multi-motor controller/esc solutions

[michaelplogue]

So, has anybody begun development of a controller/esc solution for running multiple RC motors?

I know absolutly nothing about the engineering aspects of a project like this. However, wouldn't it be possible to design a "master" module that will handle all of the input from the throttle and hall sensors (from a single motor), with separate "power" modules that would be slaved to the master - each independantly dealing with the power requirements for their respective motor?

Is something like this even remotely possible?

 

[spinningmagnets]

You might want to drop LFP a PM, I believe he had a double RC-motor set-up on the back end of one of his bikes, I don't recall the details as it was not something that I might copy, but it certainly was eye-catching and memorable!

 

[Hillhater]

So, has anybody begun development of a controller/esc solution for running multiple RC motors?

I know absolutly nothing about the engineering aspects of a project like this. However, wouldn't it be possible to design a "master" module that will handle all of the input from the throttle and hall sensors (from a single motor), with separate "power" modules that would be slaved to the master - each independantly dealing with the power requirements for their respective motor?

Is something like this even remotely possible?

Im sure the RC flyboys will have done this for multi motored aircraft. Check on the RC flight forums etc.
Also. if you check out the "build your own throttle interface" threads, you will notice that the Servo Tester units used have outputs to 2 or more Servos (or ESC's), so i dont see why you cannot just connect 2 ESC's up to one throttle.......but again i dont know if it has been tried either ?

 

[recumpence]

I have built 6 bikes with two motors each. You need to run two separate ESCs to do it. But, nothing special is needed beyond that. It just works fine.

Matt

 

[michaelplogue]

I guess I should have been a bit more specific.

I'm more interested in running multiple motors where one of them is sensored - to avoid the need to get the vehicle moving first before applying the throttle, as well as avoid the sync loss problem that some are seeing using sensorless systems.

Can you run one motor (with hall sensors) on something like a Kelly controller, and run other motors using less expensive esc's - simply by splitting the throttle signal?

I'm thinking more along the lines of eight motors, not just a couple. I realize this would be simpler with a single larger motor and controller. However, I'm looking for ways to uses these smaller motors (which are much less expensive) in larger EV projects.

For example, the below was originally conceptualized to use eight of the Colossus 12KW motors, but could just as easily be used for something smaller, like the colossus 7KW or one of the Turnigy motors.

 

[HumboldtRc]

I guess I should have been a bit more specific.

I'm more interested in running multiple motors where one of them is sensored - to avoid the need to get the vehicle moving first before applying the throttle, as well as avoid the sync loss problem that some are seeing using sensorless systems.

Can you run one motor (with hall sensors) on something like a Kelly controller, and run other motors using less expensive esc's - simply by splitting the throttle signal?

I'm thinking more along the lines of eight motors, not just a couple. I realize this would be simpler with a single larger motor and controller. However, I'm looking for ways to uses these smaller motors (which are much less expensive) in larger EV projects.

For example, the below was originally conceptualized to use eight of the Colossus 12KW motors, but could just as easily be used for something smaller, like the colossus 7KW or one of the Turnigy motors.

Thats funny, i'm going to try and do the exact same thing.

For my dirt-bike i want to use 2 ca120-70 motor's, sensorless, and 2 smaller 63-64 motors, sensored, for starting power.

Also i was thinking of 8 motors set up in the same way, for a EV truck.

I knew i couldn't be the only one with the idea of making a 80-100kw brushless set-up out of smaller motors, and esc's. It probably can be made for half the price of a a signal big motor and esc, of equivalent power.

 

[rhitee05]

What you're describing could certainly be done. It would probably be helpful if it were possible for the sensorless controllers to communicate when they lose sync, so the master controller could divert power to the sensored motor(s). I guess basically what you're thinking of would be the inverse of an electronically controller AWD system, where the master controller shifts power among the motors to achieve the desired torque output.

 

[AussieJester]

Nice cad drawings there but why is there reflection on the motors they are on the shaded side

KiM