Commercial throttle alternatives

[Ekus]

My SP140 throttle button died again, and when I replaced it, the control cable socket broke off (see SP140 Throttle no longer able to arm - #5 by Ekus for those interested -it’s marked “Solved” but it no longer is). Judging by the number of topics discussing alternative throttle designs and broken elements, maybe we could reuse some premade, commercially available throttle?
I love the creativity and 3D printing, it’s great for a proof of concept, but by now we’ve definitely proven that ePPG works and it’s entering it’s maturity.

I’ve been really happy the remote that came with my Fliteboard efoil:

It uses bluetooth, has never failed me, and works great, but costs $480 new (Flite is considered #1 brand in efoil, followed with Lift that also has a nice remote with a more familiar looking hand strap, for $290:

But then I found this generic remote and I am really hoping we could adopt it for use with SP140:

[Pre-order] WT100 Wireless Throttle Controller for Electric Surfboards,...

I have also heard good things about the Flipsky remote ($72 on sale from $95) at Flipsky Fully Waterproof Remote VX3 controller For Efoil | Esurf | ESK – FLIPSKY

If you google efoil or eskateboard (ESK8) controller, you will find more options, like this $50 one with what seems to be a thumbscroll control: Remote control Suitable for all VESC series ESK8 - MakerX

I never flew a gasoline PPG but I hear they produce a lot of interference; this is not a problem with an ePPG and also eliminates another, much more real risk of tangling or severing the control wire.

Also, all of these controllers - including the SP140 one - have a display, it would be great to add an option to have a quick checklist before flight (press to confirm helmet, straps, etc).
I really like that they’re are more rugged, typically waterproof, and use wireless recharging and/or USB-C. The biggest disadvantage is software, we’d have to port some of the functions from the current controller, and obviously this won’t work with the “branded” efoil throttles, only the universal ones.

This category of products didn’t even exist a few years ago but today it’s a great option. What do you think?

[Jackal (Marius Suciu)]

My point of view:
All these hand throtles are full of hi tech features and great for what they were meant.
Comparing them with what seems to be the most popular ppg hand throttle design, at a simple “paramotor hand throttle” search ( see photo), they have a considerable flaw. All of the above block the main grabing hand fingers, like the index, leaving you with the option of pulling brakes, A’s, or pull a stabilo line to loose a cravate with your ring and pinky fingers.
The ppg throttle should be slim, pipe like at the top, so that you can use the usual grabbing fingers, index plus thumb right?
And have a screen at the botom of the palm where it doesn’t bother annything.
I haven’t found one, that’s why I builded my own inspired by the same design as described above, pipe in the hand, bulky at the botom of hand. Keeps main fingers free, works great.
Someone should make one like this for the market so I can have a second option just in case…

[Voltair (Phil)]

Works like a charm…

EASY DOES IT PARAMOTOR FLYING AT THE MARSH

[Jackal (Marius Suciu)]

I’ve noticed long ago that you’re using it upside down. What are the reasons?

[skivvie (Loren Cox)]

Agreed 100%. I wish I had the time as I’ve been planning to do a redesign with this format but having the screen facing the same direction as your palm and at the BOTTOM of the controller where a usual 2 button electric start might go. If OpenPPG could provide a spare controller electronics package I’d love to redesign it. Doesn’t even have to be functional, just needed for parts arranging. =]

[Pdwhite (Paul Whitehead)]

I think thumb throttle is really the best form factor for paramotoring ultimately it can be a bit trickier to design but its what I want for the next version to be. Also to be as slim as possible and maintain the same size screen.

[GliderPilot (Paul Butler)]

I agree about thumb throttles. I mounted the display and board on my swing arm and designed a thumb throttle with just the pot inside. This leaves plenty room in my hand to hold the toggle. It’s easier to see the display too.

[martinbrit]

Ekus I have a spare SP-140 throttle you can have half price. Let me know.

[Ekus]

Sounds great, pictures please!
I found some in another post: For Sale: SP140 V1.1 Batch 3, Flown 1 time

[Ekus]

Thanks, I’m getting mine from the repair shop tomorrow so hopefully that will do for now, but if not, which version do you have? USB-C or the original?

[RobertK1 (Robert Kittila)]

New to this electric PPG group. Learning a lot. Here’s an idea. Why not make the toggle the throttle. Less to hold on to more comfort. Need help with the electronics? A nubie at this.

[JustFloating (Chris)]

Just broke some things yet again, so pardon any exasperation, but is there any updated news on a new throttle design?

I love the screen and the data it provides, but the touchiness of the throttle is simply becoming enraging. This has to be the single most common criticism I hear about on this unit (other than normal eppg flight time constraints) both in-person and online reviews/comments, and it is 100% the top concern of every pilot that has tested mine on their back. Had one extremely experienced colleague give it a test flight to get their feedback on how they liked the unit – He was impressed, but he won’t touch this throttle again. Using some springs to try and stiffen it helps, but it’s still a pain point.

Please tell me there is a redesign on the horizon. And since it’s Christmas time, please also tell me it’s going to be wireless.

Edit: To be clear, my rant is on the extreme lightness of the throttle touch, not the responsiveness. I love the instant nature of the unit of course, it’s that the throttle lever/button seems to depress at the weight of a dry leaf / with so little resistance.

[E-pusher (Patrick Mckowen)]

Great design
A buddy of mine has the gas version, he likes it, I held it and feels great, nice not to have to struggle with 2 items when taking off.
Cheers

[galda (Alexey Galda)]

Chris, two simple modifications make the throttle much more user friendly: a shorter trigger (stl attached: SP140_controller_trigger.stl (308.5 KB)) and a spring (to suit your desired resistance level - just make sure that it does not limit plunger travel when fully compressed).

The controller can still be redesigned to improve ergonomics, and this work is in progress

[JustFloating (Chris)]

Thank you for the .stl file, Alexey. I’ll see if I can get my dusty printer to finish one of these and test it out. Much appreciated.