battery question - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#16 10-28-2004, 06:57 PM

Hi Jen.
With you living down "south of the Manson/ Nixon line", I would just "run what 'ya got" until you have difficulty...

I do agree with P.E.Haiges concerning the Autozone battery in the group 49 size.......Reasonable price and rather powerful....especially up here in the "massatwo****z arctic".
Best wishes always,
spo out

TwitchKitty · #17 10-28-2004, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.E.Haiges

You can do a battery load test yourself: Wait for a cold day and remove the GP cable from the GP relay. Then crank the engine with the starter. If the battery cranks the engine for less than 1 min, your battery is getting weak.

P E H

Ouch! That is brutal. ...And if it does crank your engine for more than a minute, your starter is getting weak from abuse.

tangofox007 · #18 10-28-2004, 08:29 PM

Before you decide to burn up a $200 starter to test a $99 battery, remember the free roadside assistance that Mercedes provides. If your battery lets you down, just call 800-367-6372. MBUSA will come give you a jump or deliver a new battery.

compress ignite · #19 10-29-2004, 01:16 AM

J.T.,

Batteries respond to T.L.C. just like people.
Check the electrolite monthly (sulfuric acid + H2O) [distilled H2O]
Keep a charge on (fully charged=12.89 volts / discharged=12.00volts)
Repeatedly discharging the battery below 50% will doom it.

As a battery (Wet Cell) is charged/discharged the plates suffer from
"Sulfation" and the efficency of the battery is inhibited.This is a function
of age. There is a way to Rejuvenate a "Sulfated" battery , But it involves
applying a voltage over 16 volts while CONSTANTLY monitoring the
temperature of each cell.

Four years is a good rule of thumb for replacement , if you aren't having
any difficulties.

I've got a "Pep Boy's" that I bought in Jacksonville in 1995 and it still will
charge up and hold 12.89 volts. (an anomaly)

compress ignite · #20 10-29-2004, 01:58 AM

J.T.,

The "Full Monty" would be:
Charge the battery on a low charge (2 amps) until it shows fully charged.
"Flash the battery" (turn on the headlights for 10 seconds) to remove the
surface charge.
Use a "hydro" tester on the Electrolite [available at any auto-parts store
for a few dollars].
USE GLOVES AND EYE/FACE PROTECTION AT ALL TIMES!!!!!!!!
If the specfic gravity of the Cell(s) fails replace the battery.

The John Fluke company web site is an invaluable source for all things
electron based.

A book by Nigel Calder , "A Boatowners Guide to Corrosion" if placed
under your pillow will almost turn you into : a marine electrician/
Diesel expert/Admiral of the Fleet.(He starts with atomic theory. as
it applies to Electricity)

phidauex · #21 10-29-2004, 02:03 AM

Or use sealed 'AGM' (absorbed glass mat) batteries and never check electrolyte again! Hahahaha, I hate that stuff.

peace,
sam

boneheaddoctor · #22 10-29-2004, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compress ignite

J.T.,

Batteries respond to T.L.C. just like people.
Check the electrolite monthly (sulfuric acid + H2O) [distilled H2O]
Keep a charge on (fully charged=12.89 volts / discharged=12.00volts)
Repeatedly discharging the battery below 50% will doom it.

As a battery (Wet Cell) is charged/discharged the plates suffer from
"Sulfation" and the efficency of the battery is inhibited.This is a function
of age. There is a way to Rejuvenate a "Sulfated" battery , But it involves
applying a voltage over 16 volts while CONSTANTLY monitoring the
temperature of each cell.

Four years is a good rule of thumb for replacement , if you aren't having
any difficulties.

I've got a "Pep Boy's" that I bought in Jacksonville in 1995 and it still will
charge up and hold 12.89 volts. (an anomaly)

How very true...... A flakey regulator completely discharged my battery overnight about 4 times. (Interior dome light wouldn't even glow)

At least once it was charging at 17.9v of course it was a weekend I was 3 hours from home and in the middle of nowhere, had to check it because tach dies stero died and smoke came out of dash.That was a 84 mounth battery that was dead in 10 months.