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Thorax - DIY

Using our software/firmware combination with an Odrive and servo motor you can build your own direct drive racing wheel.

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There are a few open source projects around that allow for people to build their own wheels, while we do offer commercial solutions we'd like to offer ours as well for those interested in a low cost DIY wheel. While not strictly open source/free, it's for the most part open.

Our solution differs from the rest, there is no physical controller, instead we have have a soft FFB controller running on the PC sending force commands directly to the driver. The firmware in the driver is customized so that the actual FFB effects are done with fuzzy logic PID instead of on a separate controller.

We also have a motor configuration tab, which means that you don't have to go through the tedious traditional odrive solution to get your motor calibrated and configured.

Other features:
1. Telemetry support.
2. Software can accommodate button boxes, pedals, shifters via SimNerve protocol
3. No runaway conditions during crashing
4. Ultra low latency

You can see a video of one of the second generation wheels here:

x-zip-compressed - 311.57 kB - 02/01/2021 at 21:52

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x-zip-compressed - 9.09 MB - 02/01/2021 at 21:43

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x-zip-compressed - 2.59 MB - 02/01/2021 at 21:38

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  • 1 × Odrive Some single channel clones work well, but the official dual channel odrives work best.
  • 1 × Servo motor / BLDC motor 20A - 80A motors work best.
  • 1 × 12V-48V PSU 350W+
  • 1 × Optional Ethernet to UART converter
  • 1 × SimNerve Desktop App (Free)

View all 6 components

  • 1
    Hardware selection

    The typical small/large motors don't work that great, the large MiGe perhaps, but you can get some 130mm wheels that are rated at 6Nm @ 6A, these are ideal and you'll get around 20Nm at 22A. The ideal numbers you're looking for on your motors are for peak torque at either 30A or 60A. While you can push 80A with some cooling, you'll have less hassle if you use motors wound for lower current.

    Don't panic about getting 20Nm out of a wheel, 10Nm will be enough for most people.

    Use a good quality PSU and make sure you use shielded power and encoder cables. If possible mount the driver next to or on the back of the motor.

    If using a single channel clone board you need a passive brake resistor.

    Use a USB cable with a EMI filter, the Odrive generates a lot of noise and USB cables without filters will have latency and other performance problems.

  • 2
    Software / Firmware

    Install Vjoy + SimNerve App

    Configure Vjoy and enable FFB support

    At this point you'd need your motor setup and your driver connected and working

    Flash custom firmware and send your serial number (available in the motor control section, this firmware requires a single life long license per driver) 

    Reflash with licensed custom firmware and configure driver & motor

    Next is to setup the driver and motor config, calibrate the motor, save, restart, center the wheel, restart and it should work

View all instructions

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