> newbie help
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tony |
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Class : Apprenti
Posts : 13
Registered on : 08/10/2007
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i was lookin to get track IR for use with the sims i play but then i found this place. ive just ordered a microsoft Lifecam VX3000 which hopefully will be compatible.
can someone tell me exactly what else i need and where to get it to get freetrack goin?
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deeruss |
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Class : Habitué
Posts : 52
Registered on : 15/09/2007
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you need : 1 or 3 or 4 leds, a cap, a baterry...that's all!
a+
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Laci |
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Class : Apprenti
Posts : 22
Registered on : 30/07/2007
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deeruss @ 08/10/2007 - 20h47 a dit: you need : 1 or 3 or 4 leds, a cap, a baterry...that's all!
a+
Or an USB plug, some wires, 1,3,4 leds, if you want to power the leds from USB.
Some soldering experience is recommended, because no accessory for Freetrack is sold in any stores. Only the components You can buy, then make it Yourself. You can download an assembly guide at the download section.
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tristan68 |
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Class : Electronicien en chef
Posts : 651
Registered on : 10/07/2007
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Hello Tony
Please don't forget the resistors .....
It's better to go for 3 led setup, so you can do whatever you want.
so thats :
- a cap or headset, depending of your marker assembly type.
- 3 leds.
- 1 or 3 resistors, depending of your led assembly schematics.
- a battery, or power adapter.
- wiring.
If you're not familiar with electronics , it's really NOT recommended to use USB power supply.
Cya.
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tony |
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Class : Apprenti
Posts : 13
Registered on : 08/10/2007
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whats a LED and where do i get them. also, i need to but a soler iron yes?
and of course a battery, does it matter what size? and how long will it last?
is there a step by step guide what i do with this stuff? the guide on the main page of this site asks for a voltage reading doesnt make any sense to me
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tristan68 |
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Class : Electronicien en chef
Posts : 651
Registered on : 10/07/2007
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Hello Tony.
A led (light emitting diode) is a small electronics component which emits light when powered.
You can find informations about it on the Wikipedia pages.
Freetrack usually works with infrared leds.
The best led to use is the Siemens/Osram SFH485P, but any infrared led will do the trick with a little tweaking.
You can usually find the stock infrared led at your local radio shack or electronics store, but if you go for a SFH485P, you'll often have to buy them on the net or order them at your local store (they seldom have them locally).
If you know nothing about electronics , i suggest you ask for help a friend which has some knowledge about electronics (better go the safe way  ).
The led wizard on the website frontpage should then provide all required informations.
If you can't rely on somebody or just absolutely want to do it by yourself, we can help you with step-by-step explanations.
Just let us know.
Cya |
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tony |
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Class : Apprenti
Posts : 13
Registered on : 08/10/2007
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yeah step by step instructions would be great. ive ordered a a new rig complete with webcam so im gonna try and assemble all the parts tonight then tomorrow il head into town and get the bits in need to get freetrack goin.
ive no electronics experience but this doesnt sound like rocket science to me, just unfamiliar. give me list of things to ask for in the store please
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tristan68 |
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Class : Electronicien en chef
Posts : 651
Registered on : 10/07/2007
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First of all , you should look at this page, which will tell you the basics about leds.
1) You'll have to choose your assembly type :
- 1 led
- 3 points cap or clip
- 4 points cap.
Once you've chosen your assembly, you know how much leds you'll need.
2) Call your local electronics shop, and ask if they have the SFH485P ir led.
- if they don't have it, and don't want to order it, :
- then ask what kind of IR leds they have : you want 5mm ir leds.
- ask for the leds characteristics : forward voltage and forward current (you'll need them).
3) You'll have to choose your power supply method :
- battery
- power adapter
for this 1st step, you'll just need the battery or adapter voltage. |
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tony |
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Class : Apprenti
Posts : 13
Registered on : 08/10/2007
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how many leds would people recommend, i play a lot of flight sims and 1st person shooters. does anyone know of any online sites that sell the led's u mentioned? i looked at the link below but cant see the kinda leads u mentioned
so far i need,
3 or 4 ir leds's
1 battery
wire (coathanger?)
solder iron?
is there anything else? someone mentioned resisters
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Laci |
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Class : Apprenti
Posts : 22
Registered on : 30/07/2007
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is there anything else? someone mentioned resisters
Yes. You put the resistors between the battery and the led. This sets the current for the led. There is a led assembly wizard in the main menu, where You type in the forward current and the running vontage of your leds and what the power supply is supporting. Battery or USB, etc.
The program will then show you which resistors should you buy, and a picture show it how to solder them.
I chosed the 3 led clip for myself, because I do not have baseball caps, and don't want to wear cap when playing at all. The clip then can be attached to my headphone. If You like to wear a cap when playing, ho ahead for the 3 led cap design. No 4 leds needed anymore. Cap design is simple and easy to make, the clip need more think how to place on your headphone.
The point is in making a cap or a clip is how the leds are positioned. Nothing more. If You have the circuit, then You can make a wireframe (coathenger) or simply use some tape to fix the leds in the right position.
Documentation is very good, read them, and You will get an idea of the myth.
Edited by Laci on 14/10/2007 at 18h25. |
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tristan68 |
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Class : Electronicien en chef
Posts : 651
Registered on : 10/07/2007
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Hello Tony.
Resistors are mandatory in a led assembly , unless you use a current source as power supply (almost never the case).
The resistor values depend of your power supply and your led model, so you first have to choose :
- your battery model
- your led model
To be able to use all Freetrack's power , you'll need a 3 led design.
- 1 led only allows 2DOF
- 4 led is obsolete design (does the same than 3 led)
About an online shop, it could help if I know in what country you live 
greetings |
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Laci |
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Class : Apprenti
Posts : 22
Registered on : 30/07/2007
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try http://www.nedis.com/
available in many country |
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tony |
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Class : Apprenti
Posts : 13
Registered on : 08/10/2007
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im in the UK. yeah if someone could post a website with links to what i need that would be great
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tristan68 |
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Class : Electronicien en chef
Posts : 651
Registered on : 10/07/2007
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I ordered my leds at Farnell, they have a UK shop site
The SFH485P are avail there under this reference : 1212738
Just be careful, the data they provide has a glitch : forward voltage isn't 3v (as they say) but 1.5v.
Cya |
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tony |
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Class : Apprenti
Posts : 13
Registered on : 08/10/2007
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what resistors did u buy to go with those. and what forward current do u enter on the main page of this site? 1 tried 100 like it says on that link but it doesnt work
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