I’m a sim racer and amateur racer with a passion for Motorsport, good racecraft and the technical and setup aspect of sim racing.
Featured: DIY Simucube Active Pedal
When Simucube launched the ActivePedal, it was very clearly a gamechanger. Nothing existed that was even remotely close – the ability to use direct drive to affect force feedback while using a sim racing pedal was frankly, pretty mindblowing stuff. The usual cadre of Youtube reviewers went nuts for the idea and, should you have a spare €5000 or so floating around, you too, could join the elitist cadre of ActivePedal owners.
Perhaps it wasn’t very well known at the time, but a prototype active pedal of similar design was doing the rounds on Reddit.
This prototype (seriously – check out the video, it looked seriously good even as a prototype unit) seemed extremely promising. Today, that prototype has evolved into a fully SimHub supported, DIY motorised “active” pedal system that will most likely compete with Simucube’s offering. And, for a fraction of the price. I knew the idea would be replicated, but in a year from prototype to a working version is impressive. I don’t know TJ Fenwick but I have an enormous amount of respect for his skill.
Motorised pedals (which use very similar stepper style motors to direct drive wheels) are known as active pedals. They’re intended to use motors and load cells to emulate real-world braking forces and feedback, providing an adjustable driving experience. The power in having a software based driver for the system is, if course, that you can “tune” the feel of the braking action. Drivers of professional simulators spend a lot of time getting to the point where the brake compression, rebound and ABS all feel as close to the real car (in a variety of weather scenarios) as they possibly can.
High-end options like those from Simucube can cost around €1500 each. These pedals are well known for their quality and precise feedback but are just too expensive for many enthusiasts.
The DIY project we’re discussing today makes motorized pedals more affordable, thanks to a community of engineers and sim racing enthusiasts who have worked together on a project hosted on GitHub and various Discord channels. This project lets you build your own motorized pedals for about €400-€700, depending on the setup and materials used.
The main draw of this DIY pedal system is that it provides functionality similar to high-end pedals but at a lower cost and with similar customisation options. This project involves recreating key features of the SC motorised pedal, such as adjustable resistance, feedback, and motorized return, using readily available materials and open-source designs.
The DIY pedal system involves several key components. Let’s have a look.
Loadcell: This component measures the pressure applied to the pedal. For this project, a 200 kg loadcell is used which provides precise feedback that the system needs to replicate real-world braking sensations.
Motor and Rail System: The motorized aspect of the pedal is achieved through a motor and rail system that helps simulate the pedal’s return and adjust its feel. The motor moves the pedal along a threaded rail. It provides feedback and resistance as needed.
Electronics: The electronics are crucial for processing the loadcell data and controlling the motor. This includes a PCB design available through the project’s GitHub repository, which simplifies the assembly and integration of the components.
3D Printed Parts: The pedal’s structural components are created using a 3D printer. The design files are available for modification which allows users to tweak the pedal to their specific needs.
Software: The system relies on software to configure the pedal’s behavior, such as adjusting feedback strength, pedal travel, and response curves. This is where the pedal’s customization shines because it offers options like linear, exponential, and logarithmic response curves in an open source SimHub plugin.
Building this DIY pedal involves several, well guided steps – all covered off in detail on the author’s GitHub page.
Why Bother with a DIY active Pedal when there are so many good options available?
- Unlike fixed pedals, this DIY system allows for extensive adjustments. You can configure the pedal’s resistance, travel, and feedback to match your driving style and preferences. The software interface makes these adjustments easy and intuitive.
- Compared to commercial options like Simucube, which can cost upwards of €5000 for a set of pedals, the DIY system provides similar functionality at a much lower price. For around €700, you can build two pedals with high-quality features.
- The pedal can be adapted for different types of racing and driving conditions. You can create profiles for various cars and adjust the pedal settings accordingly, offering a tailored driving experience for each vehicle.
While the DIY pedal system offers impressive features and performance, it’s important to note the differences compared to high-end commercial pedals:
Build Quality: Commercial pedals like those from Simucube are engineered with high precision and use premium materials. The DIY system, while effective, may not match the same level of build quality, especially in terms of the rail and motor components.
Smoothness: The rail system used in the DIY project is less smooth compared to high-end models. This can result in slight friction or resistance when the pedal is not under power. However, the motor compensates for this, providing a satisfactory experience.
Ease of Use: High-end pedals come pre-configured and require minimal setup. The DIY project involves more manual work and adjustments, which may be challenging for those less familiar with electronics and 3D printing.
The DIY pedal project is continually progressing. There are potential improvements and new features on the horizon. The community is actively working on refining designs, improving software, and making the project more accessible. There are discussions about creating versions that don’t require 3D printing, using machined aluminum parts instead.
For those who enjoy DIY projects and want to experience the benefits of motorized pedals without the high cost, this project offers a compelling alternative. The ability to customize and adjust the pedal system to your liking, combined with the cost savings, makes it an attractive option for sim racing enthusiasts.
The DIY motorized pedal project represents a significant development for those with sim racing DIY interests, offering the ability to build a direct drive adjustable pedal system at a fraction of the cost of commercial options. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the DIY engineering community, enthusiasts can now enjoy a similar experience to high-end pedals like those from Simucube without breaking the bank.
Topic: Sim Racing Pedals