Description
Electric Bicycles are designed to meet IPX4 moisture protection. Generally, this means that the ebike will be able to handle splashing water and will protect electronics and the battery from damage. Submersion ratings start at 1m depth such as for some mobile phones are IPX7 or IPX8. It is important to note that there is a significant difference between XP4 and IPX7 or IPX8. Whilst Gocycle meets IPX4 and has had many many years of testing and customer miles of all-weather riding, the Gocycle and the Gocycle lithium battery are not designed to be partially or completely flooded or submerged in water such as if it was flooded or ridden through deep water.
We have received a number of Gocycles at our facilities shipped to us by owners for service and repair that have been flooded or submerged in water.
Any lithium battery, regardless if it is a Gocycle battery, should be treated with extreme caution if it has been partially or completely flooded or submerged in water.
The owner’s manual clearly states:
- Do not expose the battery to water or moisture. Water can corrode or damage the internal battery safety devices and cause the battery to overheat, ignite, rupture or leak.
Shipping partially or completely flooded or submerged lithium batteries is extremely reckless and dangerous. It is unacceptable to withhold information from Gocycle or your Gocycle dealer if your Gocycle or Gocycle battery has been partially or completely flooded or submerged. This endangers the lives of the shipping company, your dealer, as well as Gocycle staff and you could be liable for severe damages and legal cost should the battery overheat, ignite, rupture or leak.
WARNING! Do not ship any lithium battery that has been partially or completely flooded or submerged in water. This is dangerous!
Symptoms
If your Gocycle or Gocycle battery has been partially or completely flooded or submerged in water, do not attempt to turn on the battery. Do not charge the battery or use the battery or operate your Gocycle. Do not attempt to remove the battery.
Resolution
If it is safe to do so, you should remove the Gocycle and/or battery from your office, house, RV, boat etc. and place it in a well ventilated, safe area away from people and combustible materials. For example outside on an open concrete, brick parkway or driveway. The Gocycle and battery should be monitored from a safe distance for a minimum of 8 hours. In the event that you detect smoke or fire, call the appropriate emergency services.
After sufficient monitoring, and only if it is safe to do so, remove the battery from the Gocycle and contact your local lithium ion battery recycling centre for advice on how to recycle the battery safely and appropriately. Do not keep or store lithium batteries that have been partially or completely flooded or submerged in water.
Can I ride my Gocycle?
If your Gocycle or Gocycle battery has been partially or completely flooded or submerged in water, do not attempt to turn on the battery. Do not charge the battery or use the battery, operate or ride your Gocycle. Do not attempt to remove the battery.
If you have any questions regarding this technical bulletin, complete our contact form here.