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Boosted Rev Custom Dashboard (ReVOLT! Dashboard)

Boosted ReVOLT! Dashboard

Lets keep Boosted Rev Scooters on the road!


Ok, for anyone new on here: read my first blog posts, or here is a quick recap:
  1. My Boosted Rev battery died
  2. I tried to make a Plug&Play custom one, but failed miserably due to Boosted over-engineering its product
  3. I switched to making a custom battery and using a Stormcore ESC
And this is step 4: Make a custom printed circuit board that re-uses existing wiring to replace the Boosted dashboard.

Main features:
  • Uses the same wiring, no need to re-wire your Boosted Rev
  • Connects with a VESC (in my case a Stormcore 60) via CAN-bus (only 6 wires)
  • Uses the original Boosted Rev dashboard emplacement and lens
  • Digital speed interface
  • Digital battery state of charge interface
  • Light sensor to automatically switch the front and rear lights
  • Brake lights
  • NFC reader for keyless start. Present a NFC tag or your NFC enabled phone to unlock your scooter. When not authenticated, the scooter throttle is deactivated and the scooter will automatically shutdown.
  • Ultra low consumption in sleep mode
  • Control of rear and front lights
  • Software update available through use of external tool
Possible future updates:
  • GPS (with a NEO module)
  • Smart battery management and data monitoring (using Texas Instrument's patented impedance technology). Measures battery state of charge much more accurately than using voltage.
Working on the custom Dashboard unit, sizing it to the original dashboard

I like the original Boosted dashboard, it's clean, presents you with the necessary information and deactivates while riding (I know some of you don't like the last feature, but it actually makes the scooter safer while riding). Also, the scooter is fitted with sufficient wires to make use of to create a slick replacement dashboard.

I'm developing a custom dashboard (in the form of a printed circuit board), which will plug and play in the existing casing and connect to a VESC. This is because I replaced the insides of my scooter with a Stormcore VESC and the stock dashboard of Boosted does not 'understand' VESC language.

The dashboard is compatible with any VESC-like controller, so a Stormcore, Spintend, Focbox Unity... would work too.

Different To The Wev

Although I have read some comparisons to the Wev, this dashboard is not made up of the same insides as the popular Boosted Wev kit.

The dashboard is a four layer printed circuit board design, with the use of high quality original components. The design is entirely custom and does not feature any modules, or off-the-shelf or Arduino kits.

Why? By designing the dashboard myself I was able to set (any) constraints I wanted, exactly as I wanted, in the tight space that is present in the Boosted Rev.

Design (for the electronics geeks)

The dashboard is based around some key components:
    • STM32L432KBU: Ultra low power 32-bit ARM cortex microcontroller featuring 12-bit ADC and CAN-bus transceiver
    • ST25R95: Ultra low power .1W NFC tag reader/card emulator
    • PCA9532: NXP Led control/dimmer IC
    • MAX3051: Maxim Integrated high speed CAN bus interface
All parts are original, no Chinese counterfeit, no low quality parts. Most passive parts are Samsung, Panasonic, ST, Texas Instruments and Infineon.

The main thing to take home is that you can take apart your dashboard very easily, without breaking it and replace the circuit board in there by this premium, high-quality custom circuit board.

The dashboard only works with a VESC, it won't work with the Boosted Stock ESC (and may actually damage it, so don't try it!)



The board is powered through 5V and consumes around max. 300mA (with both front and rear lights on max. power). On standby, consumption is reduced to around 5 micro (!!) amperes. This means your battery won't be drained by the dashboard.

Features

Wireless Key System

The dashboard features an antenna on the underside that is compatible with NXP MiFare Classic tags working on 13.56MHz. Examples of products that can be used as keys are:





Any tag/card/phone that supports the ISO-14443-A protocol will be compatible with this dashboard. Most tags and cards that are used for public transport, work, .... support this protocol, meaning you can probably just use the same badge for work to start your scooter.

The dashboard is shipped with two tags for you to use already ;)

OR just use your phone. (more on this later)

Up to three tags/cards/phones can be registered to the dashboard. These are all assigned to three slots respectively. The first slot acts as master card. The master card can only be removed or overwritten by itself.

Ex: If you have a kid and you would like to give them a key to the scooter, you can give them a key that is assigned on slot 2 or 3. Your kid won't be able to remove your card. However in return, you having the master card can revoke the other slots.

Light Intensity Sensor

Under the lens, a light sensor continuously monitors the light intensity outside. Whenever it gets dark, front and rear lights are automatically switched on. In return, if it gets light, your lights are switched off, just like a car.

If you would like manual control over the lights, just double tap the button to switch to manual mode. Until you restart the scooter, the light sensor won't switch the lights anymore. Whenever the scooter reboots, the light sensor resumes operation.

Speed Interface

Just as with the original dash, your current speed is displayed in realtime. You can view your speed in Mph or Kmh; This is a setting that can be changed using the CAN bus in the VESC tool.

Battery Percentage

The battery percentage is indicated in two ways:
  • 5 Green leds across the dashboard. They behave as in the original dashboard
  • A digital battery indication by tapping once on the main button
The battery percentage the dashboard indicates it (what we call in the business) an 'educated guess'. Thing is, it is very tricky to measure good battery percentage without using the right tools, and unfortunately, the VESC doesn't quite have the right tools for accurage measurement.

That means that the percentage may vary according to your ride style and may be slightly off, hugely depending on your exact battery style and configuration. 

Your battery configuration should be set in software to have most accurate results. This can be set using the CAN bus in the VESC tool. Your dashboard comes shipped with whatever configuration you would like.

Brake Lights

Some countries implement (or are currently implementing) new laws in regards to escooter regulation. You'll be happy to know that the dashboard implements a 'brake' light that is one of the new specs in new regulation. One less thing you'll have to worry about.




Installing Your Dashboard



Comments

  1. Unknown1 June 2021 at 20:53

    I have the same situation as you (defective battery) and have been considering either the "Wev" upgrade or just replacing the battery. I'm very interested in your project and would appreciate any support. I'm looking forward to your progress and completion of this project!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown4 June 2021 at 10:27

      Wev mod is no longer available.

      Delete
    2. Michael4 November 2021 at 04:27

      This project is now completed ;) Orders can be placed at boostedrevolt@gmail.com

      Delete
  2. Unknown3 October 2021 at 17:14

    Oh man, I can't wait for your extended life battery post. I'd totally be willing to order the whole package from you if you can extend the battery life. VESC + Extended Battery w/ BMS + Custom Dash. I love my Rev for the same reasons you do and I ended up scooping up a new un-opened OEM battery from eBay (for way too much $) for when my current battery eventually wears down. I also ordered extra parts to have for future maintenance. I'd absolutely throw down for a Custom upgrade package from you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael15 March 2022 at 10:59

      If you are interested in a complete kit as of now, please do not hesitate to contact me at boostedrevolt@gmail.com

      Delete

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