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ATTENTION!

The Cheap FOCer 2 has been released and is recommended for new designs. https://github.com/shamansystems/Cheap-FOCer-2

Cheap-FOCer v1.0

BLDC Motor Controller based on the VESC 4.12 hardware alt text alt text Bottom of V1.0. note the hole underneath the DRV for the ground pad

alt text pinouts

Advantages

  • All functional features of VESC 4.12

  • Lower build and BOM cost

  • TO-220 FETs allow for big heat sink attachment for better thermal performance

  • SMD components no smaller than 0805 make hand assembly practical

  • Added ON/OFF capability to turn off control circuitry when controller is not in use. A simple mechanical switch will achieve this when connected to the “ON/OFF” 2-pin header.

  • Can fit in typical “350W” ebike enclosures

  • Can fit in Hammond 1590b enclosures

Disadvantages (that I know of)

  • Larger than original VESC. Cheap FOCer is 45mm x 92mm

  • Higher profile with TO-220 package FETs

  • Additional assembly steps to beef up high-current traces. 2 layers of 1oz copper can’t handle the current flowing through during operation. Assembler will have to apply wire/solder wick/bus bar to the exposed Power, Ground, and Phase traces that you can see in the images.

Warning

  • Issues may be present with VESC firmware 3.50 and above. Recommended to use firmware versions before 3.5

Software/Firmware Requirements

Cheap FOCer is based on the VESC 4.12 and uses the relavent VESC firmware/software.

Support Thread

License

Cheap FOCer is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.