. Do not share user accounts! Any account that is shared by another person will be blocked and closed. This means: we will close not only the account that is shared, but also the main account of the user who uses another person's account. We have the ability to detect account sharing, so please do not try to cheat the system. This action will take place on 04/18/2023. Read all forum rules.
    Dismiss Notice
  2. For downloading SimTools plugins you need a Download Package. Get it with virtual coins that you receive for forum activity or Buy Download Package - We have a zero Spam tolerance so read our forum rules first.

    Buy Now a Download Plan!
  3. Do not try to cheat our system and do not post an unnecessary amount of useless posts only to earn credits here. We have a zero spam tolerance policy and this will cause a ban of your user account. Otherwise we wish you a pleasant stay here! Read the forum rules
  4. We have a few rules which you need to read and accept before posting anything here! Following these rules will keep the forum clean and your stay pleasant. Do not follow these rules can lead to permanent exclusion from this website: Read the forum rules.
    Are you a company? Read our company rules

SCN5 / SCN6 Hardware Thread

Discussion in 'SimTools compatible interfaces' started by egoexpress, Sep 29, 2008.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. bvillersjr

    bvillersjr Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2008
    Messages:
    1,174
    Location:
    Ohio, USA
    Balance:
    437Coins
    Ratings:
    +23 / 1 / -0
    Re: SCN5 Hardware Thread

    In a post in the SCN5-Software thread, SirNoName eeucated me that at power up, some power supplies can create an over-voltage spike, which is harmful to the SCN5's. I do not believe that mine would, but could use some help verifying this if anyone cares to chime in.

    Obviously, I am not an electronics guru. My power supply claims to be overvoltage, current and temperature protected. The specs can be viewed here: http://www.powersupplydepot.com/productview.asp?product=17429+PS.

    Is this sufficient? If not, can you recommend some type of solution that I can implement cost effectively that will ensure that nothing more than 24v is output from my power supply under any circumstance.
  2. egoexpress

    egoexpress Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2006
    Messages:
    3,839
    Location:
    Germany - Frankfurt/M
    Balance:
    421Coins
    Ratings:
    +10 / 1 / -0
    Re: SCN5 Hardware Thread

    Your PSU seems to be fine.
  3. Mr Burns

    Mr Burns New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2008
    Messages:
    139
    Balance:
    0Coins
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Re: SCN5 Hardware Thread

    So, the good actuator is detected with the kill switch wire connected to 24V and everything else the same?

    What software are you talking about to view the scn-port communication? -- Found in the software thread.

    Do your actuators make a small noise when you plug them in (the non-broken one now that I noticed one was broken from the factory)?

    I also have the problem of the computer locking up after some minutes of serial connection, but not on usb-serial.
  4. bvillersjr

    bvillersjr Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2008
    Messages:
    1,174
    Location:
    Ohio, USA
    Balance:
    437Coins
    Ratings:
    +23 / 1 / -0
    Re: SCN5 Hardware Thread

    Thats right, the same cabling worked well on one actuator, and not the other. The faulty actuator continued reporting that the kill switch was on when it wasn't.

    Between Free Serial Port Monitor and enabling debug mode in the registry for the profiler, you can fully troubleshoot yor connectivity issues.

    No, they make no noise at all when plugging them in.



    I also have the problem of the computer locking up after some minutes of serial connection, but not on usb-serial.[/quote]
  5. Mr Burns

    Mr Burns New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2008
    Messages:
    139
    Balance:
    0Coins
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Re: SCN5 Hardware Thread

    Hmmmm, strage, I hear as if something is initializing for 1/2 second or so (sounds like mechanical gears turning), hopefully they are not bad.

  6. Mr Burns

    Mr Burns New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2008
    Messages:
    139
    Balance:
    0Coins
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Re: SCN5 Hardware Thread

    So, the sound is normal, good to be clear on that.

    Yes, we use the same serial cards. Maybe different driver.

    bvillersjr where did you download the driver for the card, the cd was useless and I found a link somewhere for the driver, the manufacturer website kept asking me for a login to download a driver?
  7. Mr Burns

    Mr Burns New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2008
    Messages:
    139
    Balance:
    0Coins
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Re: SCN5 Hardware Thread

    If using the scn power wire (long wire) to connect the ilk it must be like this picture with +24V connected and cut the 24V for emergency stop? (from scn instructions)

    Attached Files:

  8. egoexpress

    egoexpress Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2006
    Messages:
    3,839
    Location:
    Germany - Frankfurt/M
    Balance:
    421Coins
    Ratings:
    +10 / 1 / -0
    Re: SCN5 Hardware Thread

    Dont referr to the wire colors, as they may change. Only the pin layout is consitent.
  9. Mr Burns

    Mr Burns New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2008
    Messages:
    139
    Balance:
    0Coins
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Re: SCN5 Hardware Thread

    This is the wire that comes from the scn5 makers, I think they would have the extension wires be what they list in the manual? I'll check to make sure it goes to the right pin.
  10. egoexpress

    egoexpress Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2006
    Messages:
    3,839
    Location:
    Germany - Frankfurt/M
    Balance:
    421Coins
    Ratings:
    +10 / 1 / -0
    Re: SCN5 Hardware Thread

  11. Mr Burns

    Mr Burns New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2008
    Messages:
    139
    Balance:
    0Coins
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Re: SCN5 Hardware Thread


    Yes, those ones. Those should not change even if the short wires change (one would hope). As long as it goes to the ilk pin it should be good.
  12. bvillersjr

    bvillersjr Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2008
    Messages:
    1,174
    Location:
    Ohio, USA
    Balance:
    437Coins
    Ratings:
    +23 / 1 / -0
    Re: SCN5 Hardware Thread


    I am using Vista. The manual that comes with the card recommends letting Vista automatically install the latest drivers, which is what I did. It has worked flawlessly.
  13. bvillersjr

    bvillersjr Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2008
    Messages:
    1,174
    Location:
    Ohio, USA
    Balance:
    437Coins
    Ratings:
    +23 / 1 / -0
    Re: SCN5 Hardware Thread

    EgoExpress is correct. Definitely go with the pinouts, as the wire colors could vary. On my 150mm, brown is not the color of the ilk pin according to the pinout diagram.

    Also, I have no idea why my actuator makes no noise when power is first put to it, but even with my ear up to it, it does not. It does work properly though. Maybe it has something to do with the difference in power supplies. Does yours have overvolt protection at the time it is first plugged in? I'm not sure if this could cause the noise or not, but it may be one of the few differences between our setups.
  14. Ferrari_Man

    Ferrari_Man Member Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2007
    Messages:
    107
    Location:
    Copenhagen
    Balance:
    - 5Coins
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    SCN5, SimforceGT
    Re: SCN5 Hardware Thread

    I was wondering have anyone seen the SCN5 used for another setups then the frex type? Is it to weak for another designes?

    Ferrari_man
  15. Mr Burns

    Mr Burns New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2008
    Messages:
    139
    Balance:
    0Coins
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Re: SCN5 Hardware Thread

    Does anybody have a recommendation for a emergency kill button that can take both actuator wires (and kill them both at the same time)?
  16. egoexpress

    egoexpress Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2006
    Messages:
    3,839
    Location:
    Germany - Frankfurt/M
    Balance:
    421Coins
    Ratings:
    +10 / 1 / -0
    Re: SCN5 Hardware Thread

    In most cases they are too weak.
  17. yobuddy

    yobuddy Well-Known Member Staff Member Moderator SimAxe Beta Tester SimTools Developer Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2007
    Messages:
    5,282
    Occupation:
    Computer Technician
    Location:
    Portland, Oregon - USA
    Balance:
    49,206Coins
    Ratings:
    +5,093 / 18 / -0
    Re: SCN5 Hardware Thread

    What about using cheep automotive relays, one on each actuator wire. And use the kill button to switch them either on or off at the same time? :?

    yobuddy
  18. bvillersjr

    bvillersjr Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2008
    Messages:
    1,174
    Location:
    Ohio, USA
    Balance:
    437Coins
    Ratings:
    +23 / 1 / -0
    Re: SCN5 Hardware Thread

    I must be missing something regarding the dual kill switch? What would be the purpose? If you kill the 24v to the ilk pin, the actuator pauses but is not moveable by hand.

    If you kill the power to the actuator, it is obviously paused and limp.


    What would be the benefit of stopping the voltage to both?
  19. yobuddy

    yobuddy Well-Known Member Staff Member Moderator SimAxe Beta Tester SimTools Developer Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2007
    Messages:
    5,282
    Occupation:
    Computer Technician
    Location:
    Portland, Oregon - USA
    Balance:
    49,206Coins
    Ratings:
    +5,093 / 18 / -0
    Re: SCN5 Hardware Thread

    I believe bvillersjr is right; you should be able to wire both actuator ilk pin’s to the stop switch.
    Thx bvillersjr!

    yobuddy
  20. Mr Burns

    Mr Burns New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2008
    Messages:
    139
    Balance:
    0Coins
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Re: SCN5 Hardware Thread

    download/file.php?id=1742&mode=view

    I am looking at this picture. I have extension wires for the power cords (didn't cut the connector). Each actuator has 24V going from a power supply (two 24V 2A) to the main actuator power wire and to the ilk pin (to the wire connected to the ilk pin) and a button in between ilk pin and power supply. Are you saying you can connect both kill wires (for both actuators) to a single button and 2 different power supplies? This means 2 times 24V 2A current flowing through. I thought about using a button that can connect to 2 power supply wires (2X 24V) but on different inputs and somehow cuts both internally without interfering with each other.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.