Battery failure imminent for 50% of vehicles entering main dealer and independent workshops

Problem solve with Rontronics battery management solutions

Ken Clark, Managing Director, Rotronics Battery Management Solutions

Why is it important to best understand a vehicle’s battery issues or create a programme to achieve optimal performance? Does it matter if your vehicles start first time, and they reach their destination on time? Are late delivery fines a problem and do you want to achieve positive warranty claims, have no roadside defects due to battery issues and eliminate unnecessary battery spend? These are all common questions that can be heard in workshops, or questions businesses are forced to ask themselves.

Maintaining consistent battery management quality standards and workshop practices is about problem solving battery issues and finding credible solutions to offer customers. Over 4.5 million Independent and CVW battery tests have been collected via ROBIS, a remote battery performance system that gathers data to show the good/poor condition of batteries, and gives full visibility of the battery health of a vehicle or fleet. ROBIS is an industry-first in identifying and understanding battery problems, and determines what improvements need to be put in place.

The ROBIS online interactive dashboard gives technicians battery information showing:

• the current state of battery health
• the current state of charge
• how likely the batteries are to fail
• how likely the batteries are to have roadside defects/breakdowns
• what the impact on vehicle or fleet performance is going to be
• When this system is used continually within workshops, over time it is useful to track the gradual battery performance improvements seen and the financial improvements gained

Prevent battery failure

Rotronics has looked at the data gathered from a major independent multi-location workshop operator and from a sample of 40,000 battery tests, 30% show charging to be required. Within that sample, the picture is less pretty and only 50% of batteries are recoverable when charged. Not charging these batteries will lead to premature failure and expensive replacement.

It is clear that independent workshops and main dealers are crying out for battery management programmes. We know from our ROBIS data that manufacturer defects account for only 0.1% of the battery failures and this helps understand the extent of battery mismanagement.

What is the key to a battery management programme which improves customer service and provides increased revenue opportunities?

• Test and charge the battery of every vehicle entering your workshop

Equipment needed to achieve this

It takes no additional time within a regular service to test and charge the battery, with no downtime when you have the right technology. Have a look at the best testers and chargers available on the market here.

Battery chargers

Battery testers

Midtronics MDX655P Start/Stop (EFB)

The MDX655P Start/Stop battery and electrical system analyser offers excellent battery and electrical system testing, for both AGM & EFB Start/Stop automotive applications. This is top-of-the-range technology and central within a battery management programme.

CPX900

The CPX900 Conductance Profiling™ Battery and System Analyser allows you to email the test result to your customer and give them live information to help make a decision about the battery, with a full health check, including cranking ability and reserve capacity measurements. This technology is ideal for independent workshops frequently dealing with inspections, MOTs and servicing. It has WI-FI and Bluetooth connectivity, wireless updateable software, connectivity to the Rotronics ROBIS Online Portal (subscription based), Stop/Start Battery testing, electrical system tests, a built-in temperature sensor and an optional integrated printer. The CPX900 has options of 1.1m or 3m cables.

DCA8000

The DCA analyses most batteries in under two minutes with the charge time ranging from 20 mins to one hour. This is within reasonable and expected service times and it delivers 70amp power. If a battery needs to be fully charged, it will be and the DCA will provide an estimated charging time to help any workshop with their planning and productivity.

It detects any battery failures with its advanced electronics and has automated software updates and data analytics. Operationally, it has an intuitive touchscreen and is easy-to-use. The DCA is appropriate for 12v and 24v charging systems for power sport, automotive and marine applications. It has lithium battery charging capability.

CTEK PRO25 Charger

The PRO25S delivers 25A charge and power supply modes and is appropriate for use with supporting all 12v batteries. It has 25A Output Battery Support Unit. It has excellent inbuilt safety and stability features and has a rugged impact casing for use in the toughest environments. It comes with 6 metre heavy duty charging cables and is suitable for charging batteries from 40Ah-500Ah, including Lithium 12v batteries.

MXS25 Charger

The CTEK MXS25 is fully automatic with an eight step 12v smart charger and battery support unit delivering 25Amps of power, complimented with 6 metre heavy duty charging cables. It is easy to operate with LED charge status and selection menu, it has reverse polarity and spark protection and comes with a wall bracket and cable hanger.

For more information on Rotronics, products available and the battery management programmes, go to www.rotronicsbms.com or email info@rotronicsbms.com alternatively, call Ken Clark on 0121 514 0605.

Rotronics is the UK’s leading expert on battery management programmes and technologies, including ROBIS.