Winterizing Your Fliteboard in Cold Climates: A Technical Guide

If you live in the Midwest where winter brings freezing temps and piles of snow, it’s not enough to just “store your board.” in the back of the garage. Harsh conditions can degrade your battery, damage connectors, crack composites, or encourage corrosion. This guide gives existing Fliteboard owners a precise, climate-aware protocol to winterize safely, maintain mid-season, and restart confidently come spring.

1. Pre-Winter Shutdown (Before the First Freeze)

These steps ensure your Fliteboard enters “hibernation” in the safest state.

A. Last Ride & Power State

• Use your last ride as a controlled discharge session; bring the battery down
  moderately
  
  
• Then charge to ~40 % state of charge (somewhere between 40-60 % is acceptable) Fliteboard’s official docs note that 40 % is optimal for longer storage
  
  
• Do not store at 0 % or 100 % long-term — this stresses the battery balancing system and individual cells
  
  
• Disconnect the charger and any external cables to avoid battery drain
  

B. Full Disassembly & Cleaning

• Remove the Flitecell (battery pack) entirely from the board before storage
  
  
• Remove wings, fuselage cover, stabilizer, mast, etc.
  
  
• Rinse all parts (board shell, wings, fuselage, hardware) thoroughly in fresh water
  
  
• Use mild soapy water (pH-neutral) if deposits persist, then rinse completely
  
  
• Wipe internal compartments (battery bay, wiring hollows) with a damp (not wet) microfiber towel
  
  
• If needed: clean electrical connectors and contact surfaces using electrical contact cleaner (not general-purpose sprays)

C. Drying & Moisture Removal

• Lay parts flat in a dry, ventilated area to fully dry
  
  
• Use soft towels for connectors, screw holes, and tight joints
  
  
• Consider using silica gel packs or desiccant pouches inside battery bay or electronics housings to absorb residual moisture

D. Lubrication & Seal Checks

• Lightly apply silicone spray / grease (non-conductive) to hinge points, screws, and mechanical joints. But avoid overapplication (which can attract dust)
  
  
• Inspect all O-rings, gaskets, and seals. Replace any that show wear, cracks, or deformation
  
  
• Ensure seals are clean and lightly lubricated so they remain pliable in cold temps
  
  
• Ensure no humidity or condensation remains before sealing components in bags or cases

E. Battery (Flitecell) Storage

• Store in ambient temperature range of 50°F to 77°F in a safe, dry place (avoid heaters, furnaces, direct sunlight)
  
  
• Do not leave the battery connected to a charger during storage
  
  
• If storing for several months, check battery charge every 1–2 months and top up as needed to maintain in the 40–60 % range
  
  
• Avoid storing the battery in sealed plastic containers (risking condensation)
  
  
• Keep it away from extreme cold (e.g. unheated garages, frost-prone areas): lithium batteries don’t like freezing

F. Storage Environment & Positioning

• Store all components in a clean, dry, indoor space with stable temperature. Avoid garages that frequently dip below freezing
  
  
• Avoid stacking heavy items on top of the board or components
  
  
• If storing mast or fuselage with internal bores, lie them horizontally (not vertical) so any residual moisture can escape. This prevents water from pooling
  
  
• Keep electronics, connectors, and battery in padded, ventilated cases or boxes

2. Mid-Winter Maintenance (Periodic Checks)

Even in hibernation, your system can benefit from occasional “wake checks.”

• Every 1–2 months, power up the Flitecell just enough to check voltage
  
  
• If voltage dips below safe thresholds, recharge it back to ~50%
  
  
• Inspect stored parts visually for signs of humidity, corrosion, or packaging damage
  
  
• Refresh desiccant packs if saturated
  
  
• Check that no pests (mice, insects) have infiltrated cases or storage bins

Issue	Cause / Risk	Mitigation
Freezing moisture in connectors	Residual moisture froze overnight	Latitude on drying + desiccants + horizontal storage
Brittleness of composite materials	Cold contraction, thermal cycling	Avoid extreme temperature swings; store inside range
Battery under-voltage or imbalance	Self-discharge over months	Periodic wake checks and top-ups
Seal shrinkage	O-rings losing elasticity in cold	Use cold-rated seals, ensure lubrication
Condensation shock	Rapid warm-up sticky condensation	Gradual warm-up before powering; avoid direct heat

Tip: When bringing the board from cold storage to a warmer room, allow it to acclimate slowly rather than immediately charging or using it.

3. Summary & Winterizing Checklist

Cold-Climate Winterizing Quick Checklist

1. Controlled discharge final ride → charge to ~40–60 %
2. Disconnect charger, remove battery
3. Fully disassemble wings, fuselage, etc.
4. Rinse and clean thoroughly
5. Clean connectors via contact cleaner, avoid spraying electronics
6. Fully dry all components
7. Use desiccant packs
8. Light lubrication of mechanical joints
9. Inspect and replace seals as needed
10. Store battery ambient 50-77°F, disconnected
11. Check battery every 1–2 months, recharge if needed
12. Store components in pad­ded, ventilated indoor space
13. Reinspect and reassemble in spring, charge slowly, perform dry tests
14. First ride cautious, then normal use

Storing your board correctly is a key step proper maintenance and will prolong the life of the unit. Keep these best practices on hand when fall/winter rolls around, and feel free to share with friends!

As always, the Glyde team is available to provide guidance at any time: call or email us!