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Throttle Moisture Protection

There are four questions to ask in checking the level of moisture protection:

    1 – Are the throttle openings rubber gasketed to keep moisture out?

    2 - Are the electronic circuit paths (lands) completely sealed to prevent internal shorting?

    3 - Are the throttle and controller circuits designed to prevent a runaway should moisture get into the circuits while driving?

    4 - Have the units passed VA, RESNA or CE moisture protections tests?

Padded keys are used because, a few years ago, a user of another manufacturer's product made in Asia fell asleep on the unit and fell forward on to the long electrical plug key, severely damaging the eye, which took a lawsuit and several surgeries to repair.

Controller Moisture Protection

Moisture on the controller is a very serious issue in a scooter.

The largest recall in scooter history (which is still going on) was caused by locating the controller in a tub in the rear section where moisture spray from the rear tires causes fires.

Scooters with controllers located under the seat have been used in this environment for a decade without problems.

Here are some reports from the manufacturers:


MDR Report - Scenario: "Fire at user's residence may have been caused by scooter. Residence and car were destroyed by fire. Manufacturer reported misuse of device.

"Did not follow owner's manual. Usage in an area containing high salt concentrations/cold temperatures accompanied by the misuse of device caused a short in the controller board.

"Preliminary report - user taken to hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. He was O.K. Wife got out of house unharmed. House and car destroyed. Estimated Damage - $160,000.00."

Patient outcome - Hospitalization.

Moisture from the tires caused this fire.


MDR Report - Scenario: "Scooter caught on fi re. Misuse of device caused short in the controller board.

A) Man has cerebral palsy, B) woke up in the middle of the night and saw a glow from the bottom of the scooter, C) got up and went past the scooter to get to the front door of his apartment, D) when he opened the door, E) the rear patio doors blew out. There was approximately $41,000.00 worth of damage incurred. F) Scooter owner was taken to the hospital, treated for smoke inhalation and released, then readmitted for anxiety related symptoms."

Patient outcome - Hospitalization.

Moisture from the tires caused this fire, too.


Unfortunately, many Asian manufacturers still locate controllers next to the rear tires, to save money.

An American company's MDR, who started importing an Asian made scooter last year, reported "Manufacturers receive report from a dealer who, after picking up the scooter for repairs, left it in the company van overnight. The scooter allegedly caught fire causing damage to the van and to the scooter. While a dealer losing a van is bad, losing a home is much worse."

What should you, the buyer, look for?

    1 - Is the controller away from moisture sources, like the rear tires? Some manufacturers put the controller under the seat, not in the rear section next to the tires.

    2 - Are the controller and wiring connections completely enclosed in a metal box? These cost money and it's not glitzy but the peace of mind is worth it.

If water can get on micro amp controller leads the unit will malfunction. Water on high amp battery leads can cause fire.

A metal box provides some protection for the wiring connections for the controller and contains fires.

Isolating the controller away from any water source is the best design.