There are numerous reported incidents where the GT controllers get bricked while riding, usually from a drop. The team from Floatwheel has developed a drop-in new controller for the GT, the GTV Power Kit. Whether it’s a sudden malfunction or the desire for better performance the kit will improve your ride. Let’s dive into the benefits and features of this $549.00 fix/upgrade.
Benefits of the GTV Power Kit
1. Power Boost
The GTV Power Kit is a drop-in replacement upgrade for your Onewheel GT, significantly increasing its power from 2800W to 4200W. If you opt for the MTE hub with N52 magnets, the power can surge to an impressive 5200W, giving you the same torque as the GTS.
2. Enhanced Performance
With the GTV upgrade, your Onewheel GT will boast higher total power output and more range compared to the stock GTS. Specifically, the GTV provides 24% better range, making long rides even more enjoyable.
3. Comprehensive Kit
The GTV Power Kit includes a drop-in replacement ESC and BMS, along with front and rear lights and a status light bar. It also comes with all necessary tools, except for pliers to remove the motor connector, making the installation process straightforward.
4. Plug and Play
The software is pre-tuned and IMU calibrated by the VESC expert, Nico, ensuring that you don’t need to configure anything. Just plug it in, and you’re ready to go.
5. Customizable and Repairable
The GTV enables the use of aftermarket rails, thanks to its configurable pitch angle offset. It doesn’t require the ESC to pair with the BMS, aligning with the right-to-repair ethos. The installation is so easy that it can be done in about 10 minutes.
6. Intelligent BMS
The Charge-only BMS included in the kit has a balancing function at the end of each charge, ensuring optimal battery health.
7. Original Functions Retained
All original lighting functions are maintained, and you can configure features like field weakening for speeds up to 25mph without pushback. It also offers a redesigned motor plug to prevent issues with burnt motor plugs and better gradient tracking (ATR).
8. Third-Party Compatibility
You can unlock the use of third-party chargers, including cheaper hyper chargers, and the kit now includes a lighter TP45 bit to reduce carbon footprint.
The BMS is charge-only and does a good job of balancing and charging your battery safely. It features individual cell balancing indicators.
Performance Data
Dyno research shows that the GTV Kit extracts all the potential from the hypercore motor, significantly outperforming the stock GT and even the GTS in terms of power output. The GTV kit, with its advanced features and performance enhancements, makes investing in a GTS unnecessary for those with a good GT motor and battery.
Real-World Testing
Testing the GTV kit in various scenarios, including drag races and hill climbs, reveals its superior performance. With customizable features like pushback levels and gradient tracking, the GTV offers an enhanced and safer riding experience compared to the stock GT.
In conclusion, the GTV Power Kit from Floatwheel is great for Onewheel GT owners, providing a powerful, tunable, and repairable alternative to the stock configuration in case you need it.
Buying it
The main drawback is the process of buying the kit. The kit costing $549.00 needs to be paid in crypto. You buy it with USDC on a polygon network like Coinbase and send your payment to a specific crypto wallet. This can for many people feel a bit insecure as it’s a new form of payment and doing transactions on the web.
A good thing to know is that Floatwheel do offer a 180-day hassle-free warranty on the Controller and BMS, the downside is that you will need to cover shipping costs for returns.
Frequently Asked Questions
The GTV Power Kit allows for more aggressive riding without significantly affecting the cruising range, thanks to its efficient power stage that keeps the range largely unchanged under similar riding conditions. It operates within the battery pack’s performance limits, ensuring the pack remains in a comfortable range most of the time.
If your GT doesn’t power on, you can still use the GTV kit if your battery pack is healthy and has more than 45V. However, you cannot use your original light bars as the kit includes its own. While you can use your GT’s stock BMS with some modifications, using the BMS provided in the kit is recommended. If your GT has an aftermarket battery pack, it will be compatible with the GTV as long as the aftermarket pack works with the original BMS. Lastly, the BMS is charge-only, doing an excellent job of balancing and charging your battery safely, with individual cell balancing indicators to monitor cell levels.
The “VESC” is a trademark own by benjamin vedder.
The Onewheel GT is a trade mark own by Future Motion.
FallmanTech is in no way affiliated with the mentioned parties.
img: floatwheel
