This document is a user guide for the Raith Midnight electric skateboard.
The Raith Midnight is designed for a smooth and comfortable cruising experience, suitable for various uses from coffee runs and commuting to carving, while also being capable of high performance. It utilizes advanced technology, similar to what powers the world's fastest electric skateboards.
Before riding, it is crucial to read all safety information. The board has the potential to lose power and braking due to interference, dropping the remote, or a fully discharged remote. Braking for too long when the battery is fully charged can also affect performance. Riders should always be comfortable without power and brakes. Hills and high-speed riding are extremely dangerous and can cause serious injuries or death. Always wear a helmet, knee/elbow pads, and appropriate footwear. Other vehicles can cause serious injury or death; be mindful of surroundings and obey all laws regarding public roads, bike paths, footpaths, or other places. Riding in wet or icy conditions is extremely dangerous and can lead to loss of traction and control. Do not submerge the board or any part in water. Measures are in place to prevent overcharging through a battery charge buffer and alarm features. Extended braking downhill on a full battery charge can cause a shut-down and loss of braking power.
Technical Specifications (Raith Midnight):
- Dimensions:
- Length: 926mm
- Width: 256mm
- Weight: 9kg
- Power-Train:
- Motors: Dual 4.8KW rated Raith Direct Drive
- Battery: 10AH High Discharge Battery Pack (333Wh)
- Wheels: 80mm 88 Wheel Co. Maverick Pro Wheels
- Truck: Paris 50° V3 Scarlett Red Front, Precision CNC Scarlett Red 42° Rear
What's in the Box:
- Raith Midnight Skateboard
- Knuckle-Duster Remote
- Micro-USB Cable
- Skate Tool
- Charger
Battery and Charging:
The Raith Midnight uses a high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack. Sensors monitor the battery to ensure optimal performance.
- Charging: Only use the included Raith Midnight charger, as other chargers may damage the battery and void the warranty. Chargers from other Raith models or manufacturers must not be used. Before first use, the battery must be fully charged. Connect the charger to a power point, remove the rubber grommet from the board's charger port, and insert the charger plug.
- Red Light = Charging
- Green Light = Fully Charged
- Once fully charged, remove the plug, re-install the rubber grommet, and unplug from the power point.
- Hot Weather: If riding in temperatures above 40°C (104°F), the BMS (battery management system) will alarm and shut off if the temperature exceeds 45°C (113°F) to prevent overheating. Wait for the battery to cool down before riding again.
- Cold Weather: In temperatures around 5°C (41°F), a reduction in range may be noticed.
- Alarm System: The skateboard has an audible buzzer/alarm for:
- Battery/Cell high voltage
- Battery/Cell low voltage
- Cell difference voltage
- High/Low Battery Temperature
- A constant alarm indicates high voltage, which will cut power and regenerative brakes. Stop using regenerative brakes and use mechanical braking. Discharge the battery before using regenerative braking again.
- An alternate sounding alarm (1 sound evenly after the other) indicates low cell/battery voltage. Continued use past this point will cause the BMS to protect the battery, cutting power and torque. The rider will experience a jolt. It is not recommended to continue riding.
- An alternate sounding alarm (2 sounds followed by a break) indicates a temperature cut-off limit (too hot or too cold). High temperature alarm at 40°C, cut off at 45°C. Low temperature alarm at 5°C, cut off at 0°C. Stop riding and cool down or heat up the board. The board is not recommended to function above 45°C or below 0°C to prevent battery damage.
- Lower Voltage Alarm: Recharge the board once the lower alarm voltage is reached to prevent cell damage (below 3.0V per cell can cause permanent damage). For long-term storage, charge cells to approximately 3.8V per cell (when the remote's 3rd or 75% battery indicator light flashes intermittently).
- Direct Sunlight: Do not leave the electric skateboard in direct sunlight, as this can heat the battery and permanently damage it.
- Regenerative Brakes: These brakes are only available when the battery can absorb charge (not 100% full). After full charging, avoid riding downhill and heavy regenerative braking, as the BMS may cut power, leading to loss of regenerative brakes. Discharge the battery a little before using regenerative braking. Riders should always be capable of mechanical braking (foot braking, sliding) in case of regenerative brake or electronics failure. Do not ride faster than a speed you could run off to a stop.
- Charging Details: The charger charges each cell to approximately 4.15V. High voltage cut-off is 4.25V per cell. A 0.1V buffer allows some regenerative braking at full charge. If planning heavy regenerative braking from the start of a ride (e.g., downhill), only charge to approximately 90%. If the high voltage alarm activates during charging, it may indicate an aging battery with differing cell voltages, suggesting replacement might be needed.
Usage Features:
- Roll to Start: The Midnight has a smart switch for "roll to start." Spin a wheel by hand or push the board along the ground to turn it on.
- Rear Axle Temperature: Heavy use of yellow and red torque modes can cause the rear hanger/motor assembly to overheat, enabling heat protection. Temperature protection begins at 80°C and finishes at 92°C, reducing available torque. Avoid touching the rear axle assembly when hot. Normal operating temperature is 50-60°C. Use red and yellow torque modes for short bursts (hills, acceleration). Entering temperature protection mode will not permanently damage the board.
Airline Travel Tips:
The Raith Midnight battery is 333Wh, which is too large to be taken as carry-on or checked luggage on passenger aircraft. Raith is not liable if airport or airline security confiscates the skateboard. Always comply with local laws and airline regulations.
Knuckle-Duster Remote:
- Components: Throttle Wheel, Power Button, Mode Button, Remote Signal Indicator, Board Battery Indicator, Remote Battery Indicator, Micro-USB Charging Port.
- Operation:
- Accelerating: Push the throttle thumb tab forward.
- Braking: Pull the throttle wheel back.
- Turning off: Hold the power button for 3 seconds until the remote vibrates and all LED lights go off.
- Charging the Remote: Charge the remote to 100% before each ride.
- No Light = Fully Charged
- Red LED Light = Charging
- Pairing: The remote comes pre-paired, but re-pairing before each ride is recommended.
- Turn on the remote (hold power button 1 second). Hold within 300mm of the rear of the skateboard.
- Hold power button and mode button for 3 seconds until remote vibrates and signal LED blinks red quickly (pairing mode).
- Power on the skateboard. Check if remote signal light is ON. Test throttle and brakes. If blinking, pairing failed; restart.
- Once paired, the remote will establish a connection.
- Connection Status:
- Light always on: Good signal
- Light quickly blinking: Bad signal
- Light blinking regularly: No signal
- Switching Torque Mode: Three settings:
- Green: Low power (33% torque)
- Yellow: Medium power (66% torque)
- Red: High power (100% torque)
- The remote starts in green mode. The signal LED light indicates the mode/color.
- To change torque mode, press the mode button and select the desired torque setting.
- Battery Voltage Setting: The remote is set to 8S (8 cells) for the Raith Midnight. This displays the correct remaining battery capacity. If using a different board (6S-25S), the radio module can be changed. To change the setting, hold the mode button for 2 seconds until the receiver LED light blinks (voltage setting mode). Scroll through voltage settings with the mode button.
- The number of LED lights illuminated indicates the corresponding number of battery cells (even numbers will blink, odd numbers will be solid).
- 6S: #1 LED blinking (<>OOO)
- 7S: #1 LED on (OOOO)
- 8S: #1&2 LED blinking (<>OO)
- 9S: #1&2 LED on (@ @ OO)*
- 10S: #1&2&3 LED blinking (@ @ <> O)
- 11S: #1&2&3 LED on (@ @ @ O)
- 12S: #1&2&3&4 LED blinking (<> <> <> O)
- 13S: #1&2&3&4 LED on (@ @ @ @)
- 14S: #2 LED blinking (O <> O O)
- 15S: #2 LED on (O @ O O)
- 16S: #2&3 LED blinking (O <> <> O)
- 17S: #2&3 LED on (O @ @ O)
- 18S: #2&3&4 LED blinking (O <> <> <>)
- 19S: #2&3&4 LED on (O @ @ @)
- 20S: #3 LED blinking (O O <> O)
- 21S: #3 LED on (O O @ O)
- 22S: #3&4 LED blinking (O O <> <>)
- 23S: #3&4 LED on (O O @ @)
- 24S: #4 LED blinking (O O O <> )
- 25S: #4 LED on (O O O @)
- *Default for Midnight
- To exit setting mode, hold the mode button for 2 seconds.
- Skateboard Battery Volume Light Indication:
- 4 lights: 75% - 100% Battery Volume
- 3 lights: 50% - 75% Battery Volume
- 2 lights: 20% - 50% Battery Volume
- 1 light: 10% - 20% Battery Volume
- 1 light blinking: Lower than 10%
- If all 4 lights blink, there is a loss of connection.
- Remote Power Indication:
- If remote battery capacity is above 10%, the indicator light is green. Below 10%, it blinks green and the remote vibrates.
- When the remote is switched off and charging, the indicator light is red. When fully charged, it is green.
- Exact Indication of Remote Battery Capacity: Press the power button twice. The four skateboard battery indicator lights momentarily show the capacity of the skateboard battery.
- 4 lights: 100% - 75%
- 3 lights: 75% - 50%
- 2 lights: 50% - 20%
- 1 light: 20% - 10%
- 0 lights: Refer above (likely below 10%)
- Voltage Drop/Sag: During high discharge, the remote may not display accurate battery capacity. Wait 10 seconds after high discharge for the remote to display correctly. If the remote battery drops below 2.8V, it will switch off automatically.
Raith Drive™ (Direct Drive System):
The Raith Midnight is powered by a powerful, precision direct-drivetrain. Regular maintenance is required.
- Swapping Wheels:
- Use the skate tool to undo the wheel nut and set it aside.
- Remove the wheel, drive collar, and motor assembly from the axle.
- Remove the inner drive collar/motor assembly from the wheel by removing the outer drive collar and 5 wheel spoke screws/washers, then slide out the inner drive collar (may require pulling force).
- Align the new wheel (with bearings and spacer installed) with the drive collar pins and push until seated. Re-install the outer drive collar and spoke screws (finger tight, re-tighten after first ride). Balance motor/wheel if needed.
- Tighten the wheel nut hand tight with the skate tool.
- Bearings: Includes high-quality Raith steel bearings. When changing wheels, swap bearings from old to new wheels. Use only designated wheels with correct marking for drive collar fitment. Standard aftermarket bearings may work but are not recommended, as tolerance issues can cause them to get stuck.
- Servicing & Maintenance:
- Clean the board regularly with a lightly damp microfibre cloth, then dry. Do not use cleaning products.
- Before each ride, check all screws for tightness (truck nuts, wheel nuts, etc.). Use medium-strength blue thread-locker on loose screws.
- Every 500km to a year, check and clean bearings, and apply new grease.
- Detailed Cleaning Steps:
- Remove the axle nut with the skate tool, and slide the wheel, drive collar, and motor CAN assembly off the axle, avoiding striking the motor CAN.
- Loosen the 5 screws holding the outer drive collar to the wheel, remove it, and set aside. Pull out the inner drive collar assembly from the wheel (may require wiggling). Note the painted spoke hole and re-install in the same orientation.
- Check for dirt/dust. Wipe off grease and contaminants. Use kerosene to dissolve dirt, old oil, and grease from bearings. There are two 608 bearings in the wheel and a needle roller bearing between the drive collar and motor. Remove the three M3 screws from the drive collar to separate it from the motor CAN. Rotate the drive collar with a screwdriver to separate it and the bearing from the motor. Clean the drive collar and bearing with kerosene separately.
- Do not use chemicals on the motor CAN; use soapy water and a toothbrush to clean it.
- Apply new grease, rotating bearings to ensure even application.
- Re-assemble the drive system, screws, wheel, and axle nut. Use the Raith drive service tool or non-ferrous tool to press the motor back onto the drive collar bearing, aligning screw holes. Use blue loctite on the M3 drive collar screws when re-installed.
- Torque Specs:
- M2 screws: 0.4Nm (finger tight)
- M3 screws: 2.2Nm
- M4 screws: 4.8Nm
- M8 axle nut: 29Nm
- M10 axle into hanger: 57Nm
Maintaining Your Midnight:
Regular cleaning and maintenance ensure longevity and optimal performance.
- Clean bearings for best roll and quietest ride. Dirty bearings affect ride quality, reduce battery performance, and can cause failure.
- Check all screws/nuts (truck nuts, wheel nuts, etc.) for tightness.
- Drive wheels wear fastest. Replace only with wheels annotated for drive application (checked for tolerance). A balance of drive wheels and motors may be needed when changing wheels (refer to service section).
- Store the board at room temperature.
- Clean dust and dirt with a damp and dry cloth.
Riding Tips:
- Basic Riding: Take time to get acquainted with the board.
- Learn Your Stance: Experiment with left foot forward (regular) or right foot forward (goofy) to find a comfortable stance.
- Take it Slow: Start in the slowest torque setting to understand the board before moving to higher speed modes.
- Shift Your Weight:
- When accelerating, shift weight towards the front foot for balance.
- When braking, shift weight slightly to the rear foot for stability. As speed decreases, shift to a neutral stance.
- 12 Month Limited Warranty: Fastboard Pty Ltd warrants the Midnight to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for 12 consecutive months from the original purchase date. This warranty applies only to the original owner and is not transferable. Claims require proof of purchase.
- Local Law: This warranty provides specific legal rights, which may vary by location. If inconsistent with local law, the warranty will be modified to comply.
- Limitations: To the extent allowed by local law, Fastboard Pty Ltd and its third-party suppliers are not liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages.
- The warranty does not apply to products not correctly installed according to the user manual (available at raithskateboards.com).
- The warranty does not apply to damage caused by crashes, impacts, abuse, non-compliance with manufacturer's specifications, or forces/loads beyond design.
- The warranty does not apply if the product has been modified, including attempts to open or repair electronic components (motor, controller, battery packs, wiring harnesses, switches, chargers).
- The warranty does not apply if the serial number or production code has been altered, defaced, or removed.
- The warranty does not apply without proof of invoice/receipt for Raith Skateboards products.
- Exclusions (Wear and Tear Parts): The warranty does not cover damage to the battery and charger due to power surges, improper charger use, improper maintenance, or other misuse. It also does not cover damages caused by parts from different manufacturers or commercial (rental) use. Water and liquids damage is not covered. Normal wear and tear are not covered. Damage due to normal use, service failure according to Raith Skateboards recommendations, or riding/installation in unrecommended conditions are not covered.
- Competency of Use: By using the board, you certify that you are 16 years or older and/or have reached the age of majority in your domicile. You accept all liability and responsibility for risk associated with using Raith Skateboards, including safety, warranty, legal disclaimer, assumption of risk, and indemnity/harmless provisions.
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