Light assist Season 3

Build, Repair & Mod
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Hey all, here is the topic for season 3 developpement of light assist system.

Season 1 was when I sarted to foil, after trying a GONG wingfoil starter pack during the summer.

The Assist setup was a camdenboss 321, with maytech/ markerbase vesc, 7S4P battery and external motor pod. I learnt to foil/efoil with this system, along with pumping training. At the end of season 1, I passed 1 min pump time in pure dock start.
Highlights :
Starting with a 1050cm2 foil and 24lt board

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First waves with chopped windsurf board and inset box
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Season 2 was working on a under board setup with even smaller battery (12S2P 18650), for DW and pump assist. The first version had an external pod, and lasted around 1 year before having water ingress issues. The second unit has an integrated pod, and is now in operation. The files for the fist version have been shared to around 15 people, and at least two I know of completed the unit.
Tested and validated a 3D printed alu prop, in use since January 25.
Highlights :
Lake DW with the assist

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Small swell with DIY 7’2 board
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Super glassy session alone on the spot
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Integrated pod
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SEASON 3 = Middle class flite AMP

Goals and use case
Pump assist and wakethieving 40%
Surf 40%
DW 20%

12S1P 21700 with option of 12S2P pack

Able to start guys up to 80-90kgs (I’m 67kg)

Focus on reliability and serviceability over cheapest cost (lost sessions are a pain)
Swappable POD to experiment further with motor options and jet drives for safety

Save as much weight as possible while meeting project objectives (Season 2 = 3600gr all incl

Status
Ordered the parts (VESC, RX, nickel/copper strip) and have about 5 hours of CAD in this version.

This is not and efoil, and on the very light side of the spectrum for assists, as far as power and range goes. So I would compare it more to the flite AMP concept than say a foildrive GEN 2, apart from the slim FD.

12S2P option

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12S1P option

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latch integration needs a bit of,work
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Internal layout

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Cut out

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Pod clearance could be a problem with some base plates

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Awesome. How small and light motor are you planning to try? I think the Amp Jet is only 25-28kg of thrust for 10 seconds (initial 3 second timeout before ramp-up) and it seems weight distribution and overall balance is a noticable feature.

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Nice idea. How do you place antenna? If the receiver is under water, signal will be very weak

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Something like a 5065 or 5055 to get started, this has been proven to work in the past. Also interested in doing a jet pod, or a EDF style. Toutch down drag will be important to consider for this to work.

Safety factor is the main reason I am interested in jet. When things gets hectic out there in the waves, or just accumulating hours on the system, the risk of a prop ingury gets further and further away from acceptable levels.

There is a antenna on the top of the unit, with fiberglass boards the signal comes tru the board, with full carbon boards you need to tape an antenna extension that stays on the board and goes to the deck.

Just having the unit antenna and the extension close together with no water in between is enouth to conduct the signal.

The antenna extension is just a lenght of coax wire with proper exposed lenght on both ends.

This has proven very effective, tested it for 1 year already.

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For a Jet, and less drag, I would (and am) consider shaping a board with a «FD2» recess. Many of those these days, they get good reviews as well.

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Inspiring!

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I also just saw this board on another Instagram post and came on the forum to post it, but then I saw you already posted it.
This looks awesome!

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Your versions and improvements made over time are great.

I spent a while working on a light SUP foil set up and if I had a choice between my prone foil assist board, tow boogie and the sup it would be the SUP every time. It’s just an easy session in waves. It uses a 6354 120kv motor and 12s1p and as an assist, it works very well. I love the reduction in weight.

My prone board is a stronger construction / heavier and uses 12s2p which is noticeable compared to 12s1p. On this board I normally Efoil onto the wave. I enjoy riding it but not as much as the SUP.

I’ve spent the last 12 months learning to prone foil without lithium. Probably about 50% of the time going out without batteries and enjoyed the challenge even though the wave count is far less. On small days it’s fun. On bigger days, I switch to lithium.

I would be keen to paddle into the wave more with my lithium assisted prone board but am more reluctant to do this with my hands and feet being so close to the propeller during the pop up at full throttle. I’ve slipped my hands a few times on the pop and had to react pretty quickly to take my finger off the throttle as I’ve fallen. The motor position in your version 3 looks pretty close to the rear of the board which would make me nervous. Is it as close to your feet as it looks? It could just be the angle of the photos.

A light weight jet style board like the amp with a hands free remote that gives you a quick boost but allows you to focus on the pop up would be awesome. I really like the look of the amp for my style of riding. It looks really well thought out. I look forward to seeing if your version 4 evolves into something like that.

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Thanks for your insigths!

Yes, it is closer than I would like hence the concerns. Also had a close call during the holidays, that reminded that I like all my 10 fingers attached to my hands.

During the pop up on the prone, I can feel the prop wash in my back foot before it gets on the the board.

On the 7’2, this is lees of an issue for sure due to the longer tail. I feel it is actually less dangerous, as the prop is closer to the board and further away from hit risks.

The 7’2 is less than 5kg, and the takoon prone is 2.75kg. As my use case involves a lot of pumping around, and reconnect while pumping, I will probably use the prone more. The beauty of such system is that you can use whatever board you like.

What is the weight of the 6354?

Regarding the jet, I made some research and so far, I can not see how to get correct efficiency and > 25kg of thrust out of such system. Research continues.

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A friend downsized a 3D printed scuba jet from Printables or similar page, and got decent thrust before the project halted. Model is Probably still out there.

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The 6354 is around 500g from memory. Approximately half the weight of the 6384. It is good as an assist but It doesn’t have enough power to efoil though for me.