the gaming chair mod

[scifikg]

I'm going to modify a normal desk chair into a "gaming" chair as the diagram below shows. I originally got the idea for this from other DIY(do it yourself) bass shaker projects (http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?&DID=7&WebPage_ID=222).

http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/gaming_chair.jpg

This isn't a new idea. Intensor (http://www.game-revolution.com/games/hardware/intensor.htm) made gaming chairs starting in the late 90s, but they apparently went out of buisness. However, another company Battlechair (http://www.battlechair.com/default.aspx) has come up with there own version of gaming chair. There cheapest chair is $300+ shipping, which I think is a bit to pricy. There are also game mats (http://www.computergear.com/gaminglounger.html) that were meant for console systems, but can be hooked up to PCs just as easily. However, there construction doesn't make them ideal for desktop systems. Hopefully, when I 'm finished with my chair, it will be much be able to function as well as a Battlechair but for alot less money. It might not look as cool, but I'll try my best.

Here is my current setup.
http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/Picture_002.sized.jpg
http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/Picture_020.sized.jpg

I think that I can use the sub woofer amp from my current 2.1 speakers to power the bass shakers (http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&User_ID=18561418&St=3377&St2=49921660&St3=84187453&DS_ID=3&Product_ID=15383&DID=7) that I have purchased for $34 with shipping. I can't find any more info on the subwoofer amp other than it is 10W and it is driving an 8ohm 5" sub woofer. The bass shaker is 4ohms so hopefully that will increase the power closer to what the bass shaker wants at around 25W. I picked up a floor model chair on sale for $79 taxes included at officedepot.
http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/Picture_031.sized.jpg

For the new speakers, I'm moving the Logitech Z640 5.1 Speakers (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page=products/details&contentid=5047&CRID=2&detail=2&countryid=19&languageid=1) from my HTPC xbox to my PC. The HTPC xbox will be getting some Logitech Z680 soon so I can findly watch movies and play games with dolby digital suround sound. For the rear speakers on the chair, I think that I'll use some small car speaker measuring around 3" or less. If anyone has seen any good <=3" 4ohm 6W speakers let me know. I looking to purchase some soon. I'm not sure how I'm going to mount these speakers in the chair yet, but I foresee this as one of my main problems.

My first steps will be to move new speakers to PC, split the audio out, tear apart the 2.1 woofer enclosure, and test the subwoofer amp on a bass shaker.

Please feel free to make comments and suggestion.

It has begun! *mortal combat music plays*

[Thecookiemonster]

Thats very cool, i like it all. Just one thing is it has to be connected to the computer still, and that kills the ability to move chair that much. But it will be kick-en :D

[The Jackel]

LOL!, I had the same idead, only using the Aura bass shaker. and intergrading an aura interactor vest and possible speakers like the ones that the aracde sega race games have. BUT I failed, I didnt have enough$$ for everything and I'd rather MOD a comp than a chair. LOL!

-The Jackel

[chuckles1205]

Nice so are going to build anything else in? Like joysticks. Its going to be nice mod. to bad you don't have louder speakers... nice. But if you want to mount the speakers, you could weld it on. or you can build something custom weird thing..

[scifikg]

Originally posted by Thecookiemonster@Feb 22 2004, 04:49 AM
Thats very cool, i like it all. Just one thing is it has to be connected to the computer still, and that kills the ability to move chair that much. But it will be kick-en :D
Good point. I think that I'll use 2 stereo jacks so the bass shaker and the speakers can be connected and disconnected easily.

Nice so are going to build anything else in? Like joysticks. Its going to be nice mod. to bad you don't have louder speakers... nice. But if you want to mount the speakers, you could weld it on. or you can build something custom weird thing..

No joystick. I don't own one. I'm a mouse and keyboard gamer. I suppose that I could mod a mouse and key pad. Maybe when I get the main stuff done, I'll go back and do this. This mod definitely has room to go extreme. I could use loud speakers as you say or even a racing seat from a car. As for the speaker mounting, I can't weld. I don't have proper supplies beyond a soldering iron. Once I cut the holes for the speakers, we should be able to figure something out.

[[GF]Burke]

killer.

oo same speakers I use.

[Andy_Small]

that's cool...I'm in the planning stages of my own deal like that. Cept I'm a sim racer so I need a more reclined postion and a wheel mount...I'm debating weather or not to go all out or to just make it realistic as to the ergonomics. All out would be a full on F1 chassis from the driver to the front wing...minus the tires and barge boards(I hate those things :D)
the Ergonomic design would just be a seat out of a car (which I already have) with the same design demsions but no eye candy (wouldn't be a full on chassis just would feel like I was sitting in one.)

I have the same speakers as you just going to use them because they dont' have very many hours on them. I can't race well if I'm not comfortable..in order to be comfortable I must have the wheel at almost shoulder level. That's hard to do with a desk

[scifikg]

I split the audio as shown. Originally, I was splitting the front speakers out, but I found that the center/subwoofer speaker seemed to give me better quality. For some reason the orange and black color coloring is backward on my speaker connectors as the picture shows.

http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/audio_split.jpg

I broke open the satellite wich contains the power button, volume control, audio line in, and right/left speaker amp.

http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/1_G_001.sized.jpg

I broke open the woofer enclosure to get to the subwoofer amp. It has the inputs for power, satellite speaker line, and bass control.

http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/Picture_008.sized.jpg
http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/2_G.sized.jpg

Here is the subwoofer amp ready for a test run. I temporarily soldered the sub woofer amp to the bass shaker. Put it on the floor, and used my foot to test it. It worked well. I played a couple of levels of Call of Duty. It was pretty cool feeling the recoil from my tommy gun. It seemed kind of weak, but that was to be expected with my wimpy amplifier. However, the amp was not secured and there might have been a damping affect from the carpet.

http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/Picture_044.sized.jpg

I secured the bass shaker as shown, and gave the bass board a couple of layers of black spray paint just for looks. I also wired a female stereo connector to the bass shaker so the chair can be easily disconnected.

http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/shaker_mounting.sized.jpg
http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/Picture_038.sized.jpg

I tested it again on Call of Duty, and the vibration was noticeably stronger. To test the max output, I’d throw a grenade at my feet. With the volume and bass at max level, I get a vibration about as high as I would like to have on my hiny. I think this subwoofer amp will be perfect for my needs. :)

Next, I'm going to put the subwoofer amp in a project box, and I'm going to a couple local car audio shops to get some advice and/or supplies to custom mount speakers in the chair.

[JonR]

What did it take to open those speakers?

[Thecookiemonster]

Looks like its coming along great. Looks very nice :)

[scifikg]

Originally posted by JonR@Feb 23 2004, 05:09 PM
What did it take to open those speakers?
Initially, I used a hobby knife to pry apart plastic. Then once I had enough room I used a flat head screw driver to get more leverage. I had to use a cut wheel with the dremel to get the subwoofer amp out since it was glued to the plastic.

[LAMA]

wow, I really like that idea. I think its going to turn out just wonderful. I just wish I could sit in it.

[Wolfsblood]

Dude, that chair is rockin! What a great idea. :lol:

Keep us posted. :D

[scifikg]

I took apart one of my rear speakers as shown. It is 4 ohm, 6 watt speaker with a pretty big magnet on it.

http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/Picture_064.sized.jpg

I took the speaker with me to a couple of local audio and electronics stores, but they weren't able to help me find a replacement that would be easy to install in to the chair. Actually, they didn't have any speakers that could replace my rear speakers. :( Looks like I'm going to have to figure out a way to install the speakers I have. At least, I'll be able to save some money. :)

I also got the subwoofer amp ready to install into the project box.

http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/Picture_068.sized.jpg

Here is the subwoofer amp all snug and secure in the project box.

http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/subwooferamp2.jpg

Next, I will find a way to install the speakers.

[YaYoGakk]

This is awesome!!

[TheDistur]

What happens if something really cool happens while gaming and you throw the chair out behind you to do a victory dance or something? Wouldn't that kinda spell death for the wires running to the chair. :P Hope you have some quick disconnects of some sort on the chair.

[MoBo_Mania]

It would be cool to put Wireless Speakers in, but from what i've seen, they cost a lot.

[drawde]

if you want a little more bottom end try here (http://www.clarksynthesis.com/) i installed 2 of them in a frends couch last year for his home theater .... they can bout shake out your fillings in your theeth

[dstone]

How well do your shakers work? I've been thinking about getting a pair of the Aura ones. Would you reccomend those for a small home theater setup?

[scifikg]

Originally posted by TheDisturbed1@Feb 26 2004, 01:45 AM
What happens if something really cool happens while gaming and you throw the chair out behind you to do a victory dance or something? Wouldn't that kinda spell death for the wires running to the chair.&nbsp; :P Hope you have some quick disconnects of some sort on the chair.
The line from the subwoofer amp box is 6' long and the speaker wire will be equally long. Plus, there is only about 5' of space behind the chair before it encounters the bed so I think that I'm safe. Additionally, the speakers and subwoofers will be connected with stereo connectors so a good tug will disconnect them from the chair.

[scifikg]

Originally posted by dstone@Feb 26 2004, 04:08 AM
How well do your shakers work? I've been thinking about getting a pair of the Aura ones. Would you reccomend those for a small home theater setup?
I think they work great even for the wimpy amp I got attached to just one. I would definitely recommend them for a home theatre setup. I watched a little of the lord of the rings with it, and I'm very impressed with the bass shaker.

[scifikg]

I made an acrylic ring for a cover for the speaker which was mounted directly to the speaker with two bolts. Together these would be placed inside the PVC connector pipe and glued together with plastic epoxy. The PVC would then fit inside the chair and held in place by the foam.

http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/1_G_002.jpg

I cannibalized the covers of the previous rear speakers to get the material for my speaker covers.

http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/2_G_001.jpg

I soldered the speakers back together and got ready to make the speaker covers.

http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/3_G.sized.jpg

Here is what the speaker covers looked like front and back.

http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/4_G.jpg

Here is the everything glued together.

http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/5_G.sized.jpg

The final result.

http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/6_G.sized.jpg
http://www.scifikg.com/albums/album13/7_G.sized.jpg

I couldn't be more pleased with how this worked out. It sounds and feels great. :D I estimate my budget at $120 US dollars. If you really want a more immersive gaming experience for a reasonable price, I highly recommend this mod.
EDIT: added text

[Thecookiemonster]

Dude thats so cool !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

great work man, how do ya like it :D

[LAMA]

Clearly you are just an amazing person. The quality looks wonderful.

[TheDistur]

Um...whoa...thats really awesome looking, quite professional.

[scifikg]

Originally posted by Thecookiemonster@Feb 27 2004, 09:47 PM
Dude thats so cool !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

great work man, how do ya like it&nbsp; :D
I'm quite pleased with the chair. :D



And, thanks for the feedback guys. :D

[linlin]

You should somehow rig the cables running to and from the chaie into one big cable. Just get an 8 conductor network cable or somthin and run everything through that one plug. Then you could use a serial plug on the chair so u can disconnet it easily for cleaning, victory dancing, etc. :D

[JonR]

Couple of questions, well 1 really.

How do you avoid running over the wires all the time?

[scifikg]

Originally posted by JonR@Mar 15 2004, 02:44 PM
How do you avoid running over the wires all the time?
I don't avoid running over the wires. Running over the wires doesn't harm them.

[car_dude]

niiiizzzzzzzcccccceee.....me wants

[TheDistur]

Originally posted by scifikg@Mar 15 2004, 11:45 AM
Running over the wires doesn't harm them.
Not until they short and you lose audio anyhow...

[ss8286]

That's awesome!!! B) I really like how seamless it is, its almost stock looking.

I tried to do something like that before and I don't think it came out so good.
Here, take a look....

http://users.adelphia.net/~ss8286/images/Chair.jpg

[Wolfsblood]

Killer job Scifi! I may have to look into something like that. Comfy, and kickin'. :D

[SGTShady]

Or, you could just buy this one on ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2793521285&category=3702)

But, where is the fun in that?

I think your chair looks more comfortable. :D

Great Job!

[car_dude]

comfort is #1 to me

[SGTShady]

Originally posted by car_dude@Mar 15 2004, 10:06 PM
comfort is #1 to me
I agree!!!

[scifikg]

Originally posted by ss8286@Mar 16 2004, 12:03 AM
http://users.adelphia.net/~ss8286/images/Chair.jpg
:lol: That's a real space saver.

[JonR]

And you're butt cheeks never get cold in the winter in that chair. And if you're like me, keeping the butt warm is really the number one priority.

[car_dude]

Originally posted by JonR@Mar 16 2004, 08:48 AM
And you're butt cheeks never get cold in the winter in that chair. And if you're like me, keeping the butt warm is really the number one priority.
lol!!! that is second to comfort for me though

[scifikg]

bump

[SLAY3R]

That is the sh!t. Good job! :D

[njo_ojn]

If thats it in the picture it looks kinda fake...i mean if its real nice job but the silver shaft is off at the top and the black thing surrounding the pc looks like it was painted in microsoft paint. But like i said if its truely real its awesome.

[Wesker Reborn]

Awesome job scifi, the job has a very professinal look to it. I couldn't do better if I wanted to.

[TheDistur]

um...<cough>photoshoping</cough> :huh:

[RedXray]

Hello everyone....hello
the chair mod is on the first page. hehehe

[R1ckJam3s]

Nice job, me and linlin started something like that awhile ago. Instead of having the speakers visible through the fabric, we stealthed them into the foam, so they can't be seen from the outside. We used some junked stereo 3" speakers for it, they worked fine. We started this project in like February and I'm still waiting for linlin to solder the amp up, so we hook it up to a computer. I'll be sure and get some pics whenever he finishes, please encourage him to, I WANT IT DONE!