Community Event / Creation Starting work on a simrig, but currently at the research/drawing board stage

[Eewec]

So, I've been looking at building my own simrig. This is something I've seen other threads on this forum about and I like the idea of having somewhere I've built with my own two hands to fly my craft.

Currently, as the title suggests, I'm at the research, prep and drawing stage of the whole thing.

Being that I've been playing E: D almost to the exclusion of all else (when I actually get anything resembling leisure time) I figured I'd try and base my simrig around the pilots chair and surround from some of the E: D ships. To this end I have been trawling all sorts of places for pics of the inside of various ships and the pilots chair in particular.

One thing I noticed in the research I've done thus far is how E: D deals with adjustments to the height of the chair. It looks similar to how some car jacks work only on a more robust and stable level. Trying to draw it out, I realised quickly that I just don't have any clearly lit pictures of the front of the base of the pilots chair in any of the three states (fully lowered, fully raised, part way in between) and I have precious few of the side of the base either in anything other than fully lowered. For the back I seem to have a glut of pics. If anyone has some high res pics of the sides of the base, or the front, please post them below.

TLDR: If anyone has some good pics of the front or sides of the base of the pilots chair in E: D in the raised or lowered position could you please post them here. I'm only after enough to make a reasonably good educated guess as to how the seat is meant to be raised and lowered.

If there are any engineers out there who think they can russell up some plans for either the seat raising/lowering mechanism (and what looks like the load bearing casing when it's fully lowered), or some more technical drawings of the swing arm for the keyboard as seen in some of the bigger ships (my quick sketch currently looks like a couple of sticks joined together with balls - it's on my list to draw out properly) it would be much appreciated. Not sure if the cable for the keyboard and switches etc would be best routed inside or outside the arm. Looks like it's done inside the arm ingame, but then they don't actually have to physically wire them up, so a tidy way to have the cable run along outside the arm would also be needed with free cable at the hinges to avoid stretching it (unless someone knows a way to actually do it internally with all those joints).

Anyone who can supply schematics of the electronics/motors needed (I can do basic wiring/soldering) to turn the above into something I just have to push an up/down button to adjust the chair or the required set of switches and motors needed to do something similar with the swing arm please get in touch as I'd love to hear from you.... assuming you don't want my first born as a down payment that is.

If anyone knows a good 'How to wire your own DIY USB switch panel for dummies' I'd also like to hear from you.

I realise I don't know what I need to know to build what I'm wanting to build, but then I think there's an old saying something along the lines of; 'a day spent where you learn nothing new is a day wasted'. I'm willing to learn what I need to know, but have no clue where I can get that information.

- - - Updated - - -

An example of one of the few pics I've found that shows the base in anything other than fully lowered;

 

[Eewec]

A picture showing both raised and lowered;

 

[Redhornet]

First, I have to say that you have an ambitious project there!

If you're interested in having the seat raise and lower, my first thought was to source a drivers seat from a car that has powered adjustment in several directions. My Hyundai Tucson seat has an up/down feature along with all the other directions of adjustment. The other thing I thought of was using hydraulics like some people do in their motion simpits, I've seen it alot in racing simpits.

I'd say that you should figure out how you're going to raise and lower your seat before you tackle any of the other things you'd like to do.

 

[Eewec]

First, I have to say that you have an ambitious project there!

If you're interested in having the seat raise and lower, my first thought was to source a drivers seat from a car that has powered adjustment in several directions. My Hyundai Tucson seat has an up/down feature along with all the other directions of adjustment. The other thing I thought of was using hydraulics like some people do in their motion simpits, I've seen it alot in racing simpits.

I'd say that you should figure out how you're going to raise and lower your seat before you tackle any of the other things you'd like to do.

Yes, I want to get the whole thing pretty much nailed down, or at least mostly nailed down for the basics before I even think of starting to cut wood or what have you. That said, I want to stick relatively closely with the designs of the in game chair, so in a way I've made the job even harder.

If you don't aim for the stars, how are you ever going to reach the moon? Might not get everything I want in the end, but I hope I can at least get something close.

 

[Enride]

Welcome to madness my friend!

While I cant help you on the adjustable seat (my thought was similar to Redhornet about using a carseat with electrical adjustment as a frame) I can give you an advice on probably the most simple way to wire switch panels!

http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=94&products_id=205

These BBI-32 button box interfaces connects with USB and is detected as a game controller by windows. Plug n play, no fuss, works instantly!
These come with quick connect terminals which makes them superquick and easy to wire and rewire, helps alot for testing and during build.
Each of these cards lets you wire up to 32 buttons (and there are supposedly options for rotaries too).

I bought two of these some time ago and have been using them in my various projects.
Ive looked into several options during these projects and while there are certainly bigger more powerful and versatile options I have yet to see an easier and more accessible option for less complicated projects.

These cards handle momentary inputs so only buttons and momentary toggles. If you wish to use fixed state switches you will need something more advanced.

 

[Winterwalker]

Subscribed !!!

 

[Eewec]

Welcome to madness my friend!

While I cant help you on the adjustable seat (my thought was similar to Redhornet about using a carseat with electrical adjustment as a frame) I can give you an advice on probably the most simple way to wire switch panels!

http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=94&products_id=205

These BBI-32 button box interfaces connects with USB and is detected as a game controller by windows. Plug n play, no fuss, works instantly!
These come with quick connect terminals which makes them superquick and easy to wire and rewire, helps alot for testing and during build.
Each of these cards lets you wire up to 32 buttons (and there are supposedly options for rotaries too).

I bought two of these some time ago and have been using them in my various projects.
Ive looked into several options during these projects and while there are certainly bigger more powerful and versatile options I have yet to see an easier and more accessible option for less complicated projects.

These cards handle momentary inputs so only buttons and momentary toggles. If you wish to use fixed state switches you will need something more advanced.

Thank you. I'll be looking at that shortly once I've finished at work.

As an alternative, someone (EDIT: by the handle Patramix in a Discord channel - just got the ok to use their name here, I don't like to assume.) just linked me to https://www.arduino.cc/ which make some very nice programmable boards.... not sure how easy they are to actually use for a complete and total newb like me, but....

That same someone also used the term 'ras-pie' in relation to making switches and toggles etc do what you want them to do, but I have no idea what that's all about.

EDIT: As some people may have already guessed, I'm going to be posting as I learn new things and how to accomplish various parts of the build. This is so that others who may want to build their own don't have to go hunting for the information, but also as a sort of log as to just where the project is going and where it stands currently.

Also, just an FYI, making rough sketches of what you want to build teaches you sooooooo much about the build it's kind of scary.

I started out with just a general idea and a video clip;

[video=youtube;OiTRJpvbmhU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiTRJpvbmhU[/video]

Then I went looking for various pics on the web, so along with the two above I've got;








Slowly I'm beginning to sketch out the relative info into something I can look at and see exactly what I'm even attempting to build;



I can already see a few mistakes with that drawing, even though it's not even close to finished, and that's version ..... 6? 7? of that drawing.

I'm nowhere near close to building this thing and I know that, but from tiny Acorns mighty Oaks do grow.

 

[Enride]

Indeed, learning along the way is bliss and the reason its so fun to do!
I dont think ive spent even a tenth of the time spent building on actually playing

Another suggestion for making drawing is the absolutely amazing Google Sketchup!
Free, easy to learn/use and perfect for making building plans like these !

 

[Eewec]

Indeed, learning along the way is bliss and the reason its so fun to do!
I dont think ive spent even a tenth of the time spent building on actually playing

Another suggestion for making drawing is the absolutely amazing Google Sketchup!
Free, easy to learn/use and perfect for making building plans like these !

Thank you. It's needing tips like this that had me posting here. Watching Youtube videos about various DIY simpit builds and going to various forums where they post building logs and such it's amazing to me how much everyone glosses over as 'things people already know about'.

No one really goes into any sort of detail about how they came up with the design they're building or some of the failed early designs that never made it passed the drawing board stage, or even how they went from 'idea' to 'almost complete design' in most cases, where it doesn't just grow organically without more than a passing acquaintance with a drawing board (I actually have a physical drawing board somewhere.... I wonder where that went).

Any who, as I said, thank you for the tip.

 

[CMDR MAIN SEQUENCE]

For a moment there I wondered if you were going to build a replica cockpit (but wow wouldn't that be cool!)

That same someone also used the term 'ras-pie' in relation to making switches and toggles etc do what you want them to do, but I have no idea what that's all about.

https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/

 

[Eewec]

For a moment there I wondered if you were going to build a replica cockpit (but wow wouldn't that be cool!)



https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/

Thank you, and who knows how far the project will go once it's started.... though I do wonder which room it'll end up taking over. There are options and a large possibility with one of them.

 

[Eewec]

Hmm.... this may take some time..... (about 3ish hours work so far learning as I go.... and can I just state for the record that the software has a few bugs - random vertices and surface deletions and such during manipulation... going to take some getting used to.)

 

[Cataclysm72]

I am now going into my 3rd month of simpit building. Or a better name would be a playseat. It all started out with a DIY joystick and throttle (HOTAS), but i decided to take the next step and build a full on gaming seat. Not a fully enclosed cockpit but at least the proper controls, seats and screens. While my hardware modelling isn't finished I can already play the game without touching the keyboard (except for entering a system name in the galaxy map).

What I did until now? DIY rudders, throttle, stick, switches, armrests (consoles), control panels, calibration, custom PCB, leather wrapping, triple-display, racing seat. And that was only the first 10 weeks.

If your project is going to be anything like your designs, you will have something absolutely awesome. I am definitely subscribed!

 

[captn_rob]

Built my first simpit 12 years ago and it was VERY ambitious. I have downsized a bit to what I call my "sim-desk" but with the advances in tech since then it is SO much better!
For a seat I obtained a used racing seat (yes, actually out of a real race car) and modified it with speakers and shakers from a gaming seat and mounted it on a custom built pedestal.
I don't bother with trying to build too many custom switches anymore. Use Roccat power grid on one side and a Logitec G13 gamepad on the other. These plus my X52 HOTAS and rudder pedals means I don't EVER need to touch a keyboard while in game except for comms and a 42 inch HDTV for main monitor makes for some AWESOME immersion....

 

[Eewec]

I am curious, has anyone ever made a sim rig where the seat acts like some of the more expensive car's driving seats in that you have a 'memory' for given drivers and it adjusts forward/back, up/down and angle of the back (plus maybe the lumbar support)?

I've been looking at the https://www.arduino.cc/ website more closely and http://www.hummingbirdkit.com/ specifically. Just wondering if they would be good for controlling the chair without needing to be hooked up to the PC, though that would require I learn even more.... ah well .

The thoughts about this were inspired by the small control like panel you can see on the side of the seat in some of the pics above.

 

[Enride]

I am curious, has anyone ever made a sim rig where the seat acts like some of the more expensive car's driving seats in that you have a 'memory' for given drivers and it adjusts forward/back, up/down and angle of the back (plus maybe the lumbar support)?

I've been looking at the https://www.arduino.cc/ website more closely and http://www.hummingbirdkit.com/ specifically. Just wondering if they would be good for controlling the chair without needing to be hooked up to the PC, though that would require I learn even more.... ah well .

The thoughts about this were inspired by the small control like panel you can see on the side of the seat in some of the pics above.

Not that I know of but I guess if you search salvageyards enough you should be able to find one. Im thinking a manual one without memory, that has a small control panel on one side where you can adjust the seating position. If everything is working, it should only need a 12v powersupply and your good to go!

But if you want one with memory for different users I suspect you will need the cars computer functioning as well which could be more of a hassle.

 

[Battlegrade]

I am curious, has anyone ever made a sim rig where the seat acts like some of the more expensive car's driving seats in that you have a 'memory' for given drivers and it adjusts forward/back, up/down and angle of the back (plus maybe the lumbar support)?

I've been looking at the https://www.arduino.cc/ website more closely and http://www.hummingbirdkit.com/ specifically. Just wondering if they would be good for controlling the chair without needing to be hooked up to the PC, though that would require I learn even more.... ah well .

The thoughts about this were inspired by the small control like panel you can see on the side of the seat in some of the pics above.

Its very doable, but probably over-kill. Adding on servos [not RC baby ones] or stepper motors to adj the chair angles would be straight forward.
Or you could get a car seat from a junk yard and gut the mechs out of it. [as Enride mentions]

I am looking into putting mine on rails so I can slide it in and out to make getting in a bit easier.
The after thought was maybe add a ball screw and a servo motor to automate it with the touch of a button.

 

[captn_rob]

I am curious, has anyone ever made a sim rig where the seat acts like some of the more expensive car's driving seats in that you have a 'memory' for given drivers and it adjusts forward/back, up/down and angle of the back (plus maybe the lumbar support)?

I've been looking at the https://www.arduino.cc/ website more closely and http://www.hummingbirdkit.com/ specifically. Just wondering if they would be good for controlling the chair without needing to be hooked up to the PC, though that would require I learn even more.... ah well .

The thoughts about this were inspired by the small control like panel you can see on the side of the seat in some of the pics above.

What would this gain you? I don't really see the point.

The whole point of a "simrig", sim cockpit, etc is to add to the immersion in the game (and thus add to the fun). I don't see what the point would be of having seats like that.

Back when I first started building simpits 12 years ago I went completely over-the-top and threw in every cool enhancement I could think of. The project became unmanageable and I eventually ended up stripping it down. Now my rig is simpler and I am enjoying it much more.

 

[Winterwalker]

Many many (many) years ago, my family visited Disney World (or is is Disney Land) in Florida .. one memory of that trip was a 360 degree projection film of a trip to Mars. There was nothing special about the attraction as far rollercoasters are concerned, apart from one thing ... When the rocket took off, the seat inflated (just the seat, under your backside), when you reached zero gavity <pffft> the seat deflated giving a sense of change, in g-forces.

If you were to go towards the electric seat idea, breakers' yards I'd suggest are ideal, though (even there) seats usually get sold as pairs (maybe you have to build two chairs, and sell onelater to fund your own simpit). If the seat has lumbar support for your lower back, though you can't connect to ED directly (no API as yet), if connected to your throttle, as you accelerate lumbar punches you in your back, decellerate and it retracts, might give some sense of g feeling?

Heated seats are ideal in winter only remember you'll need to seriously buck the Amp handling, through relays if controlling directly with Arduino. The other thing you might be able to do, is to leave the regular controls on the seat but hotwire them so your Arduino only switches the switches (effectively you save having to use any relays by using the controls already in the seat).

 

[Battlegrade]

Many many (many) years ago, my family visited Disney World (or is is Disney Land) in Florida .. one memory of that trip was a 360 degree projection film of a trip to Mars. There was nothing special about the attraction as far rollercoasters are concerned, apart from one thing ... When the rocket took off, the seat inflated (just the seat, under your backside), when you reached zero gavity <pffft> the seat deflated giving a sense of change, in g-forces.

If you were to go towards the electric seat idea, breakers' yards I'd suggest are ideal, though (even there) seats usually get sold as pairs (maybe you have to build two chairs, and sell onelater to fund your own simpit). If the seat has lumbar support for your lower back, though you can't connect to ED directly (no API as yet), if connected to your throttle, as you accelerate lumbar punches you in your back, decellerate and it retracts, might give some sense of g feeling?

Heated seats are ideal in winter only remember you'll need to seriously buck the Amp handling, through relays if controlling directly with Arduino. The other thing you might be able to do, is to leave the regular controls on the seat but hotwire them so your Arduino only switches the switches (effectively you save having to use any relays by using the controls already in the seat).

I wouldn't use switches or relays one should use fets or triacs if your going to control via an embedded micro.
It would be a no brainer to make up a control board for one. Its just some motors On-Off done.

Relays can be affected by gravity waves and magnetic ripples from the FSD core.
You might experience some unexpected automated seat movement when you jump in and out of hyperspace.