How to Service Mobile Phone Batteries
Advanced battery test equipment enables rapid-testing mobile phone batteries at storefront while the customer waits. This is made possible with QuickSort™, a technology developed by Cadex that assesses the battery state-of-health in 30 seconds. Read about Testing Lithium-based Batteries. Figure 1 illustrates a compact Cadex battery analyzer for storefront use and service shops. With a PC, this analyzers print service reports, store customer information and connects to the Internet.
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Figure 1: Cadex C5100 analyzer to estimate the state-of-health of lithium-ion batteries This analyzer rapid tests, charges and cycles batteries. The installed RigidArm™ adapter allows easy interface to cellular batteries. QuickSort™ tests batteries in 30 seconds. Courtesy of Cadex |
Hooking up the battery still needs some skill and once the contacts are established, the service technician needs to enter the capacity in mAh. Most mobile phone batteries have 3.6V but the analyzer can also service 7.2V packs. Mobile phone batteries have typically three or four contacts. The positive [+] terminal is normally at the outer edge and the negative [–] is towards the inside. The third contact is the thermistor that monitors battery temperature. For a rapid- test only, the thermistor does not need to be hooked up. The fourth contact, if available, embeds a battery code for identification. Figure 2 illustrates a typical contact positioning.
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Figure 2: Typical contacts on a cellular battery The positive [+] is normally at the outer right and the negative [–] is on the inside. Most batteries have a thermistor; some also offer a code. |
To allow quick and easy testing of batteries by non-technical staff, Cadex developed the RigidArm™ (Figure 3). This adapter features spring-loaded arms that meet the battery contacts from the top down and applies the correct pressure to the electrical contacts. Lockable mechanisms allow quick and repetitive testing of same-type batteries. The retractable floor holds the battery in a vertical position, and magnetic guides keep the battery in place if laid horizontally. For added safety, a temperature sensor monitors the battery during the test.
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Figure 3: RigidArm™ for cellular batteries The universal adapter simplifies the interface with small batteries. The adapter holds 10 of the most commonly used mAh ratings and is compatible with Cadex battery analyzers. Courtesy of Cadex
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Storefront testing reduces waste, and the motto goes: “To the storefront and no further,” and QuickSort™ makes this possible. A discharge-charge to measure the capacity would take too long. Figure 4 illustrates a service concept for storefront testing while the customer waits. If the battery needs charging or has a genuine fault, an alternate pack is given from the pool of previously tested batteries.
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Figure 4: Storefront service Batteries are serviced while the customer waits. A faulty pack is replaced from the pool of previously serviced batteries. Storefront testing reduces handling, lessens disposal and improves customer satisfaction. Courtesy of Cadex |
Without storefront testing, returned batteries are either discarded or shipped to service centers where they are checked and redistributed as Class B packs. Since the battery is normally the only replaceable part of a mobile phone, packs are often replaced as part of troubleshooting and to please a disgruntled customer. This generous battery replacement policy results in many good batteries being replaced. Cellular providers and battery service centers say that nine out of 10 packs have no problem and can be serviced. Cashing in on this business opportunity, refurbishing centers have sprung up that test and redistribute large quantities of batteries per month. Read about Battery Recycling as a Business.
