Actually, I haven't planned how/when/why to sell it yet.
At the moment I'm focused on testing it and upgrading it, then when I'll reach a perfect hardware design (in terms of reliability, performances and dimensions) I'd like to make 2/3 "developer editions" and give them for free to someone to help me correcting bugs, refining software and expand functions.
Then, maybe, I'll think about selling it (the cost for this controller could be lower than his "famous" cousin...). But I'll need a find a fund for that.
Anyway, what is it?
This is a "smart" controller for RC vehicles, basically a bridge from a pot throttle and a commercial ESC.
I'm saying smart because of the other functions it can handle.
First of all, it has a 128x64 graphic LCD with a built in user interface, you can interact with just two waterproof pushbuttons.
Via this UI you can either access all the data coming from the controller then set all the parameters you need.
At the moment, the parameters it can acquire are:
- Direct and inverse current (-160A to 160A)
- Battery voltage (7V to 60V)
- Speed from hall sensor or reed switch
- Throttle position
- 2 Temperatures
- 1 additional digital I/O (pedelec?)
Then what can it control, at the moment:
- ESC control
- 2 servo PWM control
- 1 internal 10A relay at supply voltage (let's think about vehicle's lights)
- 1 internal DC-DC converter, 5V @2A
The key of this device is that all this features are handled via a simple, well-known and opensouce software (Arduino).
This let everyone customize it as he need, and build all the specific specific functions you need.
For example, my UI can let me change gears (controlling the two servos) using the UP/DOWN pushbuttons, or it can automatically increase a gear when the motor speed is too high AND the power is getting down, conversely it can decrease a gear if the motor is slowing down and power is growing (an hill).
Then I can choose how to "smooth down" the throttle input in real time, just changing the riding mode.
An additional feature I made is the "street legal mode", which basically let you accelerate only if you're moving your pedals and cuts the power up to 250W (maximum limit here in Italy). Obviously I can activate/deactivate this function just switching the riding mode.
I can read from the battery in terms of voltage, percentage and kilometers (or miles) left.
I can store the total travel of the bike, the travel since the last time battery has been recharged and the travel from the last power-on.
I can directly control the bike's lights just activating or deactivating an option in the riding menu. No other hardware switches are needed.
The controller automatically decreases power (and rises a warning) if the motor or the ESC is getting too hot, and helps me finding the maximum efficiency showing me the speed over power ratio.
This are the functions I made because I need them on my own bike, but you customiize it as you want.
Let's assume you don't need to control 2 servos, you can use that 2 connectors to add another hall sensor or reed switch (regen brake?), you just need to build up your own software feature.
In other words, a fully customizable controller. :wink:
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