Really dumb battery question

[dayoldcroissant]

Just got my Roadster yesterday. I noticed that there is a little on/off switch on the battery. I asked the guy at the shop about it, like if I needed to turn it off and on to use the bike, and he just kind of dismissively said “nah”. He wasn’t very knowledgeable about the bike; I think I knew more about if from all of the videos I watched in anticipation of buying and receiving it. So anyways, was he right? Do I need to power the battery in and off, or do I just power up the bike with the display unit?

 

[JVBulman]

You can turn the bike on/off from it, but it's excatly the same as turning the bike on/off with the button on the display, not a separate thing. It's mostly used by mechanics to troubleshoot power issues.

 

[dayoldcroissant]

Got it; thanks!

 

[fooferdoggie]

Plus to show the power level when the battery is off the bike

 

[6zfshdb]

My battery also has a switch. I use it as an additional security measure when leaving the bike unattended. By turning off the hidden switch, no one can power up the bike from the display.

There is also a small power drain caused by the controller circuit on my bike, even when the display is off. I use the switch to keep the battery from discharging when the bike isn't used for long periods.

This may not be true for all bikes though.

 

[Gionnirocket]

I agree that it is an extra layer of safety and shut it down when the bike is off for the day or leaving the bike for a moment running errands. I would especially make sure to do it if I knew I wasn't going to ride for a few days... Weeks.
Is it 100% necessary.... No
My original battery had a switch. When I replaced it with a smaller one, it didn't have a switch and I missed having it. When I replaced that battery, I made it a point to have a switch.
Just my take on a battery switch.

 

[webcurl]

There is also a small power drain caused by the controller circuit on my bike, even when the display is off. I use the switch to keep the battery from discharging when the bike isn't used for long periods.

Out of curiosity what did you measure this power drain to be?

 

[6zfshdb]

Out of curiosity what did you measure this power drain to be?

Between 3 and 5 ma. Not sure the reason for the variation.

 

[webcurl]

Between 3 and 5 ma. Not sure the reason for the variation.

So about 115 - 192 days to deplete fully for a 500Wh with 3-5mA, that's less than i though.
But i'm not going to be worried about it. Good to know though.

 

[6zfshdb]

So about 115 - 192 days to deplete fully for a 500Wh with 3-5mA, that's less than i though.
But i'm not going to be worried about it. Good to know though.

No, it's no real cause for concern. It would only be a problem when storing the bike for a couple of months. I always remove the battery anyway for long term storage.