BLC-T500RS Load Cell mod for Thrustmaster T500RS pedals

jbodin · 15 February 12, 16:55

Some of you may have heard already from other forums, but I've built a fully-functional load cell mod for the Thrustmaster T500RS pedals, and it works great (I've done all my testing with iRacing at this point, but it should work just the same in any other sim).

I'm working now to obtain a custom circuit board and load cell to replace my stand-alone load cell and the rats nest of wiring that I'm using for my prototype, and I'm also looking at a redesign of my load cell mounting bracket, so the "retail" aspects of the design still need to be sorted-out now, and I am going to be deploying about 6 units to some friends to obtain some "in-the-wild" beta testing results, just to make sure the design is fully durable (I wouldn't want to bring something to market that was half-baked or unreliable, and the parts involved aren't cheap, so I want to make sure I get it right).

The mod as it now stands will be a bolt-on, plug-in mod -- no drilling required, no soldering required, and it should in no way invalidate your Thustmaster warranty. If you have any problems with the pedals, just unbolt the load cell mod, unplug the cable from the adapter box, and you'll be right back to plain stock pedals. So, it's going to be a very user-friendly (and dare I say elegant?) design solution.

The load cell mod should provide both PC and PS3 functionality -- I haven't been able to do any PS3 compatibility testing yet, but one of my beta testers does have a PS3, so we will be able to verify that the BLC-T500 Load Cell mod will work with the PS3 once we have a chance to test that out.

Right now, it looks like Sim-Sport.net (http://www.sim-sport.net/) will be my exclusive distributor, and I'll let you all know when the final version should be available once I sort out the "retail" bits described above.

I'm including a couple of pictures to give you an idea of what the prototype looks like. Keep in mind that this is my initial prototype. The cabling doesn't reflect the final version, and the bracket was just supposed to be my "rough fit" prototype, but even so it's fully functional and it works surprisingly well:

Just to let you all know how the load cell project is doing, my initial T500RS load cell prototype is fully functional and it's working really well -- I can't tell you how amazed I am at what a difference a load cell makes, if you've never experienced one yourself.

I'm including a couple of pictures to give you an idea of what the prototype looks like. Keep in mind that this is my initial prototype. The cabling doesn't reflect the final version, and the bracket was just supposed to be my "rough fit" prototype, but even so it's fully functional and it works surprisingly well:

Another view:

So there you have it, folks -- images of the world's first (and only?) T500RS pedals equipped with a functioning load cell.

I still need to get the beta units out to gather some durability testing data, but if everything looks good there, I should be making these available for retail purchase within hte next month or so.

paskowitz · 16 February 12, 23:46

Nooooo, why did I return my T500RS. If had know about this, I probably would have kept it. The pedals, specifically the brake were the only thing holding me back. Nice mod. Does it work when the pedals are inverted?

gorzasty · 21 February 12, 20:23

Wow! Great job. I was looking for something like this for months! If You need some more testers I'd be happy to write a few words about it.

I'm a member of simracing.pl - polish portal organizing virtual events mostly using rfactor, but not only. Now I have t500rs but earlier a had G25 with bodnar and LC from apelectrix.

Best regards and keep a good work!

Pit

jbodin · 23 February 12, 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by paskowitz

Nooooo, why did I return my T500RS. If had know about this, I probably would have kept it. The pedals, specifically the brake were the only thing holding me back. Nice mod. Does it work when the pedals are inverted?

The pedals can be flipped to the inverted (hanging) position with plenty of clearance for the load cell bracket, but I still need to verify that the diamond plate (footrest) doesn't intrude into the load cell bracket when you swap that around. This is designed to allow you to use the pedals in the inverted position but I hadn't taken into account the diamond plate, and I haven't moved mine yet to verify that it will work.

I'll try to do that in the next day or so and post the results back.

Fingers crossed!

Petrolmania · 23 February 12, 19:14

Quite nice. This may sway my decision when in future looking for a new wheel.

Den.

Manuel1991 · 25 February 12, 15:55

When the load-cell is available I'm the first who will buy it

Hendrikx · 7 April 12, 19:24

Any news? When wil it go on sale? I need to get one to the nederlands

Challenger1 · 9 April 12, 01:26

Looks like this isnt going to fly then?

Manuel1991 · 9 April 12, 08:33

The project is still alive!! I asked jbodin and he said now they finalize the electronics packaging and we have to wait at least 1 - 2 months.

SANTANA_DK · 9 April 12, 10:27

sounds good

do you know if the he had come with a price estimate ?

Manuel1991 · 11 April 12, 13:40

no, I don't know

modmate · 25 April 12, 17:36

Thats really great. That skipped my thoughts about buying clubsport pedals for sure.
I saw a price in another thread of him where he claims somewhere about 100$ wich would be ok i guess. Cant wait for the next update. Hope mr. bodnar can get it done fast.

Greets

Veloce · 1 June 12, 13:02

*bumpity*

I'd love to get one of these for my t500 one day

jbodin · 19 July 12, 19:10

FYI, I think I've finalized my production design, depending on the results of testing that is currently ongoing. Initial responses seem good -- I think it's fair to say that the performance is similar (or maybe better?) than the AP Electrix load cell mod for the G27 pedals, with a fairly stiff pedal force required, and pedal travel is shorter and non-adjustable, making it possibly fall short of the Fanatec CSP performance (depending on how you like your brake pedal).

I shipped a production prototype to Darin Gangi of InsideSimRacing.TV a couple of days ago, and he will be doing some testing. Depending on Darin's assessment, the current design may be deemed "production-ready." If Darin has concerns or issues, I may have to step back and do some re-design of the coupling mechanism to try to get some additional pedal travel into the equation.

Right now, using my current design (which has evolved from the pics posted above), I'm probably looking at a retail price of $150, which is higher than I originally anticipated, but my current design has a lot more travel AND much better feel than the initial prototype that I posted pics of previously.

More later -- I'll let you know what Darin has to say after doing some testing, and if all goes well he will most likely be posting a video review on InsideSimRacingTV.com in the near future.

modmate · 27 July 12, 21:35

Great News!!

Finally some nice progress here. And if the build quality its worth it the price will be ok.
Hope to see some pics soon.

Greets Modmate

jbodin · 31 July 12, 19:12

The preview is now available on the InsideSimRacing.TV main page, and the
Video has been posted on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99WP4zkfqZM

15 February 12, 16:55	#1
jbodin Join Date: Jan 2007	BLC-T500RS Load Cell mod for Thrustmaster T500RS pedals Some of you may have heard already from other forums, but I've built a fully-functional load cell mod for the Thrustmaster T500RS pedals, and it works great (I've done all my testing with iRacing at this point, but it should work just the same in any other sim). I'm working now to obtain a custom circuit board and load cell to replace my stand-alone load cell and the rats nest of wiring that I'm using for my prototype, and I'm also looking at a redesign of my load cell mounting bracket, so the "retail" aspects of the design still need to be sorted-out now, and I am going to be deploying about 6 units to some friends to obtain some "in-the-wild" beta testing results, just to make sure the design is fully durable (I wouldn't want to bring something to market that was half-baked or unreliable, and the parts involved aren't cheap, so I want to make sure I get it right). The mod as it now stands will be a bolt-on, plug-in mod -- no drilling required, no soldering required, and it should in no way invalidate your Thustmaster warranty. If you have any problems with the pedals, just unbolt the load cell mod, unplug the cable from the adapter box, and you'll be right back to plain stock pedals. So, it's going to be a very user-friendly (and dare I say elegant?) design solution. The load cell mod should provide both PC and PS3 functionality -- I haven't been able to do any PS3 compatibility testing yet, but one of my beta testers does have a PS3, so we will be able to verify that the BLC-T500 Load Cell mod will work with the PS3 once we have a chance to test that out. Right now, it looks like Sim-Sport.net (http://www.sim-sport.net/) will be my exclusive distributor, and I'll let you all know when the final version should be available once I sort out the "retail" bits described above. I'm including a couple of pictures to give you an idea of what the prototype looks like. Keep in mind that this is my initial prototype. The cabling doesn't reflect the final version, and the bracket was just supposed to be my "rough fit" prototype, but even so it's fully functional and it works surprisingly well: Just to let you all know how the load cell project is doing, my initial T500RS load cell prototype is fully functional and it's working really well -- I can't tell you how amazed I am at what a difference a load cell makes, if you've never experienced one yourself. I'm including a couple of pictures to give you an idea of what the prototype looks like. Keep in mind that this is my initial prototype. The cabling doesn't reflect the final version, and the bracket was just supposed to be my "rough fit" prototype, but even so it's fully functional and it works surprisingly well: Another view: So there you have it, folks -- images of the world's first (and only?) T500RS pedals equipped with a functioning load cell. I still need to get the beta units out to gather some durability testing data, but if everything looks good there, I should be making these available for retail purchase within hte next month or so.

19 July 12, 19:10	#14
jbodin Join Date: Jan 2007	FYI, I think I've finalized my production design, depending on the results of testing that is currently ongoing. Initial responses seem good -- I think it's fair to say that the performance is similar (or maybe better?) than the AP Electrix load cell mod for the G27 pedals, with a fairly stiff pedal force required, and pedal travel is shorter and non-adjustable, making it possibly fall short of the Fanatec CSP performance (depending on how you like your brake pedal). I shipped a production prototype to Darin Gangi of InsideSimRacing.TV a couple of days ago, and he will be doing some testing. Depending on Darin's assessment, the current design may be deemed "production-ready." If Darin has concerns or issues, I may have to step back and do some re-design of the coupling mechanism to try to get some additional pedal travel into the equation. Right now, using my current design (which has evolved from the pics posted above), I'm probably looking at a retail price of $150, which is higher than I originally anticipated, but my current design has a lot more travel AND much better feel than the initial prototype that I posted pics of previously. More later -- I'll let you know what Darin has to say after doing some testing, and if all goes well he will most likely be posting a video review on InsideSimRacingTV.com in the near future. Last edited by jbodin; 20 July 12 at 16:29.

16 February 12, 23:46	#2
paskowitz Join Date: Sep 2008	Nooooo, why did I return my T500RS. If had know about this, I probably would have kept it. The pedals, specifically the brake were the only thing holding me back. Nice mod. Does it work when the pedals are inverted?

21 February 12, 20:23	#3
gorzasty Join Date: Jan 2011	Wow! Great job. I was looking for something like this for months! If You need some more testers I'd be happy to write a few words about it. I'm a member of simracing.pl - polish portal organizing virtual events mostly using rfactor, but not only. Now I have t500rs but earlier a had G25 with bodnar and LC from apelectrix. Best regards and keep a good work! Pit

23 February 12, 19:14	#5
Petrolmania Easily Distracted Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Anarkist Garage, Cyberspace. Age: 49	Quite nice. This may sway my decision when in future looking for a new wheel. Den.

25 February 12, 15:55	#6
Manuel1991 Join Date: Jul 2011	When the load-cell is available I'm the first who will buy it

7 April 12, 19:24	#7
Hendrikx Join Date: Apr 2008	Any news? When wil it go on sale? I need to get one to the nederlands

9 April 12, 01:26	#8
Challenger1 Join Date: May 2010	Looks like this isnt going to fly then?

9 April 12, 08:33	#9
Manuel1991 Join Date: Jul 2011	The project is still alive!! I asked jbodin and he said now they finalize the electronics packaging and we have to wait at least 1 - 2 months.

9 April 12, 10:27	#10
SANTANA_DK Join Date: Oct 2006 Age: 29	sounds good do you know if the he had come with a price estimate ?

11 April 12, 13:40	#11
Manuel1991 Join Date: Jul 2011	no, I don't know

25 April 12, 17:36	#12
modmate Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: germany	Thats really great. That skipped my thoughts about buying clubsport pedals for sure. I saw a price in another thread of him where he claims somewhere about 100$ wich would be ok i guess. Cant wait for the next update. Hope mr. bodnar can get it done fast. Greets

1 June 12, 13:02	#13
Veloce Administrator Join Date: Apr 2003	bumpity I'd love to get one of these for my t500 one day

27 July 12, 21:35	#15
modmate Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: germany	Great News!! Finally some nice progress here. And if the build quality its worth it the price will be ok. Hope to see some pics soon. Greets Modmate

31 July 12, 19:12	#16
jbodin Join Date: Jan 2007	The preview is now available on the InsideSimRacing.TV main page, and the Video has been posted on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99WP4zkfqZM