DIY Wheel Build

Just thought I would share with you guys my ideas/plans and build of my wheel to be.

I am starting with as a base a Fanatec!!.....Speedster 2

I had this many years ago but it got pulled apart mostly cos the pontentiometers (spelling?) were getting really bad . but have dug it out again!

Plans are......

Fit a new wheel to the main shaft (done almost, this was achieved by using a spare racing kart wheel so just larger than the game wheel but good feel)

re-do the gear lever (lost the old one)

add a Handbrake lever (got a bit of rallying in me! )

add a Clutch pedal

make new pedals/current pedals grippy

replace the pontentiometers

replace steering strength springs with softer ones to allow for easier switchbacks

Will get some pics up for you soon!

Thats a tricky project but im sure it will be worth it Good Luck

Always love to follow these projects, keep the updates coming

BTW if you have decided to do a top notch wheel, have you considered magnetic non-contact potentiometers? Forget for ever the dreaded potentiometer wear and horrible in game feel

HOLY THREAD BUMP BATMAN!

Yes this original build didn't get far, probably because of the lack of funds, tools, skill...........oh an buying a Logitech Momo Red Wheel and Pedals (Carl Larrad IIRC, cheers it works a treat).

However I still yearn for more custom stuff, so in the pipeline is much the same, a 350mm real wheel mounted onto a shaft (no FFB) to drive a 3600 degree pot so the ability to gear it at 270, 450, 900 and 1800 degrees!! Clutch (with Fanatec style bite point), Brake (air pressure) and throttle (basic)....and to top it off a H-Shifter and Handbrake. all to be powered by Arduino control. at least this time I have the parts, tools (inc Laser Cutter!) and some skill.

Lets see how this goes, hopefully some piccies over christmas......of the wheel I mean

As promised.....PICCIES! haha


2/3 vertical boards and no sides or base yet but you get the idea, it all spins without fouling, the rest of the wheel boss is yet to be attached and fixed to the main shaft but it works.


Close-up of the steering wheel boss, crude but works.

To add is the base, sides, roof then the Arduino board goes in there, hopefully but 2018 it will all work

Once done pedals are next, then shifter last, then comes the wiring!

Any progress on this? Curious to see what your centering spring system will be, with all that rotation

I should also advice to use a gas damper if you can for that, coupled with the spring.

Erm, yeah this weekend it hasn't gone well, it is the reason I'm not starting tomorrow but hopefully next weekend I will be back up and running.

As promised here are the pics!!

As for the centre spring, not something I thought too much about yet, most likely start off with a weak spring fitted to the boss that allows for the rotation, eventually FFB will be developed for it also have a clockwork style spring fitted to a shaft driven by the same gear driving the pot. Except I have a dodgy pot not giving out readings so got a new one coming then as well.

Yes it has paddleshift as well (that works ironically lol) the feel is good from the wheel so far.

I would move to an optical pot if your board can handle it. Really precise and bulletproof, my TSW uses one and the Logitec wheels also do. Thrustmaster uses hall sensor, as my CSP pedals, but that one I find not as reliable.

Regarding the spring, your main problem is the large rotation you want in the wheel. You can use gear reduction to make the spring travel less, but then you will need a much stiffer spring to get decent returning force.

To be fair on the strong spring side of things I have a few Kart Exhaust springs which are bloody tough (we have specialist spring pullers for that job) that I can gear down a lot that will do the job nicely. Also then works if I then swap the gears for a different ratio (450 degree for example)

Sounds good Ideally you should fit a damper that is well matched to that spring, you will really be delighted by the realistic feel of the steering with it. It's very much what the ECCI has.