43 replies to this topic

[zebulon]

Started working on a new design for a shaker motor. I've decided to go with parts that have a consistent level of availability and a custom machined counterweight.

My goal is to get actual shaker performance out of 3 - 5v.

So far the results are good.

 Whitby-20121128-00514.jpg   87.66KB   81 downloads

Videos of the prototype testing

[faralos]

I would think any good um...personal vibrator should have the motor you seek for a decent 'shaker'

[zebulon]

Thanks for that input Faralos, I'll keep it in mind.


Ran some further tests and this arrangement draws a maximum of 350ma across the range (1.5v - 13v) although it does surge to 1A on quick start ups.

With the tremendous amount of vibration that comes from it, it looks like a keeper.

[faralos]

does the vibration affect the entire cab?
It won't ruin circuits or connections due to the vibrating will it?
do you have to isolate it somehow to keep that from happening
or is the vibrating not that strong?

[zebulon]

It's a shaker motor, it sends a vibration through the cab to give you force feedback when events happen in the game. Like when the martians are jumping in AFM or the trunk turns in TOM. You're supposed to feel it but not shake the entire cab loose...

The only thing that can be affected by it is a mechanical hard drive, but nudging the cab will affect that as well.

[luvthatapex]

So this is going to be 12V or 5V? I guess we would still need a board to plug it into, then into the ledwiz since the current is too high for a direct port into the LEDWIZ?
Looks like an interesting project and something I'd like to add to my cab.

Edited by luvthatapex, 30 November 2012 - 05:58 PM.

[zebulon]

It's variable from 3.3v to 12v (built a speed control circuit) but yeah, it's drawing anywhere from 180ma to 1.6A peaks depending on rhere you are in the voltage range and whether it's a steady output or pulsed.

I figure the final unit will be 3"W x 5"L x 3"H including the blast shield...

[RipleYYY]

Thanks for that input Faralos, I'll keep it in mind.

i dont think the personal vibrator from Faralos has to be place in your ...mind !?
OK, sry, was my easy bad joke of the morning

good luck with your "home built", even more when i think about the price i paid for adding a STERN "official" shaker motor in my TRON... :/

[ressof]

Hello

Looks nice, can you tell us which modell the motor is? And its specification?

[htamas]

The only thing that can be affected by it is a mechanical hard drive, but nudging the cab will affect that as well.

 

Hard drives are tougher than most people think.

I use a regular 3.5" hard drive in my car MP3 player and it doesn't have any really significant vibration dampening. It has been working for years now, without any ill effect. If it can withstand the shaking in a car while driving (and it's not a luxury sedan with smooth-as-butter suspension ), then a shaker motor shouldn't be an issue.

Edited by htamas, 03 December 2012 - 09:13 AM.

[ViriiGuy]

Just use a Solid State HDD. It will be quicker and no issues from bumpage or vibration. 

But Mechanical drives are as said, much tougher than you think. It is SUDDEN jolts that kill them.

[zebulon]

Well, everyone's mileage varies with hard drives. My last cab would lock up from the shaking of the martians in AFM.

 

Definitely depends on how the drive is mounted in relation to the shaker.

[Shakenbake]

Is this something you are planning on selling? Sounds like a lot of people would be interested.

[zebulon]

Assuming I can get the results I want from it and source a machinist locally to make the counterweights for a decent price I'm ballparking it around $80 - $90 including the speed control board and $70 or so without.

 

There's still a bunch of variables to work out such as a mounting system and such before I'd start selling them. I'm also looking at incorporating a gear motor into the mix as a single installation (one mounting plate, 2 inputs, one voltage input).

[zebulon]

Finalized the design, Gives amazing results from 3.3v and up...

 

 

 

Some pics of the protoype:

 

 

Attached Files

•  Whitby-20121229-00570.jpg   78.72KB   40 downloads
•  Whitby-20121229-00571.jpg   82.27KB   52 downloads
•  Whitby-20121230-00574.jpg   102.46KB   72 downloads
•  Whitby-20121230-00576.jpg   109.62KB   85 downloads
•  Whitby-20121230-00578.jpg   97.47KB   71 downloads

[zebulon]

The combo gear/shaker motor board.....

 

 Whitby-20121231-00582.jpg   92.38KB   99 downloads    Whitby-20121231-00583.jpg   94.06KB   97 downloads

 

 

at 16" x 3 1/2" x 4" (L x W x H) it won't tale up and room at all.....

[nebrunner]

I like the little squirrel cage. Would this plug right into an ledwiz?

[Gamester]

Nice Zebulon!  I know you previously mentioned that you would be selling the shaker motor. Will you be offering the gear/shaker combo unit for sale as well?  If so, any thoughts on price?

 

Thanks!

[zebulon]

 

A quick video of it in action.

 

My cellphone mic sucks apparently, everything on the desk is shaking like crazy and the gear motor is way louder than that.

 

I'll have to reshoot it....

 

 

Unless I can find the gear motors at a lower price they're going to be about $150.00 plus shipping (they're pretty heavy) for the set and $135.00 without the speed control (for those who bought the board system that had it included).

 

 

These won't connect directly to an ledwiz, the amperage draw is well over the 250ma limit for that.

Edited by zebulon, 31 December 2012 - 09:31 PM.

[nebrunner]

I thought ledwiz could do up to 500ma, no? But probably still not enough for this even then.