I’ve checked all cables and connections and given my other vesc is working fine I suspect it’s a vesc issue. Searching on the forum points the cause to missing firmware although given they test all units before shipping I don’t know how this would occur.
How likely is missing bootloader/firmware?
I have raised with @carl.1 who pointed me to this forum.
Blue light means it’s got power. If it won’t connect to your laptop, then it’s very possible it’s missing the bootloader or even firmware.
Just to double check, you got 2 VESCs from enertion, they both get blue lights when you plug them into your 12v power supply, and when they are plugged into your laptop one connects to BLDC tool just fine and the other doesn’t…does it show up in the list of devices? It should say something more to the effect of “blah blah VESC blah blah”, instead of “cu.Bluetooth-Incoming-Port” like mine says right now, since I don’t have my vesc plugged in at the moment.
If all of that is the case, I don’t know why @carl.1 directed you here. I don’t think many of us can assist unless you’re interested in seeing if re-flashing the bootloader fixes it (that would require an ST-Linkv2 dongle of some sort)
Just wanted to check in and confirm that I managed to revive my VESC. It turned out to be missing firmware, so if your VESC only shows the blue LED when powered up and is not detected via USB connection that’s probably the cause.
Resolution:
I downloaded the lastest firmware from vesc.net.au
Using a Raspberry Pi and instructions (modified) from here managed to flash the firmware into the VESC ST chip without a usb programmer
Plugged VESC back into laptop and configured as per normal using BLDC Tool
Enertion did offer to replace it but this was quick and free
My opinion:
Pretty slack of Enertion “support” to send you to a public forum to get help. What sort of “support” is that?
Hmm, Enertion says all VESCs are programmed and tested with motors before shipment. Pretty difficult to do that with no firmware loaded.
Glad you got it sorted though.
I’m in the same situation with the one I received earlier this week. Constant solid blue light and it won’t detect via usb. I’ve sent an email to @carl.1 today to inquire as to what I’m supposed to do. I’ve built my whole esk8 from scratch and this is my final part which is a little disappointing. There’s no way I’d manage to hardware install the bootloader/firmware. I don’t have the tools, resorces or knowledge.
@nzeboarder Well done! I didn’t even know the raspberry pi had that capability. Thanks for the link, I’m very curious now.
@Devo If you were close, I’d offer to do it for you (heck if you’re traveling through Utah, feel free to PM me. I could definitely meet you at the airport or something). That’s probably your best bet: find someone on here who’s somewhat local and knows how. Seems @carl.1 has been slacking. Sorry.
@rpn314. Sorry mate but I live in land of oz other wise I’d defiantly take you up on your offer. I only sent the enquiry off to @carl.1 yesterday and it being the weekend I didn’t expect a response right away. I’ll see what happens in a few days other wise I might have to resort to something else to get it working.
