VCU Comparison

A VCU can mean many things, but for the purposes of this page, a VCU means any programmable 12V controller that is designed or found to be useful in an EV conversion.

While "Primary use case" tells you what these controllers are intended for, the other fields tell you what they're capable of when configured or re-programmed for your use case.

In the spirit of open source, controllers with open source features are added leftmost on the table.

To-do

• Add other VCUs that have been used by people on the openinverter forums
  • https://openinverter.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1148&hilit=arduino+due&start=125
    • https://github.com/arber333/Arduino-DUE-VCU
    • https://github.com/arber333/ESP32-VCU
  • https://github.com/jamiejones85/ESP32CanGauge
  • https://github.com/marlinarnz/eVCU
  • https://github.com/MagnusThome/RejsaCAN-ESP32
  • https://github.com/noisymime/speeduino
  • https://github.com/chrskly/electric-mustang-wiring
  • https://github.com/jamiejones85/ESP32-Chademo
  • https://github.com/mumme74/CarTransporter/blob/aeda138992301123158cd2d2c1d10c55ae537238/libraries/system_things/PID.h#L263
• Fill in missing info
• Add links

Add open source VCUs:

• johu's stm32-car (https://github.com/jsphuebner/stm32-car)

Add closed source VCUs:

• AEM VCU200 (https://www.aemev.com/products/ev-vehicle-control-units/vcu200) and VCU300 (https://www.aemev.com/products/ev-vehicle-control-units/vcu300)
• Engovis EVS-VCU (https://citini.com/product/evs-vehicle-control-unit/)
• Thunderstruck VCU - for the Nissan Leaf, UQM, and Coda motors (https://www.thunderstruck-ev.com/dilithium-vcu.html)
• Resolve-EV Resolve Controller (https://www.resolve-ev.com/shop/p/resolve-controller)

The comparison table

VCU Comparison

Comparison	ZombieVerter	GEVCU7	Mini-E-VCU	iPDM56v1.1
Open source software (link)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Open source hardware (link)	Yes	No	Yes	No
Schematics and board layouts (link)	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
In stock (link)	Yes	Yes	No	2023-02
Price inc. VAT + shipping + enclosure	350€	1500€	~80€	140€
External connector pins	56		48	56
External connector pin size (A)	5A?	?	6A/12A	5A?
Primary use case	Inverter control including Toyota	CAN inverter control, logging	Outlander inverter	Power distribution, I/O extension
Software platform	libopeninv	Arduino	Arduino	Arduino
External configuration interface	Wifi	Bluetooth, Wifi, USB serial	?	USB serial, TTL serial
Configuration format	Parameter list	?	Arduino sketch, ready-made	Arduino sketch, template
Out-of-the box supported inverter brands	OpenInverter, Nissan, Toyota, Lexus, Outlander?	DMOC, CODA, Brusa, PM100, C300	Outlander	None
Official companion modules	No	No	aot93's BMS and dash	No
MCU family	STM32F107	iMXRT1062	iMXRT1062(Teensy)	AVR
CPU	72 MHz	600 MHz	600 MHz
Flash	256 kB	16MB	16MB	32kB
RAM	64 kB	1024kB	1024kB	2kB
Supply voltage range				8...16V
Standby mode description				6mA running Arduino sketch at slow clock speed
Buses	3x CAN, 1x Toyota, 1x LIN, 1x RS232?	3x CAN	?	2x CAN
Number of inputs	10?	12	?	14
Analog inputs (including throttle and external NTC channels)	6?	8	?	5
PWM inputs				2
Additional special inputs	?	?	?	12V battery voltage monitoring
Signal PWM outputs	1?			0
Power PWM outputs (low / high side, A)	3x L ?A			4x L 3A
Low-side power outputs, total A	5A? (limited by ground pin)	16A	?	20A
Low-side power outputs, count	9?	8	?	10
High-side power outputs, total A	?	?	?	15A
High-side power outputs, count	?	?	?	10
Analog outputs	2x AC coupled, 2x digital resistors	?	?	2x 0-500mA low side slow
Sensor power outputs	5V	5V 700mA, 3.3V 400mA	?	5V 500mA
Outputs readable as inputs				8
Customizable jumpers/resistors	0?	?	?	32
Used in projects (links)	Pretty much everything Damien does			celeron55's Omega