Want to improve your lap times? The T3PA load cell upgrade kit will help you get there by upgrading the brake pedal on your Thustmaster pedal set from a travel sensitive, potentiometer-based pedal to a force sensitive based load cell pedal. The additional effort required to apply maximum braking force will help you better modulate the braking force. We have taken the same technology used in our renowned load cell conversion kits for the Logitech G25/G27/G29/G920 and Thrustmaster T500RS/T3PA-PRO pedals and adapted it to work for the T3PA standard pedals. The pedal will have a firm yet progressive feeling and will read up to 50lbs (22.5 kg) of pressure on the pedal face. This kit will fit the T3PA standard pedals which are available for individual purchase or are included with the T150-PRO, TMX-PRO, T300RS GT Edition, T300 Alcantara Edition, TX Leather Edition, TS-XW Wheel, and the T3-GT pedals that ship with the T-GT Wheel. We are now shipping version 2 of our load cell which improves functionality with some PS4 games.
(Stephen Ruiz, Engineering Manager and Carroll Smith, Consulting Engineer at StopTech LLC) |
If you are looking for a load cell upgrade kit has been engineered to replicate the feel and reaction of a real race car brake system then you have found it. The Thrustmaster T3PA load cell brake mod kit is designed to replicate the pedal travel and resistance of a high-performance braking system to replicate the ultimate in realism. The kit installs cleanly and discretely into the pedals and all the wiring remains internal to eliminate any possibility of damage. Installation requires the metal bracket and mounting screw from the original "conical brake mod" that ships with the pedals.
When the brake pedal is under mid to full braking load the pedal remains at a steady height to make heel-toe downshifting possible without upsetting the balance of the car. Unlike the original and aftermarket bushings and bumpers, the load cell provides a linear response from your braking effort; 50% more force = 50% more braking.
Load Cell vs. Conical Brake Mod
The T3PA pedals include a factory supplied "conical brake mod" which is intended to feel just like a load cell. Don't be fooled! This device makes the pedal feel increasingly firmer the further it is pressed, making harder to move. However, the pedal is still using a potentiometer and is still reading movement rather than force. So while the game is determining braking by how far the pedal has moved, the "conical brake mod" is preventing the pedal from moving creating a dis-proportioned amount of in-game braking relative to the force being applied to the pedal. A load cell corrects this. The load cell replaces the potentiometer and turns the pedal into a purely force-based reading. Therefore, any additional force on the pedal directly translates into a proportional amount of braking applied in the game. This leads to better control over the brakes for better trail braking resulting in better lap times.
The Thrustmaster T3PA load cell brake mod kit includes all the parts needed to complete the installation, the load cell with integrated electronics, mounting bracket, screws and a high-density bushing. All components in this kit fit neatly inside your pedal assembly to protect everything from physical damage. Detailed instructions are provided with photos taking you step-by-step through the process. No soldering skills are required to complete the installation, everything is shipped ready to mount and plug in and can always be removed to revert your pedals back to original.
Unlike other pedals which utilize cheap load cells originally designed for use in a postal scale, the load cell in the LC3 upgrade kit is a medical-grade load cell designed to withstand much higher loads at faster response times. The load cell is designed to have an unlimited life cycle and the accompanying components are designed to be equally as robust.
Ricmotech load cells are recommended to be used with a robust chassis that has an integrated seat. Using the load cell when the seat is not at a fixed distance from the pedals will result in awkward positioning and discomfort while driving. Ricmotech does not recommend using the load cell with wheel stands, office chairs, folding chairs and the like. An outward "leg press" position works best.
The LC3 load cell kit is not made by nor endorsed by Thrustmaster. The Thrustmaster name and the T3PA name is the property of Guillemot corporation and is used for reference purposes only.
