Can brushless motors get water damage?

[edskate]

Hey everyone,

I have an electric longboard and I'm trying to make it waterproof. Im not going to deliberately ride in the rain, but if it rains when I'm out I want to still ride home. I have made the battery and ESC waterproof. its just the brushless motor.. there is no way i can put it in an enclosure. SO how can these motors take getting a little bit wet?

 

[friendly1uk]

Well it depends what they are made of. Most bearings will rust though, and iron lamination's will rust in free air if not coated in something. Copper will oxidise. Most of it don't want to get wet. It certainly won't want to stay wet if it does.

I don't know what you have so can't be more specific.

 

[WeeChumlee]

Hi
All the comments made are valid, so sure "don't get it wet".
Saying that though it is not as dire as it sounds. I live in the UK so sure, wet happens.
On Friday I got caught in a bloody hail storm on the way home.
The motors can handle a bit of wet and what i do is when i get home always give everything a quick rub/brushdown.
The motors are generally at least a bit warm and, provided they were not drowned, dry out pretty well.
Took one apart last week to check the bearings and they were still fine after months of such use.

 

[drmacgyver]

I've rode through rain a few times and have had no problems (even with water getting inside my enclosure - yikes!). Just run your motor for a minute or so when you're done riding and the heat should evaporate any moisture. And/or take the motor apart and give it a little detailed TLC (it's not a bad idea to be familiar with assembling/dissembling the parts of your board, anyway). At the very least I'd recommend maintaining your bearings if they get wet/dirty. I like to think that if you're good to your board, it will be good to you.

 

[Hummina Shadeeba]

People have made out runners completely waterproof and then run them underwater.

The magnet wire in the motor is waterproof because it's insulated but the connections to any other wires aren't covered. If u open the motor and seal all the connections u should, in theory, be waterproof

 

[alexaus]

As others said you really only have to worry about corrosion of the core and bearings/shaft. If you're planning to ride in rain a lot maybe see if you can get more bearings for the motor and take a look and see how well the core is sealed/coated. Worst case is your thing gets rusty and you efentually have to buy a new one. If you're worried, spray the motor down with WD-40 after it gets wet. WD-40 is designed to displace water.