Paul & Sabrina's cheap DIY 144v motor controller - Page 277 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Tango Charlie · 12-18-2009, 10:24 AM

Get well soon!
Happy Birthday! (what are you, like 22 now, you whippersnapper?)
Happy Open Revolt Anniversary!
To bring this project from inception, to where it is now, in 12 months is pretty much pure awesomeness! Congratulations!

E Vdubya · 12-18-2009, 11:52 AM

Paul
Hope you feel better soon and Happy Birthday. Now I know whats wrong with that controller! It's infected with H1N1. Ha!
John

MPaulHolmes · 12-19-2009, 05:47 PM

It was food poisoning! Rotten sun dried tomatoes! I feel better now! hurray!

I tested out the newest version of the software today. version 1.7. Over-rev protection works perfectly while in neutral. No more people flooring the pedal in neutral and destroying their motor. It tends to come on at a higher rpm while actually driving with a loaded motor (not in neutral). By the way, E VDubya! Your controller works perfectly! hehe.

jackbauer · 12-19-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPaulHolmes

Over-rev protection works perfectly while in neutral. No more people flooring the pedal in neutral and destroying their motor

Thats frakin amazing! I don't think any other controller has that function without a speed sensor.

mrbigh · 12-19-2009, 08:41 PM

Any chance of having the pre-charge resistors/main contactor activated with the micro yet?

MPaulHolmes · 12-19-2009, 09:27 PM

Not yet, but it wouldn't be that hard I don't think. Teh relay for the main contactor is there. It's like 3 lines of code to close the main contactor after "x" seconds of the microcontroller turning on. You just have to add a little relay for the pre-charge resistor, and have that happen first. To be really proper about it, you should probably check that the caps really did charge, but if you don't bother with that it would be really easy.

adamj12b · 12-20-2009, 05:06 PM

Hey Guys,

So I have good news!! As of today the new firmware, v1.8, can control pre-charge time!!

You will need to hook up a relay to close when the 12V is turned on to the controller. When this relay closes, it will allow power to flow from the traction pack, around the contactor, through a pre-charge resistor and charge the caps. When the controller has been on for the pre determined amount of time, it will close the main contactor using the already built in contactor output!!

Also, You want to make sure you dont connect the contactor control output to the contactor with any version lower then v1.8. If you do, it will close the contactor immediately.

I will be working on testing this version out within the next few days. After I do, I will post a like to it.

-Adam

mrbigh · 12-20-2009, 05:48 PM

Adam, do you have your SMD controller fully assembled already?

Your Dec. 5th deadline had past
Also, have you ever though to use the serial data of the micro for an application, besides the RTD, so we can have an LCD panel displaying all relevant information of the EV/Controller under the driver's view?

adamj12b · 12-20-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbigh

Adam, do you have your SMD controller fully assembled already?

Your Dec. 5th deadline had past
Also, have you ever though to use the serial data of the micro for an application, besides the RTD, so we can have an LCD panel displaying all relevant information of the EV/Controller under the driver's view?

Hello,

I am sorry to say that No, I dont have the SMD board assembled yet.... I was a week behind to begin with and then it was going to be over $200 to get all the parts for the 12th...So It worked out better to wait till the parts that are really important...Microcontroller....were in stock at digikey and not have to order them from the UK...

Basically what it came down to was I needed to order parts from 4 different places..at about $15 each for shipping thats $60!!!

So I decided to wait till after christmas to order the parts and assemble the boards just after the 1st of the year... I dont like it much either, but it saves alot of money.

As for an LCD, what are you thinking about?? I have thought about some form of connection to an on dash LCD panel that could allow some simple modifications. I also plan that for just after the first of the year. I think you will be happy with the outcome.

-Adam

bennelson · 12-20-2009, 10:22 PM

Very exciting about the pre-charge feature in the ReVolt.

I have been thinking about changing how my pre-charge works on my car, and sounds like now will be the time to do it.

I also installed the RS232 port a while back, but haven't had any time since then to program and rig up a computer for data display and tracking.

If it's the ReVolt's birthday, we have to pat it on the head and tell it how big it's getting!