Conflicting info Di2 Battery Light / Levels. Please clarify
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,993
Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times
in
306 Posts
Conflicting info Di2 Battery Light / Levels. Please clarify
In my Googling around to understand what the battery level indicator lights are telling me on my Di2 system, one website is telling me this:
Another website is telling me this:
Anyone have any idea which one is correct? For example does the flashing red indicate 0% percent batter life remaining, or less than 25%?
Thanks.
- 100% remaining: Illuminates green (for 2 seconds)
- 50% remaining: Flashes green (5 times)
- 25% remaining: Illuminates red (for 2 seconds)
- 0% remaining: Flashes red (5 times)
Another website is telling me this:
- Red, flashing 5 times: less than 25%
- Red for 2 seconds: 25% – 50%
- Green, flashing 5 times: 50% – 75%
- Green for two seconds: more than 75%
Anyone have any idea which one is correct? For example does the flashing red indicate 0% percent batter life remaining, or less than 25%?
Thanks.
#2
Chases Dogs for Sport
Both are just approximations, but you know of course that flashing red cannot mean 0%. If it were 0%, the light would not illuminate at all.
I've been using Di2 for ten years. Here's how my experience tells me to take them . . .
Solid green - 75%+
Flashing green - 50% to 75%
Solid red - 15% to 50%
Flashing red - Less than that.
As a practical matter, I recharge when the green starts flashing. Even though I put about 8,000 miles per year on the bike, I still only have to charge the battery three or four times a year. Charging on flashing green means I never have to worry about it.
I've been using Di2 for ten years. Here's how my experience tells me to take them . . .
Solid green - 75%+
Flashing green - 50% to 75%
Solid red - 15% to 50%
Flashing red - Less than that.
As a practical matter, I recharge when the green starts flashing. Even though I put about 8,000 miles per year on the bike, I still only have to charge the battery three or four times a year. Charging on flashing green means I never have to worry about it.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
I get about 600 to 700 miles to a charge.
I use my Garmin to get the approximate battery %.
I use my Garmin to get the approximate battery %.
#4
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 14,779
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Mentioned: 235 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6844 Post(s)
Liked 736 Times
in
469 Posts
The lights represent a range.
Solid green is above 75% to 100% charged.
Flashing green is above 50% to 75% charged.
Solid red is above 25% to 50% charged.
Flashing red is above 0% to 25% charged.
The system cannot indicate 0% charge because at that point the battery is dead and unable to power anything.
-Tim-
Solid green is above 75% to 100% charged.
Flashing green is above 50% to 75% charged.
Solid red is above 25% to 50% charged.
Flashing red is above 0% to 25% charged.
The system cannot indicate 0% charge because at that point the battery is dead and unable to power anything.
-Tim-
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Posts: 2,668
Bikes: 2023 Canyon Aeoroad CF SL, 2015 Trek Emonda SLR, 2002 Litespeed Classic, 2005 Bianchi Pista, Some BikesDirect MTB I never ride.
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 647 Post(s)
Liked 136 Times
in
89 Posts
Like others have said, I wouldn't even really worry about it, because I'd never let it drop below the solid red level. That's when I recharge mine. Of course, if I was doing some huge ride, I might charge it up anyway, regardless of the level, just to be safe, but normally I run it to solid red, then recharge. I'm not sure if these batteries have a "memory" and need to be discharged as much as possible before recharging, but I figure the solid red indicator is close enough for me. Not worth having it die on the road.
#6
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Franklin, TN
Posts: 422
Bikes: 2016 Cervelo R3 & 1999 Litespeed Tuscany
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 158 Post(s)
Liked 138 Times
in
79 Posts
I've always been curious as to what happens if you run out of battery so I did that earlier this year. On a ride this spring my Wahoo Bolt warned me that my Di2 batter was low, but I ignored it and went on a ride anyway. When the battery got to a certain point the front derailleur stopped working but the rear kept going. I was able to do another 15 miles home in that condition. I figured I pressed my luck as far as I wanted and charged the system from there. Haven't charged it since.
#7
Full Member
I've always been curious as to what happens if you run out of battery so I did that earlier this year. On a ride this spring my Wahoo Bolt warned me that my Di2 batter was low, but I ignored it and went on a ride anyway. When the battery got to a certain point the front derailleur stopped working but the rear kept going. I was able to do another 15 miles home in that condition. I figured I pressed my luck as far as I wanted and charged the system from there. Haven't charged it since.
#8
Chases Dogs for Sport
At low charge, the front derailleur automatically shifts to the small ring and stops functioning. At that point, you have approximately 50 miles of shifting available on the rear derailleur.
#9
Senior Member
Di2 MTB display is great.
Being red/green color challenged I always had problems with the Di2 battery status lights. I also had problems with the newer Shimano inline wireless unit leaving Bluetooth active and running the battery down. That is all in the past now. I have replaced my 3 port junction box with the Shimano SC-MT800 XT Di2 Digital Display Unit. It works perfectly and my Di2 battery lasts longer. The display comes on when you shift and you can configure how long it stays on. Universal Cycles has them for $89.99. There appears to be no difference between the XT version and the more expensive XTR display version other than the case.
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,993
Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times
in
306 Posts
@jmess wait. So the cables that were running in to the junction box now run in to the SC-MT800? Or does this gadget need the Bluetooth connectivity?
#11
Senior Member
Right the SC-MT800 has 3 Di2 ports and can replace the junction box or be plugged into the Di2 network like a D-Fly is wired. The unit doesn’t connect to a bike computer. It does support Bluetooth for firmware updates.
@jmess wait. So the cables that were running in to the junction box now run in to the SC-MT800? Or does this gadget need the Bluetooth connectivity?
#13
Di2 fanatic
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 149
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 53 Post(s)
Liked 65 Times
in
42 Posts
@jmess Or does this gadget need the Bluetooth connectivity?
*4 The system accepts just 1 unit with wireless chip. (doesn't work if plural units with wireless chip are connected)
#14
Senior Member
I removed the wireless unit when I installed the display. My point was I don’t think you have to use the display as a junction box and could wire it inline like you connect the wireless unit.
Likes For jmess:
#15
Di2 fanatic
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 149
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 53 Post(s)
Liked 65 Times
in
42 Posts
aha, I see!
I'm not sure, but I would like to find out ;-)
The compatibility charts state:
It doesn't say "max 1", so you could be right!
I'm not sure, but I would like to find out ;-)
The compatibility charts state:
One unit from this group: SC-M9050, SC-M9051, SC-MT800, EW-RS910, SM-EW90-A, SM-EW90-B
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,993
Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times
in
306 Posts
@TerryDi2C if you do find out, could you share your findings (with photos?) here? Also, your website is very informative. I took at look at the Di2 for dummies page. Well done
@jmess I like the idea of replacing the junction box with the SC-MT800. I'm just not sure how I would make it work on my bike. As I look at where the junction box is - under the steam - I don't know if I'd be able to switch it around.
@jmess I like the idea of replacing the junction box with the SC-MT800. I'm just not sure how I would make it work on my bike. As I look at where the junction box is - under the steam - I don't know if I'd be able to switch it around.
Likes For NoWhammies:
#17
Senior Member
How I did it
My left Di2 shifter wire was too short to reach the display junction plugs without redoing my bartape. Since the bartape was fairly new I purchased a Di2 junction (female/female). I already had a short Di2 wire that I had used for the D-Fly unit. So with the extension I could replace the 3-port junction box.
Left Di2 shifter wire extension
Display mounted on bars
Left Di2 shifter wire extension
Display mounted on bars
#18
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,631
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4729 Post(s)
Liked 1,531 Times
in
1,002 Posts
I think the giveaway is that you'd never have 100% more than for eg. an hour, or otherwise that solid green notification is kinda worthless.. the first website is wrong. What would you get if you had 85% remaining?
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,952
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Canyon Inflite AL SLX, Ibis Ripley AF, Priority Continuum Onyx, Santana Vision, Kent Dual-Drive Tandem
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 871 Post(s)
Liked 726 Times
in
436 Posts
Didn't know about the display unit, that's pretty cool. FWIW, I have no issues with my EWU1111 wireless Bluetooth unit sending all the same information to my Garmin and Etube app. A lot easier than remembering the meaning of the lights on the junction box.
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,993
Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times
in
306 Posts
@jmess when adding the SC-MT800 and swapping out the junction box, it just a matter of pulling the cables out of the box and putting them in the SC-MT800? Or does something need to be done?
#22
Senior Member
Nothing special, just move the cables from junction box to the display. You might want to do a firmware update at some point. The firmware update for the display hung the first time I did it using the E-Tube phone app. I had to disconnect and reconnect my internal seatpost battery from the system to clear it up. The Di2 controller resides in the battery module so disconnecting it is like a reboot. I would use the PC app connected via the battery charge wire for the initial firmware update if you have it. This should eliminate any Bluetooth version issues/bugs between what the SC display shipped with (year old?) and your phone.
@jmess when adding the SC-MT800 and swapping out the junction box, it just a matter of pulling the cables out of the box and putting them in the SC-MT800? Or does something need to be done?
Last edited by jmess; 09-03-19 at 02:49 PM.
#23
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,993
Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times
in
306 Posts
@jmess does the unit stay 'on' all the time? Or does the display only activate when the bike is in use?
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Québec, Canada
Posts: 2,108
Bikes: SL8 Pro, TCR beater
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 981 Post(s)
Liked 582 Times
in
438 Posts
In my Googling around to understand what the battery level indicator lights are telling me on my Di2 system, one website is telling me this:
Another website is telling me this:
Anyone have any idea which one is correct? For example does the flashing red indicate 0% percent batter life remaining, or less than 25%?
Thanks.
- 100% remaining: Illuminates green (for 2 seconds)
- 50% remaining: Flashes green (5 times)
- 25% remaining: Illuminates red (for 2 seconds)
- 0% remaining: Flashes red (5 times)
Another website is telling me this:
- Red, flashing 5 times: less than 25%
- Red for 2 seconds: 25% – 50%
- Green, flashing 5 times: 50% – 75%
- Green for two seconds: more than 75%
Anyone have any idea which one is correct? For example does the flashing red indicate 0% percent batter life remaining, or less than 25%?
Thanks.
Mine stays on green when it's full. It flashes green when it's above 50%. Rely on your owner's manual or Shimano's website information.
#25
Senior Member
The display comes on when you shift. The time it remains on is configurable with the E-Tube project software. I don’t recall what the max time is, I have mine set for 1 minute. Here is the manual but it doesn’t mention the display time adjustment.
SC-MT800 manual
SC-MT800 manual
@jmess does the unit stay 'on' all the time? Or does the display only activate when the bike is in use?