How to Make Your Own Simulator

Gamers love to play. Not only do the newest electronic gaming platforms offer players great new tricks and user interfaces, but these games still lack some of the benefits of the simulation that can be achieved when you include the affects the activity might have on your sense of touch, smell or other senses which compliment the activity in real time. While games can be viewed in 360 degrees in a contained viewing model, they are still missing the feeling of real activity as it would outside of the virtual world. If you want to add some real simulation when using a game with existing variable motion control through pedal or button, you can add your own wind simulator to any motion game.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Electric motor and fan (battery operated) Variable pressure switch Video game console with pedal style accelerator 16 gauge wire Wire connectors Soldering gun Solder Flux

1. Wire the fan and the pressure switch together. Cut enough wire so that the pressure switch can be placed under the accelerator pedal and the fan can be located near the operators face and pointed so that the air generated will contact the operator when in use. Solder the connections so that you have a good electric circuit from which your new simulator will run.

2. Install the variable pressure switch so it is located under the console's accelerator pedal of the driving setup that includes an accelerator and steering wheel. You can set the pressure switch so it points up toward the bottom of the pedal and is secured to the base of the pedal housing, or attached to the base of the pedal itself. As long as the switch is activated when the accelerator is pressed, this wind simulator will work as you use variable pressure to go fast or slow.

3. Locate the proper place for the fan to be placed to allow for the wind to hit the operator around the head and face when in use. By making the gaming environment more like a simulator, your movement will interact with more parts in order to create a simulated wind that will be felt while driving at different speed limits during the game. Adjust the power and fan strength according to how much wind should be blowing according to hard the pedal is pressed down when in use.

Tips & Warnings

• To get the right feel from learning how to build your own simulator, adjust the power levels of the variable pressure switch. It usually takes a few attempts at adjustments to the switch and the location of the fan, until the perfect wind conditions are created. Be sure to allow for different locations and lengths of wire to be available so that you can recreate the perfect driving conditions. Instead of 16 gauge wire, use a coil type wiring like on an old telephone handset cord.
• Electrical shock is always a threat. Be sure not to use any power or wiring from the existing console unless you know exactly how to deliver the power to the fan properly. You can ruin your game console and/or the fan simulator by not following the separate circuit system as described here.