It is time to get down to business with this never ending debate. We need to be myth busters and use real life testing to make a pros vs cons list of both FOC and BLDC. I want to know, why do YOU use FOC or BLDC? Why do you use this vs the other? Why should I (or anyone else) use it?
This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden.
some people have been saying FOC is more efficient as well. have you tested this?
when is safe to use FOC i also heard that they are not as realiable or safe for your vesc as BLDC, my set up is 12s 6374 149kv
1 Like
This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden.
3 Likes
I can’t tell any real difference in range after a few hundred miles.
FOC does take a couple MPH off the top speed.
Perhaps FOC riders should gear a touch higher to compensate.
I am enjoying 2.25 gearing 16/36 97mm wheels. Rider weight #145
@link5505 I’ll offer a non-scientific entry; I like the way that FOC sounds and feels, so that’s why I use it. I find that I have much better low-speed performance, and I end up in a lot of low-speed scenarios during my commutes. The quiet operation is more practical for me considering the suburban environment I ride in.
I’m aware that I may lose a few mph at the top end, but that makes no difference to me, the top speed of my build is already faster than I care to ride so I limit it using ERPM. I top out at 22mph and average 12-15mph on my 6-mile rides, which is perfect for me.
I have plenty of torque in FOC mode; I can climb all the hills in my area. I don’t feel like I’ve lost much by using FOC, and I gain smoother starts, silent operation, and overall smooth acceleration that I prefer.
The loss mainly comes in readily-accessible options in BLDC Tool. Since BLDC Mode came first, it has a lot of easily accessible features like “startup boost” and ERPM settings. There aren’t a lot of features to try in FOC mode; you essentially do the motor configurations and that’s pretty much it.
4 Likes
whos VESC are you using? have you had any issues VESC related in FOC?
1 Like
@link5505 I started with a VESC from Enertion with a C18 mod but after about 140 miles I blew the DRV8302 chip. I think it failed because two motor leads made contact.
I’m now using an Ollinboard VESC while I replace the DRV chip in my original.
Post about DRV failure here:
I use FOC because it’s mad quiet.
I live in a quiet town and I ride at 9 or 10 at night. BLDC would not fly in my hood.
1 Like
I’ve been sticking with BLDC on my old 4.7/4.8 VESCs. I have a 4.12 i got used w/ dead DRV. After repair i might try FOC on it.
What i remember reading on FOC was a sacrifice for top speed - slightly more efficient, and better low end torque. Can anyone who’s gone FOC confirm?
I could care less about top speed (reasonably - i gear for about 25 and rarely go full speed). But startup and off-the-line acceleration is much more important. I usually gear pretty low 13 or 14 / 36 on 8s and 83/97mm wheels. 190-200kv motors.
1 Like
do you have any good videos that show the FOC noise?
2 Likes
This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden.
1 Like
This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden.
1 Like
Man BLDC looks scary fast. 
This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden.
I didn’t have any videos so I took one tonight. It’s certainly not a good video but hopefully you get some sense for how quiet FOC runs.
2 Likes
wow that is crazy! I will definitely be trying out FOC whenever I get my VESC.
1 Like