Author Topic: Steering Wheel WITHOUT 6 inches to spare on top... (Read 1850 times)

Invincer · « **on:** July 14, 2009, 01:19:04 pm »

I have been reading a lot of the posts recommending or not recommending steering wheels for hooking up to a control panel. My control panel is already quite overloaded and there is no way I could spare the 6"+ real estate needed on top for a wheel to be put up for playing (I would LOVE the G25, but don't see how I could mount it). Are there any alternatives like wheels that can be mounted either on the front or underneath of the control panel (OTHER than the spinner mini wheels) in a way where the space isn't needed on the CP top? Thanks...

bkenobi · « **Reply #1 on:** July 14, 2009, 01:29:10 pm »

Have the wheel inserted in a hole in the front of the CP when needed. Use a mouse hack to take the steering wheel rotation and convert it to a mouse axis. This should work ok for 360 games but will have no physical restriction for 270 games obviously.

Invincer · « **Reply #2 on:** July 14, 2009, 02:27:12 pm »

Hi bkenobi

The whole inserting thing has me a bit worried. Not a wood worker or cutter or driller etc.

Anywher online for places that give exact instructions or plans to try this for someone? I looked at home page links and many are dead to wheel hack stuff

Dartful Dodger · « **Reply #3 on:** July 14, 2009, 02:30:24 pm »

I have a Logitech Wheel that has clamps, so I can easily attach and remove it from the control panel.

I went to their site and I couldn't find the one I have. (I bought mine a few years ago)
All the wheels on their site have shifters attached to them, I doubt any of those would fit on my control panel.

Mine looks like this Logitech Driving Force EX Wheel, but this version is for the PS2/3. I've got one for the PC and it has a red handle.

If you can find it, get it. I'm really happy with mine.

bkenobi · « **Reply #4 on:** July 14, 2009, 07:18:17 pm »

Clamping would be a nice solution, but I'm not sure you have the space for it on your CP. Perhaps you could take a piece of plywood and add "feet" in appropriate places. Then, clamp the wood to the CP when needed. You would then just attach the wheel to that wood in some (semi-)permanent fashion.

I saw the design I mentioned in a thread here. I can try to dig it up.

spOOf · « **Reply #5 on:** July 14, 2009, 07:33:35 pm »

Quote from: Dartful Dodger on July 14, 2009, 02:30:24 pm

I have a Logitech Wheel that has clamps, so I can easily attach and remove it from the control panel.

I went to their site and I couldn't find the one I have. (I bought mine a few years ago)
All the wheels on their site have shifters attached to them, I doubt any of those would fit on my control panel.

Mine looks like this Logitech Driving Force EX Wheel, but this version is for the PS2/3. I've got one for the PC and it has a red handle.

If you can find it, get it. I'm really happy with mine.

While this is a great option, it's not what he's looking for. I have the Logitech Driving Force and it needs 6 inches. It only requires 1.5 inches of overhang, but the rest of the base sits 6 in on the top of the control panel. I specifically put my trackball 6 inches from the edge so it would fit.

spOOf · « **Reply #6 on:** July 14, 2009, 07:43:21 pm »

From what I can tell, there are 3 options:

1. Mount a permanent wheel - this isn't an option for you obviously as your CP is already built and crowded.
2. A clamp on wheel - most of these require about 1-2 inch overhang for clamping. I'm sure they vary on how much CP real estate they take up. I also don't know what would happen if they rested on top of buttons or trackball. I would imagine that would mess things up. I tested it on a disconnected cab control panel (when I was figuring out how much space I would need), and it rested on and was pressing down several buttons. Again, my wheel went 6 inches in. You could maybe, maybe, cheat it up .5-1 inches, but that still means you need about 5 inches. I wanted it flush though. You'll have to look around to see if maybe there's a plug in wheel with a smaller footprint.
3. The TT2 mini wheel - you already ruled these out. I researched them and really like how they looked, but I wanted a pedal/shifter rather than use the buttons and could get the Drive Force Pro for about $45 from Amazon, which was worth it.

I think those are your only real options, unless you built a swappable panel or a dedicated wheel panel that could fit over your existing panel (which is something I thought about doing before finding these other easier options). Good luck!

spOOf · « **Reply #7 on:** July 14, 2009, 07:44:08 pm »

Do you have a picture of your control panel so we could see what you have to work with?

vertygo · « **Reply #8 on:** July 14, 2009, 07:49:55 pm »

Build a new cab, baby.

ooh yaa.

NoOne=NBA= · « **Reply #9 on:** July 14, 2009, 08:29:50 pm »

What's directly behind the middle of the CP for about the middle 12".
If it's just a trackball and buttons, you could build a bolt on piece for the steering wheel to clamp to.
If it's joysticks, that would be a bit more difficult because the steering wheel would end up sitting too high.

What I'm thinking here is basically an arch, that would bolt to the top of the CP, and let the steering wheel clamp to the top face of it.

spOOf · « **Reply #10 on:** July 14, 2009, 10:16:07 pm »

Quote from: NoOne=NBA= on July 14, 2009, 08:29:50 pm

What's directly behind the middle of the CP for about the middle 12".
If it's just a trackball and buttons, you could build a bolt on piece for the steering wheel to clamp to.
If it's joysticks, that would be a bit more difficult because the steering wheel would end up sitting too high.

What I'm thinking here is basically an arch, that would bolt to the top of the CP, and let the steering wheel clamp to the top face of it.

I thought of a very similar idea. It kinda mixes the swappable CP with the clamp on but makes it so none of the controls get touched.

bkenobi · « **Reply #11 on:** July 14, 2009, 10:52:06 pm »

Hmmm, so with a couple bolts and a pair of T-Nuts you could have a bolt-on steering wheel? Interesting idea.

Invincer · « **Reply #12 on:** July 14, 2009, 11:15:43 pm »

Well as you can see, we are talking crowded though with a capital "C"...

Invincer · « **Reply #13 on:** July 14, 2009, 11:17:14 pm »

forgot to actually post the pics with last reply...

Invincer · « **Reply #14 on:** July 15, 2009, 02:24:18 pm »

Has anyone ever tried or had experience with something like this?

http://www.fanatec.de/html/index.php?id=220&lang=en

Do you think this might work for pulling up to the cab on racing games (maybe with a G25)?

bkenobi · « **Reply #15 on:** July 15, 2009, 03:41:43 pm »

Actually, I was just going to suggest a showcase style steering wheel pedestal. That link would work just fine too. It's not very "arcade" looking, but neither is a steering wheel clamped onto a CP with everything thrown on it. Either way, if it's fun, it's fun!

spOOf · « **Reply #16 on:** July 15, 2009, 09:11:16 pm »

How would that work for standing up? It looks like it's made for sitting down, which doesn't seem right for you cab.

Invincer · « **Reply #17 on:** July 15, 2009, 10:32:05 pm »

Well I have high stools for sitting and of course some play standing (I tend to)... I guess that is kind of one of the things I am asking if anyone had any experience trying a steering wheel stand. i notice the fanatec model goes up to 35 inches placing it close to the control pnael in height, but if the steering wheel can't be angled up or the pedals can't be pressed without sitting down this may not work them. Of course if the wheel has buttons those could substitute for the pedals, but that would l kind of suck i think

bkenobi · « **Reply #18 on:** July 15, 2009, 10:48:32 pm »

You can build a simple stand out of wood that would probably be cheaper than that ready made unit. It would be custom to whatever you need since you will be deciding on the dimensions.

I know you have just bought a "finished" cab so you didn't have to do the work, but this is a simple project that might entice you into some of the more fun parts of the hobby.

Invincer · « **Reply #19 on:** July 16, 2009, 08:51:21 am »

You are so funny bkenobi

...

"more fun parts of the hobby"

The fun part is the playing, there is no way this woodwork class failster could even imagine doing any required woodwork. It's not the wiring that scares me. I am not even allowed to touch a power drill or I would make Tim "The Toolman" Taylor look like Bob Vila..

Had an idea though, I wonder if the RennSport Wheel Stand could be configured in reverse where the pedals and steering wheel faced the opposite direction... if so, that might work standing or on a stool

bkenobi · « **Reply #20 on:** July 16, 2009, 12:12:14 pm »

I thought the fun part would be the playing, but I find most of the time I spend is setting things up and building. I do enjoy playing, of course, but I like getting things "just right" almost as much if not more! I could be alone in that though.


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