Segway jones

[SegwayDan]

My i2 stopped working a few days ago after a heavy downpour.

I had left it on in RBM outside and cable-locked to a bench. While I was gone a heavy downpour happened. And when I returned the machine was off, and I couldn't start it. Five red lights and an error code.

I took it home, took off the batteries and foot mats, and let it dry for two days. I put the batteries back on, plugged the machine in, and the lights went green and later both flashed. Phew. At least the batteries are OK.

But the machine still wouldn't start. Same symptoms and various error codes on various subsequent start attempts.

Segway said, "Send it back." So I'm going to tomorrow.

But these last few days have been rather starkly different with not being able to glide.

Routine around-town errands were either not done or driven to. I feel cut off, hobbled, lost.

[segsurfer]

That sucks, hopefully it gets fixed soon. You gotta watch those showers man. As a West Palm native, I can empathize with you. Been caught in the showers many-a-time. Best of luck.

-segsurfer

[SegwayDan]

Thanks, man.

This may or may not be costly, depending upon what's actually wrong.

In one respect, even though it was a heavy downpour, the machine was upright, stationary, and in RBM. There was no submersion. In months past, I've glided numerous times through pouring rain, and splashed through puddles with no incident. It seems likely that the machine is designed to be resistant to such exposure.

If that's true, then my machine's problem may be unrelated to the rain. Whatever it is, though, I hope it's covered by the warranty.

I'll keep you all posted.

BTW, the tech support person e-mailed me a Fedex ground shipping label, I got a box from my dealer, and the machine left today for Bedford. Inc will bill me for the shipping there, and they'll pay for return shipping. I was told it would be $75 for Fedex Ground. Pretty reasonable, I'd say, for ±100 lbs from Florida to New Hampshire.

[SEGsby]

Came home last night, and was in an intersection that had filled with water. Didn't look particularly deep, but as I moved thru it, the sound of my Segway changed. The whine it normally makes, suddenly muffled and deepened, as the floormats were covered with water.

Scared the cr*p out of me! I kept waiting for the *bramp!* sound, and complete system failure...

But Herbie seems fine. *shrugs*

SEGsby

[sami]

These posts make me wonder. My dealer told me I shouldn't hesitate splashing water with a hose on my X2 when it gets dirty by mud or the sort. He said nothing can happen to the machine...
And I actually did that already several times in order to clean both the wheels - all around - as well as its bottom.
I guess, you guys say I shouldn't have done that ? If so, what then ?
I do refrain, as much as possible, from gliding through puddles, however.

[nickyboy]

These posts make me wonder. My dealer told me I shouldn't hesitate splashing water with a hose on my X2 when it gets dirty by mud or the sort. He said nothing can happen to the machine...
And I actually did that already several times in order to clean both the wheels - all around - as well as its bottom.
I guess, you guys say I shouldn't have done that ? If so, what then ?
I do refrain, as much as possible, from gliding through puddles, however.

I'm probably going to regret saying this (Murphey's law etc etc) but you may have seen the state our machines can get into from time to time (see Dirty Weekend). We hose them down, with a light pressure hose, more like running water, and just keep hosing and generaly swabbing with a very wet sponge, and leave to dry. I've only ever had one problem, when I plugged in an i2 to charge I blew all the fuses! Turned out there was water laying in the charging port were the cover trim had been removed.
You do need to keep an eye on the clamp on the bottom of the LSF as one of my i2's is showing signs of rusting.
I have not tried yet, but have wondered about a liberal spray with WD40 or similar, anyone else tried that?

[SEGsby]

The worst place for rust I've seen, is the Battery Bolts at the bottom of the machine.

Hey, that rhymed!

Anyways... I wouldn't lube the shaft clamp. It might inhibit keeping the stick upright...

A loose LSF steers no Seg. ;)

SEGsby

...
You do need to keep an eye on the clamp on the bottom of the LSF as one of my i2's is showing signs of rusting.
I have not tried yet, but have wondered about a liberal spray with WD40 or similar, anyone else tried that?

[lwillis]

Gosh. Are I2's more susceptible to water than Gen 1's?? I've ridden my I167 many times in the rain. And I believe it was MacGeek a couple of years ago who rode his in the surf in Hawaii.

While I would not want to totally submerse mine totally. There are no issues with hosing it off and getting it wet from time to time.

[KSagal]

I do not make it a habit to ride in the rain, thru deep puddles, or even really hose off my machines, but...

I have surely gotten caught several times over the years...

With the exception of minor damage to some of the circuitry that I added as a modification, I have not had any water damage from these hydro-adventures.