2021 Levo Battery Water Ingress & Battery/TCU Replacement after 150km!!

[nattydredman]

Hi all.

So I've only done 150km on my shiny new 2021 Levo Comp since getting it a couple of weeks ago but just had the TCU and battery replaced yesterday under warranty due to 'water in battery error' and TCU/battery malfunction. TCU turning itself on and off and the battery LEDs flickering and not working at all. I could see water vapour misting up the LEDs!! Tried all the tricks suggested by specialized concept store to dry everything out but no joy.

I don't use a jet washer and only use a very low pressure hose in 'sprinkle mode' to wet the bike and rinse the crap off gently.

I have ridden in heavy rain and very wet conditions but haven't immersed the battery.

I greased up the motor/battery connector seals to prevent any potential water ingress and have been super careful to keep water away for that area when cleaning the bike.

Now maybe I'm expecting too much but for £6k+ I did expect that the battery and connectors would actually be waterproof and have some level of IP rating.


Has anyone else had similar issues and can anyone confirm the IP rating of the battery and connectors please?


I can't find anything relating to IP rating published anywhere by Specialized themselves. Would love to find something.

Really really enjoy riding the bike. It's great. But there's something very wrong with paying so much for something that isn't capable of dealing with basic wet weather riding!!

I have zero confidence in waterproofness of the replacement battery and TCU. To such an extent that I'm considering rejecting the bike as not fit for purpose and maybe then trying a gen 3 2022 model instead...if I can get one!!

Look forward to hearing about anyone else experience. Cheers.

 

[Mikerb]

Hi all.

So I've only done 150km on my shiny new 2021 Levo Comp since getting it a couple of weeks ago but just had the TCU and battery replaced yesterday under warranty due to 'water in battery error' and TCU/battery malfunction. TCU turning itself on and off and the battery LEDs flickering and not working at all. I could see water vapour misting up the LEDs!! Tried all the tricks suggested by specialized concept store to dry everything out but no joy.

I don't use a jet washer and only use a very low pressure hose in 'sprinkle mode' to wet the bike and rinse the crap off gently.

I have ridden in heavy rain and very wet conditions but haven't immersed the battery.

I greased up the motor/battery connector seals to prevent any potential water ingress and have been super careful to keep water away for that area when cleaning the bike.

Now maybe I'm expecting too much but for £6k+ I did expect that the battery and connectors would actually be waterproof and have some level of IP rating.


Has anyone else had similar issues and can anyone confirm the IP rating of the battery and connectors please?


I can't find anything relating to IP rating published anywhere by Specialized themselves. Would love to find something.

Really really enjoy riding the bike. It's great. But there's something very wrong with paying so much for something that isn't capable of dealing with basic wet weather riding!!

I have zero confidence in waterproofness of the replacement battery and TCU. To such an extent that I'm considering rejecting the bike as not fit for purpose and maybe then trying a gen 3 2022 model instead...if I can get one!!

Look forward to hearing about anyone else experience. Cheers.

which LEDs are you referring to?
Just maybe for some peace of mind I have a Levo Comp about 2.5 years old and have had zero issues with it despite UK winters etc. I have not heard of any battery water ingress issues so if indeed the battery let in water the first question is where did the water get into the downtube? I would not rely to heavilly on LBS diagnostics. They tend to just change parts until the issue is fixed. If indeed the battery had water inside it then that sounds like a faulty battery case.....and I have not heard of that before.

I can however believe the TCU getting wet ingress because that has been a common issue. It is however easilly prevented.

The first and primary cause of water ingress into the TCU is failure to properly replace the USB port rubber bung and since it is a LBS that is most likely to access that port, I'm afraid the LBS is the chief culprit. On the only occasion my bike has been to an LBS since I bought it ( for a free initial service) I found that plug loose when I checked it on getting back home( always check your bike if someone else messes with it).

The other reason the TCU can let in water is that it comprises 2 sections so there is a seam a round its waist. If water is aimed at the top tube at any angle other than from a bove you can force water between the top tube and TCU and into that seam. Worse still if you wash the bike upside down. The solution is tape up the TCU and the connections into the back end of it. As an additional measure I have a 1mm neoprene seal ( DIY) between the TCU and the top tube.
I note all your comments about care when washing etc but you have to accept that it is most likely during washing that you have introduced water into the TCU because merely riding in the rain or on wet ground does not cause it. Personally I avoid using a hose. I just use a bucket and wet cloth.

 

[nattydredman]

Thanks Mikerb!

That is reassuring.

I'm going to tape up the TCU and use some gasket sealant on the frame where it is seated.

So it's the LEDs showing charge level on the battery itself. Just by the charging port. I could actually see them misted up on the inside when charging although the lowest LED failed completely. I guess I could have just been unlucky and had a dodgy battery...cracked case, poor seals...whatever.

I bought the Levo from Leisure Lakes Bikes and both their mechanics and the guys at the Specialised Concept shop in Chester were saying that they've had a number of Gen2 Levo's being brought back with similar issues. It's a shame that we can't access the error logs ourselves. I submitted an advanced diagnostics report and when they checked they told me that the there was a 'water in battery' error. Nuff said!

I'd love to know whether the battery actually has an IP rating or not.

Anyhoo...on a more positive note, I've just come back from a 40km+ ride up in the mountains where I live and it was seriously wet! I've washed as per normal and the replacement battery is showing no sign of freaking out as the other one did.

So hopefully problem solved???? Fingers crossed.

There were obviously issues with the Gen2 charging port design as it's been significantly redesigned for the Gen3 models.

 

[Mikerb]

Thanks Mikerb!

That is reassuring.

I'm going to tape up the TCU and use some gasket sealant on the frame where it is seated.

So it's the LEDs showing charge level on the battery itself. Just by the charging port. I could actually see them misted up on the inside when charging although the lowest LED failed completely. I guess I could have just been unlucky and had a dodgy battery...cracked case, poor seals...whatever.

I bought the Levo from Leisure Lakes Bikes and both their mechanics and the guys at the Specialised Concept shop in Chester were saying that they've had a number of Gen2 Levo's being brought back with similar issues. It's a shame that we can't access the error logs ourselves. I submitted an advanced diagnostics report and when they checked they told me that the there was a 'water in battery' error. Nuff said!

I'd love to know whether the battery actually has an IP rating or not.

Anyhoo...on a more positive note, I've just come back from a 40km+ ride up in the mountains where I live and it was seriously wet! I've washed as per normal and the replacement battery is showing no sign of freaking out as the other one did.

So hopefully problem solved???? Fingers crossed.

There were obviously issues with the Gen2 charging port design as it's been significantly redesigned for the Gen3 models.

I do not remember anyone on here reporting water leak into the battery in the last 2/3 years. I would assume the battery case was damaged maybe from being dropped before you bought it.
I dont think the gen 3 charging port arrangement is any improvement over the Gen 2.........I have seen a few reports here of having to hold it closed with duct tape!! I made a neoprene cover for mine secured to the bike with self adhesive velcro. Pleased to hear you had a good ride with the fixed bike. Just accept that the electrics on these bikes needs better protection than any of the brands ( not just Specialized) design in as standard and implement some easy DIY fixes.

 

[nattydredman]

easiest fix is to go back to riding my trusty stumpy again!!

 

[nattydredman]

Spoke to leisure lake bikes who supplied the levo in September. Apparently they’ll allow return and refund no questions asked if there’s a repeat of the problem in the next 4 months. So that’s also reassuring. Excepting the fact that I probably won’t be able to find a suitable replacement anywhere by then.

 

[MrSimmo]

Sorry to drag up an old thread, thought it would be better than creating a new one thats similar.

Has anyone sealed the cable ports on the head tube? If so, how did you do it?

(the ports on the Levo aren't rubber, they're plastic which let water in)