USB to vesc connection

DIY Builds
1

I need to splice these to connect to my computer usb. What wires go with which? There’s 4 (red, black,blue,white) coming out of the esc and only red, white and green on the usb side

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I know I’ve done this before years ago and can’t remember. I can’t find it searching the forum.

Take no notice of the drilled thru esc and it will be cleaned up and uses lifepo4 cells as well.

I think a short through this case would be the worst shorting possible and it’s not going to be blown away or melted.

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2

3 wires is a weird number for a usb cable to have. Don’t think you’re going to be able to use that usb cable.

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3

Realized the fourth wire has no insulation and is the mess of wire I cut off in the photo thanks.

4

https://forum.esk8.news/t/beginner-question-thread-2023-edition

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5

Looks good to me:

When attempting to splice an ESC (Electronic Speed Controller), specifically a VESC (Vedder Electronic Speed Controller), to a USB cable, it’s crucial to understand the role of each wire to ensure proper communication and avoid damaging the components. Typically, USB cables and VESC communication wires follow certain color conventions, but these can vary between manufacturers, so it’s always good to double-check documentation or use a multimeter to confirm pinouts.

General USB Pinout (with corresponding colors):

  • Red (VCC): +5V Power
  • Black (GND): Ground
  • White (D-): Data -
  • Green (D+): Data +

Common ESC (VESC) Wire Colors (based on your description):

  • Red: +5V Power (sometimes this is not needed as the USB provides power)
  • Black: Ground (GND)
  • Blue: TX (Transmit)
  • White: RX (Receive)

Steps to Splice the VESC to USB

  1. Red (ESC) to Red (USB): This is the +5V connection. However, this may not be necessary because the USB provides power. Double-check if the VESC needs external power or if it only uses the communication (TX/RX) lines for communication.
  2. Black (ESC) to Black (USB): Ground. Connect the ground wires to ensure a common reference for the signals.
  3. Blue (ESC) to Green (USB): The Blue wire on the ESC is typically the **TX (Transmit)**line, and it should connect to the Green wire on the USB, which is D+ (Data Positive).
  4. White (ESC) to White (USB): The White wire on the ESC is typically the RX (Receive) line, and it should connect to the White wire on the USB, which is D- (Data Negative).

Summary of Connections:

  • Red (ESC) → Red (USB) (if needed, for power)
  • Black (ESC) → Black (USB)
  • Blue (ESC) → Green (USB)
  • White (ESC) → White (USB)

Important Notes:

  • Not all ESCs need the 5V power from USB, as they may have internal regulators. If you’re unsure or if the VESC is powered separately, you might not need to connect the red wire (power) at all.
  • Always double-check the manufacturer’s documentation for pinouts to avoid damaging the hardware.
  • If you feel uncertain about any part of this process, consider using a USB-to-TTL serial adapter, which is a safer and more reliable way to connect the VESC to your computer, as it handles the voltage levels between the USB and VESC communication.

Testing:

After making the connections, carefully plug the USB into your computer and check if the VESC is recognized. If everything is correct, you should be able to communicate with the VESC via a tool like VESC Tool or another configuration software.

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