Home made steering wheel

Would like to hear from anyone who has built, or is building their own wheel/pedal combo. I bought a couple of 100K pots from Radio Shack for the controllers but I can't get them to scale evenly. By that I mean that it scales from center to absolute left much quicker than from center to absoulte right. Can anyone suggest a different brand of pots?? Thanks

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> Would like to hear from anyone who has built, or is building their own > wheel/pedal combo. I bought a couple of 100K pots from Radio Shack for the > controllers but I can't get them to scale evenly. By that I mean that it > scales from center to absolute left much quicker than from center to > absoulte right. > Can anyone suggest a different brand of pots?? Thanks

Just a question. Why are you trying to use 2 pots. Why not just one? ===================================================================== C H A R L O T T E M O T O R S P E E D W A Y ------------------------------------------------------------------- // // Mark (Difficult at Darlington) McCuen // Caribou/IverSport #35 Hooters Monte Carlo ___/#D\__/ - __ Papyrus Closed Beta Team (8/95) [_()_35_()] _ --- ID: markmc // HCS/ProHCS // http://www.katt.com/mm/mmcars.html -----------------------------------------------------------------

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> > Would like to hear from anyone who has built, or is building their own > > wheel/pedal combo. I bought a couple of 100K pots from Radio Shack for the > > controllers but I can't get them to scale evenly. By that I mean that it > > scales from center to absolute left much quicker than from center to > > absoulte right. > > Can anyone suggest a different brand of pots?? Thanks > Just a question. Why are you trying to use 2 pots. Why not just one?

Sounds like they're not linear taper. -- Chuck Stuart - Mesquite TX USA

>Would like to hear from anyone who has built, or is building their own >wheel/pedal combo. I bought a couple of 100K pots from Radio Shack for the >controllers but I can't get them to scale evenly. By that I mean that it >scales from center to absolute left much quicker than from center to >absoulte right. >Can anyone suggest a different brand of pots?? Thanks Not knowing how "up to speed" you are on electronics I will assume the worst, if I wrong just disregard this comment. There are two types of pots 1. Linear (this is what you want). The value from 0 to 100K rises at a consistant rate (see basic ascii pic) | * | * | * | * | * |-------------------------------- 2. Log (not good for this appliacation) The value raises from 0 to 100K in a logarithmic rate ie. not consistantly. See pic

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| * | * | * | * | * | * |*____________

This is a very basic description but basically you need to go to a good electronics shop and ask for a 100K linear (preferably wirewound with graphite wiper) pot. As with most things in life, the more you pay the better results you get. You might want to have a look at Walt's HP for some ideas on how to make a wheel and pedal set at http://www.oz.net/~wottenad/m I have made a (personal opinion here) better wheel but made the pedals but am not happy with them so if you have any other ideas let me know. Keep trying!!!! Anthony.

mumbled: Hi Mark, You've bought the wrong pots, you have logarithmic and you should have bought lineair pots. I have build my own pedals, and I used 220K pots (not much of a difference). I only got to have a wheel, T2 is too expensive... Greetinx from holland, Brian _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- Wisdom is the difference between knowledge and experience.... _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- HomePage : http://www.worldonline.nl/~brian -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

>Would like to hear from anyone who has built, or is building their own >wheel/pedal combo. I bought a couple of 100K pots from Radio Shack for the >controllers but I can't get them to scale evenly. By that I mean that it >scales from center to absolute left much quicker than from center to >absoulte right. >Can anyone suggest a different brand of pots?? Thanks Yeah I used the Radio Shack brand at first with the intention to test the mechanics of my setup. Then like I figured, within 3 months the pot started behaving very erratic and I was constantly cleaning them (the back of my wheel setup is open). So I went out and bought a military grade sealed pot. I paid equivelant to $5.25 U.S. for it and it is worth every cent.

>Would like to hear from anyone who has built, or is building their own >wheel/pedal combo. I bought a couple of 100K pots from Radio Shack for the >controllers but I can't get them to scale evenly. By that I mean that it >scales from center to absolute left much quicker than from center to >absoulte right. If you haven't done so already, you might ask Wally Wottenad at www.oz.net/~wottenad. He's the man, really. :) I don't think it's absolutely necessary for the pots to be linear, at least those for the pedals. The calibration routine will even out the error to a certain degree. I'm not sure about the wheel pot, though. Precision might be an issue there... ;) One thing you might try: Order a set of replacement pots for the T2 from Thrustmaster. They should be o.k. for the purpose. -- We're in a road movie to Berlin Can't drive out the way we drove in

I changed mine from 100K to 250K and found that they were a lot smoother You also need to keep the dust out of them. I love my setup and it only cost me about $50 AUS Phil.

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> >Would like to hear from anyone who has built, or is building their own > >wheel/pedal combo. I bought a couple of 100K pots from Radio Shack for the > >controllers but I can't get them to scale evenly. By that I mean that it > >scales from center to absolute left much quicker than from center to > >absoulte right. > I don't think it's absolutely necessary for the pots to be linear <snip>

Yes it is necessary!!! Pots mostly come in 2 versions: linear or logaritmic. The latter is used in audio-applications to adjust for our inverse-logaritmic curved ears. This way you get the feeling of a linear volume-control with your stereo-set. But for joysticks etc. you NEED the linear-type!!! Go Schumi!

mumbled:

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>> Would like to hear from anyone who has built, or is building their own >> wheel/pedal combo. I bought a couple of 100K pots from Radio Shack for the >> controllers but I can't get them to scale evenly. By that I mean that it >> scales from center to absolute left much quicker than from center to >> absoulte right. >> Can anyone suggest a different brand of pots?? Thanks >Just a question. Why are you trying to use 2 pots. Why not just one?

Just a question. How much pedals would you like to have? Brian _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- Wisdom is the difference between knowledge and experience.... _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- HomePage : http://www.worldonline.nl/~brian -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

Can anyone PLEASE post or lead me to the directions for building a steering controller wheel? I do have some electronics knowledge, but my imagination sucks. Thanks in advance!!! chad wells

>Can anyone PLEASE post or lead me to the directions for building a >steering controller wheel? I do have some electronics knowledge, but my >imagination sucks. >Thanks in advance!!! >chad wells For some basic ideas go to Walt's HP http://www.oz.net/~wottenad/wheel.ht Good luck Anthonym

>Can anyone PLEASE post or lead me to the directions for building a >steering controller wheel? I do have some electronics knowledge, but my >imagination sucks. >Thanks in advance!!! >chad wells Visit my site at http://www.oz.net/~wottenad/wheel.htm and see if the plans I've displayed will work for you.... I've had a LOT of positive feedback from people that have used them, so I'm pretty sure they will give you a jump start!

>Would like to hear from anyone who has built, or is building their own >wheel/pedal combo. I bought a couple of 100K pots from Radio Shack for the >controllers but I can't get them to scale evenly. By that I mean that it >scales from center to absolute left much quicker than from center to >absoulte right. >Can anyone suggest a different brand of pots?? Thanks I bought the one in my home made wheel from RS and it works very well. It absolutely has to be linear taper as others have said. I am currently working on a set of pedals using slide potentiometers configured as different axes (so I can brake and accelerate at the same time) but I am having problems rigging a slide mechanism to defeat the arc created by the pivot of the pedal shaft. Anybody tried this and found a work around?

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>>Would like to hear from anyone who has built, or is building their own >>wheel/pedal combo. I bought a couple of 100K pots from Radio Shack for the >>controllers but I can't get them to scale evenly. By that I mean that it >>scales from center to absolute left much quicker than from center to >>absoulte right. >>Can anyone suggest a different brand of pots?? Thanks > I bought the one in my home made wheel from RS and it works very >well. It absolutely has to be linear taper as others have said. I am >currently working on a set of pedals using slide potentiometers >configured as different axes (so I can brake and accelerate at the >same time) but I am having problems rigging a slide mechanism to >defeat the arc created by the pivot of the pedal shaft. Anybody tried >this and found a work around?

Mark, I don't know how you'd get that working, but bear in mind that slider pots have only a fraction of the life of regular pots, so you'll probably be replacing them on a fairly regular basis if ya use 'em! Matt ThrustMaster, Inc.

Hey ! You burnt the following into my screen : Me too please ! Thanks !

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>>>Would like to hear from anyone who has built, or is building their own >>>wheel/pedal combo. I bought a couple of 100K pots from Radio Shack for the >>>controllers but I can't get them to scale evenly. By that I mean that it >>>scales from center to absolute left much quicker than from center to >>>absoulte right. >>>Can anyone suggest a different brand of pots?? Thanks >> I bought the one in my home made wheel from RS and it works very >>well. It absolutely has to be linear taper as others have said. I am >>currently working on a set of pedals using slide potentiometers >>configured as different axes (so I can brake and accelerate at the >>same time) but I am having problems rigging a slide mechanism to >>defeat the arc created by the pivot of the pedal shaft. Anybody tried >>this and found a work around? >Mark, > I don't know how you'd get that working, but bear in mind that slider >pots have only a fraction of the life of regular pots, so you'll probably be >replacing them on a fairly regular basis if ya use 'em! >Matt >ThrustMaster, Inc.

True but finding gears that are the right ratio and will fit the threaded end of a pot is quite a challenge as well. Guess thats why I still am using the pedals(slightly modified) off my retired T1. Quite a product for the money by the way.

: Hey ! : You burnt the following into my screen : : >Can anyone PLEASE post or lead me to the directions for building a : >steering controller wheel? I do have some electronics knowledge, but my : >imagination sucks. : Me too please ! http://www.oz.net/~wottenad/wheel.htm -- **************************** Michael E. Carver ************************* Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<[ /./. [- < ]>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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> >>Would like to hear from anyone who has built, or is building their own > >>wheel/pedal combo. I bought a couple of 100K pots from Radio Shack for the > >>controllers but I can't get them to scale evenly. By that I mean that it > >>scales from center to absolute left much quicker than from center to > >>absoulte right. > >>Can anyone suggest a different brand of pots??

ALLEN-BRADLEY Use these in my homemade wheel, they are EXCELLENT. Thanks to Mark Mooney for turning me on to these. Tim V

I've just built a set myself from Walt's Home Page and they work great!!! He has links to other designs if you want to look at those to. -Mike

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>>Can anyone PLEASE post or lead me to the directions for building a >>steering controller wheel? I do have some electronics knowledge, but my >>imagination sucks. >>Thanks in advance!!! >>chad wells >For some basic ideas go to Walt's HP >http://www.oz.net/~wottenad/wheel.ht >Good luck >Anthonym

> Can anyone PLEASE post or lead me to the directions for building a > steering controller wheel? I do have some electronics knowledge, but my > imagination sucks. > Thanks in advance!!! > chad wells Try this homepage, Walt keeps a most excellent homepage on how to build your own steering wheel, I've just finished mine, thanks Walt by the by... http://www.oz.net/~wottenad/wheel.htm -- Bruno Schleich Pt/Lx

I agree, I have built several homemades and you cannot even work with logarithmic pots, you need linear ones, and an added tip, if you are not using the full 270-330 degrees of the pot, try using a 200k pot.

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> Hey ! > You burnt the following into my screen : > >Can anyone PLEASE post or lead me to the directions for building a > >steering controller wheel? I do have some electronics knowledge, but my > >imagination sucks. > Me too please ! > Thanks !

www.oz.net/~wottenad/ Wally's World is a great site, he put alot of time to try and help us make wheels, and he'll answer any questions you may have. Good luck. Mike