# Dynam Labs VCU+ FAQ Source: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#faq. Each question links to its anchor on the product page. ## Can I use VCU+ as a Tesla motor controller in an EV conversion? Yes. VCU+ is a vehicle control unit that controls Tesla FDU, LDU, SDU, and Model 3 Rear; Nissan Leaf (ZE1); Cascadia Motion CM and PM; Dana TM4; and Sevcon Gen5 (Turntide Genus) over CAN, with no inverter logic board swap. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#tesla-motor-controller ## What is VCU+ and how does it relate to Tesla drive units? VCU+ is a vehicle control unit (VCU) that controls Tesla, Cascadia Motion, Nissan Leaf, Dana TM4, and Sevcon Gen5 drive units over CAN, with no inverter logic board swap. It also covers battery management, I/O, safety interlocks, thermal systems, and GPS/telemetry. Vehicle state is available over CAN for external dashboards and loggers, and Bolt handles diagnostics, high-speed logging, and tuning. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#what-is-vcu-plus ## Which drive units are supported? Tesla FDU, LDU, SDU, and Model 3 Rear; Nissan Leaf (ZE1); Cascadia Motion CM and PM; Dana TM4; and Sevcon Gen5 (Turntide Genus). Those are the primary inverter types in Bolt. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#which-drive-units ## Can I run any motor in reverse? Yes, it can run the following in reverse: Cascadia Motion CM & PM, Tesla FDU (Front Drive Unit), and Nissan Leaf. Tesla Model 3 Rear, LDU, and SDU typically require physical changes to run reversed: swap the phase sequence and address lubrication. LDU/SDU use direction‑dependent oil pumps. Running reversed without an oil‑pump/oil‑routing modification can cause damage. For Model 3 inverted installs, an oil‑routing adapter is recommended. See: Model 3 adapter: https://evshop.eu/en/accessories/1837-tesla-model-3-upside-down-modification-kit.html; SDU reverse oil pump kit: https://www.westside-ev.com/store/p/tesla-rsdu-reverse-oil-pump-kit; LDU/SDU service: https://www.westside-ev.com/services-1. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#motor-reverse ## Do I need to replace the inverter logic board? No. VCU+ controls Tesla, Cascadia Motion, Nissan Leaf, Dana TM4, and Sevcon Gen5 drive units without a logic board swap. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#inverter-logic-board ## Can I use VCU+ in dual / AWD setups (two motors)? Yes. One VCU+ has primary and secondary inverter channels. No second VCU required. Secondary inverter types in Bolt are Tesla FDU, Cascadia CM/PM, Tesla 3 Rear, Nissan Leaf, or Dana TM4. Tesla LDU, Tesla SDU, and Sevcon Gen5 are primary-only. Pedal-out presets include Tesla S/X and Tesla 3/Y. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#dual-awd ## Do I need a Tesla accelerator pedal for a Tesla drive unit? No. A Tesla drive unit uses the same accelerator inputs as any other drive unit: analog, SENT, or CAN. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#accelerator-pedal ## What accelerator and brake inputs does VCU+ support? The accelerator input is analog, SENT, or CAN. Pedal outputs are Tesla S/X, Tesla 3/Y, analog, or CAN. The brake is a separate digital input, normally open or normally closed. Brake lights can follow regen only, or regen and the brake pedal. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#pedal-and-brake ## How do I configure and tune the controller? Use the Bolt calibration software. It provides modern, cross‑platform tuning for drivetrain, I/O, and battery parameters, including 12×12 3D torque maps. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#configure-tune ## What external gauges and cluster outputs does VCU+ support? VCU+ supports up to ten gauge outputs, each set in Bolt under Gauges with a source and an output type: PWM/PFM for generic aftermarket gauges or Speedhut CAN on a selected bus. A Blink PKP-2400-SI CAN keypad is a first-class HMI option. Drivetrain and battery signals (speed, SoC, power, voltages, currents, temperatures, torque, gear, and more) use calibration maps so readings match your vehicle. CAN outputs are freely configurable in the plugin to support custom gauges. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#external-gauges-cluster-outputs ## Can I adjust power, regen, and torque maps on the fly? Yes. Real‑time tuning lets you change maximum torque, regen strength, torque curves, and driver modes. You can save and switch presets. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#power-regen-torque ## What drive modes does VCU+ have? Chill, Normal, Sport, and Valet each set power and regen limits. When the primary inverter is an LDU, SDU, or Model 3 Rear, each mode also sets a max speed, stopping to roll, creep, or hold, and the drive unit acceleration profile. LDU and SDU offer Chill, Standard, Sport, Uncorked, and Ludicrous. Model 3 Rear offers Chill and Sport. An FDU, Cascadia, Leaf, Dana TM4, or Sevcon uses the 12×12 torque map instead of those profiles. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#drive-modes ## How can I extend and customize VCU+? Can I add custom logic? Yes. The built‑in Lua plugin system lets you add custom control algorithms, I/O behaviors, safety logic, and integrations without changing the firmware. Write it as a plugin. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#extend-customize-lua ## Does the VCU+ provide diagnostics and fault codes? Yes. Bolt shows diagnostics and fault codes. Errors are also published over CAN and defined in our DBC for external dashboards and loggers. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#diagnostics-logging ## Can I log vehicle data and review it in Bolt? Yes. Bolt records the vehicle channels at up to 200 Hz and opens the session in playback. Overlay channels on one trace, scrub to a cursor, keep markers and faults with the log, and export CSV. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#data-logging ## Can I display VCU+ data on my own screen? Do you provide a DBC? Yes. VCU+ broadcasts vehicle state over CAN. We publish a DBC (dynam-VCU+.dbc) that defines vehicle state, torque control, gear selection, inverter states and temperatures, BMS data, GPS, and error reporting for dashboards, HMIs, and loggers. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#can-dbc-display ## What safety features are included? Overcurrent protection, overtemperature shutdown, fault detection, contactor sequencing, watchdogs, and CAN validation. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#safety-features ## How does VCU+ handle cooling and thermal management? It monitors temperatures and can control pumps and fans from configurable thresholds. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#cooling-thermal ## Can I integrate my existing BMS with VCU+? Yes. VCU+ takes SoC, limits, and temperatures over CAN so torque follows the pack. Supported types: Dynam BMS Satellites, Orion BMS, Fellten Universal Battery Pack, Vero BMS, Custom (plugin), Pack Voltage Derate. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#bms-integration ## Which pack current sensors does VCU+ support? An IVT-3-Pro on CAN, or a LEM DHAB-S-137 on two analog inputs. The IVT can also monitor isolation. Below the warning threshold the error light comes on. Below the error threshold, charge and discharge limits go to 0 A and charging stops until the next restart. Below the critical threshold the contactors open. Set a threshold to 0 to disable that level. Monitoring pauses while a DC fast charger asks for it. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#current-sensor ## Which chargers does VCU+ support? Native OBC types in Bolt are TC OBC 6.6kW and EVCS.store DCFC. On EVCS.store DCFC, VCU+ presents as the BMS to the charger. J1772 AC pilot and proximity run as charge-port logic, not as a branded OBC type. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#which-chargers ## Which shifters does VCU+ support? Digital input (P / R / N / D GPIO), BMW F30 (CAN), Porsche Taycan (CAN), CAN (MCU actuation 0x65). BMW F30 and Porsche Taycan run over CAN; digital input is P/R/N/D GPIO; the CAN shifter type reads the MCU actuation frame. Gear requests can also come from a Lua plugin via requestGear(). Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#which-shifters ## Can VCU+ flash Tesla drive units? Yes. VCU+ can flash Tesla drive units directly through the controller without extra hardware. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#flash-tesla-units ## Can I flash more than one motor with a single VCU+? Yes. A single VCU+ is not locked to one motor. You can flash each supported Tesla drive unit through the same controller. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#flash-multiple-motors ## How are firmware and software updates delivered? Via the Bolt app with one-click updates for VCU+ firmware and the app. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#firmware-updates ## Which operating systems does Bolt support? Bolt supports Windows, macOS, and Linux. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#bolt-operating-systems ## Where can I buy VCU+? VCU+ is available through our authorized retail partners Current LA, Westside EV, Scotten Motors, and Magnetomotive EV (Nissan Leaf specialist). Visit the Order section on this page to purchase. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#where-to-buy ## Can I talk to sales or get a formal quote? Yes. Reach out via our Contact page to connect with sales for quotes, invoices, and purchasing assistance. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#sales-quote ## Can I become a reseller/partner? Yes. Please contact us directly to start the partner onboarding process. We will follow up with details and create your account. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#reseller-partner ## How can I request a new feature or share feedback? Reach out via our Contact page and we’ll follow up. In many cases, you can implement ideas immediately using Lua plugins. Link: https://dynamlabs.com/vcu#feature-feedback