Specialized introduce battery charge limit

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We've known for years that lithium batteries degrade faster at 100% state-of-charge. Still, the manufacturers didn't see this as a big issue. I've asked other manufacturers about this, and they've told me the battery degradation isn't that bad. The battery will out live the bike, and it will definitely out live the 2 years warranty before degradation gets too bad.

Still, wouldn’t it be nice to have the option to set the maximum charge limit? To feel a bit safer after the warranty has expired. Or to keep using the battery on the next bike?

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Turbo system update​

Specialized has just released a new “Turbo System” software update with the “charge limit” feature. This will limit the maximum state-of-charge to 80%. This is fine for long term storage. Also, Specialized claim most users don’t use the full 100% on their rides, so charging to just 80% will be fine for many of us.

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How to get it?​

You can get the new feature on your existing bike. Download the Mission Control 3.11 app to enable it. If that doesn’t work:
Your bike may require a full system update, including a battery and display update, to enable this feature. This update needs to be applied by an authorized Specialized retailer*. Please contact your retailer to schedule an appointment. Once completed, you can enable Charge Limit in Mission Control.
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My take​

One could argue it’s not a big deal charging the battery to 100%. I won’t tell people to stop doing it. But it’s nice to have the option to set a limit. I can’t see any downside to having this charge limit option. It’s about time someone introduced it!

Sure, Giant did this years ago, but that was a 60% limit intended for battery storage. An 80% limit is much more useful. But why stop there? Why not let us choose between 70, 80 and 90% limit in the app?
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Reactions: MAster, Doomanic and Zimmerframe
About author
knut7
Knut Nes
Started mountainbiking in the 90s. Moved to emtbs in 2014 and have been reviewing them since 2016. Contact me here https://emtb.no/contact/

Comments

B
James_C said:
That’s odd I tried to update mine and it said I had to go to a dealer
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I got same thing then with that post someone had on the other day it kind of read as if it might update with the latest mission control app if not go to dealer. Any way it updated it and says everything is current. But when I charged it today to test the 80 percent limit it was fully charged . Spoke to dealer he's saying it wouldn't have updated it and I would need to get it done in shop. Strange it's telling me it's up to date though.
 
James_C
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Here is what mine says. So we got this feature, but they've removed the at home firmware upgrade feature!!
 
D
I got mine updated Feb 14, 2023 at my LBS. It was in for the battery update and the display update, released that day, came along for the ride. I find that the charge feature works exactly as indicated. Charges to 80% when on and when turned off it charges to 100%. The new display code seems to make Mission Control a little glitchy when changing the tunes. I"m hoping for another update from Spech but I can get the tunes to save and load correctly but I can't do it fast.

If you want the Charge Protection feature you need both the Battery updated to 2.6.6 and Display updated to 34.B.0 The battery needs updating at the shop.
 
D
I just got an update on the phone app today. Says bugfixes. Once I get a chance to try it I'm hoping the tuning and the app is a little more reliable, predicable and stable. 👍
 
Freezer
Zimmerframe said:
It's probably not practical for everyone to sit there and watch their bike charge for 4-6 hours each time after/before a ride. Fine if you do have the time and enjoy that kind of thing, but I think the majority of people don't. I suspect most people have lots of other Li items on charge whilst they sleep .. phones, laptops, power tool batteries, torches, cars, watches, shavers, home energy storage devices, games systems, cameras, usb powerbanks, wireless everythings ..
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Ignoring the issue doesn't make it go away.

www.nytimes.com

E-Bikes Are Convenient. They Can Also Cause Fatal Fires.

Three years after New York legalized micro-mobility bikes and scooters, lawmakers and building managers are grappling with how to make them safer in the wake of numerous fires, some fatal.
www.nytimes.com www.nytimes.com
 
psst!!!...
James_C said:
That’s odd I tried to update mine and it said I had to go to a dealer
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Today i tried more than 20 times. No success. The best try reached 83% and disconnected the app/bike; but this varied, some times just did 2%.
I cant really understand why the updates now force us to visit the lbs.
This is really annoying.
 
Streddaz
psst!!!... said:
Today i tried more than 20 times. No success. The best try reached 83% and disconnected the app/bike; but this varied, some times just did 2%.
I cant really understand why the updates now force us to visit the lbs.
This is really annoying.
Click to expand...
So have you gone to the bike shop to have the update?

I had mine done and after that the app now has the option of an 80% charge
 
psst!!!...
already gone and i am not happy.
the bike is updated but i dont feel to be correct that:
1. when i bought the bike i was given the message that the updates would be done using the cell and in SOME cases would require to be done in the shop (very scarce cases) but by the way i was told this by any means i would suppose that i would have to pay for these updates that would require GO to the shop. I cant really state i was told it would be free but the message understood was it would.
2. its the second time i must update at the shop. this last one and the one before this.
3. the shop i bought the bike from is far from where i am now. So had to do 80km and paid €30 euros.
4. yesterday did 20km and paid €50 (at least i rode there instead of usng a car)

specialized should make this clear and define if is free or if is not free and whats the value.
 
B
psst!!!... said:
already gone and i am not happy.
the bike is updated but i dont feel to be correct that:
1. when i bought the bike i was given the message that the updates would be done using the cell and in SOME cases would require to be done in the shop (very scarce cases) but by the way i was told this by any means i would suppose that i would have to pay for these updates that would require GO to the shop. I cant really state i was told it would be free but the message understood was it would.
2. its the second time i must update at the shop. this last one and the one before this.
3. the shop i bought the bike from is far from where i am now. So had to do 80km and paid €30 euros.
4. yesterday did 20km and paid €50 (at least i rode there instead of usng a car)

specialized should make this clear and define if is free or if is not free and whats the value.
Click to expand...
I'm the same 50 miles to nearest shop. And they fit u in when it suits them. I'm getting new motor so it will be updated as I had to send the TCU as well
 
Uburoibob
Freezer said:
Uhhh…. and just unplugging the charger when you get to your desired charge state is too difficult? 🤷
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Uhhh...some of us have lives that require us to do things other than continually checking the charger status...
 
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