I wanted to create a custom controller to use with my ongoing electric skateboard build. I love the BadWolf GT2B Case mod (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:922378), but I want to get telemetry back from the VESC that I’ll use. I want to be able to check speed, battery levels, current etc. I also want to store all data on a SD card and get some performance data after each ride.
So this is my first rudimentary prototype, I’m terrible with 3d design, I’ll ask a friend to work on the second revision, The final goal is to have the same “feel” of the BadWolf mod, but with a OLED display (I’m FAR from that now).
I have a not so good experience with nRF24L01+ radios, they are great, but can be very unpredictable, so choose to use xbee radios on my controller, they are expensive but ultra-reliable.
I’m using a Teensy-lc as brain and a small lipo charger with a 500 mah internal lipo battery. Wiring everything inside was a pain… but fine in the end.
I’m still working on the code, few features that I want to put on are the ability to change acceleration speed using the LCD, changing few VESC parameters and cruise control.
I’m still deciding if I’m going to add a second microcontroller on the receiver end or put the xbee receiver on the VESC directly, Benjamin is in a whole new level of coding, so I’m still trying to understanding the UART protocol.
Second revision I’ll build my own PCB, with an ATMEL microcontroller and arduino bootloader, to avoid the wiring mess and making easy if someone else wants to build it.