SSR Pacifica 150 (Znen ZN150T-18) - lost headlights & sigs By dannytroy (Read 1,033 times)

[dannytroy]

The day before I was to leave on my trip to Key West, Florida, as luck would have it I realized I lost my low beam headlight.  So, I pull it off my motorcycle carrier on my RV here in KW, and am happy I at least have a high beam working.  I got the bright idea of taking the combo switch off and spraying with De-oxit contact cleaner.  I wound up killing all the functions on that switch, so no headlight (high or low beam), no turn signals and no horn.  At that point I started to disassemble the switch but realized it made to be replaced and not serviced.  Luckily, they are dirt cheap on eBay, so I decided to order two, thinking I'll keep a spare just in case.  I know the bike was left out in the rain a few times, and am wondering if the rain shorted out the switch.

My question here is, are these scooters really not waterproof?  I never used a cover while transporting on the carrier, but after this failure, I'm thinking about buying a cover and use it when rain is forecasted.

Luckily, the brake lights still work and the two parking lights, located below the headlights, are all working.  People can see me coming, but the bulbs aren't bright enough to light the roadway of even a few feet away.

[jerryscript]

I've ridden and left mine outside at work all day in the rain, no issues yet. These scooters are definitely not water proof, but most connections seem placed in pretty safe locations. I'm hoping you just had a defect in the switch, fingers crossed.

[scooter2]

Apr 10, 2015 14:57:29 GMT -6 dannytroy said:

The day before I was to leave on my trip to Key West, Florida, as luck would have it I realized I lost my low beam headlight.  So, I pull it off my motorcycle carrier on my RV here in KW, and am happy I at least have a high beam working.  I got the bright idea of taking the combo switch off and spraying with De-oxit contact cleaner.  I wound up killing all the functions on that switch, so no headlight (high or low beam), no turn signals and no horn.  At that point I started to disassemble the switch but realized it made to be replaced and not serviced.  Luckily, they are dirt cheap on eBay, so I decided to order two, thinking I'll keep a spare just in case.  I know the bike was left out in the rain a few times, and am wondering if the rain shorted out the switch.

My question here is, are these scooters really not waterproof?  I never used a cover while transporting on the carrier, but after this failure, I'm thinking about buying a cover and use it when rain is forecasted.

Luckily, the brake lights still work and the two parking lights, located below the headlights, are all working.  People can see me coming, but the bulbs aren't bright enough to light the roadway of even a few feet away.

I rode "Scootie", my Titan MP150, in the rain for months without a hitch here in Florida. Hard driving rain with major wind, palm fronds blowing out of the trees, the bike barely able to stand up straight. I went so deep in a puddle once I heard the intake glurp water as the water came over the floorboards, soaking my feet. The CDI was soaked too but it was fine. I mounted it higher on the frame for good measure though. While I was redoing the body panels, I rode the scoot naked. Still no trouble, but I decided to put silicone around the tops of all of the harness plug covers just to be safe.

I'm sure some scoots are better than others. I've ridden my Commuter and my cfmoto Fashion in the rain with no ill effect. I've been lucky to have good bikes so far. I'm really impressed at how well they handle the elements. 

[Guitarman]

Some are much better then others.

Mine leaked like a sieve. Had to rip it apart and waterproof all the connections.

[dannytroy]

Thanks for the advice guys, and good to know these bikes are at least "water resistant". I have a good waterproofer (Corrosion-X) for electrical connections that I will use on the new switch before I install. Funny, it's being delivered to my home today, and I'm still here in Key West. I should have had it delivered here, especially considering it shipped from Florida. Luckily, all the streets on Key West are lighted, so driving at night hasn't been too bad without headlights.

[tvnacman]

Nygel or some call it dielectric grease (hydrocarbon grease) on all electrical connectors, terminals and squeezed inside of all switches.

John

[dannytroy]

Apr 11, 2015 7:44:28 GMT -6 tvnacman said:

Nygel or some call it dielectric grease (hydrocarbon grease) on all electrical connectors, terminals and squeezed inside of all switches.

John

I have been using Corrosion-X on my quadcopter that I fly almost 100 percent over water, flying from my boat.  It has been dunked at least 5 times and has sprung back to life each time, with minimal damage.  I coat all the electronics with it.  Here's a link:
www.amazon.com/Corrosion-X-Anti-Corrosion-Aerosol-Lubricant-16-Ounce/dp/B003HFTI0S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428761375&sr=8-1&keywords=corrosion+x

[tvnacman]

dannytroy
That looks like a great product, the nygel is like vasoline so it fills the space in the plugs and switches.

I did do some looking around on the "X" it looks like something I should try.

John

[dannytroy]

Replaced the defective switch today and all is working well.  I thoroughly coated it with Corrosion-X before installing. Hopefully this will not only prevent water damage, but it will add some lubrication to keep the moving parts working freely. The reason I lost all functions was because the socket became unplugged when I took it apart to use the contact cleaner on it. I wish I had taken the plastic cowl off. I would have seen that immediately and I would have had all but the low beam working.

[cyborg]

Glad you sorted it out,,,i had a switch go intermittant on me after a wash,,,never really worked correctly again ,,got it limping till a replacement showed up,,,,changed it and the problem went away

[dannytroy]

When you take the switch off and look closely at the inner workings, we are lucky that they are working at all.  Very cheaply made, but it does the job and you hope yours is one that will last.  Probably a good item to buy and have a spare.  I was super happy I was able to get two for less than 26.00 shipped.  Can't complain about spare parts prices on these scooters!

[cyborg]

Yeah when mine was going away got two one to change and one as a spare ,,, little money and same shipping charge so I figured I'd save myself some grief later

[dannytroy]

OK, now what about the right side switch? That really scares me, since it's the starter and cutoff. Might make sense to get one of those as a spare also, or at least take it off and weatherproof it with the contact cleaner.

Update:  just checked eBay and the same seller as the left switches I just bought had the right switch available also.  At $12.13 delivered I went ahead and ordered one.  I think I'll keep my two spares in the little compartment next to the battery, just in case.

[cyborg]

Good move,,, I think having spares on the bike is wise,,, I have one clutch& shifter cable fuses spare tire and 3 powerless to fill a leak wrenches bulbs ,,, ect on board at all times

[dannytroy]

Sounds like you have it well covered. Mentioning fuses, you reminded me I need to replace the fuse holder at the battery with a quality spade type holder.