Electric Bikes Conversion Kits EMTBS eRoad/Commuting What's New?

Waterproofing

jazper53

jazper53

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 20, 2012
890
18
Brighton
hatti said:
Hi all

I was talking to a potential customer yesterday. She was in the market for a new e bike, her previous one (not from us luckily!) having died spectacularly in a severe hailstorm. Not only had the display unit fizzed but her battery had actually burst into flames. We've never had water in a battery but have had 2 or 3 790s and Kingmeters where the rain seemed to seep in and I'm sure we're not alone. They do dry out but it is be a pain. In my view all E bikes should be weatherproof but as we've seen recently the rain can't half bucket down when it wants.....
So I've tried to find what look like transparent plastic shower caps - small ones with elasticated edges for displays and larger elongated ones for batteries in rear carriers - for anyone who might just want a bit more protection against the elements and which would fit all brands of bike. Cost would probably be 50p for the display covers and £1 for the battery ones. But a) I can't find them ready made, b) thought they might look a bit naff and c) too busy to get the sewing machine out.
Anyone agree and any better suggestions out there?

Hatti
Click to expand...
I think the best waterproofing system is never to cycle in the rain, its always worked for me, and it is no coincidence that my bike has had a perfect record of electrical reliability.
 
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flecc

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,319
30,681
jazper53 said:
I think the best waterproofing system is never to cycle in the rain, its always worked for me, and it is no coincidence that my bike has had a perfect record of electrical reliability.
Click to expand...
One of my well known make e-bikes had the stricture in it's manual, "Never ride in rain"!

They obviously share your view. :)
 
M

mike killay

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 17, 2011
3,012
1,629
Last autumn I was on holiday in Belgium and it rained heavily for 12 out of the 14 days with high winds at times. Because I was in my campervan, I had no option but to leave my Tonaro out in the rain. I could not leave the cover on because it caused the bike to blow over in the wind. I used to remove the battery and take it into the van. Every morning, with trepidation I plugged the battery into the bike and never had a moments problem. This model does not have a 790 control, just switches which I have angled downwards.
To give an idea of the rain, I used to also take the saddle and tube out every night. At the end of the 14 days, there was a considerable amount of water inside the frame!
 
flecc

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,319
30,681
mike killay said:
I had no option but to leave my Tonaro out in the rain. I could not leave the cover on because it caused the bike to blow over in the wind. I used to remove the battery and take it into the van. Every morning, with trepidation I plugged the battery into the bike and never had a moments problem.
Click to expand...
As I posted earlier, there's no doubt that the integrated crank drive units are far, far better at withstanding rain and general damp. They almost never crop up in the forum with problems in this respect, unlike hub motor bikes which very frequently suffer. I think for those who depend on their e-bike for daily commutes in all weathers, this is a serious consideration when choosing the right bike for the job.
 
A

atheo

Pedelecer
Jul 10, 2011
102
12
Beds..
flecc said:
As I posted earlier, there's no doubt that the integrated crank drive units are far, far better at withstanding rain and general damp. They almost never crop up in the forum with problems in this respect, unlike hub motor bikes which very frequently suffer. I think for those who depend on their e-bike for daily commutes in all weathers, this is a serious consideration when choosing the right bike for the job.
Click to expand...
 
jazper53

jazper53

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 20, 2012
890
18
Brighton
mike killay said:
Last autumn I was on holiday in Belgium and it rained heavily for 12 out of the 14 days with high winds at times. Because I was in my campervan, I had no option but to leave my Tonaro out in the rain. I could not leave the cover on because it caused the bike to blow over in the wind. I used to remove the battery and take it into the van. Every morning, with trepidation I plugged the battery into the bike and never had a moments problem. This model does not have a 790 control, just switches which I have angled downwards.
To give an idea of the rain, I used to also take the saddle and tube out every night. At the end of the 14 days, there was a considerable amount of water inside the frame!
Click to expand...
Maybe a appropriate size cork might cure the problem ?
 
EddiePJ

EddiePJ

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jul 7, 2013
4,632
4,013
Crowborough, East Sussex
www.facebook.com
I can't say that I'm overly impressed by how much water gets between the battery and contacts on the new Haibike. This is something that doesn't happen on the BH despite the hammering that it has had through flood water and countless muddy puddles.
I don't yet know how the Bosch console stands up to the wet yet, but on the BH I just run a bead of silicon between the console and the mount. The top of the display console has never presented any issues, which is more that can be said for the motor. But most of the issue there was caused with me washing the bike in an upright position. I now lean the bike over to chainset side and this has solved all water ingress issues.
 
pdarnett

pdarnett

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jul 5, 2013
599
140
Bradford
www.mybigdaydj.co.uk
M

MikeyBikey

Pedelecer
Mar 5, 2013
237
23

Waterproof Camera Pouch Case Cover Underwater Case
Generic
Product Description
Brand new heavy duty waterproof plastic bag with a lanyard for easy carrying
Loop and hook closing system ensures full protection
They can be used to hold.. cell phones
Floats safely if dropped in the water..)
Great for.. any other water sport!
Measures: 20.5cm x 12.7cm

Probably too big, but you get the idea :) Cheers to those going down the pub. Anyone for Real Ale? Mike
 
pdarnett

pdarnett

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jul 5, 2013
599
140
Bradford
www.mybigdaydj.co.uk
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mountainsport

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 6, 2012
1,419
298
pdarnett said:
Old thread but an update! Found something to cover my odd shaped Momentum battery with. A Neoprene Camera lens bag! Nice fit and only had to bodge one "flap" for the charge port with some velcro!

View attachment 8332 View attachment 8333 View attachment 8334 View attachment 8335

£12 from Play.com About 270mm long by 100mm wide drawstring top.

This one http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/33691705/Matin-Neoprene-Lens-Pouch-400/Product.html
Click to expand...
Very very neat, actually you can not get neater than that.

MS.
 
jackhandy

jackhandy

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 20, 2012
1,820
323
the Cornish Alps
Not wishing to pour cold water on your new cover ;)

But neoprene's not waterproof - unless it has a coating of some kind, of course.
It absorbs water, quickly saturating, & allows your body heat to warm the trapped water, that's how a wetsuit keeps your important bits warm-ish.
 
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benjy_a

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jul 25, 2009
417
26
jackhandy said:
Not wishing to pour cold water on your new cover ;)

But neoprene's not waterproof - unless it has a coating of some kind, of course.
It absorbs water, quickly saturating, & allows your body heat to warm the trapped water, that's how a wetsuit keeps your important bits warm-ish.
Click to expand...

That's not the case. Neoprene is waterproof, I have a drysuit made out of the stuff! A wetsuit allows water in at the wrist, ankle and neck seals and traps a layer between your body and the suit. That's why a loose wetsuit won't work as it allows fresh water to flush through too easily.

If a wetsuit worked as you suggest it would never get warm! The water would be constantly flushed through and never heat up.
 
falmouthtony

falmouthtony

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 14, 2013
296
166
By the Coast to Coast Trail in South Cornwall
benjy_a said:
That's not the case. Neoprene is waterproof, I have a drysuit made out of the stuff! A wetsuit allows water in at the wrist, ankle and neck seals and traps a layer between your body and the suit. That's why a loose wetsuit won't work as it allows fresh water to flush through too easily.

If a wetsuit worked as you suggest it would never get warm! The water would be constantly flushed through and never heat up.
Click to expand...

A wet suit provides a layer of water resistant flexible foam (neoprene) that acts as insulation and keeps out MOST of the water. Some water does get in at your neck, wrists and ankles, maybe a little general seepage . This water warms quickly to body temperature and provides a little more insulation. However, it is essential that your wet suit fits tightly so the movement of water through the suit is minimized. If the suit is too big, it is “drafty” and the cold water that moves through the suit chills you.
 
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