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Replaceable, but a hassle to do so depending on how you feel about glue guns and soldering irons.
@gillies The two guys I installed for are both heading to TCR, so want absolute reliability or as close to. Only one's stopped charging so far after two 300k rides, so not sure what the issue might be, I was willing to investigate, but the guy decided to send back to Igaro.
The USB connector had a fair bit of rust, but I wouldn't have thought this would have been an issue electrically. I would personally try any options to help (paging @hippy for his idea). Simplest would be to leave the USB end in a TT mounted feedbag and use when needed.
Chak-
I used two of these, 'permanently' stuck into the D1:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12cm-Very-Short-USB-2-0-High-Speed-Cable-EXTENSION-Lead-A-Male-Plug-to-Female-/400708565329?hash=item5d4c177951:g:7wYAAOSwnNBXZ8RWIf the connectors on their ends die, I can rip them out and replace them. This leaves the D1 connectors rust free and any wear-and-tear happens to the cheap cables. It also makes plugging stuff in easier because my D1 is fixed in an odd spot.
You could do the same thing with longer USB cables of the same variety and then leave whatever item you are charging in a waterproof bag. The D1 needs to be in the open air though, for heat um release whatchamacallit.
Where do you work @Chak ? My ultra bike is up and running again but if you're nearby I could do with other handy wrenching peeps.
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Hi Chak,
The user/D1 you refer to had a little bit of rust however that wasn't the issue - the issue was the pins were seized from electrolysis. It's exactly how we say the port shouldn't be installed - if the injection moulded lead from your phone is at the bottom then water can't drain and creates a bath for which the 5V between the pins to pass. Two days is all it took for it to fail.
Is it an issue? Absolutely, but you'll have the same problem with any USB device not just the D1 - which is why our port is outside the device. Better to replace the port then throwing it in the trash sometime after the 1yr warranty ends (that's not the D1 warranty).
Best solution:
Ideally cable tie the connector directly under the stem with the wires from both the D1 and the USB device cable bending a little towards the ground - that way water can't hit it from above and water can't run into it.
Waterproofing:
The problem with waterproofing is once it fails the water sits there and creates this bath of water in which the pins dissolve. We made the port drainable (not via injection moulding which is half the price) to prevent this (it's not perfect but it's something) - but the user must have the D1 port at the bottom. It's not perfect though, any path the electricity can take between the 5v and 0v of the USB port will eat the pins.
I highly recommend installing under the stem for a long life. A dab of WD40/GT80 may help as well. If it does fail, we have the service on the website to replace it. Cost is about £5 posted back to you.
We're looking for alternatives but haven't found one as of yet. Prevention is better than cure - there are D1's touring the world for over 6 months now, no problems. It's all about how you install the port as to how long it'll last.
The D1 main unit should last forever. Zero failures so far, a record we are mighty proud off.
Regards,
Andrew
hippy
acharnley
There's some discussion in the YACF thread linked above about the advisability of trying to waterproof USB connectors. Igaro's take is that it's better to let water drain out; they've also made the port on the D1 replaceable, as they reckon any one used in all weathers will eventually corrode. This is inherent to the USB spec - the pins are too small and closely spaced for robustness against the elements.