please help me pick a reference design =)

[CorvairNut]

Hi guys! I'm a newbie looking to build myself my first motion platform. I intend to use the platform for both racing and flying, in particular I love the DiRT series but I'm hoping to make it work with as many games as possible.

I'm reading up and trying to get well informed before I start. In particular I'm looking at Floriske's build which looks like a great starting point. I'm trying to keep the cost to a minimum, and if anyone would like to point me to another design I should consider instead (maybe better suited to dual purpose flying/driving?) please do so!

I'm trying to keep the cost as low as possible. So far it looks like: (all prices are approximate)

2 Motors- $200
2 Polulu JRK 12v12's- $200
2 Power supplies (looking for suggestions, unknown price)
misc building supplies and linkage parts (unknown total price)

I already have a racing seat to use and my flight controls, I'm going to be buying a Fanatec driving setup to replace my old Logitech Momo.

And I'm still very fuzzy on the software side of things, do I understand correctly that the X-sim software is what I'll be using to interface the motion platform with the games I want to play?

Thanks!

Ray R.

[motiondave]

If you want flight , you really need big motion movement, race works best on small.
A frame like this http://www.acesim.com/main.html with motors on the corners would do it. This is a good flight frame. You can shorten the motor movements for race as well.
Yes, you use X-sim software to "read" data out of the game and it "tells" the JRKS to "move" the motors.

[CorvairNut]

Thanks! I had already drawn up plans for a frame similar in function to that one. This leaves me unsure as to how best to hook up the motors (to get long travel). I can obviously just use longer arms, and I guess the motors I was planning to use (http://www.ebay.com/itm/GEAR-MOTOR-12-V ... 564a80e961) are probably powerful enough to handle the heavier load from the reduced mechanical advantage.

Ray R.

[motiondave]

those motors will do it well, just use a long lever and make sure balance is right on the frame.

[ferslash]

for power source i recommend you using a psu, (computer power source), BUT, you have to choose a hi courrent one... check the labels of the psu when you buy it, it has to have at lease 20 amps in the 12V output (using one power source by motor is a good idea) (if you use this source you dont need to use a car battery)

In order to use a psu you will have to "short circuit" two cables, but it is as simple as using some isolating plastic tape)


use this power source only if it is cost effective compared to a dedicated power source (in many countries it is cheaper a psu than a dedicated psource)

best regards

fer