This is going to be my final personal build for awhile. I have really thought about this one a lot, including what I did & didn’t like from previous builds.
I am not really a fan of Caliber trucks, I ran Paris and Independent trucks for a lot of years, and these just feel a loose to me even with the bushing caps screwed down as far they can go. That being said, there’s nothing better when it comes to motor mounts, so that’s what I got.
I’ve been working with cheap decks trying to see what I like, no skate shops within an hour of me. Over thanksgiving in Gatlinburg I went by Zummies and got try out a couple of Arbor decks…holy street face Batman, they are freeking awesome. So light and just flexy enough. I bought an Arbor Vugenhausen for this build because its really comfortable, love the flex and the slight concave and micro drop really adds to the control-ability.
I’ve actually purchased enough product from DIY Electric Skateboards (TB) and Miami Electric Boards to build another with the parts I all ready have, but I am saving them for my Ai13 (aluminum deck) build. More info to come on it when I get it back from the welder.
Lastly, I included EVERYTHING on this build log, including wire, connectors, balance splitter/extension…everything. I wanted people to see the factual cost of a build including shipping, incidentals & supplies. Some of the components I bought from individuals for less than the listed cost, but I plugged in the cost of purchase now to give an accurate picture of the total cost.
Anyways, the parts are listed below. Diagrams and pics forthcoming in a couple of days. Wish me luck
SKATEBOARD
Arbor Vugenhausen Longboard Deck - 37x9.75 $97.95 + $0.00
Caliber II Fifty 10 in/50 deg 184mm Trucks BLACK $39.95 + $0.00
Blank Pro 83mm BLACK Longboard Flywheels, ABEC 7 Bearing, Spacers $23.99 + $0.00
Pig Skateboard Risers 1/2" Black (Pair) $6.95 + $0.00
MECHANICAL
TB 36T ABEC Pulley Combo Kit - motor & wheel pulley, mounting h/w, belts $46.99 + $0.00
TB Single Bolt On Motor Mount Set BLACK $60.00 + $0.00
ELECTRICAL
TB 6355 260KV ePower Motor $90.00 + $0.00
TB VESC BLDC Speed Controller $99.99 + $10.00
TB Male to Male Servo Connector (VESC supplies) $1.99 + $0.00
TB Sensor Wires (VESC supplies) $6.99 + $0.00
ZIPPY FlightMax 8000mAh 3S1P 30C LiPo Battery x2 $45.01 x2 + $10.93 S&H
4.4kW High Power Switch for the VESC (w/ Blue LED Toggle Button v0.1) $35.00 + $0.00
The Flagship enclosure $35.00 + $10.00
LCD Battery Voltmeter $5.99 + $2.00
HRD DC-DC Converter 24v-48V Step Down To 12V 3A Power Module $3.59 + $0.00
LED Under Body Rock Lights Ultra Bright Red $11.95 + $0.00
FlySky FS-GT2B 2.4GHz 3-Channel Transmitter $26.92 + $0.00
Master Cho GT2B Electric Skateboard Controller Enclosure $25.00 + $3.40
SUPPLIES
12 Gauge Silicone Wire 6 feet (3 ft Black, 3 ft Red) $6.98 + $0.00
5.5mm Gold Connectors 10 pairs $6.27 + $0.00
428 Pcs Red/Black Assorted Heat Shrink Tube 10 Sizes $11.57 + $0.00
XT-60 Male/Female Connectors with Heat Shrink - x10 pairs $8.99 + $0.00
XT90 Battery Connector Set for RC Lipo Battery Motor 6 Pairs $8.00 + $0.00
Screws & Open Back Screw Posts 1/4" Black Finish 10 Pk $8.47 + $0.00
CHARGING
Turnigy Accucell-6 50W 6A Balancer/Charger LiHV Capable (from korryh) $27.91 + $0.00
HobbyKing 105W 15V/7A Switching DC Power Supply $15.05 + $10.93
MEB Simple Charging Port Adaptor $11.99 + $8.00
6S to 2 3S Balance Wire Splitter Adapter $5.99 + $0.00
Components: $819.49 Shipping & Handling: $55.26 TOTAL: $874.75
EDIT 1: I changed my batteries as the ones listed before are dead as hell, so I ordered more. EDIT 2: I did away with the headlight, too big. I did away with the MT60’s, didn’t want to un-solder the 5.5mm connectors that were there that worked. EDIT 3: I got a bad Drok DC8, so I just used another that I had bought off ebay to test…
After the build… Holy crap this thing is beautiful.
The ride is so freeking lush, carves like a demon, perfect size deck, very strong motor, the VESC is a beautiful thing all on its own, it will easily do 20mph, starts from a dead stop, brakes are great, can’t accurately describe how great this board is.
The only thing its is lacking is the controller, and its not really bad, I just got spoiled with my kids benchwheel (what I was riding while I built this one) and that remote is just about unbeatable. Ill be swapping it out with a benchwheel remote when it gets here.
I was short some threaded inserts, going to pick some up tonight. Ill get the rest in and permanently mount the enclosure. I hate that @psychotiller isn’t making these anymore.
I am really digging the under-lights. Makes the entire thing look mean :). I also took apart a bike GoPro mount and put the top piece on the deck so I could mount my GoPro whenever I wanted to record a ride.
Here come the pics…