Got nailed on a battery. - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TnBob · #16 04-05-2015, 02:42 PM

Gotta say that Interstate blem are the best battery for the buck.
Ive picked up 3 group 48 battery's ... 2 -300D's and 1 300SD.
Each one was under $40 and they even installed them.

jbach36 · #17 04-09-2015, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toomany MBZ

You severely drained a five year old battery three times. Not sure what you expect.

Zach has good input.

The gel/mat batteries, as I understand it, are designed for use in newer, constantly draining, meaning a bunch of gadgets, as opposed to the batteries these cars use.

I didn't "severely drain it" 3 times. Just once. Then it "severely drained itself" twice when I accidentally left the tiny interior light bulb on for about 16 hours. That should have been NOTHING for a good battery.

Graham · #18 04-09-2015, 10:25 AM

Regarding gel batteries, as I understand it, they need a lower charge voltage (14.2v) than a conventional lead/acid (14.6).

On my marine boat charger, it has a setting that can be changed. But how about on cars? Seems that gels could be at a disadvantage because of too high a voltage that can damage battery.

Re Walmart batteries and Johnson Controls. As posted above many many battery brands are sold under different brand names, but made by companies owned by Johnson Controls. Another point - batteries sold in Canada by Walmart are different from those sold in USA.

Zulfiqar · #19 04-09-2015, 10:27 AM

I have bought interstate blemished batteries and they do work good, the problem with getting them for our cars is the size and shape. I have only found one H8 shaped battery with them while they would usually have 5 or 6 group 93 batteries which also fit.

They almost always had batteries for your average japanese car or GM side post, recently I had to buy a GM side post and drove the car to their warehouse - they checked it and it comes out that it actually had a warranty left on it. Replaced for quite less than even a blemished battery cost. - The PO had installed it. Good support IMO.

OTOH - I have also bought continental brand batteries and they do pack a punch, installed in a 2.4 camry and that beastly battery had 750CCA - in a smaller case than its original 500CCA battery.

jay_bob · #20 04-09-2015, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie Foxtrot

FWIW in the Chicagoland area Johnson Controls makes Interstate, Walmart, Sam's, Sears, Die Hard, AC Delco, MB, Motorcraft, Autozone, and a host of other private labeled flooded lead/acid batteries. Over the years I have been able to buy stale dated/blem/seconds for MB's as low as $35 (US) in ones & twos, a pallet full is less of course. To my tired arms & back they all seem pretty heavy & probably the same weight (+/-5#). Deka has an outlet in the western Chicago suburbs that sells first's pretty cheap - that's where I get my AGMs. AGMs tend to need slightly higher charging voltages than the lead acid batteries. This isn't an issue with a Delco alternator (most are at 14v+), but a Bosch can be troublesome. In certain applications like motor homes AGMs are THE answer, I'm not so sure when it comes to daily drivers (cost-benefit??). I have had really good luck with the JC units. If a customer wants a warranty, I'll get an Autozone or Interstate, their choice.

Just bear in mind, any application where the battery is inside the passenger compartment or trunk must be an AGM due to acid leakage in an accident as well as the vapor discharge. A flooded battery inside the passenger compartment is not safe in an accident and will cause corrosion of the battery area.

Zulfiqar · #21 04-09-2015, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay_bob

Just bear in mind, any application where the battery is inside the passenger compartment or trunk must be an AGM due to acid leakage in an accident as well as the vapor discharge. A flooded battery inside the passenger compartment is not safe in an accident and will cause corrosion of the battery area.

My W210 has a flooded battery under the seat, It also has a vent tube connected to it which hangs outside the car. All vapors vent outside. I can see it would not be a good battery if the car was flipped on to its roof - I think I would have more problems at that time though.

Maxbumpo · #22 04-09-2015, 11:45 AM

Blemished batteries: How / where do you get these?

funola · #23 04-09-2015, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

My W210 has a flooded battery under the seat, It also has a vent tube connected to it which hangs outside the car. All vapors vent outside. I can see it would not be a good battery if the car was flipped on to its roof - I think I would have more problems at that time though.

Battery acid dripping on you while strapped to your seat is quite the torture.

Graham · #24 04-09-2015, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

My W210 has a flooded battery under the seat, It also has a vent tube connected to it which hangs outside the car. All vapors vent outside. I can see it would not be a good battery if the car was flipped on to its roof - I think I would have more problems at that time though.

I have W210 too. Wonder how many no longer have the vent tube installed?

The batteries with vents are sealed batteries so not quite same as a regular flooded battery. And it is under back seat and under a plastic lined piece of insulation. As you say, least of out worries if car has flipped!

I know some here have installed Optimas successfully, which seems like a good solution even if they don't quite meet electrical specs for W210.

toomany MBZ · #25 04-09-2015, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbach36

I didn't "severely drain it" 3 times. Just once. Then it "severely drained itself" twice when I accidentally left the tiny interior light bulb on for about 16 hours. That should have been NOTHING for a good battery.

Okay, I understood it was severely drained three times.

barry12345 · #26 04-09-2015, 01:33 PM

I do not know what was changed in lead/acid battery manufacturing over the years. My personal experience has been draining them excessivly does seem to drastically reduce lifespan.. Even once totally drained to me is once too many.

Probably for the last twenty years this has been an issue. Johnson control batteries that used to be the best recommended reasonably priced batteries have become a major disapointment some time back.

They also unlike batteries of old seem not to like sitting unused very much as well. I only wish someone could describe what has been changed?

Zulfiqar · #27 04-09-2015, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham

I have W210 too. Wonder how many no longer have the vent tube installed?

The batteries with vents are sealed batteries so not quite same as a regular flooded battery. And it is under back seat and under a plastic lined piece of insulation. As you say, least of out worries if car has flipped!

I know some here have installed Optimas successfully, which seems like a good solution even if they don't quite meet electrical specs for W210.

Even if the factory installed made in germany vent tube is missing - you get a new vent tube whenever you buy such a battery. You can buy it from any FLAPS too. I tried to buy 2, but the interstate warehouse clerk simply handed over to me, no money charged.

Zulfiqar · #28 04-09-2015, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxbumpo

Blemished batteries: How / where do you get these?

look up an interstate or any other brand battery warehouse near you. I also call up the AC delco battery warehouse, they are short on blems/2nds but sometimes have them.

AC delco batteries weigh like they are made of depleted uranium, quite a bit more heavier.

Simpler=Better · #29 04-09-2015, 07:52 PM

Interstate every time. A group 65(right number?) it like $150 but well worth it in my opinion. Just put one in the car, and I expect it to last 5-10 years like my other Interstates.

Shortsguy1 · #30 04-10-2015, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simpler=Better

Interstate every time. A group 65(right number?) it like $150 but well worth it in my opinion. Just put one in the car, and I expect it to last 5-10 years like my other Interstates.

Most of our cars use a group 49 or H8 battery. Interstate sells an MTP-49/H8 and it is between $180 and $210 depending on where you buy it. My 220D has an interstate group 49 battery in it from 2001 and it still works great. It sat for 8 years unused in that period, but I would have thought that would hurt a battery, not help it.