Author Topic: Cold weather and controller freezing issues  (Read 4032 times)

Offline Adcx1

  • Confirmed
  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3
Cold weather and controller freezing issues
« on: December 22, 2014, 04:09:08 AM »
Hey guys
I live in the north winters r extreme in -20s or colder.
I just build another bike add a pic later. The main problem is my controller is freezing up then it dies out. <like batteries r dead>.
What can I use to give it some heat. I have no prob with battery warmth.

Offline Bikemad

  • Global Moderator
  • Professor
  • PhD. Magic
  • ******
  • Posts: 5,507
Re: Cold weather and controller freezing issues
« Reply #1 on: December 22, 2014, 12:33:40 PM »

If it's definitely the controller, and not the battery BMS, you could try using a hair dryer on the exposed heatsink to warm it up before use.
If it's an MPIII or MP4 it might be worth taping around the cooling fan to prevent it from over-cooling the controller in those extremely low temperatures.

Alan
 

Offline e-lmer

  • Technical Officer
  • Master of Magic
  • ******
  • Posts: 458
    • My page
Re: Cold weather and controller freezing issues
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2014, 05:10:20 PM »
My understanding is that, other than displays, most electronics are
rated from -40C to +125C.  (Displays have special issues with moisture.)

I don't think that it's your speed controller is freezing up.

A more likely cause for your woes is condensation in the
connectors.    Since water expands when it freezes, it
could push the connectors apart.

You could confirm this by wrapping the connectors with electric heat tape
(like you put on your pipes).

Good luck and stay warm.

Offline Adcx1

  • Confirmed
  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3
Re: Cold weather and controller freezing issues
« Reply #3 on: December 22, 2014, 06:45:21 PM »
okay kool will try that for sure
 :D
and always keep warm just have to wear 100 layers