Effects of water on a Cyclone kit

[redline8400]

Hi All,

I've got a Cyclone 360 kit installed along with a drainbrain. I've noticed that when I cycle in medium to heavy rain for more than 10 minutes I get a power reduction of about 50%. My DrainBrain readings max out at about 380w instead of the usual 600-800 watt peaks. Any ideas what the exact problem could be?

Thanks!

Redline

 

[Nimbuzz]

I don't know what it is but I do know that I wouldn't ride any ebike in real rain because I might get a 50% drop in power -- or worse.

 

[jerryt]

Here some more wet ebikes
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1294

 

[fechter]

I'd suspect something in the controller. The throttle is another possible weak point.

 

[knoxie]

Hi

Yes Tony from electrodrive had this problem with those kits, the earlier cyclones let water in really easy, you could try some silicon around the entrance to the wires assembly, sadly I doubt it will last much longer this is normally the death throws for those motors. If you have any warranty left I would suggest trying to get a new one from your supplier. There was a long thread on this issue over on Power Assist a while back.

Knoxie

 

[redline8400]

Hey Knoxie,

Thanks for the headsup... Do you think my motor will fail because of rust inside? If I seal it up nice (and I had put some epoxy around the wire entrance) everywhere, couldn't I stop the motor and controller from failing? This is a bit worrysome to say the least...

Thanks everyone!

 

[knoxie]

Hi

Water and Motors are a bad mix normally, but water, motors and a potted controller are even worse, the problem with the cyclones is that they take a good soaking from the front tyre unless you have long fenders on the bike.

Tony managed to seal them ok using a combo of a hot glue gun and some silicon, It should be ok, you could spray a good dose of WD40 where you can and then rap some self amalgamating tape around anywhere you think water may get in, I use self amalgamating tape on all my stuff its brilliant.

Hope that sorts the problem for you, check all your connections a smear of Vaseline is also good inside connectors to help prevent arcing and corrosion and also keep out water, dielectric grease is better if you can get some but Vaseline works ok as long as it doesn't get too hot.

Good Luck

Knoxie