Here's the latest on the LWFF saga...
The psu I tried failed to work properly, it powered the wheel up but in the
Wingman software it wasn't registering the turning of the wheel and
application of the brake and accellerator pedals properly so I assume this
was because the voltage was too low. I contacted Logitech and they told me
that they could supply me with the required psu but it would take 3 weeks +
:O(( not what I was hoping to hear.
Anyway, Iafter phoning around a few electrical stores without any luck I was
tidying things up around my bedroom and came across the psu for my old
Compaq laptop which I had set up on New Years eve to see how it handled the
year 2000 rollover. Checked the specification and it was rated at 18.5
volts, 2.2a which is by far the closest I have come to matching the LWFF
requirements. Unfortunately the connector was the wrong size but with a
little bit of tin foil to make the contacts I plugged it in and VIOILA (or
however you spell it....) the light's came on and the wheel began turning
around in a frenzy.
Basically it now seems to be working fine (at least in GPL, I haven't tried
anything else yet). The problem now is that I need to play around with the
settings to get the right amount of force feedback as the settings I use for
my MSFF don't seem to give me much effect with the LWFF, any tips on these
would be greatly appreciated (both for the Wingman software settings and the
ini settings for GPL).
Also, when I remove the tick from the 'Report Combined Pedals' option GPL
doesn't seem to recognise the accellerator and brake any longer, anybody
else find this problem. Strangely, with a tick in that option box they seem
to work as seperate axis anyway.
Regards
Peter Hooper
> Hi there,
> Many thanks once again for all your help.
> I have made sure the polarity is set correctly, but I have my doubts as to
> whether this psu is going to work as it is probably too low a voltage.
> We don't have a radio shack over here but there is a fairly local Tandy's
> and also Maplins is not too far away, so I would really appreciate your
help
> on exactly what I need to build one of these. I have just downloaded the
> Logitech software and will get it all set up in the morning to try it with
> the psu I already have, i'll let you know how it goes.
> Many thanks once again.
> Peter Hooper
> > Hey Peter,
> > I hope you're remembering to make sure the + is the center contact
> > (according to Lutrell) on any power supplies you're trying! Most of them
> are
> > these days, but some manufacturers use proprietory parts and could
switch
> > the polarity just so you have to buy replacements from them. And make
sure
> > it's rated for at least 1.5 amps. (not much considering it has to power
a
> > motor, and even a little 10D slotcar motor draws 1.5A at start up).
> > Did the wheel work with the power supply you tried? I don't own a LWFF
> wheel
> > and its been a while since I tried one briefly, so I don't remember what
> the
> > LEDs are for. I assume one is for power-on. I don't know about the
other.
> > Maybe Lutrell has an answer for that. In the mean time I'll try to
figure
> > out the cheapest way for you to get one. Do they have Radio Shack or
Tandy
> > Electronics stores in the UK? I buy a lot of slotcars from the UK and as
I
> > recall, shipping is quite expensive. I wonder is its cheaper to send you
> > mine (at least I think I have one) or for you to build a simple one (its
> > easy). We don't want it to add so much cost to the wheel that you'll be
> > bringing the price up to a new complete wheel.
> > Slot
> > "Never trust your dog to guard your sandwich."
> > (Jen)
> > >Cheers Slot,
> > >I actually picked the wheel up this morning and am now in the process
of
> > >trying to see if I can find a suitable power supply. If not I may take
> you
> > >up on your offer..Thanks.
> > >One question regarding the unit... it has 2 LED's on the wheel, what
> > exactly
> > >are they for?? I tried one power supply unit which was of a lower
voltage
> > >than that required and the left hand LED lit up but not the other
one...
> > >what does that signify?
> > >Thanks again.
> > >Peter Hooper
> > >> Make sure the power supply tips are polorized the right way or you
> could
> > >> burn out the wheel. I doubt that any of your power supplies will work
> for
> > >> it. It would be a one an a hundred chance. If a power supply is rated
> > >higher
> > >> than 1.5 amps, its okay. It also may work at 18 volts, but don't go
> over
> > >20
> > >> (thanks to Lutrell for the right specs) The ratings should be on your
> > >other
> > >> power supplies, if not, test them with a volt meter. To buy a power
> > supply
> > >> or make one yourself from Radio Shack parts will cost about $20 -
$25
> US
> > >> (35 pounds UK ??). So it may not be worth it. If you can't find one,
> > email
> > >> me and I'll check through my pile of junk. I may have a 20 volt
supply
> > >>*** around that I used for slotcars. The tip may be wrong, but
you
> > >could
> > >> change that easily. If you need it, just cover shipping and a couple
> > >bucks.
> > >> Slot
message
> > >> > OK Guys, here's the deal....
> > >> > I've got the opportunity to pick up a LWFF for around 50-60
(normal
> > >> price
> > >> > 99.99 over here in the UK), the reason being that it comes without
> the
> > >> > software or Power supply unit. My questions therefore are:-
> > >> > 1) Can any psu be used with it (for instance the one that came with
> my
> > >> MSFF
> > >> > wheel or the one from my printer)?
> > >> > 2) Is the software fully downloadable from Logitech?
> > >> > Hope someone can give me some advice regarding this asap as I want
to
> > go
> > >> to
> > >> > pick it up tomorrow morning (before it goes) if my questions are
> > >answered
> > >> in
> > >> > the affirmative.
> > >> > Cheers
> > >> > Peter Hooper
