Tesla Model S/X Front Drive Unit - Full Independent Control (Read description)
Been a while since I posted a Tesla project video...
It's been about 3 years since I hacked every variant of Tesla drive unit in my basement, but the front one was always a bit unusual. While I immediately got it functioning in my basement years ago, I never got around to fleshing out the software side of things for the front variant to make it practical to control just like the other variants. It all worked before, just needed some TLC.
Finally did that recently, and the 057Tech drive unit control setup is pretty much ready for prime time for the front variant of drive units, opening up a whole slew of possibilities for conversions. Like my other controls, no I'm not able to just sell controllers. These drive units need programming and calibration for each unit, which can't be done remotely.
Anyway, the front drive units can be run without a pedal, if desired. Makes them perfect for non-vehicle type projects, too, since speed and/or torque can be commanded via my controller's CAN interface.
In this video, the test unit is spun up to 140 MPH (in 4 seconds), idled for a moment, then regen'd down. Awesome little motor, and retaining the full Tesla hardware and software makes it even better. No ugly inverter replacement hacks like people have been doing. Oh, and this is on the bench with the torque limited to about 10% of max for both forward and regen... wow.
As far as I'm aware, no one else has done full standalone control of the front-variant drive units to-date. There have been some AWD hacks, since the rear motor normally commands the front motor (which limits the amount of control possible), and some inverter replacement hacks (I don't consider this full control of the units, since it's just an ugly replacement that loses all of the efficiency inherit in the system from Tesla's R&D)... but no one running the front motor with complete and solid control standalone.
:)