Building cool things completely from scratch is undeniably satisfying and makes for excellent Hackaday posts, but usually involve a few unexpected speed humps, which often causes projects to be abandoned. If you just want to get something working, using off-the-shelf modules can drastically reduce frustration and increase the odds of the project being completed. This is exactly the approach that [GreatScott!] used to build the 3rd version of his electric longboard, and in the process created an excellent guide on how to design the system and selecting components.
Previous versions of his board were relatively complicated scratch built affairs. V2 even had a strain gauge build into the deck to detect when the rider falls off. This time almost everything, excluding the battery pack, was plug-and-play, or at least solder-and-play. The rear trucks have built in hub motors, the speed controllers are FSESC’s (VESC software compatible) and the remote control system is also an off the shelf system. All the electronics were housed in 3D printed PETG housing, and the battery pack is removable for charging. We just hope the velcro holding on the battery pack doesn’t decide to disengage mid-ride.
The beauty of this video lies in the simplicity and how [GreatScott!] covers the components selection and design calculations in detail. Sometimes we to step back from a project and ask ourselves if reinventing is the wheel is really necessary, or just an excuse to do some yak shaving. Electric long boards are extremely popular at the moment, you can even make a deck from cardboard or make a collapsible version if you’re a frequent flyer.
Another who misses the point. Comments like the above should be filtered as spam
I just report comments like those. It’s Hackaday, not BuyOnlineADay. You see investor types on HAD as well and their comments also stick out.
Off the shelf == buying premade parts
>using off-the-shelf modules can drastically reduce frustration and increase the odds of the project being completed.
If someone says “You can buy something online” you report them?!!! Dude!!! Not cool.
Hard agree sxmwht
Just FYI: that’s illegal to build in the EU because it has powered wheels but no independent mechanical brake.
That’s called a foot.
has to be mechanical. so unless you have a prostetic one, you are outta luck.
Good build – I’d have thought through a “weather cover” for the underside to keep everything dry, but well done.
Interesting that there’s enough of a market for these now that the hand controllers are an off-the-shelf part. Now if we could just keep students from riding them in campus traffic….
But not with the same specs, probably.
Again, and for the second time in about a week, it’s not a longboard. Why, you ask? Because it’s not long. Jeez Louise!
According to wikipedia length isn’t a defining feature of a longboard.
With a 250w motor … and a shitty battery that will probably catch fire if you look at it. No thanks.