Is there a way to completely water proof an ECU/sensor?

[xxaarraa]

My 848 has the traction control unit/sensor under the seat in the rear subframe. Is there a way to make it completely water proof (either a case, or with a spray/chemical of some sort)?

If possible, this would open up a few options for me.

[number9]

My 848 has the traction control unit/sensor under the seat in the rear subframe. Is there a way to make it completely water proof (either a case, or with a spray/chemical of some sort)?

If possible, this would open up a few options for me.

Can you get us a picture? I'm sure our creative minds can come up with something...

[xxaarraa]

Can you get us a picture? I'm sure our creative minds can come up with something...

Here...

[loudbeard]

Many years of electrical installation in harsh environments have thought me there isn't any such thing as completely waterproofing anything. Even NEMA enclosures rated to be water tight still leak some when exposed to high pressure water and eventually end up accumulating water in the box causing bigger problems.

I would focus on building a shroud that shields it from any direct spray and doesn't allow anything to build up. If you want a box, make sure it has a drip hole at its lowest point.

[xxaarraa]

Many years of electrical installation in harsh environments have thought me there isn't any such thing as completely waterproofing anything. Even NEMA enclosures rated to be water tight still leak some when exposed to high pressure water and eventually end up accumulating water in the box causing bigger problems.

I would focus on building a shroud that shields it from any direct spray and doesn't allow anything to build up. If you want a box, make sure it has a drip hole at its lowest point.

The case thing had me thinking... what about one of those obnoxiously over engineered smartphone cases? otterbox or something like that. I'd have to drill out an opening for the wire in/out of the ECU. How would I seal the hole that I drill around the wires?

[jasnmar]

How would I seal the hole that I drill around the wires?

Amazon.com: Gardner Bender LTB-400 4-Ounce Black Liquid Electrical Tape: Home Improvement

[xxaarraa]

Amazon.com: Gardner Bender LTB-400 4-Ounce Black Liquid Electrical Tape: Home Improvement

I like it. I was thinking of using something like silicone, but this liquid tape would work better.

Is it peelable/removable? I'd want the ability to take the ECU out of the case when I need to.

[jasnmar]

Not at all easy to remove.

[xxaarraa]

Not at all easy to remove.

hmm... it wouldn't work for my application then.

I am thinking sealing the hole may not even be necessary. Ducati mounted it under the seat, and the tail vents are right in that area as well as the undertail is not water tight. So they must be somewhat water resistant already.

What about something like this?

Amazon.com: OtterBox Pursuit Series 20 Utility Box for Smartphones - Quest - 1 Pack - Carrier Packaging - Black/Slate: Cell Phones & Accessories

I can easily drill out a hole for the wire. Does the TC unit need to be vented? Any chance of it overheating while it's put away inside this case? As far as I understand it, it is only a gyro and not actually an ECU. Aprilia mounts the gyro under the seat, but at the end of the gas tank. Ducati chose to mount it under the seat way back in the subframe.

[loudbeard]

The case thing had me thinking... what about one of those obnoxiously over engineered smartphone cases? otterbox or something like that. I'd have to drill out an opening for the wire in/out of the ECU. How would I seal the hole that I drill around the wires?

You'd end up dealing with condensation inside the case and likely be worse off than where you started.

Is it a known issue for the ECU to sustain water damage or are you taking things apart and imagining damage? Is it actually susceptible to direct spray? If so, I'd simply build a flat base plate for it that's just a bit larger than the footprint of the ECU and call it good. I'm 100% positive the ECU is already water resistant, you definitely wouldn't want to do anything that could trap water around the device.

[xxaarraa]

You'd end up dealing with condensation inside the case and likely be worse off than where you started.

Is it a known issue for the ECU to sustain water damage or are you taking things apart and imagining damage? Is it actually susceptible to direct spray? If so, I'd simply build a flat base plate for it that's just a bit larger than the footprint of the ECU and call it good. I'm 100% positive the ECU is already water resistant, you definitely wouldn't want to do anything that could trap water around the device.

hmm, I didn't think of condensation.

No known issues with water damage.

It is very susceptible to water spray, especially since I would like to run without a tail piece altogether - i.e., exposed rear sub frame with just the undertail in place. That is what I am trying to evaluate.

[loudbeard]

hmm, I didn't think of condensation.

No known issues with water damage.

It is very susceptible to water spray, especially since I would like to run without a tail piece altogether - i.e., exposed rear sub frame with just the undertail in place. That is what I am trying to evaluate.

If that's the case, make a cardboard template on the underside of the subframe, transfer it to a sheet of aluminum, and cut out a shroud to shield anything in there. You'll probably find a few threaded holes you can utilize to mount it or just drill and tap a few of your own.

[xxaarraa]

If that's the case, make a cardboard template on the underside of the subframe, transfer it to a sheet of aluminum, and cut out a shroud to shield anything in there. You'll probably find a few threaded holes you can utilize to mount it or just drill and tap a few of your own.

Are you describing the 'undertail'? This piece already exists and I plan to leave it there. It is mounted between the exhaust pipes and the rear subframe / tail fairing.



If I run no tail fairing, the undertail will prevent spray from the rear wheel, but TC sensor will still be exposed to rain water from above. For reference, this is how the stock tail fairing is made, notice the cubby? that's where the TC gyro is mounted from factory. And that is the piece I'd like to not run.

[loudbeard]

Gotcha. Is there room for the module between the under tail and seat?

Other problem you may encounter here is how the module is mounted. If the gyro is oriented in a specific way in the location in your tail section, you may encounter problems with the system if its static position isn't exactly the same as where its supposed to live. I don't know enough about the module to say whether it adjusts to a different orientation or not. For example, if the new position of the box is mounted with the front higher than its original, it could think the bike is perpetually in a wheelie . No seriously.