Difference between revisions of "Steering Wheel"

From Hackbox
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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
  
Home built steering wheel for the commodore 64/128.
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Steering wheel for the commodore 64/128.  Home-built in 1988.
  
 
The steering wheel was taken from an unidentified wreck found in the woods around 1985.  My best guess so far is that it was a [http://microcarmuseum.com/tour/isetta-1960.html 1960 BMW Isetta].  At least it looks exactly like that one and from what I remember it was a very small wreck indeed.
 
The steering wheel was taken from an unidentified wreck found in the woods around 1985.  My best guess so far is that it was a [http://microcarmuseum.com/tour/isetta-1960.html 1960 BMW Isetta].  At least it looks exactly like that one and from what I remember it was a very small wreck indeed.
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A ball-bearing was put on the wheel axle to hold it in place in a wooden frame.  The frame could then be fastened to a table with clamps.
 
A ball-bearing was put on the wheel axle to hold it in place in a wooden frame.  The frame could then be fastened to a table with clamps.
  
Further down the axle was a small wheel which drove a multi-turn potentiometer.  The pot was then directly connected to the ADC of one of the Commodores joystick ports.
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Further down the axle is a small wheel which drives a multi-turn potentiometer.  The potentiometer is then connected to an ADC on one of the Commodores joystick ports.
  
To calibrate, the wheel could be lifted, decoupling it from the pot.
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To calibrate, the wheel can be slightly lifted to decouple it from the potentiometer.
  
Sewing machine foot pedals were used for the accelerator and breaks, again directly connected to the Commodore ADCs.
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Sewing machine foot pedal can be used for the accelerator and break.  The idea was to connect them to ADCs too.  But since the only software that was adapted (see below) had only a binary accelerator/break, the pedals were connected to the joystick up/down lines instead.  
  
 
Coincidently, the steering wheel has the same color beige as the [[C128]] itself.
 
Coincidently, the steering wheel has the same color beige as the [[C128]] itself.
 
  
 
== Condition ==
 
== Condition ==
  
The wooden frame is falling apartThe wheel can be turned if handled with care. But all parts are still there.
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The wooden frame is somewhat broken and fragileTurning the wheel must be done with some care, which is not really the object of a racing game...
  
The pot is (again) connected to a joystick cable.  Turning the pot moves the steering wheel in Test Drive.
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Apart from that, it is working.
  
 
== Software ==
 
== Software ==
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Test Drive was adapted to make use of the steering wheel and accelerator pedal.
 
Test Drive was adapted to make use of the steering wheel and accelerator pedal.
  
However, the floppy that holds the only copy I have is physically damaged.  The disk surface looks good but the inner ring is folded.  The disk can only be inserted with the B side facing up.  Using the 1571 drive of the [[C128]] it should be possible to read both sides to restore the contents.
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I have made a fresh backup of the adapted Test Drive floppy, including d64 images.
 
 
I have restored the adapted Test Drive floppy!  Using another 1541II drive worked first shot.
 
  
 
== TODO ==
 
== TODO ==
 
Fix the frame and transmission (wheel to pot).
 
  
 
Attach a pedal to a joystick for the accelerator (port 2 UP).
 
Attach a pedal to a joystick for the accelerator (port 2 UP).

Revision as of 00:05, 29 July 2010

RIMG3067b.jpg

Description

Steering wheel for the commodore 64/128. Home-built in 1988.

The steering wheel was taken from an unidentified wreck found in the woods around 1985. My best guess so far is that it was a 1960 BMW Isetta. At least it looks exactly like that one and from what I remember it was a very small wreck indeed.

A ball-bearing was put on the wheel axle to hold it in place in a wooden frame. The frame could then be fastened to a table with clamps.

Further down the axle is a small wheel which drives a multi-turn potentiometer. The potentiometer is then connected to an ADC on one of the Commodores joystick ports.

To calibrate, the wheel can be slightly lifted to decouple it from the potentiometer.

Sewing machine foot pedal can be used for the accelerator and break. The idea was to connect them to ADCs too. But since the only software that was adapted (see below) had only a binary accelerator/break, the pedals were connected to the joystick up/down lines instead.

Coincidently, the steering wheel has the same color beige as the C128 itself.

Condition

The wooden frame is somewhat broken and fragile. Turning the wheel must be done with some care, which is not really the object of a racing game...

Apart from that, it is working.

Software

Test Drive was adapted to make use of the steering wheel and accelerator pedal.

I have made a fresh backup of the adapted Test Drive floppy, including d64 images.

TODO

Attach a pedal to a joystick for the accelerator (port 2 UP).