Ultimate list of possible Tesla control options

[autopaul]

Hi everyone. I am new to the forum. I would first like to say Thank You to all the contributors. I have read quite a few of the forum posts, but I'm still considered a beginner. - I started out with gasoline motor swaps in the early 2000's with Megasquirt when they were an open source "thing." Now with the advancement and popularity of EV's I am getting extremely excited about the possibilities to those of us in the DIY world.

I wanted to make this thread not only as an introduction, but as a helpful list to those searching for control options for Tesla's or maybe even some other EV motor, BMS, and Chargers.

I will start off the list with all the ones I have found through my friend Google and some other forums.

Possible Options

1 (off the shelf solution) Roughly $3500 USD
EV Controls T-1C http://www.ev-controls.com/product/ev-controls-t-1c/

Overview, these units are nice because they are an all in one solution for BMS charging, motor control. It looks like they might require the oem control board to be flashed? It comes with a touchscreen display that would look cool in a swap, but does not look as good as the Tesla OEM monitor.

2 (Off the shelf ) $7999 USD
HSR motorsports https://hsrmotors.com/products/driveunits

This unit is nice because it is an all in one solution as-well, high grade components. The price reflects the fact that it comes with the tesla motor as well. All in all, not a bad option. The literature says that they are planning on expanding the software for a display of some kind. Hopeuflly they can sort it out soon because that high tech is a must have for EV cool factor.

3 (Off the Shelf) $7500 USD
Stealth EV https://stealthev.com/product/tesla-low ... unit-copy/

I don't know much about this system. In many ways it looks similar to the HSR motorsports option.

I am hoping people who are in the Open-inverter forum will be able to fill in the information about all the components required for a similar kind of control for BMS charging and Tesla.
Many of you have likely done some searching, and found that there are options, but they are pricey. Lets make this a place for newcomers like me to find all the possible control options in one spot.

[Kevin Sharpe]

Hi everyone. I am new to the forum.

Welcome Paul

I wanted to make this thread not only as an introduction, but as a helpful list to those searching for control options for Tesla's

The DIY Electric Car forum has produced an extensive list of Tesla controller options and I would recommend reviewing that (see here). I'd also recommend reading the thread "Should I buy an OpenSource Board?" (here) to get an idea of what you can expect in terms of support.

[autopaul]

Ok. Thanks Kevin. I am reading through the extensive list you gave me!

I had another question about why the DIY scene has not focused on creating a standalone unit like the ones made by EV-controls T1c or others like it?

Is it because the Tesla board has to be re-flashed?

[arber333]

Ok. Thanks Kevin. I am reading through the extensive list you gave me!

I had another question about why the DIY scene has not focused on creating a standalone unit like the ones made by EV-controls T1c or others like it?

Is it because the Tesla board has to be re-flashed?

I am not sure i follow your point here. Openinverter IS standalone controls. We are throwing Tesla board under the bus and replacing it with our own.
BMS is supposedly another standalone part not associated with motor control. Therefore it has ts own grooup/thread.

[johu]

BTW: Stealth EV is using openinverter. I wonder what their silk screen looks like

[tom91]

BTW: Stealth EV is using openinverter. I wonder what their silk screen looks like

They are not creating their own, they are purchasing components from another company.

[Kevin Sharpe]

Is it because the Tesla board has to be re-flashed?

As other people have commented you simply replace the controller board in the inverter, wire up your throttle and 12V, configure over WiFi, and start driving. This is the ultimate customisable and maintainable solution that has been installed in the majority of Tesla conversions on the road today. I installed it in my VW Bus in an hour without any problems

It's also important to realise that if you need more hand holding, support, warranty, enhanced features, etc., then commercial vendors like Zero EV and EV Shop offer that service. What I like about that option is that you get all the benefits of a commercial relationship but can also maintain the product yourself even if the vendor disappears (like the vast majority of new entrants do/will). This is a classic example of open source success IMO

[Boxster EV]

Is it because the Tesla board has to be re-flashed?

As other people have commented you simply replace the controller board in the inverter, wire up your throttle and 12V, configure over WiFi, and start driving. This is the ultimate customisable and maintainable solution that has been installed in the majority of Tesla conversions on the road today. I installed it in my VW Bus in an hour without any problems

It's also important to realise that if you need more hand holding, support, warranty, enhanced features, etc., then commercial vendors like Zero EV and EV Shop offer that service. What I like about that option is that you get all the benefits of a commercial relationship but can also maintain the product yourself even if the vendor disappears (like the vast majority of new entrants do/will). This is a classic example of open source success IMO

EVBMW openinverter control board being fitted:



Example of wiring / set-up that Kevin references above:



I achieved this by following page 1 of the Tesla large drive unit thread here viewtopic.php?f=10&t=76 :

[autopaul]

Thank you for all your responses! I am familiar with the concepts you are bringing forward about the simplicity of opensource solution vs a commercially available solution. I love that there are vendors creating these options because it gives us an ultimate standard of streamlined installations.

One of the things that isn't discussed in the aforementioned link to DIYELECTRICCARForum is the Polykup unit. Does anyone know more about it? I guess my question is whether companies like Polykup or EV-Controls are simply communicating with the OEM Tesla control board or if they have replaced it with a unit like Damian's opensource solution.

Ultimately the best would be to find out what Polykup (perhaps others) are doing for aftermarket control - because they are now incorporating TPMS, GPS, BMS, Music, ETC, ETC. into one Canbus unit.

Ultimately it would be nice if we could- as an opensource /Hacker community, come up with a complete- adaptable standalone unit. If we concentrated on standalone MCU and VCU unit on mass- we could then share all the wiring and software to make it interact flawlessly with new components. In that case, it is possible that when new motors, batteries, chargers, and features become available, we could simply share new software to incorporate it. -Sorry if this sounds too idealistic, but some companies are proving it is possible.

Thanks again for the responses.


A bit more about me- my last project was a Toyota pickup with a swapped PD TDI motor- I completely mapped out the factory wiring harness and was able to make it function as intended with the VW dash displaying RPM and speed, fly by wire throttle etc. AKA- I'm not afraid of a bit of wiring, I just think we could work towards getting a more streamlined solution. Standalone control of just the motor is short sighted (I don't intent to offend anyone by saying so) because many swaps are going into modern vehicles with tons of other functions that are otherwise ignored. My best guess is that companies like Polykup are not designing and building their own electronic hardware, they are simply purchasing existing off the shelf CAnbus controllers and Touchscreen displays etc. and creating software for it to work properly...

[Jack Bauer]

I doubt you will find anyone here interested in this approach (no offense intended also). Personally, I find these closed source solutions to be shortsighted. I discussed the reasons for replacement logic boards vs running the OEM in previous videos. The general excuse given is they can't reveal the "secret sauce" for fear Tesla will close the loophole they are using. As if Tesla give two hoots about a few dozen drive units being reused. No one here is afraid of sending a few can messages or working on vehicle integration. My 2002 BMW E65 7 series pumps out 2,500 frames per second on it's powertrain can compared to the mere 1,500 on the model S. I just don't need some bleeding edge GHz clocked single board computer and a wide screen tv to do this. A simple STM32F1 programmed in C does the job just fine and even a moron like me can make it do what I need after a few dozen tries:) Everything works in this car as if it still had an engine. Likewise all my conversions. In fact this is a requirement for certification.

By all means don't be discouraged if you want to pursue what you describe above. We'll certainly help out and host the project and I'm sure some of the builds on here would like the option.

[joromy]

The best thing with the openinverter is:
You find a stock inverter (almost any kind)
Trow out the ECU, and most of the time you can use IGBT driver, current sensor and volt sensor.

If not, use the whole kit from Johannes, keeping only the metal hardware and the IGBT's in the stock inverter.

Or a complete EV.... Like I did, viewtopic.php?f=16&t=188

[autopaul]

Awesome, thank you for the reply. My intention is not only to build a really cool EV, but also to add the bling that makes it feel really cool on the inside. It is good to know that it might be possible to support the option here.
Someone in another thread said it correctly, "Most of the Tesla controller companies that are around today, will disappear tomorrow." So far I have emailed three companies with legitimate questions and had 0 response. I don't think there is enough money in it for any seriously organized gangs to get involved.
I love the open source community you all have built and I am not afraid of learning. Already I have gained so much more understanding of Canbus and vehicle computing systems. Thanks to the Damian Maguire vids, (might be you) I have learned some stuff about inverters as-well.
I am thinking a simple off the shelf touchscreen display with separate canbus GPS, Sound, and other features computer would do the trick- the hard part will be learning to program the display for speed TPMS and other vehicle functions. - anyone who knows about this kind of stuff, please chime in.

https://www.amazon.com/21-5-Capacitive- ... s9dHJ1ZQ==

(you said widescreen right?)

http://www.grayhill.com/products/vehicle-displays/

Once I find a wrecked tesla LDU (-hoping to get an entire vehicle). I can also get more serious about researching all the bits that will be necessary, how to wire them etc. Anyone out there in the continental USA or Canada that can help me find one - that would be greatly appreciated. Many of the auctions (Impact auto and Copart) have restrictions on who can purchase what kind of vehicle. Any ICBC bidders out there- willing to lend a hand please and thanks??
Thanks again Jack Bauer- perhaps this thread should be called adding touchscreen, GPS, TPMS, and other features to Damian's opensource board.

[Kevin Sharpe]

I am thinking a simple off the shelf touchscreen display with separate canbus GPS, Sound, and other features computer would do the trick- the hard part will be learning to program the display for speed TPMS and other vehicle functions. - anyone who knows about this kind of stuff, please chime in.

These tools will/do support open inverter based vehicles;

PowerWatcher Display for Tesla (here)

Open Vehicle Monitoring System (here)

My personal view is that the first affordable EV 'bolt in' package will use the Lexus/Toyota based hardware. This is because it readily supports existing FWD/RWD/AWD vehicles and is available at a very low price point. I would expect to see commercial vendors offering parts to support these conversions later this year

[EV_Builder]

Well from my experience, and i first went the OEM route and yes you can get it to work. But it becomes more and more difficult.....

And then after all that work which for many of us is a project on its own you have a solution/design for a Tesla Model S architecture. Because the brake unit isn't there, the ABS isn't there. There are dozens of signals which are fooled/emulated by the third pary vendor to make the Drive unit happy. Or some might use older firmware with less options. Anyway it won't be 1) optimal for your car and 2) it won't be very adaptable.

My plan B was always to buy the openinverter board and that's exactly what's mounted in the inverter right now.
Instead of months working out how the Tesla OEM drive works it took me like a couple of hours to get it going with the openinverter board.

For the SMALL motor (SDU) there are much less options around compared to the LDU. Also something to keep in mind.
And with the M3 i think we will nail it because i only know of one solution 'available'.