The hall throttle works perfectly using the 3.3v, gnd and ADC_EXT (pins 2,3 and 4 respectively in the diagram above). Where I’m running into trouble is with setting up the push button to use the hall throttle as a brake; as I understand it the pushbutton should connect pin 2 (3.3v VCC) to pin 6 (RX) and when it is held/activated the hall throttle should then be a proportional brake.
I’ve tried all variations in the ADC application for VESC settings, as well as using pin 5 (TX) and even pin 7 (ADC_EXT2), but no joy. There is not a ton of info on this out there, the best explanation is in a post made by vedder himself re: using a similar set-up for cruise control: http://vedder.se/2015/08/vesc-writing-custom-applications/
If anyone has this working (or if you know of a post/info location explaining it), please let me know how you wired it and what selection you used in the VESC ADC application.
Alright, successfully installed the brake button. In case this helps anyone in the future, here’s what I did:
Ground to TX pin = cruise control
Ground to RX pin = brake or reverse, depending on which control mode box is ticked
This is a very elegant braking solution as it allows you to use the throttle to modulate braking force, but I’m not sure this is the best solution for my 5 year old pilot (if you have the throttle pinned, and he always has the throttle pinned, and you hit the brake button you will have full braking force). You have to be off the throttle, then hit the button, then slowly apply brake using the throttle- may be a little too steep of a learning curve on this method. I’ve yet to let him try it, I’ll need to limit the speed a little bit more before the first go.
In case the brake button proves to be too much, I’ve ordered two of these universal thumb throttles- one to use as the throttle and the other to use as the brake. I’ll post back with results of this experiment once they arrive from China.
He’s got the flintstone foot brake down , we’ve been running a version of this board for a couple weeks without brakes. But, yeah, a friction pad style brake would save some wear and tear on the old crocs Good idea!
This is awesome. nothing like a parent showing children how to imagine, calculate, design and create…as a kid my dad would never buy anything he can make.
Now…any chance of making and selling a handle like that? I really want one for the wife, just need a “stick” with deck mounting holes
I doubt it would be cost effective for me to build you one of these, it ends up being fairly large and heavy and would likely cost as much to ship as to make it.
Really nice build log! @Qwiksand Could you describe how well that handlebar is helping in turns and staying in balance when turning?
Actually by looking at all of these pictures I started to wonder how it might work out if the front wheels had a lot shorter wheelbase than the rear ones… in theory, it should offer the possbility to make sharper (less radius) turns… and would act more as a one wheeler I assume
The only reason I ask is because I have no tools or knowledge to weld such a thing. Would you be able to make one with the top mounting plate plus say a 3- 5 inch pole with two holes where I can add in a scooter handle on my end. That would be lighter ans smaller to ship. is $50 do-able for such a job?
It’s kind of like training wheels for a skateboard- it turns by leaning like a normal board, but it gives you something to hold onto. It’s really weird to ride the first time since you expect the handle bar to do the steering, but you quickly get used to using your body to lean turn. Much safer and easier to control for young riders.