Ricmotech RealGear RACEpro Series User manual

Setup Guide for Ricmotech
RealGear RACEpro Switch Panel
This guide will help you mount and configure your
RACEpro switch panel for use. There are many
configurations for the various knobs, and switches that
can be tailored to your preference. Please read this
entire manual carefully if you wish to get the most out
of your new switch panel.
Mounting
Mounting the switch panel can be easily accomplished
by using the threaded holes on the back of the panel.
The holes are drilled in two sets of VESA 75x75 and
100x100. These is the same mounting pattern found on
typical PC monitors therefore you can mount the panel
using a PC monitor arm of your choosing so long as it
can be fixed into place. We do not recommend monitor
brackets that are designed to allow the monitor to be
moved freely. Ricmotech has several options available
which have been tested to work effectively.
There is also a flush mount kit to secure it into a 5 inch
by 10 inch panel opening.
PC Installation
Plug a USB A-male to B-Male cable from the back of the
switch panel to the PC. Windows should automatically
install drivers for it. After the drivers have been
installed, click Start and type joy.cpl, this will open the
game controllers panel. Toggle some of the switches
and observe the red dots changing color on screen to
confirm the switch panel is working correctly.
Basic Principles of a Switch Panel
Both Windows and Sim-racing titles are designed so
that all auxiliary functions in the sim are controlled with
a push-button controller or a keyboard. However,
neither of these devices is found on a real race car, so
we prefer to use switches, and knobs. So the RACEpro
Switch Panel will take all the inputs and output them to
the game as button presses. The RACEpro will allow you
to change the way some of the button presses are
output when a knob is turned or a toggle switch is
flipped.
Latching Toggle Switch
The latching toggle switch will output a short button
press when the switch is flipped on (up position) and
another short button press when the switch is flipped
off (down position). If the switch is toggled on then off
quickly, or off then the Re-Sync function is triggered.
The Re-Sync function allows the user to easily correct an
"out-of-sync" condition.
Here is an example of how an "out-of-sync" condition
occurs. Suppose a latching toggle switch is used for the
pit lane speed limiter. The user enters a practice session
and is placed in pit lane with the limiter already turned
on but the switch on the switch panel is in the off
(down) position. Since the game only responds to a
button press to toggle the limiter on/off, flipping the
switch on (up) will result in turning the limiter off and
flipping it off (down) will turn it on. This is an "out-of-
sync" condition. To get the game in sync with the switch
just flip the switch on then off very quickly, which
triggers the Re-Sync.
One-Way Momentary Toggle
When the toggle switch is flipped, the panel will output
a button press and hold it pressed for as long as the
toggle is held in the flipped position. When the toggle is
released it will return to its normal position and the
output will stop.
Push-Button Switch
The push-button operates the same as the one-way
momentary toggle. When the button is pressed, the
panel will output a button press and hold it pressed for
as long as the button is held down. When the button is
released it will return to its normal position and the
output will stop.

Two-Way Momentary Toggle
The two-way momentary toggle may be oriented in and
up-down orientation (Dv) or a side-to-side orientation
(Dh). It functions as two one-way toggles combined into
one.
Two-Function Mode: When the toggle is flipped in one
direction it outputs a button press for as long as it is
held down and when flipped in the opposite direction it
outputs a different button press for as long as it is held
down.
These can be assigned as a next and previous function,
where up is previous and down is next. They can also be
assigned to perform completely unrelated functions
such as flipping up toggles ABS on and off and flipping
down toggles traction control on and off.
One-Function Mode: There may be situations where it
may be desirable to have the switch perform the same
function regardless of whether it is toggled up or down.
Each two-way momentary toggle may be configured to
operate in one-function mode by following the
programming instructions.
Multi-Function Encoders
The encoder will output a short button press for every
click on one of two buttons depending on which
direction it is turned. Therefore, turning it slowly to the
left 3 clicks will output 3 short button presses on one
button while turning it slowly to the right 3 clicks will
output 3 short button presses on a different button. It is
important to note that due to a limitation in games the
encoder will only output up to 3 button presses per
second. Button presses are only output while the knob
is in motion to give the knob a natural feeling response.
Each encoder can perform the functions of 4 encoders.
By default, the LED next to the encoder is off indicating
the encoder is operating at the first function. Pressing
the encoder knob inwards selects a different function
and turns the LED on to one of three colors, red, green,
or amber. While the LED is illuminated to a different
color, the encoder acts upon a different pair of buttons.
Very similar to how the tuning knob on a car stereo
changes the station, but pressing it once lets the user
change the Bass setting, and pressing it again lets the
user adjust the Treble setting, the encoders on the
RACEpro Switch Panel can let you adjust the master
volume, then pressing it once can let you adjust the
spotter volume, then pressing it again can let you adjust
the chat volume, and pressing it again can let you
change the radio channel.
Each encoder can perform up to 4 functions, but they
can be limited to less if they will not be used. If the
encoder is limited to a single function, then the select
push-to-select becomes available to be used as a
pushbutton (Type C). Please see the programming
instruction for reducing the encoder functions.
Brake Bias Encoder
The brake bias encoder has been specially designed for
adjusting front-to-rear brake bias. Turning the knob to
the left triggers a short button press and turning to the
right triggers a short button press on a different button.
These buttons should be assigned in game to the front
bias and rear bias functions respectively. The sensitivity
of the knob is adjustable from as little as one button
press per full turn to 16 button presses per turn. This
creates a realistic feeling bias adjustment knob. To set
the sensitivity of the knob please refer to the
programming instructions.
Programming the operation of each switch and knob.
Many knobs and switches can operate differently as
desired. Entering program mode will allow you to
change their operation. The operating mode can be
changed by performing the indicated action to the
switch and the feedback LED will indicate the current
operating mode that switch is now in.
Enter program mode by pressing the “#13” button or
toggle for 10 seconds. Release the button/toggle when
the "Program Feedback" LED flickers green. If the
button/toggle is not released then the LED will flicker
red and the unit will abort program mode. While in
program mode, the buttons will not respond in the
game.
Two-Way Momentary Toggle : Flip the toggle switch up
or right. The Feedback LED will indicate the operating
mode as follows:
1 Blink
One-Function Mode
2 Blinks
Two Function Mode
Multi-Function Encoder: Press in on the knob. The
Feedback LED will indicate the operating mode as
follows:

1 Blink
One-Function + Push Button Mode
2 Blinks
Two Function Mode
3 Blinks
Three Function Mode
4 Blinks
Four Function Mode
Brake Bias Encoder: Turn the knob one click in either
direction. The Feedback LED will indicate the operating
mode as follows:
1 Blink
16 Increments per Revolution
2 Blinks
8 Increments per Revolution
3 Blinks
4 Increments per Revolution
4 Blinks
1 Increment per Revolution
When done changing the settings, flip/press the
designated "Program Mode" switch to exit program
mode.
Assigning Game Functions to Buttons/Toggles/Knobs
Assigning functions to each control must be done
individually in each game. In other words, setting a
switch as the ignition in one game does not make it the
ignition switch in any other game. Assigning the buttons
on the switch panel is very much like assigning buttons
on your wheel to functions in the game. You must go to
the 'controls settings' screen of each game and select
the function you want to have a switch for and activate
the button/switch/knob in the direction you wish for it
to operate when prompted by the game.
Labeling the Controls
The RACEpro Switch Panel is designed to have labels
applied to the controls and a sheet of pre-printed labels
is provided. We suggest you do not apply the labels
right away, instead use the spaces provided on the
controls layout diagram to map out the desired
functions and try them out for a few days to be sure you
are happy with their designated functions.
You will find that different games have different
controls available to be assigned. One game may have
controls for wipers while another one may not. We
have provided labels marked "AUX 1", AUX 2", "A", "B",
etc. for this purpose. This way you may assign these
uncommon game functions to these buttons/switches.
Also, many games vary slightly in the more common
functions. For example, some games may have KERS,
while another may have TURBO. Using vague labeling
such as "Boost" will keep the button/switch name
relevant even though it may not be the exact function in
the game.
Need Help?
If you run into any problems during the setup of the
button box, please contact us directly at technical
support at [phone] or via email at
[email protected]om.
Due to constant improvements to our products, the
product you receive may vary slightly from the product
shown in the illustrations.
Copyright 2015, Ricmotech LLC