Winterizing is a crucial step for all marine equipment, and electric motors are no exception. Protecting your motor during the cold months limits the effects of corrosion, preserves the battery and contributes to increased longevity. With the right care and maintenance, you can set off again in the spring with a motor in top condition, ready to accompany you on all your new adventures.
Equipment list
For the procedure, you will need your TEMO·450 electric motor, the magnetic key, the charger, a rag, a WD40-type spray, an electronic contact protection spray, a screwdriver with a TORX 20 bit and the (optional) the cove for storing it. Lastly, we recommended you store your TEMO·450 electric motor in an area that is clean and dry.
Load TEMO to 100%
Now that your TEMO·450 Electric Motor is fully charged, you can see that the four blue bars on the gauge on the handle are illuminated, as well as the reserve in red. The next thing is to discharge your electric motor to 80% of its battery capacity. It is recommended that the battery level is below 80% and above 30%. As the winter months progress, the battery will slowly discharge. Check the battery level every 3 months if possible. Find out more about the battery of your electric motor in our video or in the article on our blog.
Rinse engine block
The next step is to rinse your electric motor. Using a hosepipe, feel free to flush it out thoroughly, as the entire motor is sealed. From top to bottom, start with the handle (gauge, trigger, reverse button) and the charging cap. Since it is sealed, open it and rinse it well to get rid of any salt deposits in the electrical contact area. Then, rinse the blue tube and the gills at the bottom of the blue tube thoroughly. Do not hesitate to take the TEMO·450 out to the maximum of is telescopic section.
Rinse off the rest of the TEMO
The next step is to rinse out the rest of the TEMO. Take a garden hose and do not hesitate to rinse it with plenty of water, the engine is completely waterproof. From top to bottom, start with the handle (gauge, trigger, reverse button) as well as the charging cap. Itself being waterproof, open it and rinse well to avoid any salt deposit in the electrical contact area. Then, thoroughly rinse the blue tube and the vents located at the bottom of the blue tube. Do not hesitate to extend the TEMO as far as possible with the telescoping.
Removing the propeller
The next stage is to protect the inaccessible parts of your portable motor with the hosepipe. The first step is to remove the propeller, to ensure that there is no algae or sand in this area. Protect your hand with a glove or cloth while holding the propeller. Simply undo the screw in the middle of the propeller with a TORX 20 key. Be careful not to lose the washer and the pin from the propeller. Be sure to remove the propeller carefully to minimise the chance of these falling out and getting lost. Make sure the motor shaft and surrounding area is clean and apply a shot of WD40 as a precaution. Finally, ensure that the pin is correctly seated in the propeller, fitting into the slot provided for this purpose during reassembly. The same goes for the screw and its washer. You can watch a video on our TEMO France YouTube channel demonstrating this process.
TEMO TUTO: how to change your engine's propeller and nozzle?
Application of protective sprays
Start by applying the electronic contact spray to the TEMO charging socket. Lift the dust and sand cap and apply the spray inside. Do the same in the handle (small round recess on the inside of the handle, opposite the shackle). Don't hesitate to apply as much as you need to get rid of as much salt as possible. As a precaution, you can even put some on the sides of the blue trigger. All that's left to do is apply salt to the holes at the bottom of the blue tube.
The last step is to apply WD40 to the telescope area and the grey tube. Make sure the telescope is working properly, and wipe off any excess WD40. Do the same for the clamp and screws at the bottom of the blue tube, as well as those at the top of the black engine block. Last but not least, cover is highly recommended for when you store or transport your motor.
Your electric motor is now ready for winter. To sum up, charge the battery to 100% capacity and run the motor in fresh water for 9 minutes. Rinse the TEMO·450 completely and remove the propeller. Apply electronic contact spray to the charging socket, the handle and the gills. Finally, apply WD40 to the grey tube, the clamp and the screws at the bottom of the blue tube.
So there you are. Hopefully you’ve got a clearer picture! And just so our portable electric motor holds no more secrets for you, take a look at all our other articles.