ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: Worksoptony on May 06, 2015, 11:48:27 PM
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First ride in heavy rain. I'm pleased to report the bike is still running perfectly and the rain caused no problem other than a wet back. I'm going to have to knock something together. I wonder does anybody know of a bike with similar dimensions as a Zero S. Perhaps the hugger for that bike could be modified. Although I think a full on mudguard would be best.
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I am looking into something similar as well. Keeping the fender on the back in hopes of extending it a bit and filling the gap in the middle.
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Yes I was looking at the hole in the back. Filling it will give some protection.
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I also put the fender back on my bike as I found water was getting up onto the controller without it.
Is dielectric grease on the controllers connector block a good idea?
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Justin, I have tried it and it doesn't work ssore far as I can tell.
I put dielectric grease all over the back of the connector in an attempt to keep water off the 35 pin connector and whenever it rains the bike flashes the "oh no there is water on your controller" pattern till it dries out later.
So close to enclosing the whole upper rear wheel lol
Might just make a undertail plastic insert to keep water out of there instead.
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Yeah, I'm intending to make a full hugger for my bike, just need to get a round tuit first.
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I put dielectric grease all over the back of the connector in an attempt to keep water off the 35 pin connector and whenever it rains the bike flashes the "oh no there is water on your controller" pattern till it dries out later.
I know others disagree with me, but "use more dielectric grease" just isn't a proper solution for a bad design. And I DO stick to my contention that it's reasonable to expect a vehicle to be able to perform properly even in extremely adverse weather, and to be hose-washed, without rolling over and playing dead. Other bikes do it, why can't ours?
I don't mean to sound overly critical in saying so. Overall, I think the Zero is a marvelous design, I just think there are areas that need improvement, which in general Zero is doing a very good job of addressing...but the water-proofing aspect still needs a lot of work.
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I put dielectric grease all over the back of the connector in an attempt to keep water off the 35 pin connector and whenever it rains the bike flashes the "oh no there is water on your controller" pattern till it dries out later.
I know others disagree with me, but "use more dielectric grease" just isn't a proper solution for a bad design. And I DO stick to my contention that it's reasonable to expect a vehicle to be able to perform properly even in extremely adverse weather, and to be hose-washed, without rolling over and playing dead. Other bikes do it, why can't ours?
I don't mean to sound overly critical in saying so. Overall, I think the Zero is a marvelous design, I just think there are areas that need improvement, which in general Zero is doing a very good job of addressing...but the water-proofing aspect still needs a lot of work.
Couldn't agree more.... Unfortunately in California our understanding of "rain" is different than the rest of the world, I have never had an issue with my fx's leaving me stranded because of water, but I can is sure you I have gotten them wetter than most everyone one here. That being said I still couldn't agree more, zero could easily order the bikes wiring harness with real waterproof connections which they should, but the electronics package would go up in price 25% or more, and look at what trimester paid for a "roller" or as zero refers to it B.O.B. (Bike on bench) all the electron components to make it go, $ 8700 ish if I recall correctly. So 25% would basically make the bike much more expensive, out of the market really, let's face it zeros are still a "rich old kids toy"
Yes I said it, I'm 24 I'm allowed to.... 8)
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Zero tests their batteries by submerging them in a water bath for something like 24 hours. Maybe they should do that for an entire motorcycle one of these days. ;)
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There is a product called Plastidip, which is available in Europe and the US. It is a rubberised dielectric paint, which comes in an aerosol. I think I will be buying some. Still want a mudguard though.
http://www.plastidip.co.uk/product/aerosol-spray (http://www.plastidip.co.uk/product/aerosol-spray)
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Good recommendation - thanks. I think I'll get some for my underseat sound synthesiser. As for the paintwork, I wonder if it is UV resistant?
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Good recommendation - thanks. I think I'll get some for my underseat sound synthesiser. As for the paintwork, I wonder if it is UV resistant?
My 2012 S has spent nearly every workday parked outside and it shows no sign of fading.
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Zero tests their batteries by submerging them in a water bath for something like 24 hours. Maybe they should do that for an entire motorcycle one of these days. ;)
Lol who told you that?
The batteries are put under a shower head for I believe it's 20 min in a little booth behind the building... Let's face it it's barely like a light shower most parts of the world. And the batteries dont have water issues it's always the bike side isolation faults so that stems from water touching the unwaterproof plugs and harnesses topically they big one on the controller
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There is a product called Plastidip, which is available in Europe and the US. It is a rubberised dielectric paint, which comes in an aerosol. I think I will be buying some. Still want a mudguard though.
http://www.plastidip.co.uk/product/aerosol-spray (http://www.plastidip.co.uk/product/aerosol-spray)
If your really going to go that far use something g that is proven non conductive
Electrical tape... Particularly the liquid version you could easily paint this over all the connections with no harm to the bike and it will do the best job of waterproofing the bike compared to anything I can think of / and / or has been mentioned
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Zero tests their batteries by submerging them in a water bath for something like 24 hours. Maybe they should do that for an entire motorcycle one of these days. ;)
Lol who told you that?
The batteries are put under a shower head for I believe it's 20 min in a little booth behind the building... Let's face it it's barely like a light shower most parts of the world. And the batteries dont have water issues it's always the bike side isolation faults so that stems from water touching the unwaterproof plugs and harnesses topically they big one on the controller
That battery soaking test was mentioned in a recent Zero interview article. I think they only tried that once. It was claimed that the battery worked fine after it was plucked out of the tub. In any case, I do worry about the electrical connections on the bike after a few years of ownership. I never ride my Zero in rainy weather but last week I rode it in 100% humidity fog and the computer lost its "custom" programming and had to be reset once the sun came out. ??? So as near as I can tell, Zero's don't like moisture all that much and having owned a few Suzuki and Honda motorcycles in the past, electrical connections kind of worry me. ::)
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...zero could easily order the bikes wiring harness with real waterproof connections which they should, but the electronics package would go up in price 25% or more...
I can't imagine that would be necessary. I doubt Honda spends that kind of money on all fully waterproof connectors on their bikes, and while (of course) some people occasionally have problems, by and large their bikes are extremely reliable in all kinds of weather. I'd imagine it's much more about connector location, wire routing, harness wrapping and securing, splash guards, that sort of thing. There are plastic trim pieces all over the bike, if you paid a little attention to detail you could easily, with little or no extra expense, create small spaces for the connectors that would be virtually impossible to get wet. I'd be willing to bet that just changing the rear fender to a wheel-hugger design would keep the spray under much better control and be a big help.
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The main connection on your controller physically needs to be a waterproof connection period! On both models (frames) street and fx the controller is positioned in the opposite but similar position, both with have the connector (wiring harness) plugging down into the cup of the controller this is a pocket for water. Without having a waterproof connector or liquid electrical taping the back and sides of that connector while connected there is now way for zero or anyone to waterproof the bike., even if you put a drip look before or after depending on bike and orientation, you would need a lot more than strategic placing. The controller can't be flipped because the other main connections are right there too, and on both bike the heat sink is directly behind sprat from the wheel.
If you look at the dash of a 14 zero to the dash of a Ducati, Honda, Suzuki, bmw street bike the gauge clusters are actually waterproof, and they cost 25% more on average than a zeros....
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If you look at the dash of a 14 zero to the dash of a Ducati, Honda, Suzuki, bmw street bike the gauge clusters are actually waterproof, and they cost 25% more on average than a zeros....
I didn't know that, thanks for the info. It definitely seems clear Zero needs to find a different approach...and I'd agree with you that at least the "important" connectors should be fully watertight, too. The "important" PCBs should also be housed in a watertight compartment, as well as being conformal coated, for redundant protection against water incursion. Honestly, one tow on a flatbed with a trip to the shop would cover the extra parts cost.
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Zero's don't like moisture all that much and having owned a few Suzuki and Honda motorcycles in the past, electrical connections kind of worry me. ::)
Suzuki's... Which my friends used to call my sugar bikes, because they all used to "melt" in the rain. Never had much of a problem with Honda's in the wet however.
No, Zero's don't like the wet much, however I did find that putting the tail, with the center gap filled in, back on my bike seriously reduced the bike "losing" the custom settings (I tend to automatically get them back once the bike has dried out). I swear its moisture on the controller that's causing that issue. I'm thinking of putting some dielectric grease over the Sevcons plug, and then fitting a rubber boot (if I can find something appropriate) over it as well.