Midtronics has completed the initial field testing of its GRX-5100 Hybrid/EV Battery Station, a high-voltage Hybrid/EV vehicle battery service and de-power device for several hybrids and EVs.
Following the deployment, the GRX-5100 will de-power high-voltage batteries and provide service for the battery system at the module level, further decreasing manufacturer warranty costs and repair time and costs.
Midtronics chief technology officer Kevin Bertness said the company has been working in various vehicle manufacturers to develop this new solution to improve the serviceability of electric and hybrid vehicle battery systems, whether that be routine repair or complete de-power after a severe collision.
"Field testing in cooperation with General Motors has been very successful and we plan to begin full-scale production and shipping of the GRX-5100 before the end of 2012," Bertness said.
The company said that the new tool was designed to conduct full battery pack services which include balancing, charging in no-start situations, and full de-powering.
The GRX-5100 is equipped with electrical harness between vehicle batteries and communication systems through adapters for each vehicle model.
It is also capable of using the USB-based memory, which will further support system updates for future vehicle battery systems without the enhancement of hardware.
GM of global battery lifecycle management senior manager Pablo Valencia said, "The ability of the GRX-5100 to be updated to communicate with future vehicle battery systems ensures that our dealers and other OEMS will be able to perform service, de-power and balance functions as new makes/models are introduced."
GRX-5100 can also perform critical safety checks and de-powering with the battery pack either in or out of the vehicle.
