10 replies to this topic

[robertms]

I'm about to start ripping my cab apart to begin adding force feedback. I purchased Zeb's excellent booster boards along with 10 Siemens 24v contactors. I've read through dozens of old and new posts and am wondering what the current trends are on placement of the contactors. Ideally I would like to differentiate the sounds and feedback coming from within the cab and am looking for ideas on how to get this accomplished. I also realize some members prefer solenoids for this task but since I have already invested in the Siemens contactors I would prefer just sticking with these. Any ideas/pictures/videos you can share would be greatly appreciated!

[arngrim]

this is how to place them and how all the table configs are configured

[Les73gTx]

By using the diagram posted above by arngrim you can then tune the sound you get by mounting the contactor on and in different materials. I have my rear bumpers mounted in a box with a open top, I have the flippers mounted on the sides of the cabinet with a rubber pad under it. I have the slings mounted in a box with a lid and one 1" hole in the box on each side to direct the sound a bit. The middle bumpers I mounted on a board the is suspended in the middle of the cab.

[robertms]

By using the diagram posted above by arngrim you can then tune the sound you get by mounting the contactor on and in different materials. I have my rear bumpers mounted in a box with a open top, I have the flippers mounted on the sides of the cabinet with a rubber pad under it. I have the slings mounted in a box with a lid and one 1" hole in the box on each side to direct the sound a bit. The middle bumpers I mounted on a board the is suspended in the middle of the cab.

 

Les73gTx, that's exactly what I'm shooting for. What sort of "boxes" did you use for the slings and rear bumpers? Did mounting the middle bumpers on a cross brace make a big difference? Any pictures you could post?

[arngrim]

just to mention that bumper contactors are not only for bumpers, all events on these contactors will be affected

[blashyrk]

@ les73gts I would also like to know/see what kind of boxes you use for your contactors

[Les73gTx]

Sorry, I missed this request .... so lets see what I have for pictures

This here is a good overview of an earlier update when I was adding the last toys, the box in the front is the Slings and they are actually 6v car solenoids that I am running off the 5v side of the extra PC power supply that runs all my toys. The center bar has the 12v solenoids for the middle bumpers. The box at the back upper right has the rear bumpers and these are also 6v solenoids running 5v, I have these partially covered to help change the sound.

A better picture of the rear bumper solenoids.

With the front sling solenoids covered when I upgraded my shaker setup.

Hole in the side to Direct sound a bit, not sure if it actually makes a difference once everything is closed up 

And a picture of the small piece of rubber under the Flipper solenoids to change that sound just a bit, these are also 12v car solenoids. 

 

 

 *** MEH .... that didn't work ... user error I'm sure so here is a link to the Dropbox pictures. 

https://www.dropbox....GrbBxhIFoa?dl=0

Edited by Les73gTx, 12 May 2015 - 02:06 PM.

[robertms]

Holy cow Les, you weren't kidding about those boxes  Pretty awesome setup you got there, thanks for sharing the pictures. I noticed you have everything hooked up to a SmartStrip, is it one of those with sequential power up?

[Les73gTx]

Yes I have 2 power buttons on the back of my cab (old PC momentary on power switches) on has the 32" and 46" TV's and the other has the PC connected to it. I have it this way because I went with a much cheaper TV's that do not remember the last power state, so I power the PC which is on the main Smart Strip plug then power the TV's with the button which simulates the power button being pushed. The Smart Strip also powers up the secondary PC power supply that is running all the toys.
Thanks for the compliments .... only thing I want to add now is a topper to make the fan and beacons looks better rather than just being placed on top.

[Les73gTx]

https://www.dropbox....wHYkKOhc8a?dl=0

That is a link to my complete dropbox folder for the Pincab build if you are interested.

[robertms]

<sup>https://www.dropbox....wHYkKOhc8a?dl=0

That is a link to my complete dropbox folder for the Pincab build if you are interested.</sup>

 

^{Thanks again Les, fantastic build, very insightful pictures. That shaker looks like it could walk the cab out of the room...}

Edited by robertms, 13 May 2015 - 10:22 PM.