Sim Gear Longevity/"Luck" Improver Thread

  • Thread starter Thread starter LeMansAid
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LeMansAid

LeMansAid

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Inspired by the bad luck, or bad "luck" that some seem to have, I thought that it might be worth putting together a collection of tips for things that can be done to give a person's gear a better "fighting chance" of survival.

This is not a place to assert that any particular gear is, or is not reliable, but a place to hopefully help in getting the best reliability out of the gear already owned.

This is also not a place to say things like "at such a high price, I would expect it to be reliable". As firstly, it has nothing to do with the thread topic, and secondly sometimes higher end gear is actually more prone to failure. My analogy? Cello strings: the better they sound, the more readily they snap.

This is more like giving health tips. Like: don't smoke, exercise regularly, and eat well, and you will lower your health risks.

I will begin with some simple tips for:

Fanatec Club Sport Pedals:
- Set brake sensitivity to a high, or to the maximum setting. This means that the load cell is needing less pressure on it to register a high reading. I know that it is relative, and that some games for example will adjust the 100% braking to whatever the furthest point the brake has been pushed is. But I think it is wise, none the less. This is to encourage load cell lifespan increase.
- If you use ABS rumble, tune it to a sensible warning level, and try to never push past that. This is also to aid in the load cell's longevity.

Fanatec Wheels:
- I keep the cover off when in use, and replace it (unsecured with screws) when not in use. A simple way to slow heat build up.
- Particularly if the cover stays on all of the time, I think it makes sense to leave the wheel running for a while after any decent length of usage time. This is to expel heat.
- Do not use higher force feedback merely because it makes you feel more manly.
- Only use on-wheel settings that you know you want. If you cannot feel a difference, leave it off. As far as I understand settings such the drift one will work the wheel harder.
- Consider having fan set to constantly on.

Finally, first thread created, so be kind. I am well versed in self-deprecation (us Aussies are born instantly mocking the size of our own massive heads), but not the other kind.
 
With the Club Sport Pedals, a tuning kit is imperative. Learn how to maintain your CSP's. I had 2 sets of the version one's, sold one with my Fanatec Elite wheel. The set I have been using for 2 years works like day one, thanks to Fanatec for sending free replacement parts.
 
Great advice. Remember that these things are like the cars they simulate, the better you take care of them, the better they will take care of you!
 
Thanks for the posts, this is pretty basic stuff I know but I was hoping that others might list some tips to cover other specific gear, and on various levels of expertise required.
 
Well if I might be a little less specific then you want :) One point I would add is "dust", it probably kills more Sim gear then any other source. For my cockpit and electronic gear such as my Rev Burner and Pro Gauge device, it is imperative to keep these devices dust free.

I purchased those tiny Tupperware containers and drill holes in the side to allow for the wires to pass through. Items like CSP's need to be cleaned (canned air) at least monthly, same for our PC's and Consoles. I take either canned air or bring in my air compressor from the shop and give them a good blast of air.
 
Actually, that is exactly the type of thing that I had in mind. The basic, unexciting, and "obvious" things that people should be doing, but may not be.
 
Well, on the FFB motor front, don't forget the break-in of new motors. The underwater break-in is most useful for the motors found in these wheels. To help longevity of the motors, definitely run your FFB as low as you can tolerate it. The less current going through the motor, the longer it will take to damage the commutator.
 
Thrustmaster wheels should be left with the fan running after use to cool the motors down. Heat is one of electric motors biggest enemies.
 
This thread is backlash to all the rampant panic caused from Fanatec engine failures, and is counterproductive to the company sorting out the product to be what we all expected/wanted it to be from the start. I disagree with the statement that FFB should not be turned up to feel more manly, in fact that is the complete opposite of the higher end wheels' purpose in engineering-to simulate the forces actual racecars produce in turns and bumps (which takes manly strength). Thrustmaster, Logitech and Fanatec all design their wheels to be able to withstand 100% force feedback levels for extended times based on their voltage cutoff limiters that they themselves set based on extensive product testing. The fact that heat buildup causes premature engine malfunction is a product of an improperly designed cooling setup from the factory. If I spend money the kind of money on the wheels that the manufacturers are asking for these days, I only ask that it is capable of handling what it has been advertised to do without all this silly babying and "longevity" improving tactics. No I want to run mine at 100% power for long periods of time without failure. And don't tell me that they weren't meant to be driven for extended periods of time either, thats bologna. The testers and developers are gamers too, and understand that sometimes race sessions last for hours on end. Race them hard, if they break, send them back. If they continue to break and break again, they are junk.
 
Hehe, I hope you at least noted that there is meant to be a smattering of humour in my great literary works. The "manly" comment being a notable inclusion. The serious part of that is the thought to perhaps not automatically use 100%.

The thread was never meant to be brand specific, I just happen to own Fanatec gear. The gear is what it is, and I choose to try and save myself the hassle of having to send it back by doing a few simple things to keep it happier. I am not pandering to Fanatec in any way.

You seem very excited, and I don't quite understand it. Though, I do apologise to future generations for ruining the otherwise impending ultimate reliability of their equipment, due to my magnificent "silver bullet" advice that will apparently greatly influence how Fanatec produces their products. Yes, hyperbole, and facetiousness abound.
 
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