Range Extender Transition Loss of Power

[BikeOn]

Hey Riders, Re: the Vado SL 5 2021 version... I have had mine about 7 months - am currently riding about 50-100 miles a week, but that varies. I have noticed consistency when the RE runs out and the bike is transitioning to the internal battery (remaining battery between 105% and 96%) while riding there is ALWAYS a lag in battery power that is quite noticeable. So if I am in Turbo mode it feels like something between eco and sport. Sport mode feels like eco. This generally lasts about 5 minutes - (Not sure exactly, maybe more) -- sometimes worse and sometimes better. And then the battery kicks back in, and zoom. It is very frustrating if I am facing a headwind, or going up hill or trying to ride with traffic. Do others experience this? It's not a connection issue. I understand the bike saves some battery for computer functioning, but this is not that. It is transition from RE to internal battery, which in my opinion should be seamless. I don't really like Mission Control as my rides are usually random, in some vehicle or pedestrian traffic and I want to be able to control the assist. I have thought of disconnecting the RE until the main battery drains, but this is a big hassle and I don't like stopping. I also prefer to use the RE first because then when I charge I don't have to deal with the poorly designed charge input port at the bike base. The RE is much easier to get the charger cord in and re-connect to bike when done.
Once I tried turning the bike off - that was a disaster... the thing would not restart for a couple minutes, I was headed uphill in a wind and had to curb it, till it decided to start again.

Is there something wrong or is this just product design I need to work around?

 

[stabilo]

How many sessions are you riding. For 50/100 miles a week wouldnt have thought you needed to bother with a range extender on the SL

 

[e-levity]

I think the only way you can avoid the drop in power you’re seeing at the end of the RE discharge is to set Mission Control to use both batteries at he same rate. It takes a bit more effort to recharge both, but it’s worth it if you need both. (My understanding is that it’s also a little mote efficient to draw from both.) If you’re using less than 300 Wh you can set MC to drain the main battery first if you’re carrying both - this makes rechanging easier.

 

[BikeOn]

How many sessions are you riding. For 50/100 miles a week wouldnt have thought you needed to bother with a range extender on the SL

Today I rode 35 - yes I could do that just on the bike battery w/o the range extender, but I always take it. Maybe I am the only one that struggles getting the charger cord in the internal battery and reconnecting the cord to the bike from the RE, but I pretty much hate the design. On most my rides the battery drain is only from the RE, so I only have to charge that one. I do have two chargers as I also have a LEVO and I have one split charger, that isn't the issue. It's the ease of charging the RE verses the internal battery. I also ride primarily where head winds can be fierce and unpredictable, so I like having the RE in case I tire out and want a lot of assist getting home - and lastly - to be honest... there are times I love to go fast and I can zoom along in Turbo as a reward for miles earned on eco

 

[BikeOn]

View attachment 76690

I think the only way you can avoid the drop in power you’re seeing at the end of the RE discharge is to set Mission Control to use both batteries at he same rate. It takes a bit more effort to recharge both, but it’s worth it if you need both. (My understanding is that it’s also a little mote efficient to draw from both.) If you’re using less than 300 Wh you can set MC to drain the main battery first if you’re carrying both - this makes rechanging easier.

Thanks so much for the explanation. You are correct I have the Mission C app set to drain first from the RE and not the combo. I seem to recall the booklet saying that will give a bit more charge, however that is probably incorrect - but nevertheless, only having to charge the RE is one of the reasons. Psychologically I also like starting with 150% - that extra 50% feels like a bonus... and then when it drops to 100%+/- I feel like I have a full battery and can go anywhere. I know this is all head games, but it's my head that gets ny butt out there. I also play games with myself while riding, as I try and go a certain distance and get back without totally depleting the RE, because once I get to 105% then I have to charge both batteries to get back to 150%. Your post is helpful because now I will quit getting mad at the bike and wondering what is wrong and just expect it and plan around it. Thanks again.

 

[kahn]

I have the Creo and recently asked the same basic question. I wanted to feel out the idea of depleting the RE and then the main battery. I thought the idea was that one could either jettison the RE and/or replace it with a second RE. But I was on an uphill climb and suddenly POOF, power was gone as the system kicked into "battery saving" mode or whatever when the RE still had about 10% (guesstimate). I expected the system to automatically start feeding off the main battery rather than killing power as it did. Since a friend was in the lead but could not hear me, I kept pedaling up the hill but realized this was not going to work. Finally, stopped and unplugged the RE and then things were back to normal.

I do have problems rotating the locking mechanism on the cable end that connects the RE to the main port. It will not turn without my tweaking the cable and lock.