Hi!
I'm converting a 4000kg (9000 lbs) sailboat from a 12hp gasoline engine to electric propusion. The motor I've selected is the ReVolt RV160-Pro (10kW, 50V BLDC outrunner) and now I'm looking for a good esc to fit.
So, what is a "good enough" option? This is what I'm looking for:
- 200A continous (the motor can handle more, but I'll probably rarely need more than 100A)
- Configurable, so something VESC Tool-compatible seams ideal (but doesn't have to be I guess)
- Reliable and stable, both hardware and firmware
- Not too expensive, the VESC75/300 is just on the limit...
The main contenders (that I've found) are:
- Maytech, $190 - reliable enough hardware?
- Flipsky, $230 - reliable enough hardware?
- A200S, $400 - can the new version handle the current? The old version seemed better for my application, is it still available?
- VESC 75/300, $540 - still in beta? Is it ready for use in a "production environment"? Also seems fair do support Benjamin.
- Have I missed one?
Lots of questions.. I'm very grateful for any help that makes my choice any easier!
Regards
/Henrik
The 75/300 should be fine. I would still run the system a 14 or better 16s if you can. The motor can deal with that. Higher voltage is lower Amp flow.
The 75/300 is not a beta product. It is very reliable and tested.
Thanks for the info!
I'm planning on using old Tesla modules (6s72p), so that "forces" me to use 12s. I guess I could go up to 18s (three modules), but that is more expensive and dangerously close to 75V when fully charged.
Even at 12S you will see enough performance and can push 300+ Amps.
Granted, I could push the motor to 300+A. But I don't think I'll ever need that much power. So I'll probably limit the max current to something like 200A anyway.
Another (sort of related) question: since the motor will drive a propeller and not a wheel, the motor speed won't be directly related to the speed of the boat. Is it possible to have an external speed sensor (e.g. a gps) as speed input to the VESC? Would be great for cruise control!
Use a paddle wheel and a rotary encoder? Would show the wrong speed in high current but it's technology that's been working for mariners for decades :)
Sure, that is probably a more fail-safe sensor than a GPS but my question was more related to how the VESC calculates "vessel speed". A hall sensor on the motor just gives me the motor speed, but is is possible in the VESC firmware to define an external speed sensor (that is unrelated to the motor speed) so I can tell the VESC to e.g. hold 3 kt speed through the water?
What about Goldenmotor's foc controllers?
https://www.goldenmotor.com/frame-controllers.htm
At least VEC300, VEC500 is recommended for 10KW motors.
Interesting alternative!
A little pricy maybe, but seems to be comparable in specs to the VESC 75/300.