Has anyone made their own shift knob?

[Coal_Bucket_Outlaw]

I’m wanting to make one myself because the guys that make & sell them charge a lot, and I don’t see it being worth it.

So my question is has anyone made their own shift knob? If so how did you do it?

I thought about using Hall effect sensors but I don’t really know what type to get... I think southern trucker gaming uses a normally open, and normally closed type, but I’m unable to find anything and he refuses to release a parts list.

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

[Sandhill]

Many many have, I'd look to Youtube. I bet you could do it for fifteen bucks not counting the knob itself. There would be, I think, no great advantege to Hall Effect sesnsors, just high quality switches rated for something approaching endless cycles should be durable enough. There might even be Arduino libraries already written specifically for that project. Good luck

[JoshBologna]

https://youtu.be/cPMYMhrm-mc

I'm working on finishing my designs and I'm going to be releasing the files to 3d print some parts to make a shifter with pvc conduit, usb encoder, switches, and wire. Might be selling some to anyone who doesn't want to DIY. It kinda sucks selling online as you have to factor in selling costs as well as valuing your own time. It comes out a bit higher than I'd like. Anyhow from the stuff I've already done I recommend this encoder. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UUROWWK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

FYI I mean the product and not the seller with that link. Buy from whoever is cheapest as it looks like many different sellers are offering the exact same product...

[jimfols]

Get one of these
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32994469674.html?src=google&src=google&albch=shopping&acnt=494-037-6276&isdl=y&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shopping&aff_platform=google&aff_short_key=UneMJZVf&&albagn=888888&albcp=1582410664&albag=59754279756&trgt=743612850714&crea=en32994469674&netw=u&device=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIy9q_u4Wo5wIVIiCtBh3EeAd3EAQYBCABEgL31_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
And two SPST toggle switches.
Get it set up and shifting gears first. Then you will like it so much you will find a way to put the switches on your stick.
There are other places to purchase the controllers.

[Buck Rogers]

Stuff I used to build one :

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DD6FS9M/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XCP8R5F/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076P63V4T/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KLDQ0BO/

Just under 62 Euro with shipping to Belgium.

[Sandhill]

Originally posted by JoshBologna:

https://youtu.be/cPMYMhrm-mc

I'm working on finishing my designs

Absolutely brilliant, a game changer, literally.

[Fury6]

Originally posted by Sandhill:

[...]There might even be Arduino libraries already written specifically for that project[...]

Unless you're planning on including a bunch of other (or more complex) hardware Arduino is way overkill for this job.

[edit]
Then again, on second thoughts, they can get pretty cheap so maybe not much of a practical distinction.

[Jarhead]

I built one after watching this video on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NybYkngg0K8&t=1s

Works fine for me. You need to have the know how and tools before attempting this. If you have to buy all the tools and equipment along with the parts, it would be cheaper to just get one of the ready made ones online. I really didn't save that much money by building it myself, I just liked the challenge and satisfaction. Glad I did. Luckily I have access to all the tools and equipment needed.

[Sandhill]

Originally posted by Fury6:

Originally posted by Sandhill:

[...]There might even be Arduino libraries already written specifically for that project[...]

Unless you're planning on including a bunch of other (or more complex) hardware Arduino is way overkill for this job.

[edit]
Then again, on second thoughts, they can get pretty cheap so maybe not much of a practical distinction.

I hadn't realized how cheap, available and plug and play USB encoders are, one of the examples called out above would be the most economical solution, particularly given the wire, connectors etc they throw in for the price. An arduino micro is I think much smaller, but as there's no advantage to that in this application I withdraw my mention of Arduino