This page is part of the ONYX Performance Guide
ONYX RCR Temperatures
The stock 72V ONYX controller at 6kW–7kW operates efficiently with minimal cooling. At higher power levels or when using a tuned Fardriver controller, additional cooling becomes necessary.
- Use Statorade and hubsinks for improved motor heat dissipation
- High load conditions (steep climbs, aggressive riding) increase thermal saturation
- External controller mounting improves heat rejection at higher amperage
Upgrading to a V4 QS 260 or QS 273 motor with 6 AWG phase wires improves thermal handling and current capacity.
Target Fahrenheit Temperatures
| RCR °F | Good | Okay | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motor | 120°F | 150°F | 248°F |
| Controller | 105°F | 130°F | 176°F |
| Battery | <120°F | 120°F+ | 140°F |
Target Celsius Temperatures
| RCR °C | Good | Oaky | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motor | 48°C | 65°C | 120°C |
| Controller | 43°C | 54°C | 80°C |
| Battery | <49°C | 49°C+ | 60°C |
Quick Reference (Scribbles)
These visual references provide a fast way to check safe operating ranges and temperature behavior.
Temperature Scribbles
Fardriver Controller Tune
Do not exceed the battery’s safe discharge limits when tuning.
- ONYX 41Ah battery: 100A line / 220A phase
- Excessive current increases heat faster than the system can dissipate
For sustained high-load riding:
- Upgrade to QS 260 or QS 273 (6 AWG phase wires)
- Improves resistance to heat saturation and voltage drop
Real-World Temperature Data
Example conditions:
- Ambient: 77°F
- Battery: 72V EVE 50PL (fully charged)
- Motor: QS 205 V3Ti
- Cooling: Statorade + hubsinks
- Controller: externally mounted
- Settings: max power, 1s acceleration, 80% field weakening
Measured averages during aggressive riding:
| RCR | Celsius | Fahrenheit |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 26°C | 80°F |
| Controller | 25°C | 77°F |
| Motor | 47°C | 118°F |
Field weakening reduces back-EMF at high RPM, allowing increased current and higher top speed, typically yielding ~30% performance gains.
Motor Temps
ONYX motors use NdFeB neodymium magnets, which are sensitive to heat.
Permanent Magnet Reversible Loss
Temporary magnetic loss occurs within safe temperature ranges and recovers after cooling.
| RCR Motor | Celsius | Fahrenheit |
|---|---|---|
| Cut Off | 170°C | 338°F |
| Caution | 150°C | 302°F |
| High | 120°C | 248°F |
| Okay | 90°C | 194°F |
| Okay | 65°C | 150°F |
| Good | 60°C | 158°F |
| Good | 50°C | 122°F |
| Good | 40°C | 105°F |
| Good | 30°C | 86°F |
| Good | 20°C | 68°F |
| Good | 10°C | 50°F |
Permanent Magnet High Heat
- 120°C (248°F) ideal sustained limit
- 150°C (302°F) caution threshold
- 180°C (356°F) insulation and magnet damage risk
- 200°C (392°F) permanent demagnetization likely
Repeated exposure above 150°C accelerates long-term performance degradation.
Battery Temps
For battery health and consistent ONYX behavior, use the standardized battery temperature limits below.
| Category | Condition | °F | °C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage | Recommended | 50°F-77°F | 10°C-25°C |
| Charging | Recommended | 40°F-105°F | 4°C-40.5°C |
| Charging | Minimum | 32°F | 0°C |
| Charging | Maximum (Limit) | 113°F | 45°C |
| Discharge | Minimum | -4°F | -20°C |
| Discharge | Maximum | 140°F | 60°C |
| BMS | Cutoff (Discharge Disabled) | 140°F | 60°C |
| BMS | Recovery (Discharge Restored) | 135°F | 57.2°C |
| Operation | Normal Range | <120°F | <49°C |
| Operation | Stress Zone | 120°F+ | 49°C+ |
| Cold Weather | 10% Range Loss | 30°F | -1°C |
| Cold Weather | 15% Range Loss | 28.4°F | -2°C |
Battery Below Freezing Temperatures
- Operation is possible below 32°F (0°C) with reduced range
- Avoid storage below freezing for extended periods (>3 hours)
- Prolonged exposure can cause irreversible cell damage
Controller Temps
Controller temperature directly impacts reliability and power delivery.
| RCR Controller | Celsius | Fahrenheit |
|---|---|---|
| Cut Off | 100°C | 212°F |
| Caution | 90°C | 193°F |
| High | 80°C | 176°F |
| Okay | 70°C | 158°F |
| Good | 60°C | 158°F |
| Good | 50°C | 122°F |
| Good | 40°C | 105°F |
| Good | 30°C | 86°F |
In ambient temperatures above 85°F, external mounting is recommended for higher power configurations to prevent thermal throttling and shutdown.