THE PROBLEM
Remote sign failures are expensive to discover late
Battery-powered signs, warning boards, and roadside systems may be installed where service visits take time. When a battery fades, the result can be loss of visibility, unnecessary truck rolls, and reactive maintenance instead of planned service.
THE CADEX SOLUTION
Use capacity to plan field maintenance
Using the same deep-cycle battery logic as other runtime applications, Spectro CM-24 can help verify whether a battery has enough reserve capacity for continued service. The common 60% deep-cycle threshold can support a practical keep, watch, or replace decision.
HOW IT WORKS
A fast check for batteries in field assets
A non-invasive EIS scan estimates capacity and state-of-charge in seconds. Test history can be stored locally or in CadexCloud, and QR-coded batteries can simplify field service by connecting a technician to previous readings and the right battery matrix.
WHY IT MATTERS
Field uptime depends on reserve energy
Battery diagnostics should observe capacity fade and call for replacement before failure. For street signs, that means using service visits to find fading batteries before the sign loses power.
BENEFITS
What users gain
Reduce unplanned service calls.
Improve uptime for powered signs.
Support planned battery replacement.
Use history to track recurring battery issues.
Keep better batteries assigned to critical locations.
Ideal for
Municipal maintenance teams, traffic contractors, road service fleets, construction signage providers, parking operators, and field-service teams managing powered signs or warning systems.
Talk to Cadex
Find weak sign batteries before they fail in the field
Use Cadex Spectro to support more predictable service for battery-powered street signs and roadside systems.
Validating performance by EIS Test
Battery Check in Seconds
The battery is the weakest link in a chain that causes half of all system failures. Battery diagnostics has been lagging, but technology is available that observes capacity fade to fully use each battery with call to replace before failure.
The Spectro CM-24 tests battery health by modeling a battery against a matrix to secure Minimum Operational Reserve Energy (MORE) based on capacity, the leading health indicator.
Threshold Setting
Capacity pass/fail levels for deep-cycle batteries are commonly set to 60%. A PASS assures full day service; FAIL calls for replacement or lower tasks.
The Spectro CM-24 comes with a matrix of choice and ability to download other matrices from the Matrix Library. The matrices are kept in the CadexCloud, a web app that also stores test results and shares data with fleet supervisors.
How does Spectro™ work?
A frequency scan produces a Nyquist plot that models a battery against a matrix to extract capacity, state-of-charge (SoC) and other characteristics. The test is non-invasive and accuracy rests on the Matrix Integrity Level (MIL) that can be improved by scanning additional batteries of same-model but with diverse performances to capture all anomalies.
The EIS Direct-Drive tests batteries in 30 seconds with capacities of up to 300Ah. The battery is not agitated during testing and the compact test unit stays cool. Scientists predict that battery diagnostics will advance to Multi-Model EIS methods, a patented technology Spectro™ devices use.
Checking Battery Match
Battery runtime is governed by the weakest link in a chain. Matching can be assured by measuring leftover charge of each pack after service with the Spectro CM-24. State-of-charge of a well-matched string should be within 10%. Replace low performers with a pack of similar capacity.
Operation
Settings are entered through the host with tests results shown in numbers and by graphics. The system works in local mode by storing test data in the host with optional connection to CadexCloud to share test results with fleet supervisors.
Saved data includes battery status, charge levels, internal battery resistance and temperature, as well as VIN records and work orders. Compatible printers produce print reports and labels.
Historic Test Data
Testing is simplified by marking each battery with QR code. A scan connects the host to CadexCloud to download custom matrices, view previous results and store new readings.
With matrices available from the Matrix library, Spectro devices form an open test platform to service all major batteries.
Capacity Thresholds
Pass/fail settings can be changed by selecting matrices with different MORE thresholds. This enables reserving top performers for critical uses while keeping regular packs for everyday uses.
Specifications
- Uses multi-model electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to read capacity, CCA and SoC.
- Test time is 30s with a scanning frequency of 2,000Hz to 4Hz. Frequencies to 0.1Hz are available.
- Includes matrix of choice; additional matrices can be downloaded from CadexCloud.
- Capacity pass/fail set to 60%. Other settings are on request. Measures internal battery resistance.
- Test ranges: 3–12V; 24V; 35–300Ahand 300µΩ. Extended range to 48V nominal is on request.
- Internal battery performs 250 tests between charges.
- Unit connects to a host by Bluetooth and Cloud Analytics by Wi-Fi.
- 1 meter (40”) test cable connects to DB15; USB-C charges internal battery with AC adapter.
- D: 182mm (7.16“); W: 96mm (3.78“); H: 47mm (1.85“).430g net (0.94 lb.). Comes in transit case:
- Complies with CSA/UL/CE. RoHS. REACH, RED, WEEE, ISTA 3A, IP52 and FCC Type A.