Tips on wet weather riding
05-03-12, 09:11 AM
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Tips on wet weather riding
What are some good tips on wet weather riding?
What do you do to protect your motors/electronics/etc if you ride to work in nice weather and it's heavy rain on the way home?
Has anyone had any problems with the electrics on your bike in rain or damp weather?
If you have to leave your bike out in the rain at work, etc. do you think a bike cover is worth it?
What do you do to protect your motors/electronics/etc if you ride to work in nice weather and it's heavy rain on the way home?
Has anyone had any problems with the electrics on your bike in rain or damp weather?
If you have to leave your bike out in the rain at work, etc. do you think a bike cover is worth it?
05-04-12, 05:25 PM
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Throttles get wet...put a plastic bag over a twist throttle if it is sitting in the rain. Otherwise cover the ingress points with your hand as you ride.
Use drip loop on the phase wires going up into the motor, so water can't run down the phase wires into the axle.
Hot motors push out hot air through the axle and anywhere else that air can get out. As they cool they suck in moist cool air from outside the motor, leading to eventual condensation inside the motor, and rusting. Best to store the bike inside after a ride in warmer air so lower relative humidity air gets back in. Or drill holes in the cover, Boeshield T9 the motor guts, and let the motor dry out through the holes.
Controllers can be wrapped in duct-tape or plastic or small dry bags.
Cut inner tube pieces about 5 inches long and tape over the end of connectors on each side, and then overlap the inner tubes when connecting the wires, so that moisture running down the wire goes over the inner tube, and not into the connectors.
Use a waterproof box for the battery, but don't forget to open it as you charge, as the BMS will need to dissipate heat at the end of the charge cycle. I use a polycarbonate Plano tackle box for my Ping battery. Totally waterproof and indestructible, with foam inside around the battery (but not the BMS) for vibration damping.
Use disk brakes if possible in the rain.
Use drip loop on the phase wires going up into the motor, so water can't run down the phase wires into the axle.
Hot motors push out hot air through the axle and anywhere else that air can get out. As they cool they suck in moist cool air from outside the motor, leading to eventual condensation inside the motor, and rusting. Best to store the bike inside after a ride in warmer air so lower relative humidity air gets back in. Or drill holes in the cover, Boeshield T9 the motor guts, and let the motor dry out through the holes.
Controllers can be wrapped in duct-tape or plastic or small dry bags.
Cut inner tube pieces about 5 inches long and tape over the end of connectors on each side, and then overlap the inner tubes when connecting the wires, so that moisture running down the wire goes over the inner tube, and not into the connectors.
Use a waterproof box for the battery, but don't forget to open it as you charge, as the BMS will need to dissipate heat at the end of the charge cycle. I use a polycarbonate Plano tackle box for my Ping battery. Totally waterproof and indestructible, with foam inside around the battery (but not the BMS) for vibration damping.
Use disk brakes if possible in the rain.
05-05-12, 08:46 AM
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I wouldn't leave a non-motorized bike sit in the rain for long much less a motorized one. Yes, a bike cover is cheap and worth it.
05-07-12, 04:43 PM
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I try not to let it sit, but it does get wet riding here in Victoria, BC in the winter. I ride every day, rain or shine. I made it through the winter with no breakdowns. Not sure what my motor looks like inside though. Salt on the roads means I don't ride.
05-10-12, 11:56 AM
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I do nothing when I see rain
Just sit on my Eplus and start riding,no need for plastic bags,silicon ,etc
Just sit on my Eplus and start riding,no need for plastic bags,silicon ,etc
05-10-12, 04:44 PM
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I just sort of figured that the designers had taken all of that into account. I have been using my eZee front hub motor since 2009.
I have the controller and battery in a racktop/trunk bag mounted above the front wheel. I don't take any special precautions.
My bike is stored outside, under cover most of the time.
The only issue that I have had, is that my Cycle Analyst decided to do a complete system reset once when it was raining.
I have the controller and battery in a racktop/trunk bag mounted above the front wheel. I don't take any special precautions.
My bike is stored outside, under cover most of the time.
The only issue that I have had, is that my Cycle Analyst decided to do a complete system reset once when it was raining.
