Extend battery software upgrade query.

[Howie7]

Extend battery software upgrade query.
I recently bought a range extender battery for my turbo Vado SL 5.0 and in looking at the mission control app I see that it states that a software upgrade is available for it. I currently have software version 2.3.10 and the latest software is 2.3.14. It’s really not at all convenient for me to get to the specialised store for this upgrade, the mission control app says this is not available to do as a user, and the extender battery seems to be working fine so I was wondering how much difference this software upgrade would make to my riding experience?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Extend battery software upgrade query.
I recently bought a range extender battery for my turbo Vado SL 5.0 and in looking at the mission control app I see that it states that a software upgrade is available for it. I currently have software version 2.3.10 and the latest software is 2.3.14. It’s really not at all convenient for me to get to the specialised store for this upgrade, the mission control app says this is not available to do as a user, and the extender battery seems to be working fine so I was wondering how much difference this software upgrade would make to my riding experience?

My advice is to ignore it. I'm riding on not updated Range Extenders and everything is fine.
Take your Range Extender with you only when you have a chance to be around the LBS. That's what I will do myself but not this week for sure

 

[kahn]

Extend battery software upgrade query.
I recently bought a range extender battery for my turbo Vado SL 5.0 and in looking at the mission control app I see that it states that a software upgrade is available for it. I currently have software version 2.3.10 and the latest software is 2.3.14. It’s really not at all convenient for me to get to the specialised store for this upgrade, the mission control app says this is not available to do as a user, and the extender battery seems to be working fine so I was wondering how much difference this software upgrade would make to my riding experience?

Well, unfortunately, a Specialized policy is NOT to explain what updates do! Fix bugs? Make things run smoother? Your guess is as good as mine. I would guess if it were a critical upgrade for safety, they would be more insistent on doing the upgrade. And while I'm not sure, I THINK you have to bring in the entire bike for the Range Extender upgrade. I don't think they can just do it to the battery. But, again, I'm not sure.

 

[Howie7]

My advice is to ignore it. I'm riding on not updated Range Extenders and everything is fine.
Take your Range Extender with you only when you have a chance to be around the LBS. That's what I will do myself but not this week for sure

Thanks Stefan, that’s what I’ll do.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I THINK you have to bring in the entire bike for the Range Extender upgrade. I don't think they can just do it to the battery.

I'm ready to make bets with you

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Too late @kahn! You would win! Not betting. The whole bike is required!

P.S. You see kahn how it works? I just called Specialized (LBS) and got my answer. Unlike certain King Guru I

 

[kahn]

Too late @kahn! You would win! Not betting. The whole bike is required!

P.S. You see kahn how it works? I just called Specialized (LBS) and got my answer. Unlike certain King Guru I

Yes, why allow someone to carry in a two pound Range Extender when they can require you to transport a 30, 40 or 50 pound entire bike. Actually, I would guess that if the store has a Range Extender compatible bike in stock, they could use that bike rather than YOUR/MY bike?????

I guess I tend to sympathize with the customer and not the humongous corporate bike dealer. And if he got a lemon he should be able to deal with it. Now as to the second bike, I would say that having one lemon in the same model, he is concerned about a potential second lemon. I'm not sure that is enough but ....

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Actually, I would guess that if the store has a Range Extender compatible bike in stock, they could use that bike rather than YOUR/MY bike?????

You know that I can just ASK them? Oh, kahn, I am slow on uptake sometimes
Although it would be more pleasant to just ride my Vado there for 2 x 32 km as a workout

I guess I tend to sympathize with the customer and not the humongous corporate bike dealer. And if he got a lemon he should be able to deal with it. Now as to the second bike, I would say that having one lemon in the same model, he is concerned about a potential second lemon. I'm not sure that is enough but ....

You haven't known King Guru I for as long as I have. He wanted to initiate a class action against Trek because a standard shifter hurt his thumb

 

[Howie7]

This is interesting, when I switched on mission control today it stated all my software was up to date! Latest software for range extender battery is now listed as 2,3.10! This is inexplicable unless Specialised read this thread and updated their systems! I‘m glad I didn’t rush off to the bike shop!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

There are things Howie we really should not waste our time on
Ride on! Enjoy!

 

[GuruUno]

Too late @kahn! You would win! Not betting. The whole bike is required!

P.S. You see kahn how it works? I just called Specialized (LBS) and got my answer. Unlike certain King Guru I

Good for you Pope Stefan (that they answered the phone). They answer the phones now. For those who need to get up to speed as to how it has changed, please refer to the previous postings showing that the improvements they made were partly due to my contribution of dissatisfaction, as well as possibly by them reading here and as well as feedback by 2 LBS managers who expressed their very own identical dissatisfaction with the "old" system. I will not create any conflict by playing the telephone recordings that were made to validate those claims, to keep the calm.
Ride on......

 

[GuruUno]

You know that I can just ASK them? Oh, kahn, I am slow on uptake sometimes
Although it would be more pleasant to just ride my Vado there for 2 x 32 km as a workout


You haven't known King Guru I for as long as I have. He wanted to initiate a class action against Trek because a standard shifter hurt his thumb

Yes, the shifter was like pushing a rock. No issues with the previous Super Commuter +8S, no issues with the Vado 5.0, no issues with the Vado 5.0 SL, so yes, after lengthy discussions with the manufacturer (both Trek and the shifter manufacturer Shimano), as well as at least 4 independent bike shops, the conclusion was that the initial design of the routing of the cable through the frame was a contributing factor to the stiffness experienced. Like I said, only that 9.9S Trek had the issue. I even had Trek pay for the cost of replacing it with a Di2. Something has to be said for that, eh?

 

[Rusto]

This is interesting, when I switched on mission control today it stated all my software was up to date! Latest software for range extender battery is now listed as 2,3.10! This is inexplicable unless Specialised read this thread and updated their systems! I‘m glad I didn’t rush off to the bike shop!

Howie, I’m new to e-bikes, just purchased a 2023 Turbo Vado 5.0 SL. Do I understand your post correctly that if I have the 2,3.10 software I don't need to take my bike to a dealer to be able to fully integrate a Range Extender battery?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Howie, I’m new to e-bikes, just purchased a 2023 Turbo Vado 5.0 SL. Do I understand your post correctly that if I have the 2,3.10 software I don't need to take my bike to a dealer to be able to fully integrate a Range Extender battery?

This is not as simple as you think.
Each of these components has own firmware:

• Motor
• Display
• Main battery
• Range Extender (which needs to be updated by the dealer, being connected to the e-bike).

Unfortunately, Mission Control does not display the firmware version as long as a Range Extender is connected, at least not for my Vado SL. Does your Mission Control display the option for the "Charge limit" under Tune? If it does, there is a chance your firmware is up to date for your motor, display, main battery but not necessarily for the Range Extender.

Could you show me the Mission Control screen for Diagnose -> Device updates for your Vado SL with the Range Extender connected?

 

[Rusto]

This is not as simple as you think.
Each of these components has own firmware:

• Motor
• Display
• Main battery
• Range Extender (which needs to be updated by the dealer, being connected to the e-bike).

Unfortunately, Mission Control does not display the firmware version as long as a Range Extender is connected, at least not for my Vado SL. Does your Mission Control display the option for the "Charge limit" under Tune? If it does, there is a chance your firmware is up to date for your motor, display, main battery but not necessarily for the Range Extender.

Could you show me the Mission Control screen for Diagnose -> Device updates for your Vado SL with the Range Extender connected?

Stefan, thanks for the quick reply. I don't yet have a Range Extender, but saw a really great price on one from a Specialized dealer over 1000 miles away. I was wondering if I bought one from them would I have to take it to a local dealer for firmware upgrade?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Stefan, thanks for the quick reply. I don't yet have a Range Extender, but saw a really great price on one from a Specialized dealer over 1000 miles away. I was wondering if I bought one from them would I have to take it to a local dealer for firmware upgrade?

Yes, you could bring your e-bike with the Range Extender and the SL RE Road Cable for an update. It is not mandatory though.
Why would you need the RE update? The proper behaviour of an RE is that when the charge drops below 10%, you should be able to ride with limited assistance until the charge drops to 5%, when the RE is treated as an empty battery and it is switched off. Some RE without update cut off even at 10% of the charge. It is not a big issue. I have been riding with as many as four not updated Range Extenders for 2 years! Only one of them worked as specified; three others were cutting off between 10 and 8% charge. Not a big deal but I updated all of them at the dealer just after the e-bike warranty expired.

 

[kahn]

Stefan, thanks for the quick reply. I don't yet have a Range Extender, but saw a really great price on one from a Specialized dealer over 1000 miles away. I was wondering if I bought one from them would I have to take it to a local dealer for firmware upgrade?

This is where we are still vaguely uninformed. It might be possible for the shop with the battery to update it before shipping, if they can attach it to a bike that is compatible??????

And a more local shop should be able to update if you bring in your bike or, again, if they have a compatible bike. Whether they charge for that service is a separate question. I got both my range extenders from NOT my local shop. (how's that for English language construction???). My local shop has updated them on more than one occasion. But I did purchase their extended service policy so I don't pay for many services including flat tire repair (too damn often!)