Commuting - Planet Bike Super Flash - keeping it going in the rain

My unit has been great. The 1st year it was indestructible. Then this year I had issues when it got wet. Today I decided after a few days of rain riding and drying out at home and work, to adhere a strip of tape all along it's seam. Today, despite another MISERABLE morning commute in the rain, when I got to work it was still doing it's thing, good as new. It's in our server room drying out anyway cuz I spotted a water drop inside it. Maybe that came from my forehead when I opened, who knows - but you may want to try the tape along the seam if you're using it in the rain.

That's what I do, too.

My unit has been great. The 1st year it was indestructible. Then this year I had issues when it got wet. Today I decided after a few days of rain riding and drying out at home and work, to adhere a strip of tape all along it's seam. Today, despite another MISERABLE morning commute in the rain, when I got to work it was still doing it's thing, good as new. It's in our server room drying out anyway cuz I spotted a water drop inside it. Maybe that came from my forehead when I opened, who knows - but you may want to try the tape along the seam if you're using it in the rain.

That's great! I have PB Blinky 3 on my bike and after a couple of months I don't see any problems with it, even with some rides in the rain. Still running on the original battery.

Just curious -- what type of tape have you used??? Scotch Tape, postal packaging tape or duct tape? I personally use the postal packaging tape. It's strong and it's transparent.

funny you should ask what kind of tape - I looked frantically this morning for our regular scotch tape dispenser and was ticked off that my daughter didn't return it to "the place" we keep it. The stapler is also missing ARGH! I settled for brown plastic shipping tape that I had to cut to the correct width and length. For the ride home I guess I'll use the clear tape at my desk. The shipping tape was actually good because it left no residue and was easy to remove.

My unit has been great. The 1st year it was indestructible. Then this year I had issues when it got wet. Today I decided after a few days of rain riding and drying out at home and work, to adhere a strip of tape all along it's seam. Today, despite another MISERABLE morning commute in the rain, when I got to work it was still doing it's thing, good as new. It's in our server room drying out anyway cuz I spotted a water drop inside it. Maybe that came from my forehead when I opened, who knows - but you may want to try the tape along the seam if you're using it in the rain.

I've been on my beater rain bike all week; 27 miles this morning (training for a century). :notamused:

I cover my computer and lights with a clear plastic baggie and secure it with a rubber band.

plastic bag sounds good. my computer popped off and bounced to the street. I retrieved it but could not reattach it for some reason. will have to investigate it later. I'm assuming there's some grit somewhere preventing the latch from catching.

Problem Solved:
http://www.cateye.com/sites/cateye/upload/products/268-og.jpg

I have my Super Flash mounted directly under my seat. Maybe that is keeping mine a little dryer, but I've not had any problems 2 years riding year round in anything from heavy rain to serious sleet, to snow.

Happy riding,
André

..... - but you may want to try the tape along the seam if you're using it in the rain.

Or just buy a light that is actually waterproof, such as the blackburn fleas.

I have 2 PBSF blinkies which are mounted on my seatstays, and I've never had an issue with them when it's raining.

(Although, I've heard of this problem often, so maybe it's something to do with certain models? Mine are the ones with the opaque white plastic for the main body; about 2 years old.)

Or just buy a light that is actually waterproof, such as the blackburn fleas.

I have a set on my helmet. They're nice for when I don't feel like swapping the PB lights off my commuter. You do have to watch them though. There's no battery indicator,and being rechargable,there's not much of a gradual dimming. They go from full bright to dim suddenly. You can't swap the batteries either,you have to wait 'till it's recharged. After the second time the front dimmed on me on the bike,I started keeping a better eye on them. Not a huge deal,but something to keep in mind if you're used to regular lights.

part of my problem was due to where I was mounting it - at the center back of my rear rack which is just above the rear wheel, so it got the full brunt of fender-less wheel spray. about an hour of that at 15 - 20 mph with rain and grit was just not what it was designed to take. I'd love to mount it under my seat - that sounds like a good protected spot but my rear trunk is always packed too high.

our rainy season is just about done though, RIGHT? so it should be fine for the rest of my summer commuting. this is my only full 5 day week of the year - except for maybe the week of 8/2. I have to start doing some traveling for work, and then there's also the pesky 3 weeks vacation time I need to use up before the end of August. :-)

Mine got water in it, my own fault, and died for about a week, I just left it to dry and it works fine again. Re: CATEYE products, only buy their high end stuff, their cheaper lights are rubbish and I have wasted a lot of money on them. Particularly their front light systems.

Tape is a good idea, but, for a different reason. The only weakness with the superflash is it's tendency to pop apart. Mine did this as I was loading the bike into the wife minivan. Didn't notice it at the time. Noticed that most of it was missing the next day. Found later in the driveway. The superflash doesn't much like being run over. :(

The next one will be taped along the seam and zip tied.

Tape is a good idea, but, for a different reason. The only weakness with the superflash is it's tendency to pop apart. Mine did this as I was loading the bike into the wife minivan. Didn't notice it at the time. Noticed that most of it was missing the next day. Found later in the driveway. The superflash doesn't much like being run over. :(

The next one will be taped along the seam and zip tied.

I wrap a rubber band around the unit to keep it together and, as described in a prior post to this thread, in the rain cover it with a clear plastic baggie secured with a rubber band.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=281547

I did manage to break a Superflash once, but that involved a fall and a heavy camping roll.

If it gets wet, throw it in a bag of rice overnight. Should be good as new in the morning.

I think my PB mount is getting messed up, my superflash keeps flying off my bike whenever I hit any potholes. I've had to take to duct taping it to the mount, which is annoying when I have to remove the thing.

just bend the clip forward a little to give it more tension. it should now snap click like it used to