Building an Electric Skateboard - im in too deep

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Samuraijaq

1 mW
Joined
Oct 24, 2015
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Hi

I love skateboarding...but I recently had an accident which resulted on not being able to kick with my leg. Determined not to give up I decided to build an electronic skateboard.

I've been reading up online and bought some part. I was able to sort out the drive kit.

However, I am really struggling with the electronics!!! I am out of my depth. I recently bought a:
- 168kv motor (https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=38055)
- Turnigy 160A 1:8th ESC (https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=31169)
- Venom 20C 3S 5000mAh 11.1 LiPo Batteries (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00FE0ORV4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00)

Once I received all my items I hooked the motor, esc and receiver. I wanted to test it out first to see if my creation will come to life. However the ESC started smoking and I unplugged it immediately.

Are the parts I purchased was not compatible? Or should I have choosen I higher Amp ESC or a different battery?

I am hoping to if someone could point me to the right direction I'd really appreciate it.

Look forward to your replies.
 
Did you connect the 2 3S batteries in series to get 6S 5000mah?

Because it looks to me that the ESC is only rated for 2-4S on the HobbyKing page. "Input Voltage: 2~4 Cell Lipoly"
It also has over-voltage protection for voltage more than 5S. "Over input voltage protection: Above 5S"

If you want to run the batteries in a 6S configuration you'll need an ESC which can take the 6S voltage.
 
Thanks for the quick reply.

But I only installed one of the lipo batteries and smoke came out.

Do you have any suggestions of a better ESC? a specific product in mind?
 
You can try the FVT 120a it is the one I used on my first board it works with 6S. i don't have any point of comparison with other ESCs but as it was my first time building an eboard, I am pretty happy because it was easy to set up and it does the job quite nicely. There might some thread you could look up to get more info on this ESC which I suggest you look for.
 
I would also put in a vote for a VESC if you can find one.

I tried another RC Car hobby ESC before getting a VESC (because I couldn't find anyone that could make a VESC at the time) and while it did work, it made shrill noises when spinning the motor and loud tones when braking (they called this "normal"). It would also cut out (probably due to motor draw? when the torque was too high)

The VESC on the other hand works wonderfully with my dual 5S1P 5000mAh batteries hooked in series with DIYElectricSkateboard's 170kV 5065 motors and a Wii Nunchuk.

Just posted up a video of a speed test ride if you want to see how it performs:
[youtube]ooCJIWVrjXo[/youtube]
 
torqueboards said:
Sounds like you might have shorted it somehow. A 6S ESC would of been more durable.

VESC is great but know that you'll need to run a Linux VM to program it. There are quite a few 6S/8S/12S Car ESCs that work great as well.
Click to expand...

Depending on the firmware and versioning, I believe that there are Mac (I've used it myself) and Windows versions of the BLDC tool for it running now too :)
 
I'd love to build an VESC...however I don't have the time or the knowledge on how to make one (its hard enough trying to convince my wife that I need an electric skateboard).

Might see what Enerion releases.
 
Samuraijaq said:
I'd love to build an VESC...however I don't have the time or the knowledge on how to make one (its hard enough trying to convince my wife that I need an electric skateboard).

Might see what Enerion releases.
Click to expand...

It's not really cost effective to build just one. It's basically cheaper if you just buy one at that point. Unless you already have a reflow oven, or hot-air setup, and a lot of the tools and just want to do it yourself.

Definitely check out Enertion's next release timeframe. You really are into about the same cost (maybe $20 more) than a similar RC ESC meant for a max of 6s. But with total configurability and ability to run 12s!

Don't be daunted by the setup process. It's pretty simple actually, and like mentioned, there are ported versions to Windows and OSX if you don't already have a linux system ready to use. Follow the steps, ask questions if you get stuck, and it's EASY! The best ESC i've tried hands down.

GL!
 
blindnas said:
The VESC on the other hand works wonderfully with my dual 5S1P 5000mAh batteries hooked in series with DIYElectricSkateboard's 170kV 5065 motors and a Wii Nunchuk.

Just posted up a video of a speed test ride if you want to see how it performs:
[youtube]ooCJIWVrjXo[/youtube]
Click to expand...

Funny as hell... it's a small world! Your test ride video is right across from me at work (lower Queen Anne). I walk across that bridge and have lunch there when the weather is nice! If you want to go for a ride sometime let me know!
 
Can I use this esc for the above motor and battery?
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__81496__Hobbywing_EZRUN_MAX8_V3_150A_Brushless_ESC_UK_Warehouse_.html

And is it as simple as attaching the dean connectors from x2 3s battery to the esc?
 
Yes. That ESC will work for 6s. Looks like they have already wired in the series connector. So, just plug in your two 3s batteries and your ready to go.
 
Ok just received my esc from hobby king.

But it looks like the hobbywing ezrun has a 8mm female connector and my motor only has 4mm male plugs.

My question is there any way of connecting a 4mm male plug to 8mm female hole? (Maybe with some kind of adapter) and without the need of soldering any of the wires....

Thanks
 
I don't think you'll find ready-made adaptors, but perhaps a friendly soul here on the forum will solder you some.
Personally I think that if you want to get into building your own e-board, it will be worth it to learn how to solder for yourself. You can start with a cheap 50w iron and there's tons of instructional videos on youtube.
Did your motor come with corresponding female connectors ?
Did the ESC come with any other wires/connectors ?
 
I bought this same ESC http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... ouse_.html

And I have the DIYElectricSkateboard's 170kV 5065 motors and a Wii Nunchuk

So far I have everything hooked up and everything turns on but no action from the motor. It dose an initial *beep *beep but thats about it. Having trouble figuring out the programming to get it going.
 
I wish I was at that stage.

Still having trouble connecting the ESC to the motor.

Tired soldering 4mm female connectors to the wires it came with (8mm male connectors) however the wire was too thick!

How were you able to connect the ESC (which has 8mm female connectors) to the Turnigy Motor? (which has 4mm male connectors)

Did you make an adapter? (i.e. 8mm male connector to 4mm female connector or visa versa?)

Don't really want to change the connector to the motor.

Appreciate your help
 
Hi! you can do a very simple adapter by soldering a 4mm to an 8mm an without wires, apply you iron in the 8mm ans just down the 4mm while the iron is still liquid, I think it's the simple way to go if you won't/can't replace directly on the parts, and the banana/bullet type connector are easy to do this.
 
Vulthor said:
Hi! you can do a very simple adapter by soldering a 4mm to an 8mm an without wires, apply you iron in the 8mm ans just down the 4mm while the iron is still liquid, I think it's the simple way to go if you won't/can't replace directly on the parts, and the banana/bullet type connector are easy to do this.
Click to expand...


anyway you you can show me how to do that?

tried googling it but cant seem to find anything
 
IT'S ALIIIVVVEE.....

I was able to solder it on. Didn't have any shrink rap but was able to use some electrical tape to cover the 4mm female connectors :)

Just used the existing wires the ESC Ezrun Max8 supplied with and soldered some 4mm female connectos to connect it with the 4mm male connectors in the motor. Putting on the batteries I thought the whole thing was gonna explode (first time soldering anything my whole life)

Just waiting on the timing belt and pulleys now...will post my built in the future once it's done

Thanks for the help so far. You guys have been awesome .
 
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