Simhub Dashboard - Gear, speed, rev, LCD and buttons
A compact dashboard for SimHub with 5 modules: led matrix for gear, led strip for engine rev, 7 segments display for speed, LCD 20x4, and 6 buttons, all of them managed with an Arduino nano. I had a simpler version of this made of cardboard and decided to make a proper version in 3D.
The support was designed to be fixed on the top of my G27, so I guess it fits on another Logitech wheel. The base and the back lid are one big piece and the front part slides on the back lid without screws. I decided to glue it on the wheel with double-sided tape instead of any solution using screws to make it simpler and it worked really well. I could've made a smaller base, but some games I play shake my cockpit a lot, so I went for a more robust base. It's very sturdy. Usually, it obstructs the view of the virtual dashboard of the vehicle since it's a bit taller with the support, but this is kinda the idea. It's also possible to print a simple back lid and use the box in any desired way.
The internal components are held in place with screws, except the Arduino which has a tab to hold it, and the push buttons have their own fixing mechanism. I don't know the exact screws I use, but they were scraped from old hard drives and the outer diameter of their threads measures 2.7mm (for most of the components) and 1.9mm (for the led strip).
I attached the wiring diagram for the Arduino. Soldering most of the wires on the right side makes it easier to route them inside the box and to click the Arduino in place after soldering everything.
List of Components
Components must not have pins soldered, especially the Arduino. I didn't buy them from the links below, so it may not be the same. It's good practice to research and make sure that it's the right one.
- Arduino nano v3 with type-c connector (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006187928150.html)
- 7 segments display - TM1637 (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32866425287.html)
- Led strip - WS2812 8bit (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003723585444.html) - must measure 10x55mm, may be hard to find
- Led matrix - MAX7219 (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006298978656.html)
- LCD 20x4 I2C (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007132655492.html)
- Push buttons - PBS-110 (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004692811863.html)
Dimensions
The box measures 8.1cm x 17.5cm x 2.7cm.
The support puts the box 8.6cm above the wheel body.