If you own an electric scooter, you probably might want to use it on rainy days. Although the majority of today’s electric scooters are water-resistant to an extent, they’re not completely waterproof.
Fortunately, there are techniques available to assist you in protecting your electric scooter and having a pleasant ride. In this article, we’ll discuss some hacks and adjustments to waterproof your electric scooter.
Short Answer
The following methods can be used to waterproof your electric scooter:
- Using Silicone
- Using O-Rings
- Using Duct Tape
- Using a Covering
Before we get in-depth, let’s walk you through the IP rating of e-scooters.
What to Know About IP Rating
Almost all electric scooters have an IP rating. This rating allows you to measure the waterproofing capabilities of your scooter. The IP rating is in the owner’s manual for your perusal.
Essentially, the greater the rating, the more waterproof your electric scooter is. Conversely, scooters with poor ratings may have limited weatherproof capabilities.
Also, you should put more importance on the second number in the IP rating. It’s worth mentioning that anything with an IP 5 or 6 rating and higher is cutting-edge and comes at a higher cost.
Here’s a description of some IP levels available in electric scooters:
- IPX4: Resistant to splashes (in all directions)
- IPX5: Resistant to low-pressure water sprays
- IPX6: Resistant to high-pressure water sprays
- IP54: Protected from water spray (in all directions)
- IP55: Protected from low-pressure water sprays
- IP56: Protected from high-pressure water sprays
- IP57: Protected from immersion (between 15 cm and 1 m depths)
Ways to Waterproof Your Electric Scooter
If you’re constantly riding in moderate or severe rain, you might consider making some changes to your scooter. The adjustments listed below can assist you in keeping your scooter safe.
Because several of these approaches include working with electricals, it’s crucial to keep in mind that a little caution can go a long way. You should have no trouble applying these changes as long as you’re cautious.
Using Silicone
Using silicone is one of the most common waterproofing options you can safely attempt. Let’s see how and where to use it.
Non-Functional Holes
Many scooters have small, non-functional holes that can be found all over their decks, as well as around the handlebars. Assessing whether or not the hole is non-functional is the difficult part. However, functional holes on scooters are quite unusual. Most of the holes are usually for aesthetic purposes. You can fill those to waterproof your electric scooter.
But if you’re not certain about a hole, you can perform a quick test. Place the scooter’s deck on a higher platform so that the wheels are off the floor. Verify if the air is coming in or out of that opening by pressing on the throttle. If it isn’t, you can start filling it with silicone without risk.
Don’t worry if you’ve never performed silicone filling before; it’s quite straightforward. Simply snip the gun’s nozzle and begin filling the holes.
Connectors
The connectors are one of the weakest spots on any battery-powered scooter. They’re particularly vulnerable to water damage. A silicone-based coating is one of the finest ways to provide your connectors additional protection.
All you have to do now is get some silicone, uncover the deck, spray it, and let it completely dry. At the very least, give it up to 12 hours to ensure it’s thoroughly dry.
However, you should always look for any dirt that has gathered between the connectors and wipe them before waterproofing. Cover them after cleaning to prevent moisture and air from getting in. You won’t have to worry about corrosion or oxidation if you do it this way.
Using O-Rings
Many electric scooters have openings for the wires to pass through. However, this can present problems with water, potentially damaging your electrical components.
So, you can unscrew the components and then insert the o-rings into the gaps. After that, reinstall the screw when the wires have been fastened in position.
This will give water resistance, but you must check the user handbook and make sure that everything is in its proper location before proceeding.
Using Duct Tape
Duct tape is a simple and efficient way to waterproof your scooter. The first thing you should do is inspect the area surrounding the deck. Cover the holes showing the wires with adhesive tape if there are any visible wires. Also, pick a tape that complements the scooter’s color. The mixture will give you a more polished look.
The charging port is another important area to secure. This is usually near the floor, and you can’t depend completely on the cap as protection. So, cover it with duct tape. Water won’t be able to infiltrate it in this manner. You can also use tape to cover the power button.
Using a Covering
The throttle and LED screen are sensitive electronic components on the scooter. Here’s how you can waterproof these components.
For the screen, the best option is to cover it with a translucent plastic case similar to those found on new cell phones.
However, every scooter’s throttle protection will be a little bit different. This is because a lot of them are already watertight and may not require any additional shielding. But you can also add a covering, such as a wrapping balloon over the throttle.
Last Words
By now, you’re familiar with some waterproofing techniques that can be implemented in a matter of minutes. They play an important role in preventing moisture from entering your e-scooter.
However, don’t forget to figure out your e-scooter’s IP rating before riding it in the rain. Also, be cautious during your rainy rides, even if your scooter has already been waterproofed.
