We have been exhibiting at Mechanex in Sandown, Surrey for a number of years as we get to interact with a host of visitors that come from a wide variety of different backgrounds with varying experience levels from across the industry. This year was no different, from Tuesday 12th to Wednesday 13th November 2024, we exhibited our entire range of battery management solutions to Mechanex visitors. 

If you didn’t get to visit, don’t worry! You can find out everything that we were up to here… 

2 BRAND NEW EV Maintenance Solutions Announced  

This year at Mechanex we previewed two brand NEW products that we will be launching in 2025! With over 1 million electric vehicles now on the roads in the UK (and increasing), aftermarket workshops have increasing been requesting opportunities to be able to service and maintain EV’s as they age and leave the franchise dealer networks. Other than maintaining wear and tear parts, such as tyres and windscreen wipers, there hasn’t been a way for aftermarket workshops to truly service and maintain EV’s propulsion systems or battery packs. Tthis is about to change with the introduction of Midtronics two latest EV aftermarket solutions, xMB-9640 and xLVS-9000.  

Starting with xMB-9640, an innovative EV module balancer. Forming an EV battery pack is a range of small sections called modules. To ensure the battery packs efficiency and longevity these modules need to all work together in harmony. If one of the modules health is falling behind or has different charge compared to the rest of the modules, the high-voltage pack won’t work as efficiently as it should, potentially reducing range and effectiveness. xMB-9640 allows independent workshops to easily balance, charge and discharge modules on leading EV models to ensure optimal pack operation. Find out more here. 

The second EV solution announced was Midtronics xLVS-9000 EV 12V Battery Diagnostic System. The 12V auxiliary battery is just as crucial in EV’s as in ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles, with a faulty or discharged 12V battery resulting in vehicle and system failure. EV 12V batteries are responsible for ensuring reliability of all critical vehicle systems. What makes xLVS-9000 different from a traditional 12V battery tester? xLVS-9000 uses Midtronics SafetyPower™ technology to accurately assess the auxiliary battery’s remaining functional capacity. A full battery health test will be completed in 2 minutes or less, and thanks to the built in 70A power supply, charging will commence immediately without any user intervention. Visit xLVS-9000’s product page here to find out more information.  

Both xMB-9640 and xLVS-9000 will be available in 2025 with a full range of training and support available directly from Rotronics. 

ROBIS’ Aftermarket Report Released and Powerful Aftermarket Features Demoed 

Since 2018, ROBIS has been supporting businesses to increase revenue, boost customer satisfaction and ensure 12V battery reliability. Every time a ROBIS customer performs a battery test their test results are immediately available on ROBIS for review. By using these test results we are able to provide a detailed report into aftermarket testing that is unique. Using this data we showed visitors the power of using ROBIS and a Rotronics Battery Management Programme and how they can truly take advantage of battery testing and maintenance to enhance their revenues and customer satisfaction levels..  

We also provided a live demo of ROBIS’ Customer Battery Diagnostic Report. When testing a 12V battery, Midtronics CPX-900 will ask you to enter the vehicles registration, this allows ROBIS to produce an easy to understand customer battery report that makes explaining necessary battery maintenance simple and allowing customers to see where essential works are required, increasing workshop revenue and customer trust. We demonstrated how quick and easy it is for workshops to export or print a Customer Battery Diagnostic Report and how to use it within their workshops.  

New, Discreet Showroom Charging Solutions 

We work with showrooms across the UK in an effort to preserve battery health and reduce battery failure, avoiding the creation of a negative customer impression when requesting the all  important demonstration of vehicle features. Working closely with our selected equipment partners we demonstrated tailored solutions for keeping showroom vehicle  batteries in peak condition without disturbing the quality of the vehicle presentation with unsightly equipment and trailing cables. 

CTEK offers a neat solution by allowing each vehicle to be fitted with a discreet  battery indicator. By connecting to the 12V battery either by clamps or more permanently by using eyelets, CTEK’s CONNECT Indicator range allows you to feed a small wire and connector from the 12V battery through to the exterior of the vehicle. Each connector has an easy to see traffic light indicator instantly showing you battery health. If the battery requires charge,, simply connect a compatible CTEK charger directly to the indicator without needing to open the vehicle or access the 12V battery directly. This solution is  inexpensive and can be used on vehicles inside and outside the showroom.  

For an ‘active’ solution DEFA offers powerful chargers designed specifically for showroom use. DEFA’s showroom range of chargers have been designed to be discreet, easy to fit and use and silent in operation. Available in 32A and 50A versions, both models offer the same impressive 7 step charging routine whilst having a silent, fan-less design. As well as charging both can provide direct power if a low battery is detected, allowing a demonstration to go ahead and automatically returning to charging once the extra load from the demonstration has ended.Fitting the chargers is easy. The cables detach allowing them for example, to be fed  through the engine bay from the charging point to the charger on the floor below or underneath the vehicle 

Leading Equipment from the Top Brands Showcased 

We showcased a range of equipment from consumer 12V battery chargers to powerful, innovative EV solutions. We showcased the best products on offer from… 

• Midtronics  

• CTEK  

• DEFA and  

• Traction Direct 

Thank you to everyone who took time to come and visit us at Mechanex this year and experience the future of not only 12V & 24V battery maintenance but also Electric Vehicle maintenance. If you would like any more information or support, please contact a member of the team: 01453 840 401 or email [email protected]