BMSDock / Logging Guides / vesc
BMSDock · 12.3.0.4

How to record a VESC log

Record controller telemetry using a phone with VESC Tool or an independent VESC Express logger. This article introduces the equipment and the full path from recording to BMSDock.

Images are replaceable placeholders. Verify exact steps against the installed application or firmware before publishing.

How smartphone recording works

The controller sends electrical telemetry through compatible Bluetooth. Your phone can add GPS location data. VESC Tool saves a log that you can later open in BMSDock.

VESC controller with Bluetooth
VESC controller with Bluetooth — Check Bluetooth availability on your exact controller and hardware revision.

Prepare the Bluetooth connection

A controller without compatible built-in Bluetooth needs an external module. Check UART wiring and settings for your specific controller.

Compatible Bluetooth module
Compatible Bluetooth module — Use a module known to work with VESC Tool.
Bluetooth wiring example
Bluetooth wiring example — Actual pinouts depend on the controller.

Connect with VESC Tool

Turn on the controller, launch VESC Tool and connect through Bluetooth. Confirm that live telemetry values appear.

Connect in VESC Tool
Connect in VESC Tool — Replace this with a screenshot from the installed app version.

Enable location if needed

Allow location access if you want a route on the map. Wait for a position fix before recording. Electrical telemetry does not inherently require GPS.

Location permission
Location permission — Check location and phone background restrictions.

Record, stop and export

Find the logging controls in your app version and confirm recording is active. After the ride, stop logging and export the file.

Start logging
Start logging — Recording controls.
Recording in progress
Recording in progress — Recording indicator.
Export a log
Export a log — Saved file or export screen.

Record independently of a phone

VESC Express can receive VESC telemetry and save it to a microSD card. Supported features depend on hardware, firmware and settings.

VESC Express module
VESC Express module — Example hardware.

Connect the hardware

Connect Express to a supported VESC telemetry source. Optionally connect an external GNSS receiver and verify the exact pinout.

VESC Express wiring
VESC Express wiring — Hardware connection diagram.
External GNSS
External GNSS — Optional source of coordinates.

Configure LogUI sources

Select Local Values and any needed CAN Values, check microSD storage and logging frequency. Menu names can vary by release.

LogUI configuration
LogUI configuration — Main logging settings.
Telemetry sources
Telemetry sources — Local / CAN Values.

Decide whether GNSS is required

With GNSS append enabled, some configurations may wait for a satellite fix. For electrical-only logs, disable the GNSS append requirement so logging need not wait for coordinates.

GNSS settings
GNSS settings — GNSS append configuration.

Start logging and retrieve the file

Verify recording actually started and data is written to microSD. Stop logging properly and copy the saved file.

Start conditions
Start conditions — Recording trigger settings.
Files on microSD
Files on microSD — Saved logging files.

Open in BMSDock

After the ride, save the file and open the BMSDock analyzer. Upload the log to view the available charts, measurements and route.

Back to analyzer →

Troubleshooting

No route on map

Check whether your file contains GPS coordinates. Speed and route data are not the same thing.

File will not open

Confirm recording was completed and that the exported file contains actual supported data.