FINAL ASSEMBLY 6

This is my latest addition to the sim. I have cut and painted the rear surround sound stands.

FINAL ASSEMBLY 5

UP AND RUNNING !

Raced GranTurismo4 last night. This is so much better than a gamepad. I stiil have to finish surround sound speaker mounts. Will try to do this weekend. Will be getting laptop shelf one of these days for FS2004.

FINAL ASSEMBLY 4

Got a pic here of the back side of cockpit. Need to find a good place for the PS2. Tried to get all of the cables zip-tied to the underside.

FINAL ASSEMBLY 3

This is a pic of the table platform all painted up.

Ready to hook everything up and race.

FINAL ASSEMBLY 2

This is the latest pic. Shifter complete. Wheel platform painted and installed. Ready to finish TV console and rear speaker mounts.

FINAL ASSEMBLY 1

Finally got the shifter mounted. Had to un-screw the foward leg of shifter then re-install after I inserted it into platform. Moved seat back and forth, got the best position for shifter before cutting hole. Came out really nice and clean.

[10] FINAL ASSEMBLY

This is a pic a little more assembled. Got the shifter platform ready for shifter. Seat is permanently mounted now.

[9] FLIGHT YOKE AND PEDALS

Update: Bought the CHProducts yoke and pedals the other day from Chris. (Thanks for the great deal.) Now I have all the equipment I need for flying.

I need to throw in a thanks to my nephew Ryan for all his help. "Thanks Ryan, Can't wait 'till we get racing, shouldn't be long now."

[8] G25 RACING SYSTEM

And now the fun starts. I just received my new Logitech G25 Racing System on my doorstep today. I will be using this with my PS2 for the racing games. Not hooked up yet, but I had to unbox it and check it out. I attached it to 1 of my computer desks to see what it feels like. I can't wait to get everything up and running.

[7] EQUIPMENT BEING USED

I am using my Laptop to run FS2004 on this 32" LCD tv. I will be hopefully getting the CHProducts Yoke and Pedals from my good friend Chris for a really good bargain. (When he reads this i'm sure i'll get a call). Anyway, this size tv should be really good considering the distance.

COCKPIT BUILD 6

This is the final assembly. I have all the pipe put together. Time to get to work on the rest of the MDF shelves. (Am working this now). It has taken me several weeks to get this far. I know thats slow, but, Just a couple of hours here and there is all I have been able to dedicate to this effort. Plus, alot of standing back and looking. I want this to be just right.

COCKPIT BUILD 5

Lower platform flipped right side up. (You can see that I have cut out for all the fittings). Makes for a cleaner look and more support on the pipe.

COCKPIT BUILD 4

This pic is attaching the MDF platform to the lower ABS supports. I used 1 hole PVC straps with 5/16 carriage bolts. Painted the platform red first. Then built the rest of the cockpit.

COCKPIT BUILD 3

Starting to put things together. I have everything laid out, ready to glue together. When they say you have less than a minute after you apply the cleaner and cement, They are right. You have to be quick when working with tee's facing up, right and left. Black ABS cement was used.

COCKPIT BUILD 2

Here's a pic of the latest assembly. I think I'm going with this one. I have added a 9" wide shifter platform on the right hand side. The pipe sticking up on the rear will be used for mounting the surround sound speakers.

COCKPIT BUILD 1

This is the start pic. I have the initial set-up figured out (I think).
I used 4 PVC fittings just for trial and error. Later changed to black ABS.

The seat is out of a Civic, picked up at a garage Sale for - get this - 4 BUCKS. Can't beat a deal like that.

[6] COCKPIT BUILD

I am finally building my racing/flight sim cockpit. I am building it out of ABS (PVC), with MDF panels.
I started by cutting, fitting and assembling the ABS pipe into my creation. I am using 1 1/2" black ABS pipe with 45, 60, and 90 degree connectors. I started with 6-10 foot sections of pipe and about 48 corners and tees.

I have changed my ideas about 100 times throughout this process. I have attached a couple of pictures (without seat, will add in next post). I have cut all the sections and fitted them together (without glue) to check fit, size, and see what it will look like when done.

Take a look, see what you think, and please comment if you like.
Thanks, RICK…

[5] TESTING

This is my set-up for now. (until new computer gets ordered)

I have re-arranged several key assignments and even re-wired some switches. Everything is about where I want it. Playing FS2004 I am finding new revisions to do all the time. I will be adding a new box or 2 to accommidate GPS and NAV assignments.

[4] GAMEPLAY

The joystick is a Logitech Attack 3 with 11 programmable buttons and a rapid fire trigger. I have all of the buttons on the right bank of the button box programmed for the #1 controller, and the left bank set on #2. FS2004 recognizes all 3 controllers, select (settings, assignments) in the game.

[3] BUTTON BOX HOOK-UP

Pic 1 shows the basic wiring I did from the switches to the back of the project box lids.
I used 22 ga. wire running 1 ground from each bank of switches.







Pic 2 shows the wiring of the left box to the controller. I hooked all up to the #1 side. If I expand and ad more I will use the #2 side.









Pic 3 shows the final set-up of my button box. All switches have been labeled with the most common keys I will be using. Note: There are 4 plugs marked "INOP" for future use. I cut a hole in the right hand side for the USB cable. Easily able to unplug and move.

[2] SKETCHUP MODEL OF SIM

Google Sketch-up 6 is a 3D modeling software tool. This is a very rough draft I have designed from Google Sketchup 6. A nice feature is the measure tool. I can draw lines to the exact distance I need. You can color panels look thru them and rotate to an inside out view.

I will be adding curves to the side and top panels. Adding wheel/yoke shelf, pedal platform and seat to the next pic.
[COMING SOON]

[1] USB CONTROLLER

This is the USB Controller that I have chosen to use for my Flight Sim Project.
It's an Ulitmarc A-PAC Gamepad Interface Version 1 controller, with a 32 button interface which can handle up to 4 pots. The A-Pac is an analog/digital interface which emulates 2 gamepads. Inputs auto-detect whether pots or buttons are connected.

I will be using 8 momentary switches (gear, autopilot, etc.), 4 push buttons (strobes, landing lights etc.), wire and project boxes I have purchased from Radioshack. I am using a P-Touch labeler for the decals.

NEXT POST -

I am using Google Sketchup 6 for a 3D model of my project. This FREE program is great for visually seeing what the final product will look like. [easily able to make changes until you get what you're looking for]

RACING / FLIGHT SIM BUILD

STARTUP -
This is where I will be documenting the build of my racing / flight simulator. I will be attaching pics along with instructions of my build.
I will also include links to my favorite and most useful sites that have helped me in this build. Please feel free to comment or e-mail me at rickashaysims .

IN MY NEXT POST,
Finding a keyboard controller, building a button box, and attempting hookup. I will be flying FS 2004 to start with and using a Logitech Attack 3 joystick. [to test switches and controller on my Dell Laptop.]