Experiencing issues with your Specialized Bike lights? Like many e-bike owners, I recently encountered a frustrating problem with my Turbo Vado 5 SL eq, specifically concerning the integrated lights and battery performance. This experience highlighted not only a potential fault but also a straightforward solution for those who prioritize battery range over built-in lighting.
The Case of the Failing Specialized Bike Lights and Battery
Recently, while embarking on a 100km ride with a significant 2,300m of elevation gain on my specialized bike, I encountered a complete system failure after a break. Initially, the bike performed as expected, with the power system off during the initial leg of the journey. However, post-break, the system refused to power on – no lights, no display, nothing. This unexpected issue necessitated an early return.
Upon inspection at my Local Bike Shop (LBS), the diagnosis revealed two problems: a failed control unit battery and an intermittent fault within the lighting system. Interestingly, the light fault became apparent when I collected the bike – the lights were completely non-functional. The proposed solution from the shop was a complete replacement of the lights and wiring harness.
Why Ditch the Integrated Lights on Your Specialized Bike?
However, I opted for a different approach. Personally, the integrated lights on my specialized bike were not a priority for several reasons:
- Lack of Flashing Functionality: For safety, especially in varied lighting conditions, flashing lights are crucial. The standard integrated lights on my specialized bike do not offer this feature. Therefore, I always rely on my own high-visibility flashing lights.
- Significant Battery Drain: My primary concern was the considerable battery drain caused by the lights. Based on my observations and the new TCU update which allows for monitoring battery percentage loss, I estimated that the lights consume approximately 3-4% of battery capacity per hour. Over a 6-8 hour ride, this translates to a substantial 18-30% of the total battery – a significant amount in terms of range and battery longevity for a specialized bike. The heat generated by the lights further suggested high power consumption.
- Unnecessary Power Use During Charging: Another point of frustration was that the lights would illuminate even while the specialized bike was charging, seemingly wasting energy unnecessarily.
The Simple Fix: Unplugging the Specialized Bike Lights
The solution turned out to be remarkably simple: unplug the lights. The wiring for the lights on my specialized bike is designed with an inline connector. By simply locating this connector and disconnecting it, I effectively disabled the integrated lights. Reconnecting the remaining parts of the wiring restored the system functionality, minus the problematic lights.
An inline connector for specialized bike lights, easily accessible for disconnection.
This simple action resolved the intermittent fault and, more importantly, eliminated the unwanted battery drain from the lights.
Key Takeaways for Specialized Bike Owners
- TCU Battery Failure: Be aware that the TCU battery in your specialized bike can fail without prior warning, leading to a complete system shutdown.
- Light Power Consumption: Integrated lights, while convenient, can significantly impact the battery range of your specialized bike. Consider if their benefits outweigh the battery drain, especially if you use auxiliary flashing lights anyway.
- Simple Solution: Unplugging the lights is a quick and effective way to resolve light-related issues and conserve battery power on your specialized bike, especially if you don’t rely on them.
By sharing this experience, I hope to offer a helpful tip for other specialized bike owners facing similar issues or seeking to optimize their battery performance.
