THE PROBLEM
Hotel load can drain reserve energy before the next start
Transit buses support electrical loads beyond cranking. Lighting, controls, communications, and other onboard systems can draw down reserve energy. A battery may still crank under some conditions but be too weak to support reliable operation through the next service interval.
THE CADEX SOLUTION
Set a service threshold around real reserve energy
Spectro CM-24 validates Minimum Operational Reserve Energy by assessing capacity, the leading health indicator. For bus starter batteries, the pass/fail level is usually set around 50%. A pass provides a grace period to next service; a fail calls for replacement even if cranking remains strong.
HOW IT WORKS
Connect testing to fleet records
Results can be stored locally or shared with supervisors through CadexCloud. Vehicle numbers, work orders, resistance, temperature, charge levels, and battery status can be retained. QR-coded batteries can help retrieve historical readings and download model-specific matrices.
WHY IT MATTERS
Capacity assessment catches what CCA can miss
The transit source repeats the founder proof point that many starter batteries fail by capacity fade while far fewer quit by low CCA. This supports the service message that CCA alone is incomplete for transit fleets.
BENEFITS
What users gain
Reduce no-start risk after hotel load.
Support scheduled maintenance with battery history.
Improve confidence in keep-or-replace decisions.
Share results with fleet supervisors.
Track battery condition by vehicle and work order.
Ideal for
Transit agencies, bus maintenance garages, fleet supervisors, municipal operators, depot service teams, and commercial bus service providers.
Book a Demo
Keep buses ready for the next route
Use Cadex Spectro to assess capacity, protect restart confidence, and support smarter battery maintenance across transit fleets.
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.