Getting an ecv wet

[pigby]

We went with BP Mobility to hire an ecv for our forthcoming trip in 2 weeks time.

We got sent an email that as it was electronic - if it rains, use the cover provided to go over the controls and get undercover as soon as possible. Really? In the Hurricane season in Florida?

If we got caught out in a heavy downpour and lets face it, we probably will - can you actually drive the ecv with the cover over? Confused.

I am sure this happens lots but just curious really if an ecv ever cuts out if the immediate precautions aren't taken.

 

[Nanajo1]

The cover I use for the controls resembles a shower cap. I have driven in the rain but seek shelter if it raining very hard.

 

[ammag]

I carry a cheap clear shower curtain and throw it over the ECV in addition to the one provided (definitely like a shower cap, in fact I think some people use a shower cap to cover on their own)

 

[powellrj]

I use a shower cap to cover my controls, I have a nice animal print one!

 

[stitchlovestink]

Yes, any electronic/electrical part needs to be kept dry. The tiller (where the controls are) definitely needs to stay dry and even the battery area down by your feet. Many models if driven through heavy downpours, the puddles can cause water to get splashed up into an area that can cause your ECV to stall. It can happen. WDW has lots of areas that are flat and when the downpours hit, the water can get deep for a little bit. I found Epcot to be the worst for this situation, followed by Magic Kingdom.

 

[mamabunny]

Yep. I use a shower cap cover, along with a clear shower curtain (and binder clips!) on my personal ECV. It doesn't take up any space to speak of if I don't need it... and if I do, I can just keep right on running in the rain.

With the "shower caps" you just cover the electronics on the tiller, and then use the scooter normally (with your hands on the outside of the shower cap.).

We just arrived today, right on the heels of Hermine, and spent most of our time this afternoon/evening dodging showers but nothing too bad.

 

[Toffeewoffy]

We've just got home, having 'lived' through Gaston and the run-up to Hermine. It basically rained for our last 4 days. I wore a normal Disney poncho and laid the front across the tiller, tucking it behind the basket and basically just went slowly. It was going a wee bit too fast through a puddle that killed a scooter I had in 2014. The people I hired from said it was perfectly safe to drive in the rain - not that they provided me with a rain cover of any sort mind you.

It's also best if you avoid parking outside for rides and stuff when it's raining. We had to give the Pooh ride a miss because there was no cover to park the scooter under and it's another one where you can't take the scooter inside.

I actually have a proper full-cover rain poncho which covers the whole scooter and driver, but it's not been out of the packet yet. As I tell people, it's my £20 insurance!

 

[Simba's Mom]

You know, you're making me even happier that I chose to go with a company that meets me at the resort with my ECV instead of leaving it. I have no idea what "controls", "tiller", etc. mean. I'm going to bring a shower cap, but then I'll have to ask them what it's for.

 

[Selket]

Yep. I use a shower cap cover, along with a clear shower curtain (and binder clips!) on my personal ECV. It doesn't take up any space to speak of if I don't need it... and if I do, I can just keep right on running in the rain.

So do you put the shower curtain over it then sit on the curtain or ? Just curious!

I've used disposable shower caps over the hand controls and draped a poncho over me and the ECV together and that worked for a regular rain storm. In the torrential rains we had sometimes at spring break and in July I had to park it and wait them out. I had the luxury of doing this as they were temporary storms but I've been to WDW on days when it just poured rain all day - so I'm curious how that shower curtain works! lol!

 

[Selket]

You know, you're making me even happier that I chose to go with a company that meets me at the resort with my ECV instead of leaving it. I have no idea what "controls", "tiller", etc. mean. I'm going to bring a shower cap, but then I'll have to ask them what it's for.

That's where you put your hands to drive it and where the key goes in to turn it on/off. Your fingers control the speed and of course you turn that part to control the wheel (like a steering wheel). That part (in the scooters I rent) also light up to show you how charged up the battery is also. If you look at the pics of the scooters at the rental sites you can see what this part is.

The battery is on the bottom somewhere (under or behind the seat sort of).

 

[Simba's Mom]

That's where you put your hands to drive it and where the key goes in to turn it on/off. Your fingers control the speed and of course you turn that part to control the wheel (like a steering wheel). That part (in the scooters I rent) also light up to show you how charged up the battery is also. If you look at the pics of the scooters at the rental sites you can see what this part is.

The battery is on the bottom somewhere (under or behind the seat sort of).

Thanks so much. I'm still not sure where the shower cap goes. Is there an area in the center? Well, like I said, I'll just bring a shower cap with me and we'll figure it out (while we're praying for no rain!)

 

[Selket]

Thanks so much. I'm still not sure where the shower cap goes. Is there an area in the center? Well, like I said, I'll just bring a shower cap with me and we'll figure it out (while we're praying for no rain!)

The shower cap goes over that whole area where your hands go to drive it and where the key is inserted to start it up. That area is in front of you when you're seated on the ECV. There's the "post" that comes up from the front the ECV where the basket hangs off the front - that has the controls on the top and the shower cap goes over that. At least on the portable model I rented the shower cap fitted over that whole area. (this is the one I rent: https://www.buenavistascooters.com/products_details.asp?id=3).

If you're going in 4 months I'd think it's not the rainy season but there's always the chance. I'm going at the end of this month and hoping no more tropical weather. I don't mind the rain honestly - but driving the ECV in it isn't the best. Actually it is fine driving it - it is hard to keep it dry!

 

[mamabunny]

So do you put the shower curtain over it then sit on the curtain or ? Just curious!

I've used disposable shower caps over the hand controls and draped a poncho over me and the ECV together and that worked for a regular rain storm. In the torrential rains we had sometimes at spring break and in July I had to park it and wait them out. I had the luxury of doing this as they were temporary storms but I've been to WDW on days when it just poured rain all day - so I'm curious how that shower curtain works! lol!

Typically, I cover my scooter, then sit down wearing a poncho of my own, and spread the poncho out to help shield the scooter with that layer as well LOL. My goal is to keep the electronics as dry as possible and then keep the rest of scooter as dry as possible. My scooter's components are more "exposed" due to it's design, so I tend to err on the side of caution. I use the binder clips to help keep the shower curtain conform around the contours of the scooter, and to help prevent it from flapping in the breeze.