I should remember that for Boardup v5.
It’s been a few weeks, lets take a peek at how my feature creep is going. The Undertow has seen no further developments while I tackle my GB Remote. I just keep telling myself that last 10% will be EASSSSYYYYYy. All I gotta do is add the power button and charging port cutouts, then reprint! Right?? 
Anyway, the remote build, is absolutely over my head. I’ve got light experience in python, and a TINY bit of experience editing Arduino code from my Firefly days. Moving into Visual studio is a VERY different experience.
So some points that I’ve gotten snagged on:
- The GB Remote project is based on the ESP32 C3 primarily
- I have no idea how to code in C
- My hall sensors from the Firefly are 4.5V minimum
Im tired of this voltage nonsense boss - I need to redesign the remote housing
- Im a silly goose that doesn’t follow build requirements
Sooooooo, in my infinite wisdom, I decided not to follow the BOM to try and streamline some of the remote build! This was a mistake. I wanted to minimize the number of parts I had to order to get this working. I went to amazon and searched for the project’s ST7789 LCD and found a cool dev board with it integrated.
I knew enough about the source code that the ESP32 S3 WAS mentioned. I didn’t expect some of the consequences of going with it though. So there’s snag 1. I had to alter the code base not super significantly, but George didn’t have a pinout schematic anywhere, so I was flying blind initially. This touches on point 2. It’s my first time in VS, and it was a bit of a pain to setup. I got there though, and have successfully ran the GB Lite firmware on my dev kit!
I’ll skip over most of the changes I had to make, but the big ones included:
- LCD Pin assignments
- Remote battery sense pin
- Hall sensor pin
- Power button
- The entire Sleep/Power off function
I will eventually publish my code as a fork for others if they WANT to suffer through this build, but only after I get George’s okay upon finishing. I learned a TON getting it this far, and it’s inspired me to make several more changes at a later date. George’s GB Pro has some REALLY sick features that I wanna implement in my fork like: variable display brightness, accelerometer support, and maybe substitute haptic feedback for auditory feedback.
This dev kit also has a built in Accelerometer/gyro, configured for adjustable backlight, and a piezo beeper. That’s a big part of why I picked it. Not to mention an integrated battery charger IC, integrated button, and USB C.
Nowwwww, the biggest feature creep: Redesigning the remote housing. Obviously, I can’t just use the provided STLs. I have to move the USB C Cutout, Adjust the display mounting location, and change the configurable button design.
What I didn’t also bargain for, was needing to redo the throttle control. I don’t wanna buy bearings and increase the design cost any more than I have, so that’s gonna take me a bit longer. Same goes for the mounting hardware. I don’t wanna buy heat inserts.
My little internal board caddy/holder is pretty rough too. I’ve only managed to get the top half of the shell completed in the few days I’ve had to work on it, but I’m gonna see about banging out the lower half of the shell over the next few days.
Anyway, that’s about all for this week. Shameless plug once again to go follow my riding adventures and build updates on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DPh2xwsDtLW/
Till next time!
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Dude, super cool!
I’ve got one of those 1.69’“ ST7789 dev boards I got to make a Pubmote(for onewheels)
Ran into the same thing, got the dev board only to find ST7789 not supported(no time to write my own support)
I like George’s remote on the BLE stack better anyway, and now there’s hope I can use the dev board after all.
Technically, George gave permission with a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence, but I wholeheartedly agree with getting an authors blessing.
I started a smol OSS project, so I appreciate the time anyone puts into something given freely.
My little project;
Let me know if you need a tester 
Cheers.
He actually removed the non-derivative part of his CC license too. So while I AM clear to publish my fork, I’m also trying to release in good faith. We did talk in discord, and he’s got aspects of the GB Pro that he wants to remain exclusive to it. I may just keep my public fork barebones with that in mind. Pretty much what I did with my firefly remotes way back when too. My personal one had personal touches like a custom startup logo and text. I’ll be doing the same to this remote.
I took a little peak at the Pubmote, and WOW. That’s a pretty sick remote. Could probably port GB Lite firmware to it 
I’ll definitely be using their codebase for some inspiration on the UI changes I want to make.
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Two more weeks down, lets check back in on my progress! This GB Lite project has completely stalled out my board progress, so I’m really hoping I like the final outcome. Butttttt, I think it’s almost done! The amount of prints I’ve done adjusting for small inaccuracies in my initial measurements has been quite a pain.
BUT IM GETTING SO CLOSE. My design is significantly less complex for assembly pieces. No bearings, no heat inserts. Very much taking my experience from Firefly remote assemblies. I will say, one of the biggest pains compared to a firefly, has been the push button. I’ve never done one like this, and I probably should’ve came up with something more elegant. It works fine on my test prints so far, so I’m not gonna overly iterate given how far this timeline has already slipped.
Obligatory Instagram mention: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQV4gNjDqnO/
But long story short, getting very close to the finish line! Once I’ve got this design finalized, I can move back to the firmware. I wanna add a little startup animation with my own branding touch, maybe a throttle bar with a splash of color, and a shutdown tone/beep. So I’ve definitely got my work cutout for me.
I’ll be releasing the print files and a barebones firmware port as soon as it’s all ready. I’ve also got a bunch of magnets, hall sensors, and 7 pin JST connectors that I’m not gonna need. If anyone’s looking to build one of these, I’d be happy to part with sets for cheap.
Notable design changes:
-
Simpler electronics BOM: ESP32 S3 Devboard, JST plugs, and hall sensor are only parts required
-
Less mechanical hardware required: no bearings or heat inserts, just magnets
-
Custom fork of the GB Lite firmware WIP,
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Slimmer design,
-
Aligned throttle wheel nub to be more centered
(This one really bothered me)
Till next time!
2 Likes
Welcome back to another 2 week check in, where my timelines have continued to slip. I’m desperately trying to grind this project to completion before the end of the year!
This weeks’ progress was continued to be stalled by my refusal to let the cold beat me. Lots of ride outs with the Philly Longboard guys, an impromptu ride out with some OneWheelers, and unfortunately, my first experience introducing my helmet to the asphalt.
Last picture posed for dramatic effect 
it was a nasty little fall for me though. No serious injuries!
Anyway, despite the distractions, I did go ahead with some assembly. Gonna probably need 1 more shell revision since I’m having issues with the screen sinking in.
Little spoiler in that image, I also assembled my receiver! But I also took a quick size comparison next to my Firefly and Hobbywing remotes.
Spring tension feels great, but I will say the scroll feel leaves a bit to be desired. The bearings in the original design are probably a big help there. I’ll need to reprint my wheel anyway, since my magnets aren’t perfectly aligned yet. Initial test was successful though!
With this almost finalized, I might actually get a chance to ride the board before I finalize the housing too. That still needs a power button and charge port cutout added. But I’ll get there eventuallyyyyyyy.
~Till next time!
5 Likes
Is that a Verreal I see?
Yup! My little Verreal RS Pro has been my primary board for about 3 years now. About 1100 miles on the odometer. It’s on its 1st replacement motor, original Mad 105 V1’s, and just lost its first motor mounting plate screw this week. Love the board despite its shortcomings 
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You can’t park there, mate.
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It might seem that way but if I understand correctly they’re in Philly so it’s actually the most responsible parking job you’re likely to see
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I was very courteous! look how much space is still usable in the left lane! Auto drivers would never be this considerate 
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