Below is the TensionR Active Belt Setup guide that will assist in the following topics: 


  • TensionR Active Belt Setup
  • TensionR Belt locking mechanism and release
  • How to create Belt ON/OFF and Calibration shortcuts



TensionR Active Belt Setup


It is highly recommended to install the latest version of Sim Racing Studio, which you can download here, prior to setting up your TensionR Active Belt .

  1. Install the TensionR Active Belt onto your motion platform.
    1. If you have a multi-level motion platform, please ensure the TensionR Active Belt is at the same level that moves the seat. Not at the bottom/static platform.
  2. Connect the TensionR Active Belt USB cord to your PC. 
    1. It is highly recommended to use a USB Isolator with voltage isolation. Contact PT Actuator for more information or use the example found in the TensionR Active Belt Tuning Guide here.
    2. If possible, avoid USB Hubs and connect directly to your PC to avoid any USB connectivity issues.
  3. Connect the TensionR Active Belt Power Adapter
  4. Open Sim Racing Studio
  5. When connecting the TensionR Active Belt for the first time, drivers will need to be installed. Please follow the  instructions provided in Sim Racing Studio.
  6. Close and then restart Sim Racing Studio
  7. In the HARDWARE STATUS at the right in Sim Racing Studio, check if the Belt status has a Green check mark which can take up to 10 seconds to appear when starting Sim Racing Studio.
    1. If the check mark is Red, check the USB connection and check that drivers are installed (Sim Racing Studio will prompt you to install drivers if you need them.)
    2. If the check mark is Purple, disconnect the TensionR power, wait 30 seconds and then reconnect the power. This will reset the TensionR to allow it to be detected by Sim Racing Studio. 
      1. If resetting the power did not resolve the Purple check mark, it is a Power Supply related issue and Sim Racing Studio is unable to provide assistance. Please contact PT Actuator here. 

  8. If Green, go to the SETUP -> HARDWARE page.
    1. Scroll down to the Belt section.
         
    2. Next to Belt Test, click on the ‘START TEST’ button.
      1. In the HARDWARE STATUS window, the Belt switch will turn on and a pop-up will appear in Sim Racing Studio asking to CALIBRATE the belt.
    3. Ensure you are wearing your belt before proceeding to the next step. See the ‘TensionR Belt Locking Mechanism and Release’ section at the bottom of this guide for guidance on using the belts.
      1. You do not need to tighten the shoulder part, leave it a little loose on the shoulders with about 3 fingers of clearance.
      2. To loosen the belt, click the Belt toggle switch to OFF (button switch is to the right of Belt) in the HARDWARE STATUS section. Note: Once the Belt switch is ON (click the button switch to cycle ON and OFF), the belt will not move when pulled by hand.
      3. When the Belt switch is OFF, you can pull the belt out from the TensionR box in order to have additional length
        1. It will require some force to pull it out even with the Belt switch OFF.
        2. IMPORTANT: Ensure you keep the TensionR belt stoppers, the small buttons in the middle of the belts,  at least 30cm above the TensionR top each time you power on the TensionR. This will prevent the belt the belts hitting the top of the TensionR causing it to reduce pull strength. 
    4. Click on CALIBRATE
      1. The belt will pull up until it presses your shoulders tightly and then retracts a small amount. This will leave the belts in a neutral position which is how they will feel during racing when no effects are occurring. If the belts feel too tight after calibration, start the calibration process again but do not press your body tightly into the back of the seat. If the belts are too loose, push your body into your seat a little bit more when calibrating.
      2. You can control Calibration Power and retraction in the Sim Racing Studio Setup -> Hardware page.
      3. REMINDER: Ensure the belt stopper, the small buttons in the middle of the belts, are not hitting the plate on the top of the TensionR Active Belt box when retracting. If a belt stopper is hitting the plate, retract the belts out further, 30cm is recommended, with the Belt switch OFF and adjust their length at your shoulders - OR - adjust the height of your seat.  
      4. To ensure safety and optimal immersion, Sim Racing Studio requires you to CALIBRATE the belt system every time you enter a game. It is strongly suggested you program keyboard/button box SHORTCUTS to turn ON/OFF and to CALIBRATE your belt (see the ‘How to Create Belt ON/OFF and Calibration Shortcuts’ at the bottom of this guide.
      5. If you feel the Calibration process is too weak or too strong, you can adjust the “Calibration Power” slider accordingly to increase or reduce the strength of the belts as they calibrate. Once the Calibration Power is set, restart the Calibration process at step #8.
    5. Once the TensionR Active Belt has finished calibration, the belts will stop moving. You can test the TensionR Active Belt movement via the Test slider which will retract the belts.
  9. Once finished, click STOP TEST
  10. Click SAVE in the upper right section of Simr Racing Studio in the PROFILE IN USE window.
  11. Your TensionR Active Belt is now ready for racing!


You can find more information on tuning your TensionR Active Belt from the TensionR Active Belt Tuning Guide here.


Sim Racing Studio is only able to assist with software related issues. If there are mechanical issues or the TensionR Active Belt system will not turn on, please contact PT Actuator here.


If the TensionR Active Belt system appears in Sim Racing Studio, but not working correctly, please review the TensionR Active Belt Troubleshooting here.


TensionR Belt locking mechanism and release


The TensionR Active Belt uses a 5-point harness. One of the lap belts will have the belt locking mechanism permanently attached. The other 4 belts (crotch, lap, and left and right shoulder belts) are connected to the belt locking mechanism after you are seated on the platform. Once all belts are connected, proceed with the Sim Racing Studio calibration process.


  • When connecting the belts, ensure the locking mechanism lever is pointed up or down (depending on how you installed the locking mechanism belt). This will ensure it is reset and ready to accept the belts.
  • When releasing the belts, rotate the locking mechanism all the way towards the side of the seat that has the belt with the belt locking mechanism. There will be a click sound/feeling and all 4 belts will disconnect leaving the locking mechanism lap belt still connected.
  • Remember to reset the locking mechanism by moving the lever to be pointed up or down (depending on installation) so it will be ready to lock the belts into place the next time you use the TensionR Active Belt.

How to create Belt ON/OFF and Calibration shortcuts

  1. In Sim Racing Studio, go to the TUNING -> ACTIVE BELT page
  2. Click on the Keyboard icon on the top right of the screen
  3. To program a Keyboard key shortcut: 
    1. In the Type field, select Belt Switch to program an On/Off button.
    2. Press the Keyboard key you want to use.
    3. Click Confirm
    4. Click Save
    5. Repeat from Step 1 with the Type field set to Belt Calibrate to program a calibration keyboard shortcut.
  4. To program a Joystick/ButtonBox button shortcut:
    1. In the Type field, select Belt Switch to program an On/Off button.
    2. In the Buttonbox field, select the Joystick or ButtonBox you want to use. Note: Sim Racing Studio will only see Joysticks or ButtonBoxes that are connected and recognized by Windows.
    3. Press the button you want to use.
    4. Click Confirm
    5. Click Save
    6. Repeat from Step 1 with the Type field set to Belt Calibrate to program a calibration keyboard shortcut.
  5. Repeat from Step 2 to program any other shortcuts.