DISCLAIMER: The VESC Bible is currently being republished and rewritten to encompass all necessary beginner guides. All guides with a beta tag are still preliminary and need to be vetted and reviewed by VESC experts.
Before You Begin: Essential Preparation
- Research: Thoroughly research VESC and Onewheel modifications before starting. Familiarise yourself with the components involved and the potential challenges you might encounter.
- Gather Resources: Identify helpful resources like online guides, YouTube tutorials, and active Discord communities dedicated to VESC Onewheels.
- Safety First: Prioritise safety by wearing appropriate protective gear and working in a clean, well-lit environment. Handle batteries and electronic components with caution.
Key Components you need for a VESC Conversion
VESCing a stock Onewheel usually means replacing the stock controller with a VESC equivalent. For BMS you can still re-use the stock BMS but then it requires a tiny modification. All the other stock components (motor, wiring harness, enclosures, sensors etc) can be used but might need some modification.
Useful Beginner Tips
- Start Small: If you’re new to VESC, consider starting with a simple charge-only BMS conversion and gradually add more complex modifications as you gain experience.
- Seek Help: Don’t hesitate to ask for help from the VESC community. Our Help Desk section, VESCify Discord server and YouTube channels offer a wealth of knowledge and support
- Document Your Progress: Take pictures and notes throughout the conversion process. Consider publishing your build in Projects. This documentation can be helpful for troubleshooting and sharing your experience with others.
- Battery Safety: Treat batteries with respect. Over-discharging or puncturing a battery can be dangerous. Always use a BMS and monitor battery voltage during use.
- Double or Triple check everything: VESCing a Onewheel itself has. steep learning curve and required reading up on a lot of information. We highly recommend double and triple checking all the wiring, soldering connections, mounts and other small components during the process
General overview
During a VESC conversion you will work on the following parts:
- VESC Controller
- BMS
- Wiring Harness
- Controller and Battery Enclosures
- Lights (optional)
VESC Controller
This is the heart of your VESC build, replacing the stock Future Motion controller.
Popular choices include the Little FOCer, Ubox or Thor300/400, with various models available to suit different power requirements, desired features and budgets.
More beginner friendly options are semi-assembled drop kits sold by which provide replacement kits (sold by Fungineers and Floatwheel) to swap out the stock controller with significantly less effort.
- You can find all controller options and comparisions here: VESC based Controllers WIKI
BMS (Battery Management System)
Protects and manages your battery pack.
You can either reuse the stock BMS by converting it to “charge-only” mode or opt for a dedicated VESC BMS for more advanced features and control.
For a dedicated VESC BMS can choose between a Smart and a Dumb BMS. Smart BMS (e.g. Ennoid Xlite) communicate with the VESC via wired connection and provide additional safety features. Dumb BMS are cheaper but don’t provide any communication with the VESC Controller.
- For reference check our guide: Smart BMS vs. Dumb BMS ///tbc
- You can find our list of all available BMS options here: VESC BMS (Smart and Dumb) List
Wiring Harness
Connects all the components together. You can either use the stock Onewheel harness, buy a pre-made harness or you can create your own, requiring soldering skills and an understanding of wiring diagrams.
Controller Enclosure
Houses the VESC controller and other electronics. You can either use the stock enclosure which requires some modification or you buy a 3rd party enclosure. Options include custom 3D-printed enclosures or commercially available controller enclosures designed for VESC Controllers.
Battery Enclosure
Houses the battery and the BMS. You can either use the stock Onewheel box, get a custom 3D-printed enclosure or buy a battery box like TORque box housing.
Optional Components
- Custom Lights: Add headlights, taillights, or underglow lighting for improved visibility and aesthetics.
- Sensor and Footpads: While the stock footpad and sensor can be used, many users decide to go with 3rd party options
Required / Recommended Tools:
- Soldering Equipment
- Allen Keys
- Torx Keys
- (Electric) Screwdriver
- Multimeter
- Antistatic gloves
You can find the full list here: Tools and Soldering guide ///tbc
Conversion Guides
Due to the vast differences in Onewheel models and VESC components there is no “one size fits all” conversion tutorial that you can lean on.
We recommend browsing through different build guides or build logs (also on VESCify Discord) and go with the one that fits your requirements and budget.
- Build guides on pev.dev: Build Guides
- VESCify Discord → Projects section
Post-Conversion: Configuration and Tuning
- VESC Tool: The primary software for configuring and monitoring VESC controllers. Familiarise yourself with VESC Tool to set parameters, calibrate sensors, and fine-tune the Onewheel’s performance.
- Third-Party Apps: Apps like Float Control and Floaty simplify VESC configuration and offer additional features like custom ride modes and data logging.
- Tuning and Testing: After configuring the VESC, test the Onewheel in a safe environment and gradually adjust settings to achieve the desired ride feel and performance.
Disclaimer
This guide is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Modifying your Onewheel can be risky and may void the manufacturer’s warranty. Proceed with caution and seek expert guidance when necessary.