Cadex C5100
Battery Rapid-Tester for global storefront service
Storefront battery testing has never been easier.
The single-station Cadex C5100 is designed to rapid-test cell phone batteries. The 30-second test provides the customer a clear assessment of battery performance. Operation is simple and the narrow footprint fits nicely into storefront operations. The
RigidArm™ allows easy interface with most cell phone batteries and can be changed with other SnapLock™ Battery Adapters. A list of custom adapters is on
Battery Adapters for Cell Phones.
- Checks cell phone batteries in 30 seconds
- Prevents discarding of good batteries
- Simple operation allows storefronts use
- Improves customer satisfaction
- Reduces handling cost, saves money
End needless battery replacement
Frivolous replacement of warranty batteries costs cell phone providers an estimated $10 million annually. A closer look reveals that 90% of these packs have no problem. QuickSort™ checks battery performance in 30 seconds and classifies them into:
- Good - can be reused
- Low - replacement recommended
- Poor - faulty; discard
What batteries does QuickSort™ test?
The QuickSort™ matrix for the Cadex C5100 accommodates 3.6V (3.7V) lithium-ion batteries with capacities of 500-1500mAh. Select the battery capacity rating on the tester, connect the battery and press the
Test key to start.
Storefront Use
The Cadex C5100 tests a battery while the customer waits. Non-performers are replaced with a previously serviced pack. On-site service reduces handling costs, lessens disposal and improves customer satisfaction.
How can the Cadex C51000 reduce operation cost and improve service?
- Test and inform the customer when a battery replacement is needed.
- Boost over-discharged batteries and bring them back to live again
- Charge batteries on demand. Battery charges to 70% in one hour
- Build up a pool of tested batteries as replacement
How does QuickSort™ work?
QuickSort™ measures battery state-of-health with electrochemical dynamic response. QuickSort™ does not rely on resistance, as most rapid-testers do. This would provide unreliable readings because the resistance of modern lithium-ion remains steady as batteries age. (See chart on right)
Electrochemical dynamic response can be compared to a mechanical arm under load. A strong arm remains firm whereas a weak arm bends and becomes sluggish when activated. The strong arm resembles good battery state-of-health.
Does the battery need to be fully charged?
The Cadex C5100 tests partially charged batteries. If below 40% state-of-charge, the tester prompts charge and retest.
How accurate is QuickSort™?
QuickSort™ provides a correct prediction 90% of the time. The program uses a generic matrix that works with all designated batteries, including cobalt and manganese systems. QuickSort™ also tests Li-ion polymer.
Wake up seemingly dead batteries
A high number of batteries fail due to over-discharge. The Boost program activates the battery's safety circuit and brings the pack back to life. Over-discharge represents 30% of all battery failures. After the two-minute Boost, the battery can be charged with any charger. Cadex recommends a full charge after Boost to prevent the pack from failing again.
Field Reports
Recovery yield with Boost
To demonstrate the effectiveness of
Boost, Cadex tested a large number of supposedly dead lithium-ion batteries that arrived at the Cadex test labs from various stores. The batteries had no voltage and appeared dead. After
Boost and full charge, most batteries attained capacities of 80% and higher. All restored packs performed flawlessly, and when returned to service, none failed.
Recovery yield of returned batteries
Cadex tested 294 cell phone batteries that had been returned to dealers under warranty. The Cadex analyzer restored 91% of these packs to a capacity of 80% and higher. Nearly 30% were over-discharged and needed Boost to bring them back to life. Only 9% of the packs were non-serviceable. These failed batteries had either low capacities (70% range) or exhibited electrical faults.
Pilot Study with 10 Cellular Stores
Cellular stores in the USA get an average of ten returned batteries a day, and the handling cost is about $15US per pack. This amounts to a daily expense of $150 per store. Trying to cut costs, ten stores participated in a one-month experiment that involved servicing incoming batteries with Cadex battery analyzers at storefront. During this short study period, the stores saved 1981 batteries, resulting in a saving of about $30,000. The serviced batteries performed flawlessly.
The C5100 Series is covered by US patent 7,072,871:
Fuzzy logic method and apparatus for battery state of health determination.

For patent information, please visit
Patents page.