Moisture in battery connections

[vertzonaatio]

Hi guys,

Washed my new YT Decoy with a garden hose as I've always done with my bikes. Next day, the bike wouldn't get past the "Shimano Steps" logo. Took the battery off to see that the connection between battery the rest of the bike was covered in condensed water. Blew water off with a can of a air. During the ride I the motor cut off several times with E 020 (connection problem). I tried blowing and drying in the sun and eventually it always started again.

When I arrived home several hours later I tried the air can again. More water spewed out from the battery connection.

This can not be the way it's supposed to work. It would be crazy not to be able to clean your bike with a low pressure water hose! Does this happen to all of you? Has anyone tried adding some extra insulation or other tricks to avoid this or how do you guys handle this?

Thanks!

 

[MKoskinen]

Check this post out:


Decoy Hacks??!!

Decoy Hacks??!! - EMTB Forums

Reading through the forum whilst eagerly anticipating delivery of my Decoy Pro 29 - trying hard not to focus on the bad sh1t but it's difficult! With this in mind, I'd be interested to hear about any hacks you guys have to help try prevent the more common issues - thinking mainly around the...

www.emtbforums.com

Helped me lots

 

[Sapientiea]

Water gets in via the grommets near the headset. That is the only way it can get into the contact points unless you wash your bike upside down which you shouldn't do anyways.

 

[vertzonaatio]

Check this post out:


Decoy Hacks??!!

Decoy Hacks??!! - EMTB Forums

Reading through the forum whilst eagerly anticipating delivery of my Decoy Pro 29 - trying hard not to focus on the bad sh1t but it's difficult! With this in mind, I'd be interested to hear about any hacks you guys have to help try prevent the more common issues - thinking mainly around the...

www.emtbforums.com

Helped me lots

Thanks. That was a good read. I think i'll go get some insulation/neoprene tape and make the upper part of the battery fit a bit better.

 

[vertzonaatio]

Water gets in via the grommets near the headset. That is the only way it can get into the contact points unless you wash your bike upside down which you shouldn't do anyways.

Hmm.. Hadn't thought about that, just expected it to leak throught the battery enclosure as it isn't a close fit at all.

 

[leftside]

I rode the bike yesterday in the wettest/dirtiest conditions I've ever ridden in. My buddy was also on a Decoy. The trails at Vedder mountain/Chilliwack/BC have lot's of clay, so super sketchy in the wet with a few huge puddles. I'm happy to report neither of us had a single problem with the bikes following the steps in that Decoy Hacks thread. My bike used to look at a puddle and throw an error.

 

[vertzonaatio]

I rode the bike yesterday in the wettest/dirtiest conditions I've ever ridden in. My buddy was also on a Decoy. The trails at Vedder mountain/Chilliwack/BC have lot's of clay, so super sketchy in the wet with a few huge puddles. I'm happy to report neither of us had a single problem with the bikes following the steps in that Decoy Hacks thread. My bike used to look at a puddle and throw an error.

So what exactly did you end up doing? I've so far added zip ties to hold the rubber cable thingies in place to reduce water intake from headset area, and added some insulation to the top of the battery to make it fit tighter. Still feel that probably the best thing would be to find some Dielectric Grease but I'm not sure how to apply it, as you are not supposed to put it in the connecters (as it does not conduct electricity) but around it maybe?

 

[Subzilla]

I used the Dielectric grease and not had the issue return
I’m gonna add some neoprene tape just to keep out excess mud and water as a precaution

 

[leftside]

So what exactly did you end up doing? I've so far added zip ties to hold the rubber cable thingies in place to reduce water intake from headset area, and added some insulation to the top of the battery to make it fit tighter. Still feel that probably the best thing would be to find some Dielectric Grease but I'm not sure how to apply it, as you are not supposed to put it in the connecters (as it does not conduct electricity) but around it maybe?

Five step process:
1) Take battery out and use air compressor on battery connectors and on connectors under downtube
2) Take an old tooth brush and scrub same connectors with isopropyl alcohol. Let dry.
3) Apply ACF-50 to same connectors
4) Apply dielectric grease to same connectors. If anything, it makes it easier to put battery back in
5) Apply pvc/electrical tape to outside all along downtube to cover the gaps. Or apply neoprene on the inside of the battery (pics in other thread). I do the latter with a little electrical tape at the top. My buddy does the former.

The battery charge connector on the downtube can also face similar issues. Be sure to keep that clean as well. Can also apply above steps.