Using An Electric Skateboard Remote: Your In-Depth Guide

Electric skateboards are super easy to use. You stand  electric skateboard reviews on top of it, just as you would a traditional skateboard. The only difference is that they feature an electric motor powered by a handheld remote. We’re going to take a good look at electric skateboard remote controls to understand how they operate, where to find a replacement if something was to happen to yours and go through some safety precautions you have to watch out for.

What Is an Electric Skateboard Remote Control?
Electric skateboards are all the rage now because they provide an innovative, fast, and budget-friendly means of local transportation. Yet, for all that to be feasible, we have to rely on an ergonomic, high-quality, functional remote control.

While your feet tilt the board from side to side in order to turn, it’s the remote that helps control the acceleration and braking of the board.

With speeds ranging between 10 and 30 mph, holding that remote in your hand helps you ride your e-skateboard with ease and confidence. It also makes the boards much safer when you know you can hit the brakes anytime you want, and the board will actually stop when you need it to.

How Do E-Skateboard Remotes Work?
One of the vital parts of an electric skateboard is the remote. With it, you can choose to accelerate, slow down, and stop. Here’s a quick overview of the different parts that have to work together in synchronization for the remote, and ultimately, the e-skateboard itself to operate.

Inside each electric skateboard is a small processor, like the one you have inside your computer or smartphone. This processor is like the brain of the entire operation. It connects the battery to the motor, as well as to the built-in controller on the board, known as the Electronic Speed Controller (ESC).

Electronic Speed Controller
The controller measures the position of the throttle on the board. According to how the ESC on your board is configured, you’ll be able to move the throttle forward and backwards. You’ll also be able to speed up, slow down, and hit the brakes for a complete stop, all with the touch of a button on your remote.

Bluetooth Transmitter and Receiver
There are Bluetooth modules in the remote and the ESC so that they can communicate with each other. They are constantly sending information back and forth so that any movement in the thumbwheel of the remote is recognised by the ESC and sent to the motors. All within milliseconds. In some cases, the ESC also sends information to the remote which gets displayed on a little screen so you can see data like speed, distance and battery levels.

What Are the Types of E-Skateboard Remote Controls?
There are only a handful of types of electric skateboard remotes, and there’s one that dominates the market. Let’s go through them.

Thumbwheel
The most popular type of e-skateboard remote features a wheel that sits on top of the remote. To move the board, you slide the wheel forward to accelerate and pull it back to apply the brakes. These types of remotes are often referred to as ‘thumbwheels’ and this mechanism is found in 99% of electric skateboards.

Deadman Trigger
Some remotes will have a deadman trigger on them which acts as a sort of safety switch. There are two movements you have to make in order to accelerate. First, you have to pull the trigger with your index finger, then you can push with your thumb to accelerate. The idea of this is that, by having two movements, you can’t accidentally push on the throttle and have the board accelerate unexpectedly. It’s a good system, however, the extra components make this remote more expensive to produce and therefore are only found on the more expensive electric skateboards.