How to turn off Specialized Turbo Vado SL EQ Lights?

[JTK]

Is there a way to turn these lights off and on? I prefer to have them off. Thanks

 

[Solarsparky]

I picked up my 4.0 sl this week and would also like to know if u can turn the lights off.

 

[Admin]

Hey guys! I did some research and reread some of my past Specialized electric bike reviews. The "always on" lights frustrated me a lot too... NO, you cannot turn off the lights for the SL models. I think this has to do with European regulations that require a certain brightness and quality of light for Class 3 speed pedelec models (that go over 28mph or 45km/h) for safety. Even though here in Canada (where I'm based at the moment) the Vado SL models are only Class 1 due to local regulation, the light thing still persists. It seems that you have two options:

1. Use black duct tape to cover the headlight temporarily and deal with the gluey gunk stuff and possible damage and melting due to the heating of the light (I'm not endorsing this, just seen some people mention it elsewhere)
2. Flip the bike over, remove the motor cover, unplug the headlight.

Some standard Vado models had a light button on the control ring near the left grip that would allow users to switch them off. Sometimes this was at the base of the ring... but the SL models seem to only have a walk mode button there. I wish there was an easier way to unplug the lights, like an inline press fit or even an inline switch. Maybe you could open the connection and add a physical toggle switch yourself? But, it might not be as water and dirt resistant as the stock design. Sorry to deliver this bad news. Here's another thread talking about it on Reddit that has some of the same tips and similar frustrated "no solution" result. Maybe others have ideas or tips to share here? Maybe Specialized will see this and rethink their design?

 

[Solarsparky]

AHH bummer...thanks for your detailed reply...I'm from Belfast...where r u?

 

[JTK]

Hey guys! I did some research and reread some of my past Specialized electric bike reviews. The "always on" lights frustrated me a lot too... NO, you cannot turn off the lights for the SL models. I think this has to do with European regulations that require a certain brightness and quality of light for Class 3 speed pedelec models (that go over 28mph or 45km/h) for safety. Even though here in Canada (where I'm based at the moment) the Vado SL models are only Class 1 due to local regulation, the light thing still persists. It seems that you have two options:

1. Use black duct tape to cover the headlight temporarily and deal with the gluey gunk stuff and possible damage and melting due to the heating of the light (I'm not endorsing this, just seen some people mention it elsewhere)
2. Flip the bike over, remove the motor cover, unplug the headlight.

Some standard Vado models had a light button on the control ring near the left grip that would allow users to switch them off. Sometimes this was at the base of the ring... but the SL models seem to only have a walk mode button there. I wish there was an easier way to unplug the lights, like an inline press fit or even an inline switch. Maybe you could open the connection and add a physical toggle switch yourself? But, it might not be as water and dirt resistant as the stock design. Sorry to deliver this bad news. Here's another thread talking about it on Reddit that has some of the same tips and similar frustrated "no solution" result. Maybe others have ideas or tips to share here? Maybe Specialized will see this and rethink their design?

Thanks for your efforts. I’ll just let them on. Being led they shouldn’t draw the battery down much.

 

[Admin]

AHH bummer...thanks for your detailed reply...I'm from Belfast...where r u?

I'm from Colorado USA, but I moved to San Francisco California, Austin Texas, Bermuda, Mexico, New York City, and then ended up in Vancouver Canada (where I'm at now). I've never been to Belfast! That's in Northern Ireland UK? My Aunt is adopted, and she's part Irish maybe I can come visit someday, I love the history and have a certain curiosity and fascination with Ireland.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I asked Specialized Warsaw. Vado SL 4.0 EQ has the lights always on.
I have to correct @Court though. Vado SL is the Class 3 e-bike in the United States only (where lights on are not mandatory). Elsewhere in the world Vado SL is a regular (25 or 32 km/h) e-bike. Lights on are only required at night in regular e-bikes and bikes in Europe. Therefore, the "lights always on" with Vado SL EQ cannot be explained by any law requirements.

So what? The power consumption for lighting in these e-bikes is minimal yet the lights contribute to the ride safety: "Be seen".

 

[Nozmo]

In May 2023 I purchased a Vado 3.0. I'm in the USA btw.

The guy that runs electric bike review EBR demonstrated in a review video that you can turn off the lights by holding down the F1 button for three seconds.

I've tried it and yes...it works.

I think it needs to be the first thing you do after you turn the bike on. Also, you need to do it each time you turn the bike on.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I

In May 2023 I purchased a Vado 3.0.

It might not work on the Vado SL.

Good info, though! Thank you!

 

[sanyata]

Here's a thread about installing a switch and it seems fairly easy: https://electricbikereview.com/forums/threads/headlight-switch-for-vado-sl.51329/

 

[Steve Brown]

Interesting. I’ve just had a problem on my turbo Vado 5 SL eq, which is relevant to this thread, AND I’ve been wanting to turn off the lights for ages!

A few days ago we set off for a long (for us) ride of 100km with c. 2,300m of climbing. Normally we (my wife and I) don’t turn on the power until we need it, so, until for first coffee break, our systems were turned OFF.

After the coffee break my system refused to start - no lights or any other sign of life. So we went home (well, to the place we rent when in Spain).

I took the bike into the LBS, who reported that (1) the control unit battery had failed, and (2) that there was an intermittent fault on the lighting. The intermittent fault showed up when I picked up the bike - no lights at all, again. The shop said that, to fix the fault, they would need to order and then install a complete new set of lights and wiring.

I said that we don’t even want the lights because (1) they don’t flash and so we always use our own very bright flashing lights anyway, and (2) because in my estimation, they use 3-4% of the battery capacity HOURLY, which over a typical 6-8 hour ride, uses up 18-30% of the total battery capacity (non-negligible in my view). ANSWER - unplug the lights! The lights plug in in an inline fashion (sorry about the non-technical description) so just unplug the inline plug (there is only one) and plug the other bits back together again. Perfect! ALSO, the blooming lights don’t come on when charging, which always seems a mega-waste.
Final point 1 - I had no warning about the TCU battery needing replacement, the system just stopped.
Final point 2 - the reason I think I know the percentage loss through the lights is so high, is because most of the time we ride without power, and with the new tcu update I can time the loss in percentage terms. I think the lights DO use a lot of power, as they get very hot, but I’ve been wrong before.
Hope this is useful, and of interest.
Steve

 

[Stefan Mikes]

because in my estimation, they use 3-4% of the battery capacity HOURLY

How did you measure that? In my experience the Vado SL lighting takes no effect on the battery charge, and trust me -- I ride a lot. I never turn the Vado SL off on my stops. In case I restart the ride before the system time-out, I see no change in the battery % between the stop and the ride restart.

In my opinion, the anxiety about the battery consumption by Vado SL lighting is greatly exaggerated. Regarding the safety... As a driver, I hate cyclists with blinking lights.

A Vado SL as seen from the distance of at least 1,000 ft on a bright day (10x zoom lens). The driver should be blind not to spot that e-bike

If you want Steve, I can measure the actual battery consumption by Vado SL lighting.

Final point 1 - I had no warning about the TCU battery needing replacement, the system just stopped.

Funny to think about it but I got the warning about the low TCU coin battery level: it is a red LED on the TCU in a specific pattern.

 

[Steve Brown]

Goodness me - I did expect you to reply, but not quite so quickly!
My thinking is that, until the recent tcu update, I would ride the bike for, say, 2 hours with the system on but without using power, then stop for coffee (I’m a bit of an addict) then I’d restart the system, and lo, I’d “lost” 4% of the battery. Since the recent change I can see it drooping percent by percent, and it’s been around 15-18 minutes per 1%. It may be the algorithm that’s changed, but it seemed pretty conclusive to me.

 

[Steve Brown]

PS Stefan - my wife was knocked off her bike by a driver opening his door in front of her. At the time she only had the bike light on, whereas now we always use flashing lights. No guarantees though - the driver who opened his door was paying no attention at all!

 

[Steve Brown]

How did you measure that? In my experience the Vado SL lighting takes no effect on the battery charge, and trust me -- I ride a lot. I never turn the Vado SL off on my stops. In case I restart the ride before the system time-out, I see no change in the battery % between the stop and the ride restart.

In my opinion, the anxiety about the battery consumption by Vado SL lighting is greatly exaggerated. Regarding the safety... As a driver, I hate cyclists with blinking lights.

View attachment 154769
A Vado SL as seen from the distance of at least 1,000 ft on a bright day (10x zoom lens). The driver should be blind not to spot that e-bike

If you want Steve, I can measure the actual battery consumption by Vado SL lighting.


Funny to think about it but I got the warning about the low TCU coin battery level: it is a red LED on the TCU in a specific pattern.

I think my intermittent problem was probably caused by stone getting stuck in the mudguards, but that’s only an idea.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Goodness me - I did expect you to reply, but not quite so quickly!
My thinking is that, until the recent tcu update, I would ride the bike for, say, 2 hours with the system on but without using power, then stop for coffee (I’m a bit of an addict) then I’d restart the system, and lo, I’d “lost” 4% of the battery. Since the recent change I can see it drooping percent by percent, and it’s been around 15-18 minutes per 1%. It may be the algorithm that’s changed, but it seemed pretty conclusive to me.

Steve, let us do an experiment (I cannot promise doing it very soon). I own a 2020 Vado SL 4.0 EQ, and can measure the actual current battery capacity using the BLEvo app. The experiment would be forcing the VSL running for an hour stationary with the lights on, and I will report the battery consumption. I do not assume you are wrong! Let the facts benefit both of us!

PS Stefan - my wife was knocked off her bike by a driver opening his door in front of her. At the time she only had the bike light on, whereas now we always use flashing lights. No guarantees though - the driver who opened his door was paying no attention at all!

Well Steve, the driver could pay no attention at all, flashing light or no light... Whenever I see a parked car from a distance, I assess the situation and either slow down (to let a car behind me overtake me) or I just pass the parked car with a healthy distance of 1.5 m. I could see too many films with cyclists smashing the open car door!

I think my intermittent problem was probably caused by stone getting stuck in the mudguards, but that’s only an idea.

A general remark (not relevant to your case!): While I am fond of the rear mudguard in my VSL, I absolutely hated the front one! I removed the front mudguard and replaced it with an AssSaver soon.

 

[Steve Brown]

Of course, what I missed completely is that the lights are only part of the “system drain” - it could be whatever else is being used to run system which uses most of the power, and not the lights. It would be very useful if you could prove it logically - thank you.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@Steve Brown:

(2) because in my estimation, they use 3-4% of the battery capacity HOURLY, which over a typical 6-8 hour ride, uses up 18-30% of the total battery capacity (non-negligible in my view).

I have run my Vado SL in four 15-minute sessions from 8:55 to 10:03 my time. I was recording the battery state with BLEvo.

Initial state: 100% battery, voltage 53.8 V at 8:55 am.

The system detected no battery consumption in %, only the voltage dropped down to 53.4 V.

After he session, I switched my Vado off and let it be for the next 2 hours, so the system could properly update itself.

Final state after 1 hour of the e-bike running idle and over two hours after being switched off. 17 Wh consumed (5.6%).

Therefore, I admit you have been right and correct. (Not that the battery use for lighting would be a concern for me).

 

[Steve Brown]

Wow - Stefan, that is clever! Well done and thank you very much.
I’m not asking you to do this, but I suppose that doing the same with the lights disconnected would show how much power is used hourly by the rest of the system?
We did a 100km ride yesterday with 2,200 metres of ascent. That’s long for us, so we decided that we’d use the motor more. Also we decided to throw caution to the winds on the way back, and did the last 20k or so on the middle “boost” setting. We were moving for 6.5 hours. When we got back we each had 43% of the battery left (ridiculous - we’re a couple, not twins). So, at 5% for 6.5 hours, I would have lost a further c. 30% of the battery and been at 10-15%. That’s not insignificant. I did feel yesterday that the battery % was holding up much better since disconnecting the day before.
A couple of ride photos attached for reference - the track was difficult, but most of the miles were on good Spanish roads.
Thank you again - I know it doesn’t affect you, but think it would probably affect quite a lot of other riders!
Best wishes,
Steve

 

[Steve Brown]

Sorry Stefan - I realise that stage 2 probably isn’t needed, as the rest of the system shouldn’t be doing anything?
Regards,
Steve