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Cheap FOCer 2 (v0.9)

Low-Cost(around $120 for 5 boards and components) Motor Controller based on the VESC 6

Front and Back:

Pin outs:

Support Thread

Guides

Capabilities

  • 35A continuous and 70A peak with good heat sinking. These are real values. Not marketing numbers

  • Up to 50.4V(12s) safe operating voltage. For 20s version take a look at these FOCers.

  • Compatible with the VESC Tool for configuration

  • Open source enclosure design to come

  • “Living” LCSC BOM to come. BOM document to be continuously updated with compatible and stocked components from LCSC

Advantages over VESC 6

  • Significantly lower build and BOM cost

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

  • 2-layer PCB that enables low-cost manufacturing from JLCPCB

  • Designed with JLCPCB’s SMT assembly service in mind

  • Added optional ON/OFF connector to turn off control circuitry when controller is not in use

  • CAN connector changed to 2-pin to avoid improper connections that can cause damage

  • ESD protected I/O

  • Hardware open sourced

  • Designed with direct meme integration

Advantages over Cheap FOCer 1

  • VESC 6 based instead of VESC 4.12

  • Significantly improved layout to reduce current loops and facilitate low-noise operation of both the power stage and control circuitry for more stable operation

  • Has IMU for balancing applications

  • Lower profile

  • Handles lower inductance motors much better

  • All components on the top side except MOSFETs

  • Addition of JST connectors to replace pin headers for Servo, CAN, COMM, ect.

  • Addition of header for unused GPIO pins

  • Micro USB

Disadvantages (that I know of)

  • Larger than original VESC 6. Cheap FOCer 2 is about 60mm x 100mm x 14mm without enclosure/heat sink

  • Uses custom firmware that’s not currently supported in the VESC project. Will make firmware available on GitHub until Cheap FOCer 2 is added to and supported by the official VESC project.

Kown Issues

  • ⚠️ Potential Issue with SMT Assembly of the DRV8301 from JLCPCB

A few have reported blown up D1 diode arrays upon initial powering on of the CFOC2. The issue has been discovered to be inadequate soldering of the DRV which leads to an unregulated 5V of which could actually be 7V or greater. This doesn't happen with every unit and seems to be intermittent.

It is recommended that you reflow the DRV and/or touch up the soldering of both the legs and the large pad underneath before initial power on.

The potential cause of this is the small hole in the DRV's ground pad that was meant to allow soldering of the DRV with even a normal iron (like the CFOC1). This will be removed in the CFOC2 v1.0 release and the pad returned to a normal SMD pad.

Warning

  • The Cheap FOCer 2 has been bench tested but is still being field tested. Hardware or firmware flaws could still exist and affect user operation.
  • You are liable for any and all controllers built using this design. This product is intended for hobbyists and not intended for commercial use.

License

Cheap FOCer 2 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/.