Soldering 101 for VESC Onewheel Builds

[@DoctorDugong21]

I'm not done with the video but got to the XT90 antispark stuff. Two things: 1) I believe the spark is actually from the capacitance difference when plugging into the controller, which has capacitors. That's why connecting the BMS to the battery doesn't spark, it has no capacitors. 2) At higher voltages common to VESC Onewheels, the resistors in the XT90 antispark connectors only last 5-10 connections. So they are great for a few connections during building and testing, but not enough for any kind of swappable battery build. I'm no expert, but this info was described to me in a phone call with Mario at The Board Garage, and also backed up in VOW Systems swappable battery video. Thanks for posting this, I had to look up DIY RC drone video soldering tutorials to get the basics, so I'm glad there's now a Onewheel specific tutorial!

[@leonchang7596]

Thanks for the correction! That spark is the bane of my existence and now I understand it better 😛

[@benlay750]

Spark is from the in-rush current as the capacitors on the VESC charge up. XT90S cannot handle the high voltage in rush current .. The internal resistor inside the connector cannot handle the power and the antispark feature stops working after a ~dozen connections when the tiny resistor blows.

[@DoctorDugong21]

@@benlay750 I think some people have managed to replace the resistor with one that can handle the power long-term, for swappable systems, external batteries, etc.

[@fallingpaststars638]

This video is one of the reasons that my VEXR is alive and working today!! It is such a valuable tool for new builders. Thank you so much!!!

[@landonp17]

Great tips here! I messed up so many XT60’s before I figured out the connecting the male and female before soldering trick. 😅

[@qapaMcFly]

Now this is high value soldering tutorial right there :) I hate soldering XTs, hopefuly now they will be easier.

[@dogbog99]

Great video, really appreciate the time you put into making this. Loving the VESC content. Great recommendation about the fire extinguisher, life saving advice right there.

[@dogbog99]

Great video, really appreciate the time you put into making this. Loving the VESC content.

[@Fungineers]

This guy knows what's up.

[@jayisdoingstuff]

Good work on the comprehensive guides for these vesc builds.

[@terreonnhenry5778]

THE VIDEO I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!!!!! Thank you!!!

[@Hann3sss]

Thank you, great video! Would have been very helpful for me last year when I vesced two boards, learned many things covered in this video by trying, failing and seeking for help. But also with the things I learned through your video, my repair jobs (if something fails and needs to be redone) will for sure be better. Thanks! 🙏

[@sirjynx3041]

Your videos are all so helpful and awesome! I wish you were still making videos! Especially with so many changes to the VESC world happening.

[@leonchang7596]

thank you! that means a lot. i'm sorry to keep everyone waiting :( just finished a cross country move and now trying to get a visa has taken up all my free time. i promise i'll be back but need to take a break

[@therealandrewlund]

Dang it Leon, where was this video a few weeks ago when I built my vesc?? Luckily it works, but my next one will be much cleaner. Your content is gold.

[@garrymullins]

Trigger/hand clamps highly underrated tool for breaking the bead on a tire, and as you showed are useful for other things too.

[@TheBrettric]

Really appreciate you and these videos! I’m just getting into VESC builds and these are great, thank you!

[@aaronderose5791]

Thanks Leon! Working up the guts to purchase and try a VESC build thanks to you. I really appreciate you taking the time to make these informative videos.

[@MisterNutty]

This video was great! Your instructions and suggestions are really helpful.

[@slimdog72]

Some great beginner tips here. Thanks for this.

[@heatedgreen94]

Thank you for the info this helped me before i start my first build👍 Subscribed & looking forward to the video on remote tilt

[@kash1085]

Dang, love all the content man. I’ve never been so early! Can’t wait to watch another banger vid 😄

[@astrolemonade349]

Good work! One thing I'll add is a good ventilator or fume extractor! Those fumes can be really dangerous if inhaled on a regular basis.

[@leonchang7596]

That is a really important tip!!

[@leonchang7596]

I'm not an expert in DIY electronics and soldering in any means, actually I'm still a beginner only 1 year into this hobby. I'm learning a whole lot from all the vesc builders in the community. This video summarizes how I like to solder but should not be considered the definitive guide. If anything I'm demonstrating is super wrong I hope to be corrected in the comments!

[@CayoticProphet]

This is the video I have been waiting for! I seriously have been starring at a lil' foccer on my workbench, for the past X amount of months, just beckoning me to assemble it. I would have soldered my power port vertically had you not suggested to do it horizontally. Thanks for the concept of "pre-tinning" the iron as well as the wire/final resting place. Even if you feel like your video is a beginner video, it should encourage others that are more advanced to chime in. This skill set is so vital and clearly not limited to DIY OneWheel. This skill set is transferable to all things that use solder. Where I get lost is when people talk about the lead % in various forms of solder. Apparently your solder will be weak in the future if the lead quality/quantity in the solder is weak and or Chinese. Or so I heard researching my 2012 Ford F-150 Stereo. People in the forums with similar problems cited weak lead in the solder contacts being the culprit. So this skillset could help me, as well as others, resolve similar issues. I state that fact just in case FutureMotion is monitoring. They think all we want to do is see them brought to their knees. On the contrary, everyone benefits when there is available competition to innovate, including FM.

[@MrDmadness]

​@@CayoticProphetlead soldier is less common than tin / antimony now. The latter has a lower melting point and so cold solders are more common. Tin antimony is ca.led 95/5 lead tin 50/50

[@deanaoxo]

Before watching, I just want to thank you for putting this out here. I've soldered since I was 12, built my first radio when I was 10, and I bet anything I learn new stuff from you. Your previous videos are the VESC tools I need to further my journey starting later this year. I'm getting ready for the Oak City Fest, but you can bet I'll be digging into this after we get back. Again, thank you.

[@DarrenAttew]

Great video man. It will help many, I'm sure! 🤙

[@MB-hv6ci]

Thanks for another great video! You have been so helpful. Any tips or video of you soldering to the pins of the switchcraft? It is so tight in there with the box right next to the pins that I put the project on hold to reevaluate because I wasn’t comfortable with my skills.

[@rogerjohnson2031]

Great video! Thank you !

[@michaelduong6611]

Love this Leon!!

[@BoardThroughThePain]

So much useful info! Thanks

[@ngmingfung1335]

well done man!

[@Scream4Cheese]

Is there a diagram describing what port does what on a lfocer, ubox, thor300 etc?

[@techchannle4247]

When you Google "Thor300 pinout" or lil focer pinout and go to Google images there is a pinout for every vesc controller

[@leonchang7596]

If enough people want a video about this I’ll make it. TLDR: Manufacture’s website usually has pin outs. ADC 1, ADC 2and 3.3v goes to footpad. 5v h1 h2 h3 gnd temp goes to hall sensor. Power button bare minimum is to have a latching switch bridge SW(switch) and ground. You can probably find more detailed wiring diagrams on discord if you need to get a board working now

[@MrDmadness]

Yes, it's called a ladder diagram. Will geacailable for any electronic pcb

[@jordanwilliams618]

Hey Leon, enjoyed your tutorial. Would you ever consider soldering a broken part back together for me? It’s from Tony’s XRV kit. It’s not on the BMS or the controller. It’s a the foot pad connector and it just snapped off when I was assembling. Thanks for your consideration:)

[@JohnEich]

You can rotate the pins in XT connectors?? (face palm) Loved all these tips, thanks for recording this!

[@smshy20]

Watched all your videos. Nice work. Do you do personal builds for sale?

[@huff_designs]

lovely

[@Adam_Stoke]

Is there a way to share the Amazon shopping list by chance?

[@leonchang7596]

Amazon links in the description in the notion site (too many links, exceed KZbin description word count). I will compile them all into a shopping list if that’s more convenient

[@coledavis3002]

Where’d you go Leon :(

[@leonchang7596]

i'm sorry to keep everyone waiting :( just finished a cross country move and now trying to get a visa has taken up all my free time. i promise i'll be back but need to take a break

[@coledavis3002]

@ that’s okay, take your time man, we’ll be here when you’re ready

[@benlay750]

Do not melt solder with the iron. Melt some solder on the iron for heat transfer, heat the wire while you melt the solder to the wire.

[@miss_adventure]

Hell yeah! Great work dude 🫶 Happy I was able to contribute some ideas that made it into the video :)

[@leonchang7596]

Wouldn’t be possible without your help 🤙