From Lynn Ellen:
I am going to Florida next week, and I am wondering how the TravelScoot will do in the rain. Of course I am wondering how I will do in the rain, perched on my Scoot seat, but I think I can keep myself fairly covered.
In particular, I am thinking about the connection between battery and motor, and if I need to cover anything. Also, I have two Lithium Ion Batteries, and I keep them velcro'd together so I can swap off if I run out of juice on the go. Should I be covering the wires that aren't in use?
I know that stopping distance won't be the same, for some of the same reasons that is true in a car (wet wheels reduce traction). And going uphill might be a little more dicey as well. I can probably make those adjustments.
I have also selected one of my old bath towels to keep on hand in the trunk of my car so that when the car is wet, and I am leaning forward to put the main body of the scooter in or out of the trunk, I am not leaning on a wet car.
So please, tell me your stories, your solutions, your innovations, and let's hope I also have a few un-rainy days to go along with the 80 degree weather so I can make my way into the ocean.
Posts
Wow, Lynn Ellen -- you're really racking up those frequent flier miles! I welcome any tips you care to share on flying with the 'Scoot.
ReplyDeleteI asked Hardy about 'Scootin' in the rain recently, and he said the motor must not get wet. He also said to avoid puddles.
We didn't go into the detail you request here; maybe Hardy will see this post & reply?
I'm wondering if wearing a poncho that covers me and the motor would do the job, at least in a gentle rain?
Oh, by the way, last night, I ORDERED MY TRAVELSCOOT -- WOOHOO!
AmpleHugs,
-Anne
I can tell you what "not to do". I strongly recommend passing on the urge to use an umbrella while scooting in the rain . . . and I really wish someone had gotten a picture, or a video.
ReplyDeleteRhonda, I'm thinking there's a story to be told here. Are you going to share with us? I'm sure Lynn Ellen wants to know what to avoid. :-)
ReplyDeleteLet's just say that it was "less than a graceful moment". I would have gotten less wet if I had just gunned the throttle and not tried the umbrella. As long as I crawled along, it was fine, but every time I increased my speed, the umbrella would blow out of my hand. I eventually just gave up. I'm sure it was fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteSounds like Rhonda found out about unbrellas like I did. Here in Atlanta it rains frequently. I actually can use an unbrella in one hand while driving with the other. It is not easy, but I don't want VroomVroom and my eletronics (mp3, phone, etc) to get soaked. Here's some of the things I've learned about unbrellas. DON'T scoot like you normally would! I'm serious. Slow down to window shopping speed where there's a lot of sparklies - you know, a bare crawl - otherwise the wind will catch it and pop it backwards - many times until you get the hang of it. (Meanwhile you are stil getting soaked, so what was the point of the whole thing?) To make sure that you and the motor/battery are covered, you need a large one. That only magnifies the problem.
ReplyDeleteOK, now that I've told you all that, the truth is that it has to be really, really pouring for me to break out the unbrella now. Sprinkles don't seem to do any harm. I usually put my briefcase in a plastic bag and put it under the seat. For the most part that seems to protect the battery, and the seat (and what's on the seat) gives added protection. Sometimes it's to the advantage to have a well rounded bottom.
I have tried to make a poncho for just the motor/battery. The thing to take into account with this is that the wheel rolls down and back up towards the motor. Yep, it gets the motor wet anyway, but the battery stays dry. Back to the drawing board. . . . .
Anne, congratulations! Have you started tracking your scoot several times a day yet? I couldn't sleep before mine came!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth said: "Anne, congratulations! Have you started tracking your scoot several times a day yet? I couldn't sleep before mine came!"
ReplyDeleteI do keep checking the UPS tracking number, which is still not showing anything. Bonnie @ TravelScoot says UPS is telling her my TS is due to be delivered 11/30. I need it for an appointment with my doc (who moved to an in-hospital office, which is way too far for me from the parking lot) on 12/1, so that's cutting it a bit close. It's going to be a lo-o-o-ng Thanksgiving weekend! I am so looking forward to showing off my new Scoot to my doc!
AmpleHugs,
-Anne
I hope it gets there in time Anne!
ReplyDeleteI was tracking mine like mad it was nerve racking :)