Comparing 72V Motorcycle Controllers: An Engineer's Checklist (Fardriver, Votol, Kelly and T-Series)

Builders on forums such as endless-sphere and r/Electricmotorcycles often ask "Fardriver or Votol?" The honest answer is: compare the same things on every datasheet, not the model number. Here is the checklist our engineers use.

1. Like-for-like current ratings. Brands quote different numbers: some name models after peak phase current, others after bus current. Always compare peak phase current with peak phase current, and check for how long the peak is allowed.

2. Voltage platform and headroom. For a 72 V nominal pack, check the controller's maximum voltage against your fully charged pack voltage.

3. Motor feedback. Hall sensors are standard; GMR encoders give finer position; SIN/COS is used on higher-end motors. Check what your motor has. (T-Series: Hall/GMR on all; SIN/COS on T-1500 and T-2200.)

4. Tuning tools. Forum users report that tuning software quality varies a lot between brands and versions. Ask for the PC/app tool before you buy, and check whether firmware updates are supported (T-Series: PC tuning tool, BootLoader and OTA).

5. Protection and diagnostics. Look for over/under-voltage, short-circuit, stall, over-temperature and sensor-fault monitoring, plus readable fault codes (T-Series: OBD fault diagnostics).

6. Environmental rating. IP rating and operating temperature matter for off-road and rainy climates (T-Series: IP67, −40 to +85 °C).

7. OEM support. For production vehicles, documentation (datasheet, pinout, wiring), CAN protocol and engineering support often matter more than price.

We don't publish competitor specifications here; check each brand's latest datasheet. For Vector, the T-Series datasheets are free to download.