Shimano Di2 Battery Drain Diagnosis
Using the SM-PCE02 to diagnose battery drain in Di2 systems
Using the SM-PCE02 to diagnose battery drain in Di2 systems
There are many factors that can affect how long a Di2 system will operate on a single battery charge. Temperature, riding volume, shift
habits, usage of wireless connections, and age of battery can all cause the time before discharge to vary – sometimes drastically. If the
battery is running out of charge more quickly than expected, you can utilize this guide to diagnose and remedy the battery drain.
There are four major potential causes of battery drain: Improper setup, failing cells within the battery, a fault in a firmware-equipped
component, or a fault in a component without firmware. Troubleshooting procedures for each of these possibilities are listed below.
Tools Required
1. PC Linkage Device SM-PCE02 and the included USB and E-TUBE Cables
2. A PC running the latest version of the E-TUBE Project App, available at http://e-tubeproject.shimano.com/application/
3. E-TUBE Wire tool TL-EW02
4. SM-BCR2 or SM-BCR1 battery charger
5. A known-good SM-JC41 Junction-B and EW-SD50 E-TUBE Wire
Procedures
It is important to remember that there is no guarantee that there is only one problem. It is highly recommended that the technician
complete all troubleshooting procedures for improper setup, failing battery cells, and excessive battery consumption all firmware-
equipped components.
Remedying Improper Setup
1. Refer to the Dealer Manuals and Compatibility Charts available on si.shimano.com to make sure that the system is properly
set up. Pay special attention to derailleur limit screws – these need to be set according to the Dealer Manual, not in the same
manner as conventional derailleurs.
2. Inspect all E-TUBE wires for damage – look for discoloration, deformation, kinking, or broken wires. Replace any wires that
are visibly damaged.
3. Check all E-TUBE connections using a TL-EW02 to disconnect and reconnect the E-TUBE wires from each component. You
should be able to feel and hear a very distinct and positive “click” as the connection seats.
4. Connect the bicycle to E-TUBE PROJECT and update the firmware for all components. If any units require firmware restoration,
please refer to the standalone Guide To Restoring Firmware.
Checking for Failing Cells within the Battery
1. In order to determine whether there might be a problem with the battery cells, first fully charge and then unplug the battery
from the rest of the system. Leave it sit in a cool, dry place for 24-48 hours, then reinstall to the bicycle and check the power
level. If it has gone down appreciably, the battery itself is losing the ability to hold a charge and should be replaced.
Checking Firmware-Equipped Components
1. Use the SM-PCE02 PC Linkage Device to connect the system to a computer running the current version of the E-TUBE
PROJECT App. Select the appropriate type of bicycle based on the derailleur(s) installed and complete a connection check.
Update any components that do not have the current firmware version.
2. Select “Error Check” from the menu on the left side of the screen. Check the radio box for “Battery consumption” – it will be
the bottom option. Depending on how many units are in the system, it may be necessary to scroll down to see it. Begin the
error check.
3. The E-TUBE PROJECT App will call out any unit(s) with possible battery consumption problems for individual assessment.
“Complete Setup” and connect the named unit(s), one at a time. Click “Change bike type” and select the Single Unit connection
option. The icon looks like an E-TUBE wire in the shape of an “S”.
4. Complete a connection check, then select “Error check”. Once again click on the radio box next to the “Battery consumption”
option and begin the check. If a message indicating a battery consumption fault may have been found appears, the unit is
draining excessive power and should be replaced.
Checking Components Without Firmware
1. Because this section is the most time-consuming and has a relatively small chance of revealing the problem, it is recommended
that troubleshooting procedures first be performed for improper setup, failing cells, and firmware-equipped components.
2. Components without firmware include, but are not limited to:
EW-SD50 E-TUBE wires
SM-JC40 or SM-JC41 Junction Bs
EW-JC130 Y-Split E-TUBE wires
EW-JC200 2-Port Junction
3. Inspect the entire wiring network carefully for damage and corrosion. Replace any problematic components.
4. One at a time, connect a charged known-good Di2 battery to a known-good Di2 component such as a derailleur using one of
the suspect wires. Leave in a cool dry place overnight and check for any appreciable loss of charge. If the charge has
dropped, the wire in use is the cause of the power drain and should be replaced. There may be more than one problematic
wire, so be sure to check all wires.
5. To check a junction box, connect a charged known-good Di2 battery to a known-good EW-SD50. Plug that into one side of the
suspect junction. Use a known-good EW-SD50 to connect a known-good Di2 component such as a derailleur to the other
side of the junction. Leave in a cool dry place overnight and check for any appreciable loss of charge. If the charge has
dropped, the junction in use is the cause of the power drain and should be replaced.
6. In the absence of an SM-PCE02, this same technique can be used to test firmware-equipped components. Connect a charged
known-good Di2 battery to the suspect component using a known-good EW-SD50. Leave in a cool dry place overnight and
check for any appreciable loss of charge. If the charge has dropped, the component in use is the cause of the power drain
and should be replaced.
habits, usage of wireless connections, and age of battery can all cause the time before discharge to vary – sometimes drastically. If the
battery is running out of charge more quickly than expected, you can utilize this guide to diagnose and remedy the battery drain.
There are four major potential causes of battery drain: Improper setup, failing cells within the battery, a fault in a firmware-equipped
component, or a fault in a component without firmware. Troubleshooting procedures for each of these possibilities are listed below.
Tools Required
1. PC Linkage Device SM-PCE02 and the included USB and E-TUBE Cables
2. A PC running the latest version of the E-TUBE Project App, available at http://e-tubeproject.shimano.com/application/
3. E-TUBE Wire tool TL-EW02
4. SM-BCR2 or SM-BCR1 battery charger
5. A known-good SM-JC41 Junction-B and EW-SD50 E-TUBE Wire
Procedures
It is important to remember that there is no guarantee that there is only one problem. It is highly recommended that the technician
complete all troubleshooting procedures for improper setup, failing battery cells, and excessive battery consumption all firmware-
equipped components.
Remedying Improper Setup
1. Refer to the Dealer Manuals and Compatibility Charts available on si.shimano.com to make sure that the system is properly
set up. Pay special attention to derailleur limit screws – these need to be set according to the Dealer Manual, not in the same
manner as conventional derailleurs.
2. Inspect all E-TUBE wires for damage – look for discoloration, deformation, kinking, or broken wires. Replace any wires that
are visibly damaged.
3. Check all E-TUBE connections using a TL-EW02 to disconnect and reconnect the E-TUBE wires from each component. You
should be able to feel and hear a very distinct and positive “click” as the connection seats.
4. Connect the bicycle to E-TUBE PROJECT and update the firmware for all components. If any units require firmware restoration,
please refer to the standalone Guide To Restoring Firmware.
Checking for Failing Cells within the Battery
1. In order to determine whether there might be a problem with the battery cells, first fully charge and then unplug the battery
from the rest of the system. Leave it sit in a cool, dry place for 24-48 hours, then reinstall to the bicycle and check the power
level. If it has gone down appreciably, the battery itself is losing the ability to hold a charge and should be replaced.
Checking Firmware-Equipped Components
1. Use the SM-PCE02 PC Linkage Device to connect the system to a computer running the current version of the E-TUBE
PROJECT App. Select the appropriate type of bicycle based on the derailleur(s) installed and complete a connection check.
Update any components that do not have the current firmware version.
2. Select “Error Check” from the menu on the left side of the screen. Check the radio box for “Battery consumption” – it will be
the bottom option. Depending on how many units are in the system, it may be necessary to scroll down to see it. Begin the
error check.
3. The E-TUBE PROJECT App will call out any unit(s) with possible battery consumption problems for individual assessment.
“Complete Setup” and connect the named unit(s), one at a time. Click “Change bike type” and select the Single Unit connection
option. The icon looks like an E-TUBE wire in the shape of an “S”.
4. Complete a connection check, then select “Error check”. Once again click on the radio box next to the “Battery consumption”
option and begin the check. If a message indicating a battery consumption fault may have been found appears, the unit is
draining excessive power and should be replaced.
Checking Components Without Firmware
1. Because this section is the most time-consuming and has a relatively small chance of revealing the problem, it is recommended
that troubleshooting procedures first be performed for improper setup, failing cells, and firmware-equipped components.
2. Components without firmware include, but are not limited to:
EW-SD50 E-TUBE wires
SM-JC40 or SM-JC41 Junction Bs
EW-JC130 Y-Split E-TUBE wires
EW-JC200 2-Port Junction
3. Inspect the entire wiring network carefully for damage and corrosion. Replace any problematic components.
4. One at a time, connect a charged known-good Di2 battery to a known-good Di2 component such as a derailleur using one of
the suspect wires. Leave in a cool dry place overnight and check for any appreciable loss of charge. If the charge has
dropped, the wire in use is the cause of the power drain and should be replaced. There may be more than one problematic
wire, so be sure to check all wires.
5. To check a junction box, connect a charged known-good Di2 battery to a known-good EW-SD50. Plug that into one side of the
suspect junction. Use a known-good EW-SD50 to connect a known-good Di2 component such as a derailleur to the other
side of the junction. Leave in a cool dry place overnight and check for any appreciable loss of charge. If the charge has
dropped, the junction in use is the cause of the power drain and should be replaced.
6. In the absence of an SM-PCE02, this same technique can be used to test firmware-equipped components. Connect a charged
known-good Di2 battery to the suspect component using a known-good EW-SD50. Leave in a cool dry place overnight and
check for any appreciable loss of charge. If the charge has dropped, the component in use is the cause of the power drain
and should be replaced.
