I’m looking for a VESC around $100 to upgrade from a cheap, garbage, Chinese substitution. Right now I’m looking at these 3:
products/torque-esc-vesc-bldc-electronic-speed-controller
Which of these 3 would be the best? Is there another VESC I should consider? I’m running a 6s battery and a 270kv motor (at least that’s what it says. It’s also a cheap Chinese part but I haven’t had issues with it).
Personally I don’t recommend a standard 4.12 VESC for a 6s setup. I have had success using an FVT 120a ESC, but some others have had them blow smoke.
So personally for me, I would look at getting a 6s “car” ESC and changing the firmware if possible.
How do I change the firmware of an esc? They don’t have USB ports, do they? Also, are you talking about something like this: or this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/FVT-BOAT0120-120A-Brushless-Senseless-BOAT-ESC-Speed-Controller-Waterproof-5V-5A-/222696420062?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10
The first one, and the make a little programmer that you can plug into it.
Can you post a link to the programmer?
Thanks, is it similar to VESC software in the sense that you input different values depending on the specs of your motor and battery?
Not really, you can change dome values but no where near the amount as the VESC software
So what all can you change?
It allows you to upgrade the firmware to a more eSk8 style (still not great) and the timing values
Ok, I will defiantly keep this in mind. I really like the idea of the BLDC software though, so I might go with a VESC still, but if I don’t find something that I like, I will certainly go with this. Thank you very much.
My Maytech speed controllers have been alright - you just have to be more careful with them compared to something like a FOCBOX or VESC6. I seriously regret not buying focboxes when I was shopping for speed controllers, I only saved like 100 NZD with the maytech ones. Save and get a FOCBOX, don’t be like me 
Also don’t even consider a hobby car speed controller, just don’t cheap out at all for such an important component.
Is it worth buying used parts? That could definitely cut cost some, but I’m not sure how bad the wear can get. Ideally it shouldn’t matter because it should be good enough to last a long time. If I it’s worth buying used, I’ll get a FOCbox, but if not, I might just go with a different VESC.
I’m all for well looked after used components (though all of my eskate stuff has been new). For a speed controller though unless you have a desperate desire to run motors with FOC it’s probably better to just buy new so you get a warranty and all that good stuff. Maytech swears by the “high quality components” they use and I haven’t had any issues with their customer support (especially with me bugging them about their lack of boot loader ) so that’s probably the best option for you.
OK, I’ll most likely go with the Maytech VESC then. Have you had any issues with their VESC at all? I live in the south and overheating could be a problem.
How far south is south? I’m in Christchurch, NZ and I’ve never had an issue but we only have 25-30C summers. I don’t have any cooling on it and have it in a pretty much watertight enclosure (I hope).
United States deep south, around 35C (95F) in the summer, every day.
I have maytech, they have been good to me although I am on 12s dual setup. Only running 12amps per esc.
It works good for me but a few occasions when I had one motor down, my commute home it would overheat and throttle the speed to make it really slow. Slight up hill for 15 minutes. Hot climate.
On 6s the heating will be worse as you will need a much higher amp setting.
Will you run single or dual and how heavy are you, plus back pack?
Single, motor probably 130 with backpack. I use it to get part of the way home from school.
I’m over 200, but I still think at 6s vesc might be a bad choice unless you get a heat sincked direct fet. Like focbox but that is $155