Hi, I’ve been trying to catch up on all the information on this site, but I’m wondering exactly what are all the changes that will be provided on the next batch of SP140s? I know about the new batteries with pouch cells and the higher capacities, but has the BMS changed? I see CANbus is included but will that be utilized to connect the BMS, ESC, and hand controller together? I also see that the power pack has also been updated and curious what the updates are. Any info is appreciated.
Hi Rick,
We’ll put together a video outlining all the changes (there are many) but you got the gist of it right.
Beyond some frame improvements, we’ve got a new battery setup and tied in the BMS to the controller to get detailed info (but not be distracting).
The ESC is a nice upgrade and will be more efficient while providing more info.
CAN bus has been used in the automotive industry for decades and offers reliability of communication and lots of flexibility for us. We are building out a next generation architecture for paramotors so stay tuned 
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Hi, what type of ESC are You switching to? Manufacturer, parameters…
Top Secret! You’ll have to sign a non-discloser form 
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Haha, You are right!
I guess it will be MAD AMP… 
Radek
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While you’re bored waiting for more info, use your favorite search engine/AI to read up on “sine FOC esc advantages compared to square wave for brushless motors”
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Compared to a square wave ESC, a sine FOC (Field Oriented Control) ESC for brushless motors offers significant advantages in terms of smoother torque delivery, reduced noise, increased efficiency, and better overall motor performance, especially at variable speeds, due to its smoother sinusoidal current waveform, making it ideal for applications requiring precise control and low torque ripple.
Patrick is spot on, adding a bit more info from “ChatGPT”- When comparing Sine Wave FOC (Field-Oriented Control) and Square Wave control for brushless motors, there are several advantages of FOC that make it preferable in many applications:
1. Smooth and Efficient Operation:
• FOC provides smoother and more continuous control of the motor, as the current waveform is sinusoidal. This results in less torque ripple and more precise motor control, leading to a quieter operation.
• Square wave control, on the other hand, leads to more abrupt changes in current, resulting in greater torque ripple and rougher operation, which can cause vibrations and noise.
2. Better Torque Performance:
• FOC allows the motor to operate with maximum torque at any given time by aligning the magnetic field of the rotor and stator, improving the motor’s overall efficiency.
• With square wave control, the torque is not as well optimized, and the motor’s performance can suffer, especially at low speeds.
3. Higher Efficiency:
• FOC improves efficiency across a wider range of operating conditions by maintaining optimal current flow in the motor coils. This leads to less power loss in the system, reducing heating and improving battery life in electric vehicles or other battery-powered applications.
• Square wave control is less efficient because of the sharp current transitions, which lead to higher power losses.
4. Reduced Heating:
• Since FOC produces a smoother, sinusoidal current waveform, it results in less heat generation in the motor windings. This helps in preventing overheating, extending the motor’s lifespan.
• Square wave control typically leads to higher current spikes and more heat generation in the motor.
5. More Precise Speed and Position Control:
• FOC enables better control over motor speed and position, allowing for high-performance applications such as robotics, industrial automation, and precise electric vehicle control.
• Square wave control offers less accuracy in speed and position, making it less suitable for precision applications.
6. Less Acoustic Noise:
• Because FOC produces a smoother current waveform, it results in quieter motor operation, which is a significant advantage in consumer electronics and automotive applications.
• Square wave control tends to produce a more pronounced and harsh noise due to its less smooth operation.
7. Higher-Quality Torque at Low Speeds:
• FOC provides a more consistent and efficient torque at lower speeds, which is essential for applications like drones or electric vehicles that require stable low-speed operation.
• In contrast, square wave control can result in jerky low-speed behavior and reduced torque efficiency.
Summary:
In essence, Sine Wave FOC offers smoother, more efficient, and quieter operation with better torque performance, especially at lower speeds. It’s more suitable for high-performance applications where efficiency, noise reduction, and precise control are essential.
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That square wave, high pitch whining sound from motor is the most annoying thing(At full throttle the sound as unbearable for my ears, try running it without blades) about the old ESC. Hopefully the new ESC can deliver more silence to the motor.
If this is the case, it would be one of the best upgrades for me!
Here is my old video for comparison
and
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This is pretty exciting. A few years back as I worked with another company trying to develop an E-ppg, we very seriously looked into FOC inverters and tried to find any option to make it work. We ultimately chose an alternative route because, at the time, they were both significantly bigger/heavier and were something like 3x the price. It’s awesome to hear that FOC inverters have become a viable option for our market!
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Thanks for the update! Can you provide an estimate for how much more efficient the upcoming version will be? Will you be able to support upgrades for customers who just received their new units less than 6 months ago?
Thanks in advance.
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Sounds like it’s worth the wait, is this what is coming with the current back orders?
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All current orders and backorders will be upgraded to the new system.
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if so, maybe used APD UHV ESCs will appear for sale???
For the APD UHV, we don’t have many in stock, and we are trying to keep a few for any existing customers who might need them in the future. However, we do have a few available if you need one. Just send me a DM.
In most applications, going to a sin wave controller will improve efficiency by 5% - 10%. I would expect something in the middle. So, maybe another ~4 minutes per charge.
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