There are micro SIK same size of the SPI 2.4 and cost about the same with pcb antenna. 433 @ 100mw is good for a mile on water.
Im willing to machine housings in HDPE if we come up with a design radio
As a size ref here is the spi 2.4. v.s my serial SIK 433. I can maintain a serial link well over a mile with it set on max power 100mw, fo our aplication 10mw would be more then enof and water would be no issue.
I’m thinking of going with a clear plexi tube for my remote… Easy to seal the ends and my IP67 switch and pot can sit outside it if I need to!
I read something into internet about that radio module, didn’ t know it existed before. With lower frequencies I’m more concerned about disturbs, even though in open sea there should little of that.
I think it’s worth to try, it’s a transceiver and that’s necessary for our purpose, unless to leave a LED on the board to know when remote is coupled.
Which library do you use on Arduino, for that module?
Last weekend we had a successful session with our improved waterproof efoil remote. This weekend we plan to get out riding and test a minor improvement on it but its pretty much ready for injection molding and production! It will work with any ESC and has a built-in safety to shut off the motor if you fall or lost connection.
Super Stoked!
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Hi VeFoil,
that sounds really nice! Does your remote also have an cruise control button?
Nice! Can the fail-safe and the endpoints be configured?
You can limit the max throttle on our ESC to 75% or 50% power if you wanted to try that type of cruise control. It would like regular/sport mode. But no, we don’t have cruise control as we feather the throttle when turning as board will naturally slow down with increase drag during roll.
Thanks, fail safe is not really configurable with this setup.
Design looks cool. How is made? Two halves glued and the screw cap underneath or it’s a single piece with cap?
And endpoints? Am asking because you say “any” esc. I am riding with a Castle Edge 160 HV ESC right now, it’s a pretty nice Heli/Plane ESC with logger inside. Problem is that it has no concept of reverse and expects zerro at 1000ms PWM Signal which is full reverse with most simple RC car remotes. Right now I pull the throttle back with a rubber band (endpoint config needed) to get zerro when I let go. And even worse, if I turn off the remote before I pull the mag switch on the board, the board takes off because the receiver sends a 1500ms PWM failsafe which is seen as half throttle (fail safe config needed). There is no support to configure endpoints inside the Castle ESC like in the VESC, guess it is not needed because the heli/plane RC guys have these fancy big remotes where all that can be configured on the remote side.
Its two halves with gasket, screw cap for access to usb charger and power switch.
I’ll get back to you with more details on this, but the waterproof remote and receiver, when paired and started, calibrates for zero when the throttle is not pulled and should be Zero. We have a double failsafe first with remote if it loses signal (dead battery, turned off) the receiver stops the motor. Also, our ESC will shut down the motor as soon as a signal is lost as well to prevent your board from riding off into the sunset, swimmers, boats etc…
We have not had the issue you mention with our remote so tough to say for sure. Sounds like an ESC issue of using a plane/heli ESC VS boat ESC maybe or even the remote you are using. Personally I’m a fan of water cooled ESC’s which means we use a boat ESC, but the remote works with boat, skateboard ESCs and VESC’s as well.
@pacificmeister, you still have the chance to buffer this VeFoil remote signal thru an Arduino using Pulsein, then re-map the output from standard 1500-to-2000microseconds in 1000/2000. I think it won’t be a throublesome sketch, safety could be mantained or improved as well, with the plus of a cool and waterproof ergonomic remote!
Hmm, sounds like a hack 
. I think it would be much better if you guys add failsafe and endpoint config to this remote to make it work with more ESCs.
Let me restate/correct myself here. Our remote works with “most” ESCs, and designed for jet surfboards using standard HV ESCs for boats, cars, skateboards, and VESC’s. It may not work with Helicopter or airplane ESC’s.
I would not say its a hack, we are simply working to make something simple, effective and affordable for fellow builders.
That’s great Chris. Sorry if I wasn’t clear, I referred to MaB’s additional Arduino suggestion to remap the PWM as a hack to make it work with these ESCs.
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Here’s another idea for a remote
It uses a Bafang Thumb throttle from an eBike which is a hall effect sensor. This was designed by some guys that used it with an electric surfboard.
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Good idea, I wonder how they will handle the salt water. Do you have a link to this build?