Looking for a more robust motor controller

[Sean Denny]

I’ve smoked* two of the ‘chinese scooter’ motor controllers under
non-stressful conditions. And had another that lasted an entire
weekend of racing. I currently am in need of one, and looking for
recommendations of better-manufactured controllers. If you’ve had
success with a type or brand of controller, let me know/send a link,
so I don’t keep sending monsterscooter’s money.

See You Saturday at the Henry Ford Dearborn!

Sean & April
I3/SuperLuminal Racing

*in the 'electrically fried' sense

[Sean Denny]

1000w, 36v, brushed motor.

[Tom Gralewicz]

The ones I use for heavy cars are the Curtis controllers, usually for fork lifts, golf carts, and pallet jacks:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Industrial-Supply-MRO-/1266/i.html?_sop=15&_nkw=curtis+controller 

If you watch e-bay you can usually get one for around $100.

I have been getting mine from a junk yard that scraps out pallet jacks from time to time, I offer to put out the heavy wire for them if I can have the controller.

A friend made buddies with a fork lift repair place and can get cosmetic ones.

Kelly makes some affordable controllers and their heavy duty units aren't that expensive.W

Watch there specs!  they quote peak output, not constant. - their 100A controller can only run 40A continious

If you want to build your own, check out the OSMC:

http://www.robotpower.com/osmc_info/

Tom's rule of thumb:  Use a motor controller that can handle 2x the voltage and amps you think it need.

Tom

P.S.  Worst case, bring some relays and step through your batteries with push buttons. not very controllable but lots of fun - note the LPTs first year in Detroit.

--
Tom Gralewicz
Miller Electronics Recycling
(414) 380-1716
www.deadcomputers.com

[Sean Denny]

Thank You Tom. I think one of those curtis controller is ultimately
what I need. I feel better knowing the $500 rule is a 'guideline' at
best (wait till you see sector67's '$500' car, with enough torque to
tow another car and still keep pace with the field!).

See you Friday at the mixer or Saturday on the track!

Sean

[Tim Miller]

knife switch. imho

[Sean Denny]

Funny thing is Tim, I do have one. And I'm realllllllly hoping it
dos'nt come to that!

Sean

[Joe Kerman]

I kind of hope it does! Nothing says fun like watching 1000+ amps
weld a knife switch shut ;)


Building your own controller is something I hope to write an article
about for next season. It was fascinating stuff to learn, and CHEAP

[Jim Burke]

The 500 rule is enforced by the teams. If a bunch of teams really feel some car is operator outside too far of the rules they can buy the car.

Though ive noticed that many teams will burn their expenses via sweat equity. Spending the time to develop custom parts to reduce costs is encouraged as long as materials are within limits.

[Jim Burke]

Or teams can opt to open their hardware to the public and show new teams how to up their skills via blogs and tutorials. Sharing is caring.

[Joe Kerman]

Indeed!  Step1 to "cheating" at motor controller cost is:  spend 200+ hours researching and prototyping and debugging and exploding a custom controller

It's exactly what's so awesome about ppprs!  The true hacker way.  Im not sure if the design will specifically be open for sectors controller,  but I want to do a writeup about how ordering pcbs and components for an existing design,  ain't so painful.

[Jim Burke]

So I'm doing a talk at the Open Hardware Summit as I consider hackerspaces and thus PPPRS an event of open technology. 

I would like to showcase this controller prominently in my talk if it is indeed open. It should be, because it could greatly benefit the community as a whole. 

[Jeremy Bloyd-Peshkin]

Foreigner (to Sector) here.
The car's legit. Just because you can't come up with that kind of power doesn't mean it's illegal.
Just sayin'.