How Workshops Adapt to Electrification and New Tech

The modern workshop faces new challenges today compared to just five to ten years ago. With increased functionality and more complex technology in modern cars, the skills and equipment in the workshop is changing. It is not sufficient to be a talented mechanic; today workshop staff also need engineering skills. It is as important to be able to use, repair and maintain machines and tools, as it is to have knowledge of engineering science and technology. And, with the introduction of more Plugin Hybrids and EVs in the market, a whole new workshop competence and structure is needed, and more of the tasks are dependent of power supply. Learn how workshops adapt to electrification and new tech.

Improve satisfaction – remove faults

With stronger and more complex battery packs in modern cars, the demand for powerful charging solutions is imperative. And new tasks in a workshop are related to software updates and ECU programming.

To succeed with the new tasks in the modern workshop, the use of battery chargers has been increasingly important. And, a battery charger is not only needed as a charger, it also needs to work as power supply. Both with battery change, software updates, and ECU programming, it is essential to maintain stable voltage. A disruption of the voltage level can influence on the communication between the vehicle and the OEM server and create failures.

Export Sales manager at DEFA, Terje Fossum is working closely with distribution partners globally, and when we ask what feedback he gets from the customers, he answers: “We hear from the market that the need for more powerful workshop chargers and power supply solutions is increasing. Due to more complex electronics and technology in modern car they are not willing to take the risk of not being able to deliver stable voltage for the demanding jobs.”

Use technology to improve efficiency

To bring up productivity, it is important to create a more predictable workflow with equipment that can help your mechanics get their job done efficiently. Knowing that the battery is the ‘heart’ of the vehicle, a charger on every workstation will improve work conditions for the mechanics, as well as efficiency, – with less time wasted.  

With ECU programming and software updates that can take several hours, a reliable power supply with continuous power output will guarantee stable voltage during the process.

Take into consideration that the charger must not derate but give the power you expect and what the vehicle needs. With different cable lengths you can avoid losing effect during charging.

Workshop managers appreciate having a battery charger that is user-friendly and versatile, with the ability to charge all types of batteries such as WET, AGM, EFB, GEL and lithium-ion.

The managers of larger dealership groups in Norway using a workshop charger from DEFA says: ‘We are very satisfied with the DEFA WorkshopCharger 125A. The charger is very user-friendly, with display and a menu that is easy to navigate, and the ability to adjust the voltage if necessary’. Helge Halle Bekkebråten, Birger N. Haug Dealership, Norway

‘Now we have been using a workshop charger from DEFA for five years in our workshop, and without a doubt, I give this product a perfect score of 10 out of 10. It always delivers what we need, and we have never had any problems whatsoever. Especially with new cars, a tremendous amount of power is required for coding and programming – and if you have a poor charger, the entire process often crashes. Luckily, we have the DEFA WorkshopCharger – easy to use, reliable, and robust.’
Joakim Oppøyen, Bilservice, Sandvika outside Oslo

How battery care can extend lifetime of batteries

From a sustainability perspective it was important for DEFA to develop the reconditioning program on DEFA WorkshopCharger 125A. In addition to constant charging of batteries to enhance their performance, the ability to recondition a battery is of great value.

‘The reconditioning-functionality is one of the better we have used, and we were able to recharge batteries that we previously would need to dispose. It is a big advantage if it also can charge Lithium batteries’ Helge Halle Bekkebråten, Birger N. Haug Dealership, Norway

You can save significant amounts of money by extending the life of existing batteries rather than replacing them. Additionally, it has environmental benefits by reducing waste and minimizing the need for new battery production.