Beginner Question Thread! 2023 Edition

[tech.shit]

Does the vesc connect to a CAN or UART Bluetooth module?

[Dnollie]

I’m not using a Bluetooth module, might buy one though.

[Dnollie]

Pretty sure uart

[Pecos]

https://www.st.com/en/development-tools/stsw-stm32102.html

Is this the driver you installed for the vesc tool serial port?

[Dnollie]

I’m running vesc tool on a MacBook so I used silicon labs CP210x -usb to uart bridge VCP drivers. Still didn’t work tho

[Dnollie]

Trying to get it set up before boty but it doesn’t seem like I’ll be able to run vesc settings in time

[A-damW]

Shouldn’t you be able to connect directly from vesc controller-usb to mac-usb without the silicon labs CP210x -usb to uart bridge?

Like literally a regular functioning usb data cable from controller to mac computer.

[Dnollie]

Idk man, it didn’t work

[Dnollie]

It keeps just saying “Cannot connect , make sure usb is plugged in and vesc is connected to power.”

[A-damW]

Hmm, maybe some kind of permissions issue?

I may be out of my depth here, I run Linux exclusively.

(I know, both are *nix OS’s)

[Dnollie]

Yeah I’m a bit lost.

[tech.shit]

Try another OS? A liveboot of Linux should be Good enough

[Dnollie]

I’ll try that out

[Dnollie]

How exactly do I do that…?

[tech.shit]

https://gprivate.com/6ew8v

[fessyfoo]

I assume you’re using the downloaded desktop version on the mac, and not the app store (ipad version) which afaik doesn’t connect to serial/usb ports.

if so…
unplug your vesc from the macbook.
open system information app

Summary

/System/Applications/Utilities/System Information.app

or apple menu → about this mac → more info → system report…

select usb.
you should see a tree of stuff on your usb bus.

now plug in your vesc via usb and hit CMD-R to reload.
if it is connected you should see something new.

see i get a virtual com port.

Go into vesc_tool → connection → usb(Serial)

click the little refresh serial port list button. you should see new serial ports pop up in the port list.

click the connect button. not the one on the right side tool bar, which is “connect to previously connected” but the one inside the USB(Serial) tab.

it should connect.

[Dnollie]

@fessyfoo

now plug in your vesc via usb and hit CMD-R to reload.
if it is connected you should see something new.

I don’t see anything

[Dnollie]

Maybe I am plugging the usb into the wrong spot on the MacBook/vesc?

[fessyfoo]

Try different cable? a cable you know is a data cable, and not just usb power cable.

[fessyfoo]

@Dnollie

Maybe I am plugging the usb into the wrong spot on the MacBook/vesc?

there’s no wrong ports on the macbook. or the vesc.

vesc is powered on? it won’t be powered by usb.