Clubsport Pedal Brake Force Offset Problem

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zqxvjw
I've received three new load cells from Fanatec and a new Main PCB and the problem with my pedals is still present, i.e., no change after installing all of the above.

When connected to the PS3 (via PS/2 cable) or PC (via USB) the brake will often show a force of about 90% when initially powered up. If the cable is unplugged and reattached the brake will often show zero force but after several minutes the brake force will gradually creep up to 40 or 50%. All of this is with no external pressure applied to the brake pedal.

Applying pressure to the brake results in a smooth increase in the brake force value but with the above no-pressure offset.

I'm thinking that perhaps the problem is on the small PCB next to the brake that receives the signal from the load cell.

Looking for any thoughts/ideas/suggestions ...

And by the way, Fanatec support has been terrific is shipping load cells and most recently the Main PCB, but this problems seems to be a tough nut to crack so far.

Thanks,

Zq
 
Well if the foam and bar are clean and correctly inserted with the right lube, then indeed the only remaining thing might be the potmeter or its PCB indeed.
Although the slowly creeping up of force applied doesn't add up to potmeter issues.
To me it's more like the bar and foam don't slide well or freely enough through the hole. Which in return might cause calibration issues when power is applied to the pedals via either USB or ps/2.
 
Is there any way to remove the pot from the equation? I would assume that it's basically a variable resistor. Is there a way to unplug it and just place a standard resistor in between to see if the issue is resolved? Electronics behave differently as they warm. So if that resistor is faulty maybe it's allowing a stronger signal through as it heats up. If you leave it on and it climbs to 50%, and you unplug it and plug it back in, does it immediately shoot back up to 50%? Does it start from zero again and climb at the same rate or a faster rate?
 
It slowly creeps up from 0% to ~40% over several minutes. If I unplug and replug, it goes to 0% (no phantom force), then gradually creeps up again.

And the first time I plugged it into the PC USB this evening, it started out at about 90% (with no actual pressure applied to the pedal). I have the pot set such that it take quite a bit of actual pressure to get a force of 90% (when the starting point is 0%).

Both the clutch and accelerator work perfectly.
 
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I don't know how the system works, but perhaps the small PCB outputs a pulse modulated signal that is proportional to the force applied to the load cell. If that is the case (a big IF since this is a guess), then perhaps that chip is bad and is producing a faulty output.
 
zqxwjv
I don't know how the system works, but perhaps the small PCB outputs a pulse modulated signal that is proportional to the force applied to the load cell. If that is the case (a big IF since this is a guess), then perhaps that chip is bad and is producing a faulty output.
Click to expand...

I think I saw Thomas mention this ones somewhere, but forgot where. He said that since the load cell doesn't read out like a normal pot would, since that is just a variable transistor, he had to come up with a different way to get a workable output. This might indeed be the PMS you mentioned. I reckon this is what the mini PCB is for.
Maybe you can check this with possibility with support, OP?
 
LogiForce
Well if the foam and bar are clean and correctly inserted with the right lube, then indeed the only remaining thing might be the potmeter or its PCB indeed.
Although the slowly creeping up of force applied doesn't add up to potmeter issues.
To me it's more like the bar and foam don't slide well or freely enough through the hole. Which in return might cause calibration issues when power is applied to the pedals via either USB or ps/2.
Click to expand...

That's also the 1st thing I'm thinking of...
Do you have a have a mod-kit for a spare foam piece..? If so, you can try this: http://www.saltywet.net/2011/02/24/fanatec-clubsport-pedal-brake-problems/
If that doesn't fix it IMO there is no other option then the brake PCB, which Fanatec will also send a.s.a.p.
 
bladezzz
That's also the 1st thing I'm thinking of...
Do you have a have a mod-kit for a spare foam piece..? If so, you can try this: http://www.saltywet.net/2011/02/24/fanatec-clubsport-pedal-brake-problems/
If that doesn't fix it IMO there is no other option then the brake PCB, which Fanatec will also send a.s.a.p.
Click to expand...

In hint sight this is not it, as the reason is increasing pressure after plugging in the CSP.

For example if you have it on a rig it's always in the same position so nothing changes and the bars and foam don't slide more then they do after let's say a nights sleep.
Now if you would plug it in then and do nothing and notice increasing pressure from 0% to 50% it's definitely not the bar or foam.

Most likely it's the other issue described above and I took a look just now at the little PCB and it indeed looks like it is used for such a thing. So it's best to have that changed out. That way everything is new and probably the issue will be solved.
 
The small PCB next to the brake has an 8-pin dual op amp chip on it, specifically, an LMV358M. This would produce the output and I suspect that one or more components on this board is faulty, or the board itself, resulting in the anomalous output.

I just sent a reply to Johannes regarding my thoughts on this. I suspect he will offer to send a replacement PCB.

New load cell, new Main PCB, and this is basically between the two, electrically.
 
I received the brake PCB today, installed it, and am pleased to report that the pedals now seem to be working perfectly. Had previously replaced the main PCB and tried several load cells to no avail.

Special thanks to Johannes at Fanatec and the whole team there for outstanding customer service in quickly responding to emails from me on this issue and quickly shipping parts.
 

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