Hello,
I am building an electric surfboard using the vesc6 controller.
I am looking for a simple solution to have the power shut off when I fall off. The idea being to minimize the likelihood that I get sliced by the propeller when I fall in.
I was thinking of having a switch on the input power from the batteries.
I am worried though that a sudden input power shut off may damage the vesc or parts downstream?
Would that be the case, any recommendations?
Thank you
JB
The best way to do this is via software, once the fall is detected the VESC will apply full brake, since the propeller+motor have a low inertia I bet that with a acceptable brake current it would stop in less than a second
Probably, you can use magnet tied to the foot with a rope and reed switch on your board. When magnet is removed - reed switch turns off.
Hi jakaranda
I'd go for a pressure sensor on the downside of your board. As soon as the pressure is released (you dropped off, the board flipped) then the pressure of water=sensor will change and you trigger the brake function build into the VESC. The magnet/reed contact sound a bit crude as you will surely move your feet around. Another way would be to use an 2D/3D acceleration sensor (like those build into smartphones) which detects fast movements and falls.
Cheers
Sam
Pedelec usage in combination with a GoldenMotor MagicPie3 BLDC