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Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: RZ on February 23, 2023, 12:06:59 AM
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Not a new topic but one which requires an answer, preferably from Zero. There’s a lot of conjecture regarding the waterproofing of key components on the SRF/ S platform. Have
the lessons learned on the earlier models been incorporated in the current model? Can
someone from Zero update us? I won’t be buying one until I know these issues have been addressed.
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I will make one comment. When I visited the factory a few years ago and watched the legacy models being assembled on their production line (such as it was), they were using huge gobs of clear silicone waterproof grease (at least I guess that is what it was) and smearing it all over every connection by the handfuls. I wonder if the bean counters found out how much that grease cost and put the new models on a diet?
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Last year at about 45,000 km I started having more serious water issues, like I couldn't start a ride after washing it with a garden hose. I had to wait until it was completely dry.
My Zero dealer did a Zero software based water test (sort of) and concluded that the chargers that came with the bike needed be replaced with newer versions that have since been improved against water ingress. Since those were exchanged free of charge, I am pretty sure Zero was already mounting the new ones as soon as possible.
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I just had mine apart to do some water proofing. This is a 2020 SRS premium. The chargers themselves are closed up boxes, with two amphenol connectors for in/out that look really water resistant. High quality stuff. If water goes through the cooling fins sideways and touches the fans maybe that could be the cause. The chargers themselves looked tip top to me.
Mine went two years with no trouble in rain, then became very easy to get an Isolation fault in even a light rain. My guess is the rainwater goes in at the top of the battery case where the HV cables go down in from the chargers. I guess time will tell if that was a good guess or not.
Here are two pictures. First is the gap before I filled it, shown with the charger out of the way, and the second is the same with a bunch of silicon sealer on it. In retrospect I wish I had done the interior of those wire wraps on the cables too to reduce water wicking but I didnt think of it until it was reassembled.
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Sealed up. Note there are two gaps, the second is sort of in shadow in the pic. I sealed that one the same way. I think that one is there for the second charger's cables to go down in.