Owie - JWFFM Alternative for only $4

The OWIE is an open source version of the JWFFM Chip. The code was made by LOLwheel. I had nothing to do with the codes development. I just noticed the lack of instructions on how to use it so I made this video.
You will need a Github account to get the firmware.
The links I promised:
Github page github.com/lol...
ESP8266 page www.espressif....
5 Pack of chips
smile.amazon.c...
Possible XR chip location i.imgur.com/M0...
Skip to 18:40 for the wiring diagram.
The Onewheel+ is better than the Onewheel+ XR.
Onewheel Pint

[@TheBoardGarage]

Very impressive setup. I frankly did not expect to ever see an open source version of that. Thank you for publishing this, it's very illuminating. I will not fight you regarding the Plus and the XR. The Plus was/is an excellent board.

[@thechickentendy3982]

I love the Plus because battery mods are so easy. I built a 14s2p P42A pack that gets almost 20 miles.

[@fixmypev]

Have you had the chance to try out the OWIE yet? Looking for feedback on the installation and user experience.

[@andrewbmaughan]

Thanks for this - I just did the mod tonight. 39% before, 58% after! Pro tip - after writing the firmware, I had to press the reset button on the PCB to get the wifi to show up.

[@maicrodose]

Thanks for sharing your process on this. I also ended up having to create an extension for the white wire going to the BMS. It's charging now, and I'm so glad I decided to do this.

[@koihoshi]

My battery finally gave up the ghost on my pint after i left it afk in a closet for some months. And i found out my hardware was the newest release so this is a life saver for the chip, thank you. I saw JWFFM has closed their doors, so having an open source option is a lifesaver.

[@RLNTLSSShredShop]

Thanks for sharing! As an FYI, Error 16 can show up at any time the board is on (not only during boot). If you find that putting pressure on the rear battery enclosure causes the error, a better spot may need to be found for the chip.

[@thechickentendy3982]

I have taken it on a few rides already. If I eventually have an issue while riding I'll move it.

[@TKrzeski]

I’m getting the error 16 but I can’t seem to figure why. I have the battery casing open and everything seems to be hooked up right but it’ll cut on turn white I can quickly press the footpad and the sensors will turn blue but regardless after that moment it’ll start blinking red 16. So I’m stuck right here until I figure out a solution or if o broke the damn thing 😓 I am using the pint plug and play

[@RLNTLSSShredShop]

@@TKrzeskiError 16 is usually the harness, BMS, or Controller. Pint, Pint X, or GT?

[@TKrzeski]

@@RLNTLSSShredShop just now noticing the white wire got cut in half while sealing the lid of the battery casing 🤦‍♂️ it’s working now

[@RLNTLSSShredShop]

@@TKrzeski Awesome! Glad to hear it. 🤙🏼⚡️☠️

[@Ktreez420]

I was hoping this video was much more descriptive and instructional. You very briefly went over the actual soldering and what to do, which is probably the most important part. And was hoping to see the OWIE installed on an XR, so I could replicate the install but this video isn't very helpful for me as a newbie trying to DIY at home 🤷‍♂️ I know you have it knowledge, but the rest of us don't and would love a dumbed down version of this install for the community 💚

[@bucketsoteeth646]

There're a lot of guys in that guy. Thanks for the rundown. Definitely interested. Gotta see that XR placement.

[@thechickentendy3982]

i.imgur.com/M0XhsWV.jpg

[@MaxInNewZealand]

@@thechickentendy3982 Am I missing something or has the plastic barrier between the battery and BMS been completely removed here?

[@thechickentendy3982]

@@MaxInNewZealand I took it off to solder but I put it back before putting it back together.

[@youngy7449]

Thanks for doing this, it was me that posted the $98 shipping on the redit group 🤙

[@matix10104]

So i am struggling i cant get the owie firmware flashed to the board, i did buy the type c version off amazon but i keep getting a [error] no log file output.....

[@mb2q]

For anyone using Linux you can easily flash the firmware to the ESP8266 using esptool. I'm using Fedora so 'sudo dnf install esptool' did if for me. I believe this is available on Ubuntu and other distros as well. Once installed the command to flash the board is 'esptool -p /dev/ttyUSB0 write_flash 0x00000 firmware.bin'. The -p is the the flag to specify a port which for most of us will be the USB port hence '/dev/ttyUSB0'. The 'write_flash' command needs to be followed by an address to write to which according to the the video is 0x00000. This worked for me and should work on other Linux distros as well. Hope that helps those of us not using Windows.

[@3tch3r]

interesting idea! But I'm not about to solder to the BMS. They are hard enough to find. Glad I was able to use Rewheel before FM stopped it.

[@gabrielcayton3261]

Very cool. Much appreciated.

[@unofficialjennaskye]

I am trying to update the firmware on mine, post install. I do not have the "browse" option to choose the firmware.bin file when going to the UI. Am I missing something?!

[@danielbernard9706]

Hey what's the range of a vesc xr with stock battery. I Cant find anyone who says

[@yuding237]

The amazon link has usb c and a micro usb one, does it matter which one i get? cuz i prefer usbc lmao, but the layout looks different and i see its missing a few resistors on the usbc version so idk, can you help me check

[@mssearchfortruth]

I'm trying to program the WeMos D1 ESP8266 it is only showing a FaryLink_0050B3 wifi and not the Owie Wifi. I made sure I selected the correct com port. I pressed the reset button on the PCB multiple times. I restarted my computer and phone. This is the read out I get on the EPS8266 flash download tool. It seems like it programed the chip. Also the chip flashed when I clicked start. Please tell me what I am doing wrong. Uploading stub... Running stub... Stub running... crc_efuse_4bit: 0 crc_calc_4bit: 4 is stub and send flash finish

[@martstet9229]

I'm having the same issue now. Did you ever find a way to solve it?

[@chrismcneal9933]

On the 3 wires shown on the connector in the picture the white one goes to the D1 mini, are the other 2 wires just disconnected?

[@EASTRIDE]

Thank you for this tutorial! One question. Because I'm not 100% sure regarding the green & white wires. What's with the GREEN stubby wire running to the BMS? is this not used?

[@Inv8erZlM]

Nope, it’s not used. I just use some heat shrink tubing to isolate it.

[@Phil4222]

do you know of a way to correct the voltage chart for a cbrx battery?

[@deemontes7265]

Do you know anyone that can fix my pint BMS? It keeps throwing the cells off in my battery. It’s happened with 2 batteries already. When it happens I leave my board charging over night and it balances the cells but then it throws them off after a couple turnovers

[@herdy333]

I’ve been searching everywhere and can’t find an answer. Bought a used Pint knowing that there is a battery issue. With the OWCE app it’s showing one cell at 1.97 with the others at 4.1v. I tried leaving on for 72hrs as suggested to balance the cells but that didn’t help. The odd thing is that the OneWheel shows in the app and on the boards led that it’s over charged. I can ride it for 30 seconds before it goes nose up. This occurs over and over even when I discharge the entire battery. Do you think I should open the board and disconnect the battery to reset the bms before purchasing a battery and chip? Thanks for any advice as I haven’t found an answer yet

[@thechickentendy3982]

That cell is way too low. It's not going to balance.

[@herdy333]

@@thechickentendy3982 I might try to open the battery and replace that single cell first. Would that cause the bms to give the board the error im receiving though? (Overcharge) thanks for the quick help too!

[@thechickentendy3982]

@@herdy333 if you replace the cell make sure it's at the same voltage as the rest when you connect it.

[@MaxInNewZealand]

I've just installed this on my XR but the battery is still live and I'm worried about connecting it to my controller as JW and others have said that this can fry my controller. I've tried to ground the blue wire but it won't seem to turn off. Any ideas?

[@MaxInNewZealand]

Nevermind, I couldn't get a voltage reading from the large connector that goes to the controller, but could get a voltage reading over the back of the XT60 on the BMS. I read about 56v and decided to risk it and it seems fine

[@Ktreez420]

Is there any updates on this? I just bought an OWIE chip and the CBXR battery for my XR. 4212 hardware.

[@flenkle]

Have you done the replacement ever since? How does it work out for you? thinking about doing the same.

[@Ktreez420]

@flenkle I did! I love it! I'm so happy I upgraded! It wasn't easy to get the CBXR in the stock XR battery box though. I used a dremel to remove some extra material within the box to help with installation ✌️

[@flenkle]

@@Ktreez420 Thanks for the reply! Good to hear. Which Video did you use as reference to upgrade it? Happy riding!

[@Ktreez420]

@@flenkle I watched the ChiBattery video!

[@gtmod2187]

Fxxking legend

[@roadboarding]

I don´t understand how get the file of the firmware... :( Help me please. Thanks

[@EASTRIDE]

I can help you amigo 🤙🏻

[@matix10104]

​@@EASTRIDEI'm having the same problem when I hit start I get a line 741 error no log file output....

[@PhenomonAwesome]

How has this held up over time?

[@thechickentendy3982]

Mine is still working great.

[@PhenomonAwesome]

@@thechickentendy3982 good to hear! I'm not sure if I missed this in the video but does the OW app still function after doing this?

[@thechickentendy3982]

@@PhenomonAwesome yes it does.

[@gtmod2187]

Lemme just quickly make a smaller D1 mini lite.

[@reazmonrow8690]

WIll this work for the XR?

[@thechickentendy3982]

Yes the wiring is the same. You just need to find a spot for it.

[@reazmonrow8690]

@@thechickentendy3982 Hey thank you so much. Any advice other than your video for a first time install? I believe I can use my pint BmS as long as I flash it to the serial number of the XR controller to the chip mimicking the heartbeat. Great video!

[@reazmonrow8690]

This is wonderful news! I have bought 3 boards from FM and all of them had issues, but that XR I got was like insane! Lucky for me My pint BMS still works so I am going to swap it out using the chip you recommended and flash it myself. I am not like an IT expert so is there anything you would recommend, however small, feel free to share. Thanks again!

[@Zlobayo]

Hi and thanks for sharing! I respect people with knowledge, but $250 for the JWFFM chip is a way too expensive. I respect even more people who look to maximize general well being by working on open source solutions, so big respect for Owie! I have a question: is the Lolin D1 mini will work similar as the Wemos D1 Mini Lite (the Wemos D1 Mini Lite is no more available on the official Lolin shop in AliExpress). Its looks like that Lolin D1 is the upgraded version, but can somebody confirm that please?

[@thechickentendy3982]

I just used the chip linked in the GitHub because its been tested. I don't know anything about the Lolin chip. I don't see how the JWFFM chip is a steal when this is so cheap.

[@Zlobayo]

@@thechickentendy3982 My bad, I didn't explain myself well: I did mean that the JWFFM chip was really expensive for what it is. The problem with the Wemos is that it cannot be found anymore on the official vendor page.

[@Inv8erZlM]

@@Zlobayo You can find them with the ESP8285 instead of the ESP8266. They still work. Just be sure to pick ESP8285 when your flashing it.

[@Zlobayo]

@@Inv8erZlM Thanks man! Good to see people share their knowledge, really appreciate it!

[@MaxInNewZealand]

Edit: seems it can't be shipped internationally :(

[@MaxInNewZealand]

I also wonder if you can put a Pint BMS in an XR with this

[@thechickentendy3982]

@@MaxInNewZealand they are not completely identical. You will need to get the right connectors and figure out how to charge it. Pint plugs in in the back XR goes through the controller.

[@207637011]

you can get them also on ebay eg. shipped from China to Europe for 3€ + 1,79€ shipping ;)

[@HuyTran-sk3py]

Could you program one for me and send it to me?

[@Honkytonkrob]

I'm in minnesota, you wanna sell one of the other 5 chips you have? :)

[@LoveOfAShoe]

Any reason you chose the D1 Mini over the D1 Mini Lite? The metal WiFi shield looks like it's going to take up the already limited space.

[@thechickentendy3982]

I grabbed the one that LOLwheel recommend. The thickness isn't as big of a concern as the width.

[@TechyMedic28]

I'd like to see how he fit it in the board.

[@thechickentendy3982]

22:30 is where I put it in the battery box

[@TechyMedic28]

@@thechickentendy3982 ah yeah. I was still watching when I made that comment. I don't think I have that side space in my XR.

[@thechickentendy3982]

@@TechyMedic28 check the GitHub. LOLwheel has a pic of where he put it in his XR.

[@MaxInNewZealand]

@@thechickentendy3982 That looks like a Pint enclosure to me

[@thechickentendy3982]

@@MaxInNewZealand he told me at one point he put it in an XR. I have an old Plus enclosure I could try to fit it in. It's the same just half as deep.

[@urielnequiz986]

Could someone do this installation for me pls haha. I would pay.