When the controller is not in use it needs to be deactivated. The electronic ignition circuitry (fitted to all controllers) does this, so the controller draws no current and the throttle input will have no effect.
Note that 'electronic ignition' does not disconnect the battery so should not be relied upon for long periods of storage. You may also like to fit a battery isolator switch for emergencies - although modern MOSFETs are very reliable!
In the simpler controllers the ignition is switched on by connecting and off by disconnecting the potentiometer.
Some controllers (e.g. Uni series) switch themselves off automatically when the pot is turned to zero speed.
These controllers (4QD series) have a separate ignition switch circuit. The electronics are disabled, the motor output goes open-circuit.
On some controllers (Pro, Scoota, NCC and Uni series) the ignition is 'active' - when switched off the controller will ramp down to zero and only then will it switch itself off.
This option is available from the factory on Pro, Scoota and NCC. Normally, when the ignition is switched off, these controllers ramp down to zero speed and then switch themselves off. For auto switchoff the 'ramp down' is removed and instead a delay is fitted. Now the ignition switch is a momentary 'push-to-start' button. The electronic ignition hold the controller on whilst it is working but, when the throttle is turned down to zero, the controller automatically switches itself off after a few seconds.
The main use for this is in showrooms, where a demonstration machine may be left (e.g. by a curious customer) with the ignition switched on. Now, if another customer operates the throttle, the machine will start. If the throttle is a twist-grip and the machine runs away from the person twisting it, it is very easy for the person to twist the throttle to high speed while trying to hold back the machine! Auto-switchoff prevents this possibility.
Fitted on Uni series controllers, this is similar to Pot operated ignition in that the controller switches on when the pot is advanced from zero. The Uni has adjustable ramps, so the ignition switches off when the output speed has ramped down to zero, which is some time after the pot has been turned to zero.
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