Suggestions on what BLDC controller I should use? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: LondonNight
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2021, 10:21:40 pm
content: Hello.I've been working on a railcart (goes on rails) for the past 3 years now together with my cousin, and it has a 3kW 72V BLDC on it.When we decided to buy a controller for the motor, we decided we definitely want a FOC inverter, and we bought a SABVOTRON, don't remember the code number on it, but I remember it was a discontinued version (we only found that out AFTER we bought it).The controller was very dodgy from the beginning, and the software was just poorly translated chinese to english, and we had quite the difficulty with it. And now, the controller itself gave its last breath, mostly due to my fault. But that's all in the past now.I'd really love to get a better/more reliable controller, and at the same time not break the bank with it. Where and how should I even start to look for one? How do I avoid poorly designed controllers? What are some known good brands for BLDC FOC controllers? I'd really love to hear your input on this. Thanks.

author: strawberry
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2021, 10:31:32 pm
content: contact him athttps://vesc-project.com/or make your own

author: LondonNight
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2021, 08:59:38 am
content: That would break my bank, unfortunately... I'd like to stay under 250 euros

author: LondonNight
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2021, 09:13:40 am
content: I would like to buy it, not build it, even GreatScott's opinion is that its better to buy them than DIY themand the VESC ones available for purchase go way past my budgetI need some chinese stuff that is also at least a bit reliable, it just needs to accelerate the motor in one way or the other, nothing else

author: strawberry
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2021, 05:32:50 pm
content: things are cheaped out on capacitors, transistors, over-current circuitry, weird software.. some are even potted(not repairable whatsoever) these problems still present in most 100..300EUR controllersfor example controller rated for 72V and transistors for 80V ... they relay on manufacturer Vds tolerance headroomI made my own much simpler than VESC, protection works great even when shorted phase leadsreliability relay on skills

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2021, 11:05:51 pm
content: Can you repair the SABVOTON? I assume you set current too high, or wired it incorrectly?Under $250 for a quality 3kW driver is not possible. Thats basically the cheapest price you can even get one.https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=105320

author: strawberry
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2021, 02:00:07 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on December 21, 2021, 11:05:51 pmMOSFET and gate driver replacement could fix. thats why overcurrent protection is for.automatic phase detection, but..

author: LondonNight
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2022, 11:34:05 am
content: Im cuurrently trying to repair it. I havent done anything to it except connect it to the battery without a capacitor charge resistor (high inrush current). But I dont think that killed it as i have done that a lot of times. Inside, i found that the first buck converters transistor has gone short and that sent 80V to the other electronics and from there everything cascaded. The only thing that survived was the microcontroller.