Regenerative Braking - DIY Electric Scooter Part 4 [VESC]

A new speed controller improves my DIY electric scooter to support regenerative braking and battery protection. The VESC provides a ton of options to control the hub motor. A simple analog stick is used a throttle now. Enjoy!
Links to the parts (affiliate links):
VESC:
aliexpress.bitluni.net/vesc
ebay.bitluni.net/vesc
amazon.bitluni.net/vesc
hobbyking.bitluni.net/vesc
Sensor Kit (including analog stick):
aliexpress.bitluni.net/sensorKit
5.5" Hub motor 250W:
aliexpress.bitluni.net/miniHu...
3S LiPo:
amazon.bitluni.net/3S4Ah
ebay.bitluni.net/3S4Ah
2mm JST PH:
aliexpress.bitluni.net/jst2mm
XT Connectors:
aliexpress.bitluni.net/xt
Clampmeter:
amazon.bitluni.net/clamp
Action Cam:
aliexpress.bitluni.net/actionCam
amazon.bitluni.net/actionCam
My camera and lens (4k 60fps):
amazon.bitluni.net/gh5
Config tool for esc:
vesc-project.com/
plz share :-)
Consider supporting my lab on Patreon for some extras and frequent updates:
/ bitluni
I'm also thankful for any donation on PayPal:
paypal.me/bitluni
Check out my Tindie store to get some of my creations:
www.tindie.com/stores/bitluni
Twitter: @bitluni
reddit: r/bitluni
#electronics #diy #electricscooter

[@_who_cares_1123]

So you printed an enclosure for the 0,70€ Throttle Stick but not for the 80€ ESC?

[@kalifack]

Best Comment +1

[@tedhancock68]

I think once you burn up parts on the bench, totaling double the cost of a new scooter, there are no longer any rules.

[@NiHaoMike64]

Looks like a fuse would have been a good idea, especially during testing.

[@simonlinser8286]

Fuses are always a good idea, aren't they?

[@pirateman1966]

You should install a strain gauge under the stand. When you are on the scooter, everything works as it should. When you step off, it should apply the brakes. Like a dead-man's switch. I love your workmanship. So German!

[@MrTomberi211]

What about if you jump?

[@firepower9966]

@@MrTomberi211 you can also set timer before it activates in vesc, have time enough for jumping and tricks but if longer it shut down.

[@rodrigo_dm]

good dose of electronics, goofy humor and learning. great video

[@adlerweb]

Next up: How to fix broken bones with spare metal rods and some duct tape.

[@Davedarko]

On your channel?

[@bardenegri21]

The motor current in the vesc settings is the current at 5v or whatever it sends to the motor, so it can be larger than you'd think. You can set it higher and limit the overall current with the battery limit and the total power limit (in watts). Also, I'm sure you figured out FOC mode is way better than BLDC mode (pwm). Good stuff

[@NeariX846]

I think this is the project im gonna replicate during summer break 😍

[@jackhope45]

I like your honest and funny way of your project

[@ahaveland]

Ouch! Well, you could rewind the motor at least. It's a bit time consuming but satisfying.

[@avejst]

Nice design and trial/ error Thanks for sharing 👍😀

[@Daniel-rj2ci]

You are a very underrated youtuber! Awesome projects!!!

[@goplan84]

as always great! cheers from PL :)

[@Digithalis]

your skills are always faszinating my friend ;-))

[@andremuensti4730]

The VESC is the BEST ! You can read real time data from the interface (Rx/Tx)

[@aboudezoa]

I love your videos man !

[@Tusz98]

the best controller from Polando :)

[@justacoffeemakerjr.9813]

sorry for the vesc it just rip, but the fried motor is just next rewinding bldc project isn't it?

[@ytHUNTR]

awesome job man :D

[@poprostuadam9192]

how you plug led screen to this esc?

[@Gamen4Bros]

This is cool!!

[@mono9237]

Can you make a video that is a bit more detailed about how you soldered the controller?

[@lightdark00]

How well it regenerate going downhill?

[@beachcomber2008]

Splendid.

[@muessliemix]

I spotted improperly colored Schrumpfschläuche!! But it looks good anyways 😄

[@QuadPrime]

Shrink tubing btw ;)

[@shortsleevecardigan]

Does anyone know what the dimensions are for the area under the deck for battery storage? Just planning a build with this scooter, but can’t get hands on yet.

[@regnardin]

2:53 Hi ! What is your yellow liquid ?

[@diyowl5496]

Hi! Is it possible to make a simple brake with the original controller? Please reply.

[@MkmeOrg]

Nice!

[@furulevi]

Hi, I just increased the regen braking value on my scooter and now it brakes much better downhill. The question is will this increased reverse energy hurt the battery or the controller? Thanks!

[@bitluni]

you need to check the maximum charging current of the battery. i'm not really sure how harmful it might be to any of it. the controller should have protection but I had a few blow up on me because of reasons i still don't understand

[@MrGiodude17]

@@bitluni omg that's not reassuring they are expensive and when u say blow up does it cause smoke and fire

[@TheClay11b]

What other kinds of throttles could I use to have regen braking? I want it to be gradual, not just full ON or full OFF

[@smcs]

Questions: 1) I hav an escooter but no regenerative braking. Do I need to change the electronics? 2) I want to change the electronic braking switch to the known bike braking, but still retaining the electronic braking system, it's just the switch that changed, is that possible? I want to see how you do it.

[@MelBoonchan]

what cable do I use for the analog stick? Should I just use a 5p JST cable for it?

[@RicardoCerveraBlanco]

Hi, i wonder if you could helm me figuring something out, i recycled an e-bike battery, i could get more of the same but this battery has a 8connector CAN bus in the bms board i dont know why?!. Any idea if i can use this battery without anything connected to this?.

[@Horschdgerd]

how did you setup the analog stick with the vesc? i cant get it to work

[@Mastermoussa]

Hi, da du dich ja scheinbar echt gut mit dem Thema auskennst und wir zwei unserer Maiwagen motorisieren wollen, wollte ich mal fragen ob du für einen 350w 36v Motor einen guten Controller empfehlen kannst, damit ich alles simpel verkabeln kann (Batterie, Daumengas, Motor) und evtl. sogar schon mit regenerativer Bremse (hab mal gesehen, dass es wohl Controller gibt, wo man einfach einen Hall Sensor anschließen kann und damit dann regenerativ und vor allem dosierbar bremsen kann) (also mit simpel meine ich, dass ich nicht noch programmieren oder sonst was machen muss, sondern einfach die passenden Kabel an die Komponenten anschließen)

[@Technik4fun]

Great!

[@cordydl]

Super Video, wie immer natürlich! Wäre es irgendwie möglich, den Code dazu zu veröffentlichen, damit ich und sicherlich auch viele andere Leute sehen können, wie du das im Video Eeklärte explizit umgesetzt hast?

[@AymNanh]

how would you deal the the signal lights and others

[@matthewfiedler2787]

Ahahahhaa love your precision tools!!!

[@dragonhunter2475]

you probably fried the driver ic and some of the mosfets on the vesc so you could fix it i don't know if it's worth it though

[@ianbuilder]

what esc are you using

[@jorgetrueba85_2]

Awesome

[@williammuff5485]

How did you ultimately handle switching it on/off?

[@bakaAL07]

So i didn't get how did you fried the hub motor. Too high pick voltage or what?

[@r1273m]

Here in the UK these 'e-scooters' are illegal to use on public roads. A 35 yr old lady was killed on one in London just this week. Are they legal in Germany?

[@geekmystique]

To my research: They need to be certified safe (lights and brakes), furthermore insurance is required (including a small license plate) and kids are not allowed to ride them. It can be compared to the laws for light scooters and throttle ebikes.

[@hzlin6655]

Yes. Everywhere in munich is filled with this things

[@ScienceLab760]

hi nice video maybe you can rewind you broken motor and give new chance or using in other project

[@BOLTsLABORATORY]

How much did you get the run time

[@DexLabCrypto]

can vesc controller be connected to bluetooth module/contoller... like one on xiaomi 365, or inmotion L8F and put data back on their screens (speed, battery level...)?

[@dimitritzer5028]

Think you can connect it to an arduino, and do your magic with that :D

[@ppgg997]

How the current is in AC instead of DC?? (in the part you are measuring it with the Amp meter)

[@garretta2022]

How long did your second (flipsky) fsesc 4.12 last? I bought two of them last week and already broke both, ordered two more though and will be installing them later today on my electric skateboard. I was stupid like you and I'm pretty sure it was entirely my fault why they died. I set up the settings on the VESC tool way beyond what my setup could handle. I'm hoping this time around will go much better 👍

[@RichardT2112]

2:31 “Ohhhh shit!” For the win! ;)

[@BuzZ.]

Why not repair the burned motor and ESC ?

[@teronixhd]

Really cool video! Are you from darmstadt?

[@ryujiyamazaki583]

Hi Bitluni, amazing series of your e-scooter but U R a smart person and how come U forgot to add a fuse 😁 as that would prevent from frying the motor and saves money too 😁. It would B nice if U can make another video on this with an upgradec😊, danke 😁

[@RexSmithII]

How did the motor burn out the first time? You said you had 20volts high then rated.? You weren’t using the actual battery’s for the scooter?

[@adammorris3082]

Couldn't you replace the mosfets on the VESC and rewind the motor ? new project video possibly? All the best,

[@iamkian]

Trying to follow your links, but it looks like you server (bitluni.net) is down.

[@NamacilHDx]

Just an idea ... the breaking current is quiet limited by the lipos usally they dont really like to be charged with more then a few C ... so i imagne a capacitor bank and a current limiter or something like that ... that way you can breake with way higher current and simply charge up some beafy capacitors wich then slowly charge the batteries from the breaking if i think about it a emergency resistor to just pull the caps low if the caps dont decharge fast enough befor an other brake all that would give more breaking force xD

[@datahaki]

the missing clip leaves more to the imagination

[@Pryside]

You will burn up any vesc in no time on high erpms, solder a P6KE56CA tvs diode directly on the vesc pcb battery input, otherwise you will destroy even more vescs, trust me I had to go through 5 vescs before realising the engineering flaw. If you want to be extra carefull you can add a EEUFR1J681L ultra low esr cap, will help as well with the survive chances of your vesc

[@avacreativemedia]

Leo Pryside I agree it’s not a very “reliable “ or “robust “ esc the Vesc I went through 3 of them just on the bench in the end I sort of got fed up with them - maybe the TVS might have helped them not self destruct 😉

[@ComiXDude]

bitluni

[@No__Pasaran]

класс! не понял почему мотор сгорел?

[@JDrwal2]

It appears that the links you provided for Bitluni (?) VESCs and other components on Aliexpress do not work. Could you let me know the name of the manufacturer of those VESC is and the model number? Also... would you know if there are VESCs that get good support from the manufacturer, including customization? Thank you!

[@markusromeis3243]

Oh and do u have a BMS for the regenerativ charging? If u dont have that get one ASAP if you dont want a burnt down House while u r sleeping

[@diegurkehd7800]

yeah charging like that without any prot isn't that good i guess.

[@Arek_R.]

What about BMS? Those are critical for all Lithium cells. If you want to keep it budget then at least buy one of these beepers(under $5)

[@MrGiodude17]

Where is part 2

[@mono9237]

Wow, das ist Mal eine gute Videoreihe! Und endlich Mal jemand aus Deutschland😀 hast du den arduini jetzt komplett entfernt oder möchtest du ihn noch weiter benutzen? Vielleicht ja Led Streifen oder Beleuchtung, dann würde der Scooter vlt sogar eine einzelzulassung bekommen, ich plane ein ähnliches Projekt und finde deine echt interessant!

[@blise518B]

Is that thing legal in Germany? Do you plan on adding a Legal mode in case they Check the scooter?

[@NochEinKamel]

No. So it's funny that he mentions removing the push detection because of the new law but ignores all other new requirements ... ;-p i.e. to get it street legal he has to add lights, two brakes, max 20 km/h + 500 Watts limit and he needs to find someone willing to give him insurance.

[@jans.7774]

Very cool project! Sadly far away from being legal in Germany..

[@tedhancock68]

Sometimes the USA is still the place to be. I looked up local regulations and all of these devices are considered "motor vehicles". In other words a policeman is more likely to say "get a bigger motor...loser!" than "I'm giving you a ticket for going too fast." If you can't go 40 Km/h, you need a special sign.

[@flos251]

I think it would be interesting, how modify the scooter that it is legal to use outside like a normal e scooter you can rent. Ich denke, dass es sehr interessant ist, wie man den E-Scooter umbauen muss, dass man ihn legal auf der Straße benutzen darf, wie diese, wie man auch ausleihen kann.

[@akkudakkupl]

3:55 - ahh yes, the PrecisionForceTM square section pry bar.

[@althuelectronics5158]

naice your warkimg ant video

[@deanmav3571]

What if the tesla makes one electric scooter?

[@iamkian]

i would love to by the 5.5" Hub motor, but shiping it to me (Netherlands) is more expensive (almost 2 times!) than the motor itself :-(

[@AndrewAHayes]

It is the same to ship to the UK, surely there must be more hubs available without ridiculous shipping fees?

[@iamkian]

@@AndrewAHayes Let me know if you find one. I'll do the same...

[@AndrewAHayes]

@@iamkian OK

[@tedhancock68]

Facebook Marketplace is full of "dead" scooters, hoverboards and other devices. A hoverboard yields two 350 watt brushless hub motors and two pretty good, flashable ESCs. Not to mention about 28 good 18650 cells. I buy the hoverboards for 10 USD each. The last batch had 400 watt motors and one was working perfectly.

[@ZikValera]

не всё понял, но спасибо ....

[@Dragon-rv4xr]

Awd?

[@deathshaker0026]

I am glad you didn't break your knee on this project. That would have sucked.

[@simonlinser8286]

20v! Can we trade batteries

[@metallitech]

7:12

[@psullivan40]

Dude, you cut your hair?? Coming from a guy with receding thinning hair and a hat to prevent sunburn, how's the saying; if you got it flaunt it. Hahaha. In any case, great videos.

[@davidgbetan]

motor pequeño pero fuerte

[@jedandecko5585]

Maybe more detail about working principles and less details about bending metal, this is electronics channel :) Thanks for sharing.

[@juliusionescu4905]

Ich würde dir empfehlen bei Ebay eine Aluminium Box für das Vesc zu kaufen da es bei Belastung warm wird und so besser gekühlt wird. Du kannst mit einer Bestimmten Software auch ein HM10 Bluetooth Modul anbringen wo du dann mit der Vesc App Ackmaniak Vesc bei PlayStore diese ganzen Daten auf dein Handy schicken kannst und live sehen kannst. Das würde die Stromzange ersetzten. Coller roller ich habe mir ein Elektrisches Longbaord gebaut und ähnliche Teile verwendet. Siehs dir ann wenn du noch was zu dem Bluetooth wissen möchtest Instagram: i.jxlm

[@jerryanstey7058]

The voice of the seen fixing is not same voice the talking behind the camera !

[@furulevi]

0:49 :))

[@michaelwerth]

backwards is the new forwards.

[@hansdietrich83]

XT60 und T-stecker Mix...

[@arnali9140]

Can I work with you? It's so satisfying.

[@mashedpotatoes5323]

For some reason I want to believe your motor letting out the magic smoke is just a vape

[@datahaki]

there is smoke in every video. at least no intentional destruction.

[@simonlinser8286]

You're an engineer aren't you?

[@eduardbalalykin5339]

Like Valentino Rossi.

[@varn4591]

first in the world escooter with reverse 🤭

[@breezeli6233]

I can't believe what in the video at 3:50 happened to a German to fix things.

[@froquede]

é o marcos

[@markusromeis3243]

NEVER NEVER EVER use Deans or XT90 Connectors for Projects like that use AS150 instead or something will get hot!!!!

[@diegurkehd7800]

he drew like max 30 amps from his lipos which is safely und the max rated 90amps of the xt90 connector. I ran 122 Amps from both deans and Xt90 and there was no heat whatsoever..

[@Willyliemfams]

not worth if you don't know electricity

[@fellpower]

200k subs and crying about 150 bucks? LOL