Rainy days and the ECV

I am starting to gather items for our trip (we will have a busy fall, getting some things taken care of now)
And I realized...what do I do wiht the ECV when it rains? I don't mean a temporary shower, but if it is a rainy day and we are going to be wet for the duration, are there any tips or things I should know?

I've heard of using a shower cap on the controls but that's it!

I place a folded poncho over the controls for some reason it balances well for me. A light rain is one thing, torrential rains with puddles or splash risk shorting the thing out and are a time to seek cover.

I did a MK tour on a drizzly day and was glad for my Goretex rain pants. An extra poncho across the lap is a reasonable substitute. I also carry a small super absorbent towel and an extra plastic trash bag for the charger.

Here's what I carry on Angus (my ECV) when I am in the parks for rainy weather:

- Poncho (get the cheap Coleman ones at Walmart or Target; they are folded into a nice small package!) I always carry AT LEAST 2 (one for me, and one for the ECV) I have also used a cheap clear shower curtain from the $1 store when our local stores were out of ponchos!!!
- Binder clips or clothes pins (to make the poncho "fit" my ECV better, and help keep it on when it is parked)
- Clear plastic shower cap (for light rain/showers) to cover the tiller & controls
- 2 "travel scarves" (think large pashmina) that are rolled tightly in ziplock bags, and tucked in the bottom of my bag - for chillier than expected evenings, or to go under ponchos on cool rainy days (I use elasticized hair ties in the place of rubber bands; handy for a quick pony tail if needed!)
- microfiber towel (rolled tightly in a ziplock bag, and tucked in the bottom of my bag) to dry off the seat and/or people if needed
- compact folding umbrella
- "flat packed" wide blue painters tape

I am one of those folks who simply has to be prepared at all times LOL! I also have a toolkit for my ECV, a small penlight flashlight, spare battery for the ECV, charger for the ECV and external battery to charge my cell phone - all in a bag that tucks under the seat of the ECV!

Main thing with ECVs and wet weather is to try and keep the tiller and it's electronics dry, and if the battery connection is exposed, ideally, keep that dry too. I use the blue painters tape to cover the connection point on my ECVs battery on park days (regardless of weather) simply because I don't want someone to accidentally spill a beverage (or worse!) into that connection. My ECV battery is removable, so there is also a snap-together connector that I cover with the painters tape as well, again just for protection. I also have an extra shower cap to cover the battery, but most ECVs won't need that.

As Gilrond said, there is a point at which we really need to just park under cover, and wait - either for the rain to pass completely or lighten to a point where it is safe to use the ECV. Covering with plastic and using an umbrella can help, but if it is really pouring, you'll find us "taking a break" somewhere indoors!

Oh, love the binder clip tip! Can't use painters tape on a rental and don't travel with mine own - am not strong enough to disassemble and reassemble at airport.
I wear a rainproof (Tilley) hat for sunprotection and it does well for rain. Better than put up hood on rain jacket as it doesn't interfere with peripheral vision.
I use a little backpack (the kind with string closure/shoulder straps that Disney sells) on the back. Was there in early December last year and at bag check said "that's my rain gear, not reindeer". But was really glad of it when the weather changed.
The Goretex pants are good for warmth too but not everybody has - I haven't always thought to bring. PP's tip of the travel scarves is great option. Even if you stay dry with poncho on, you get cold in the rain. (I was the most comfortable person on that drizzly tour but still bailed to tea at the GF and did not return to park.)

A few more hints......

You can fold the seats down on the scooters when you are off of them. It helps to keep the seat dry if exposed to rain. A shower cap is an easy answer for the tiller. Some rental vendors even supply one. Ponchos are a good tool, too.

Try and find sheltered places to park the scooter whenever possible if you won't be riding. You may have to walk a little more, but the scooter will be protected.

We seek shelter when it's raining in the park with our scooter. I feel we can wait it out a little. If it's a downpour we don't keep going with the scooter. If you get caught far away from protection just do your best to find a place to get out of the rain. Even just a roof will help protect a scooter. You don't have to be totally inside.

I rented a scooter from Buena Vista scooters last year and had a wonderful experience. The scooter was waiting at Bell Services when we arrived and we didn't have a drop of rain. But I am considering renting from Walker Mobility this year because they advertise "the only rain resistant scooters" in Orlando. I called and they state it is because other vendors use Pride scooters and they use Ranger scooters. These seem larger and therefore bulkier by looking at pictures. I also very much appreciated the ability to pick up and drop off at Bell Services at my convenience. But I am really focused on worrying about rain. We are going in mid October.
Is it worth changing vendors just for this reason?

After the scooter I hired in 2014 died in the most horrendous storm ever, I bought this for this year.

http://www.completecareshop.co.uk/mobility-scooters/mobility-scooter-clothing/mobility-scooter-cape

Thankfully I didn't need it - I'd rather find I'd spent the money and not need it than not buy one and have problems again. It'll be coming with in November when it might rain.

I'm working on the assumption that if it is raining a lot and we want to park up and go onto a ride or something, I can extricate myself from underneath and pop on my Disney poncho, leaving the cover over the scooter to keep it dry. I bought a pretty pink/purple backpack to put over the back of the seat and for our holiday it housed our 3 raincapes and the full scooter cover as well, so it was no problem taking it everywhere with us.

Toffeewoffy said:

After the scooter I hired in 2014 died in the most horrendous storm ever, I bought this for this year.

http://www.completecareshop.co.uk/mobility-scooters/mobility-scooter-clothing/mobility-scooter-cape

Thankfully I didn't need it - I'd rather find I'd spent the money and not need it than not buy one and have problems again. It'll be coming with in November when it might rain.

I'm working on the assumption that if it is raining a lot and we want to park up and go onto a ride or something, I can extricate myself from underneath and pop on my Disney poncho, leaving the cover over the scooter to keep it dry. I bought a pretty pink/purple backpack to put over the back of the seat and for our holiday it housed our 3 raincapes and the full scooter cover as well, so it was no problem taking it everywhere with us.

Click to expand...

That is a really cool product! Thanks for the information!

I use a Disney poncho and a medium or large Disney shopping bag. The park poncho is big enough to cover me and the scooter and I can put the bag on the tiller controls if needed.

I find a place to wait out heavy rains and avoid puddles. A deep puddle and your electric motor will not get along! Keep the rain gear in the seat pocket till it's needed

Hope you'll have good weather and a great time!

Hopefully said:

I rented a scooter from Buena Vista scooters last year and had a wonderful experience. The scooter was waiting at Bell Services when we arrived and we didn't have a drop of rain. But I am considering renting from Walker Mobility this year because they advertise "the only rain resistant scooters" in Orlando. I called and they state it is because other vendors use Pride scooters and they use Ranger scooters. These seem larger and therefore bulkier by looking at pictures. I also very much appreciated the ability to pick up and drop off at Bell Services at my convenience. But I am really focused on worrying about rain. We are going in mid October.
Is it worth changing vendors just for this reason?

Click to expand...

Before purchasing my own ECV, I rented from Walker. Wonderful service!!! Highly recommend them and their products!!!

Hopefully said:

I rented a scooter from Buena Vista scooters last year and had a wonderful experience. The scooter was waiting at Bell Services when we arrived and we didn't have a drop of rain. But I am considering renting from Walker Mobility this year because they advertise "the only rain resistant scooters" in Orlando. I called and they state it is because other vendors use Pride scooters and they use Ranger scooters. These seem larger and therefore bulkier by looking at pictures. I also very much appreciated the ability to pick up and drop off at Bell Services at my convenience. But I am really focused on worrying about rain. We are going in mid October.
Is it worth changing vendors just for this reason?

Click to expand...

I always use Walker, and since we always travel in the rainy season (Fall), I'm grateful that their scooters go so well in the rain. It rained and rained and rained on us last October, but the ECV never even blinked. I used a poncho over the basket and tiller when it was really bad, and a poncho over me & the seat, and we went on our way. If we had had to wait out the rain, we would have spent most of our time hiding out. I love the folks at Walker Mobility, and would use them anyway, even if it weren't for the rain usability. But if you're concerned about the rain, I can't recommend them highly enough.

mamabunny said:

- Poncho (get the cheap Coleman ones at Walmart or Target; they are folded into a nice small package!) I always carry AT LEAST 2 (one for me, and one for the ECV) I have also used a cheap clear shower curtain from the $1 store when our local stores were out of ponchos!!!
- Binder clips or clothes pins (to make the poncho "fit" my ECV better, and help keep it on when it is parked)
- Clear plastic shower cap (for light rain/showers) to cover the tiller & controls
- 2 "travel scarves" (think large pashmina) that are rolled tightly in ziplock bags, and tucked in the bottom of my bag - for chillier than expected evenings, or to go under ponchos on cool rainy days (I use elasticized hair ties in the place of rubber bands; handy for a quick pony tail if needed!)
- microfiber towel (rolled tightly in a ziplock bag, and tucked in the bottom of my bag) to dry off the seat and/or people if needed
- compact folding umbrella
- "flat packed" wide blue painters tape

Click to expand...

Wow, this is the BEST advice! First time renting a scooter for my husband and I wouldn't have had a clue!