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General Discussions / A Full Ford Falcon Dash Simulator
« on: December 19, 2012, 03:13:06 am »
First of all hello to anyone reading this forum and thanks in advance for any information given. Seeing as I am new to this any passed on knowledge is greatly appreciated. Alright to business: I am an Australian man looking to build a simulator out of the dash of my first car, an el Ford Falcon, and make all the features within the dash work as realistically as possible. I was looking for quite a lot of help on what bits and pieces I would need to establish this.
First of all I have the tachometer sorted with the simple solution of the RevBurner my next hurdle is getting the speedometer working which I have heard may also work with the RevBurner I am just personally not sure how. Is this just simply a selection in simdash? Secondly the Futura model dash that I am looking to use (reminiscent of my car) has a fuel level and water temperature gauge built in. I am looking for a way to connect these with a working signal. I would also maybe put in a voltmeter for effect which I assume would simply be easier to connect to the 12 volt rail of the power supply I am using but if there is a simulated solution that would also be appreciated.
With gauges out of the way I now look to lighting and switching. I was thinking of handling switching with a JC32 Joystick controller. Would this work? Running switches like headlight, indicator and ignition. I also have a power/economy switch in the dash of these cars which I was thinking of using for a traction or launch control switch if possible. To drive lighting throughout the entire dash I was going to use a DLC-247 this would provide light for every last light in the dash right down to the ones that turn on with the air-con buttons (which I have a refrigeration and air-conditioning friend who will hook these up to the air-conditioning and the fans in the room for me). I would be looking to have some of and if not all lights like the turning signal, low water, low oil pressure, charge warning, ABS on (Actuating as the ABS does in game) and the complete illumination of the dash and instrument cluster. Even a few of the lights would be great even if I can't get all of them.
I understand that this could make out to be a very expensive build but I am looking for something absolutely spectacular and if that means it takes a spectacular amount of money than I am willing. I do hold console gaming close to my heart but I am not too worried about these features not working when I have the XBOX 360 or the PS3 going just so long as they are there when I am hardcore simulating. I have made my decision on wheels, pedals and shifter with the Fanatec CSR Elite, Clubsport pedals and the CSR shifter set. I am planning to fit these into the dash with the shifter being in the physical center console, the wheel exactly where you would expect it to be and the pedals mounted in the exact driving position. I have a massively powerful gaming Computer in the works and have ideas for a 5 monitor support (AMD Crossfire with eyefinity, this won't be a strictly sim racing rig). I also plan to run a Simscreen and a GI MAX in the passenger seat for when I play rally games to have an actual navigator. Speaking of which what are the normal features a button box can provide to allow a navigator to take control of all the cars characteristics as I am driving even in track or road racing games. I just think it would be truly immersive. Even if it is simple things like tire pressures, sway bar stiffness and general suspension adjustments.
Last note will simdash be able to facilitate all my needs? Or is there something else a bit more beefy? Am I actually completely limited by software solutions and therefore should I just go with a normal rig like everyone else? Is there a game that would present me with all this data output capability? This is the reason I am asking before I start is to know these things. I don't want to buy all the gear and then come to realize that nothing I have brought together will actually work.
I know this is incredibly long winded but I am looking for the ultimate in PC and console simulation and gaming. Of course there will be the other obvious simulation touches like buttkickers and the likes but that is mundane as compared to getting this dash working like it would in the real car.
As I have said before any information will be amazing and greatly appreciated. To anyone who contributes to this massive part I will consider it not mine but our rig. I plan to do a massive build series on youtube and an extensive build thread so everyone can get into it. It will be big and fairly impressive to say the least and any help even in the miniscule amounts will be mentioned and absolutely appreciated and loved.
Thankyou in advance.
First of all I have the tachometer sorted with the simple solution of the RevBurner my next hurdle is getting the speedometer working which I have heard may also work with the RevBurner I am just personally not sure how. Is this just simply a selection in simdash? Secondly the Futura model dash that I am looking to use (reminiscent of my car) has a fuel level and water temperature gauge built in. I am looking for a way to connect these with a working signal. I would also maybe put in a voltmeter for effect which I assume would simply be easier to connect to the 12 volt rail of the power supply I am using but if there is a simulated solution that would also be appreciated.
With gauges out of the way I now look to lighting and switching. I was thinking of handling switching with a JC32 Joystick controller. Would this work? Running switches like headlight, indicator and ignition. I also have a power/economy switch in the dash of these cars which I was thinking of using for a traction or launch control switch if possible. To drive lighting throughout the entire dash I was going to use a DLC-247 this would provide light for every last light in the dash right down to the ones that turn on with the air-con buttons (which I have a refrigeration and air-conditioning friend who will hook these up to the air-conditioning and the fans in the room for me). I would be looking to have some of and if not all lights like the turning signal, low water, low oil pressure, charge warning, ABS on (Actuating as the ABS does in game) and the complete illumination of the dash and instrument cluster. Even a few of the lights would be great even if I can't get all of them.
I understand that this could make out to be a very expensive build but I am looking for something absolutely spectacular and if that means it takes a spectacular amount of money than I am willing. I do hold console gaming close to my heart but I am not too worried about these features not working when I have the XBOX 360 or the PS3 going just so long as they are there when I am hardcore simulating. I have made my decision on wheels, pedals and shifter with the Fanatec CSR Elite, Clubsport pedals and the CSR shifter set. I am planning to fit these into the dash with the shifter being in the physical center console, the wheel exactly where you would expect it to be and the pedals mounted in the exact driving position. I have a massively powerful gaming Computer in the works and have ideas for a 5 monitor support (AMD Crossfire with eyefinity, this won't be a strictly sim racing rig). I also plan to run a Simscreen and a GI MAX in the passenger seat for when I play rally games to have an actual navigator. Speaking of which what are the normal features a button box can provide to allow a navigator to take control of all the cars characteristics as I am driving even in track or road racing games. I just think it would be truly immersive. Even if it is simple things like tire pressures, sway bar stiffness and general suspension adjustments.
Last note will simdash be able to facilitate all my needs? Or is there something else a bit more beefy? Am I actually completely limited by software solutions and therefore should I just go with a normal rig like everyone else? Is there a game that would present me with all this data output capability? This is the reason I am asking before I start is to know these things. I don't want to buy all the gear and then come to realize that nothing I have brought together will actually work.
I know this is incredibly long winded but I am looking for the ultimate in PC and console simulation and gaming. Of course there will be the other obvious simulation touches like buttkickers and the likes but that is mundane as compared to getting this dash working like it would in the real car.
As I have said before any information will be amazing and greatly appreciated. To anyone who contributes to this massive part I will consider it not mine but our rig. I plan to do a massive build series on youtube and an extensive build thread so everyone can get into it. It will be big and fairly impressive to say the least and any help even in the miniscule amounts will be mentioned and absolutely appreciated and loved.
Thankyou in advance.
