Electric Mountainboard [V2] – Dual 192kv + FOCBOX Tutorial & Parts

This electric mountain board has a perfect is the best setup I tried so far: crazy torque and top speed ratio, reliable and customizable, it’s my favorite commuting vehicle of all time!

The purpose of this page is to detail all the required parts and steps to build your own electric mountain board.

• Budget for mechanical parts and electric components: $780 (USD)
• Budget for the mountain board with wheels, trucks, and deck: $720 (USD)
• Overall budget: $1600 (USD) including all the 3D printed parts/hardware
• Build time: 10 hours to one weekend
• Theoric speed of my current setup: 60km/h – I reached 63km/h with this setup!!
• Range of my current setup with 10S 8000mAH: 20km

This page is detailed and aims to popularize the concepts and use of each component for beginners. For advanced makers, please go directly to the parts list and wiring diagrams.

Read this section before to start

Check the conditions of use of this website and particularly the disclaimer

Learn how to ride a skateboard first, it’s very important to learn skateboard basics before to start this project. This will prevent you from injuring yourself by taming the engine’s propulsion in addition to attempting to manage your balance and steering.

This project requires tools and specific equipment. I personally add to use a soldering station because my batteries’ connectors were not standard and I had to use a hot glue gun, a hex key set, an electric screwdriver, my rotary tool to adapt my truck to my motor mount and to create a handle in my deck. These tools could be totally optional and I will detail one setup below that require just some tapes, screws, hex keys and sockets. In addition, you can check the list of tool that I would suggest to any hobbyist. I would like to recommend to buy a skateboard tool as it brings together all the socket sizes needed to set your trucks and wheels and a screwdriver

Check the Basics of a diagram of an electric skateboard

Electric Mountainboard parts (UPDATED)

The photos might not be up to date, I will list the latest version of mu current build in this section.

This setup is currently composed by 2x 5s 8000mAh Batteries in series, 2x 190kv sensorless motor, 2x FOCBOX. I have designed my own motor mounts (version 2), ESC Enclosure adapted and 72T wheel pulley and it has reduced my budget significantly. This build will cost approximatively 1200 USD.

You are free to source similar parts on your own, but note that I have tested this part list and it works well. Using any other parts is your own responsibility: check the specifications of the suggested parts to be sure that it matches your locally sourced part.

If you don’t want to design your own motor mounts, enclosures and pulleys, please check the kits I propose here.

Build parts

Main components

• 1 x Complete mountain board kit
• 2 x Brushless Motor SK8 – 6374 192kv
• 2 x FOCBOX
• 1 x Remote control +1 x 2.4ghz radio receiver – NOTE that you have to buy the remote and the receiver separately from the same product page. (A more expensive but smaller alternative is available here)
• 2 x Motor Pulley 15t HTD 5M 15mm
• 2 x 450mm HTD 5M Timing belt
• 1 x Pelican 1150 Case or this waterproof bag with Fastener Tape on the board
• 1 x LBE Bluetooth module

Connectors and wiring

• 2 x XT60 to XT90 adaptors (I wanted to be able to switch from one build to another, using only XT60 as all my builds are not using XT90 as well as my charger)
• 1 XT90 Series Cable (choose Type C)
• 10AWG Silicone Electric Wires (Red and Black) – I used 1 meter
• XT90 Connectors (I used 3 Pairs, to create a battery lead)
• 1 x XT90 Parallel Cable (to connect both ESC to the battery lead)
• 1 x XT90s Anti Sparks Connector (to make a XT90 Key and prevent sparks, might be overkilling if you use MAX6 ESC as they already have a anti spark protection but I prefer to double it)
• 2 x JST XH Extension cable (Choose 5S) for the Lipo Checker
• 4 x JST 2.0mm PH 4Pin for the Can-Bus wire
• 1 x JST 2.0mm PH 6 Pin for the Bluetooth module

Batteries and chargers

• 2 x Lipo 5S 30C 8000mAh
• 2 x iSDT BC-8S 1-8S  Lipo checkers these are amazing!!
• 1 x ISDT Safe Parallel Charging Board
• 1 x Charger. You need a robust charger with at least 8Amps charging capacity, but best is to be able to charge both in parallel, so you need a 16A min charger
• 1 x Power supply + 1 Power chord adapted to your country (mine is 110V only). You need a 300W min. power supply rated for 8A (or 16A in parallel)  minimum to charge the batteries. I would recommend that the power supply is rated for at least 300W to fully use the recommended charger but you can find cheaper alternatives that are rated for less (it will just be less efficient). I have bought a new one a few weeks after (this one) as I wanted something light and easy to travel with.

Tools and Misc.

• Any soldering station
• Heat shrink tubes
• Hot glue gun + Black glue sticks
• 10mm Braided Expandable Wire Cable Sleeving
• 20mm Braided Expandable Auto Wire Cable Sleeving
• Any Duct tape (choose your favorite color)
• 4 screws (or equivalent) to fix the battery box to the deck

DIY / Custom Part

• Motor mounts for Trampa Vertigo Trucks
• ESC Enclosure for Hobbywing EZRUN Max6 ESC
• Wheel Pulleys and adaptors for Trampa Mountainboards 8 inches wheels
• Battery enclosure for Electric Mountainboards
• Enclosure for iSDT BC-8S 1-8S Lipo/Battery checker

Gears/Protections

• Motocross Protective Jacket
• Stainless Racing Elbow & Knee Pads
• Kneepad Elbow Brace Protective Gear
• Black Kneepad
• Hip Pad Protector Pants
• Windproof Dustproof Helmet Goggles With Removable Mask

Build

Wiring schema

 

FOCBOX Schematic

Bluetooth module wiring

A LBE Bluetooth module allows controlling your VESC/FOCBOX with your phone. You can create multiple modes (Speed, Economy, …) and switch from one mode to another using your phone. You can also update the configuration of one VESC/FOCBOX or multiple over the CAN Bus. You can also access useful stats regarding your consumption, speed, range and record data during your rides (temp, voltage, wattage..).

Configuration in the VESC Tool:

• Activate UART by PPM+UART as application
• Set the UART Baud Rate to 9600

CAN Bus wiring

With a CAN bus wire, you are able to control dual motors from one input source. There is one MASTER (The VESC/FOCBOX with the Receiver plugged in) and one SLAVE.

Transmitter + Receiver setup

FOCBOX / VESC Configuration steps for a dual setup

I am using a custom firmware and VESC tool make by Ackmaniac. It’s working perfectly with his Android App on my Phone. (All credits go to ACKMANIAC / Thanks to him!)

Link of the VESC tool

Link of the mobile app

Configuration of the SLAVE VESC/FOCBOX

1. Install the VESC Tool on your computer
2. Open the application
3. Plug your battery pack to the SLAVE VESC/FOCBOX
4. Plug the usb cable to the VESC/FOCBOX and your PC
5. Click on “Connect” in the VESC Tool App
6. It will display a Error Message related to your firmware version
7. Select 410&411&412  firmware and click on the little arrow pointing down.
   • 
8. Wait for the uploading to be completed and then wait 10 seconds to be sure that you won’t mess with the upgrade.
9. Connect the VESC/FOCBOX again
10. Run the Motor Wizard and Follow the process
    • Your battery setup is a LIPO 10S
    • After Motor Detection, be sure to press on “Apply”
    • My Settings are:
      • MOTOR CURRENT MAX: 100A
      • MOTOR CURRENT MAX BRAKE: -35A
      • BATTERY CURRENT MAX: 45A
      • BATTERY CURRENT MAX REGEN: -12A
11. Click on Write Motor Configuration after to be sure
12. Go to App Settings / General
    • 
    • Set App to Use to PPM and UART
    • Set ESC ID to 1
    • Set Send CAN Status to True
13. Click on Write App Configuration
14. Go to App Settings / PPM
    •  
    • Set Control Type to Current No Reverse With  Brake
    • Set Multiple ESC over CAN to True 
15. Click on Write App Configuration
16. Disconnect

Configuration of the MASTER VESC/FOCBOX

1. Open the application
2. Plug your battery pack to the MASTER VESC/FOCBOX
3. Plug the usb cable to the VESC/FOCBOX and your PC
4. Click on “Connect” in the VESC Tool App
5. It will display a Error Message related to your firmware version
6. Select 410&411&412  firmware and click on the little arrow pointing down.
7. Wait for the uploading to be completed and then wait 10 seconds to be sure that you won’t mess with the upgrade.
8. Connect the VESC/FOCBOX again
9. Run the Motor Wizard and Follow the process
   • Your battery setup is a LIPO 10S
   • After Motor Detection, be sure to press on “Apply”
   • My Settings are:
     • MOTOR CURRENT MAX: 100A
     • MOTOR CURRENT MAX BRAKE: -35A
     • BATTERY CURRENT MAX: 45A
     • BATTERY CURRENT MAX REGEN: -12A
10. Click on Write Motor Configuration after to be sure
11. Run the Input Setup Wizard
    • Select the option, I am setting the MASTER and I will use Multiple ESC
    • Set your MAX / MIN Throttle and do not forget to apply the settings
12. Click on Write App Configuration after to be sure
13. Go to App Settings / General
    • Set App to Use to PPM and UART
    • Let ESC ID to 0
    • Set Send CAN Status to True
14. Click on Write App Configuration
15. Go to App Settings / PPM
    • Set Control Type to Current No Reverse With  Brake
    • Set Multiple ESC over CAN to True 
16. Click on Write App Configuration
17. Disconnect

You are good to go!

Check My Previous e-MTB Build!