Kwik Question: Trickle Charger Contact Point?

[Skid Row Joe]

06 E320 CDI

Where do I hook up a trickle charger on this particular MB diesel model?

I'll be storing my CDI for up to 6 - weeks at a time, and I don't want to unhook the batteries every time.

Part B): Is there ONE contact point that will keep BOTH CDI batteries on the one trickle charger?

Thanks for any experience / expertise with this MB diesel model with (2) batteries on-board!

[Stretch]

It doesn't look like anyone knows!

I can't help either though there was a thread started by either shertex or Kartek (I think) a few months back about W210 batteries and how a trickle charger can cock up the electronics (possibly a post by whunter) =>

Could I be more vague?

What does the book say?

[dieselbenz1]

Well I know when the ignition key is turned off the BCM isolates both batteries. Since the auxillary battery is used for brakes only I wouldn't really worry about it loosing a charge in 6 weeks.

The SAMs are fussy as my neighbour found out after his son gave a friend a boost and blew one. I understand your concern and I would visit the dealer and ask about using a trickle charger vs a battery tender.

[TMAllison]

Why worry about 90 days? Is there something fouled up that wont turn off?

I start my 300D once a year. I pull the neg cable, reconnect it and it fires right up.

[vstech]

Hmmmmm. I wouldn't be concerned with keeping up the aux battery. Once you have verified the model trickle charger you have will be safe on your vehicle, I'd just keep the main battery peaked.

[Skid Row Joe]

What models are ppl here using as battery tenders?

Also, will the battery tender work by pushing it in the front seating area ashtray / rear seating area, OR the trunk auxiliary DC plug-in??

I priced one out @ the MB dealer and the cost was like $200.00!

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by vstech

Hmmmmm. I wouldn't be concerned with keeping up the aux battery. Once you have verified the model trickle charger you have will be safe on your vehicle, I'd just keep the main battery peaked.

THX!

Got the $11.99 Battery Tender from Walmart Automotive Center.

Are there contact points under the hood of the 06 E320 CDI, without attaching in the trunk cavity?

[chronometers]

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

THX!

Got the $11.99 Battery Tender from Walmart Automotive Center.

Are there contact points under the hood of the 06 E320 CDI, without attaching in the trunk cavity?

STOP....do not use a cheap battery charger on these vehicles! After a bunch of research, it seems cheap chargers are just that....cheap! You run the risk of them malfunctioning and frying your battery and/or electronics.

MB approved chargers are made by CTEK which is a Swedish company that manufactures chargers. CTEK makes a lot of different models and you have to make sure and get one rated to handle the large batteries our diesel's have (> 95 Ah).

I found this one to be the correct size and this was the best priced new one I could find after going to a bunch of sites (seller also shipped it quickly):

CTEK charger suitable in size for our MB diesel batteries: MUS 4.3

This charger comes with two connection method's: clamps and eye rings. For the E320 CDI (or any vehicle with difficult to reach battery in trunk), I recommend hooking up the eye rings to the battery post bolts and snaking the wire out to a convenient place in the trunk. You then just connect the charger to the wall, connect the charger to the connection point (after removing the rubber protective cap), and then set the charger to charge.

Warning: do not run the "Reconditioning mode" with the charger connected to a battery and vehicle due to the higher voltage used. The newer diesels have very sensitive electronics and electrical systems! This mode might shorten the life span of electrical system of car.

The CTEK unit I purchased is very well made and thought out. I can see why MB approves of these!

The newer MB's use quite a bit of energy even when not running and this puts a lot of strain on the batteries. If you leave your newer vehicle for any length of time, using one of these occasionally or leave it on while in storage. Makes a lot of sense. You will be rewarded with a car that is always ready to start and you will get longer battery life.

Since I leave my CDI stored in the winter and it is cold here, I think this charger will pay for itself the first year of ownership.


-- Chris

[shertex]

Chris,

Thanks for this post and the research you did. For a number of years I have used a Battery Tender Plus, which has always seemed to work well with various diesels. Any reason to believe this is not a good choice? I do notice that the CTEK has a higher current capacity, which of course would be better.

Originally Posted by chronometers

STOP....do not use a cheap battery charger on these vehicles! After a bunch of research, it seems cheap chargers are just that....cheap! You run the risk of them malfunctioning and frying your battery and/or electronics.

MB approved chargers are made by CTEK which is a Swedish company that manufactures chargers. CTEK makes a lot of different models and you have to make sure and get one rated to handle the large batteries our diesel's have (> 95 Ah).

I found this one to be the correct size and this was the best priced new one I could find after going to a bunch of sites (seller also shipped it quickly):

CTEK charger suitable in size for our MB diesel batteries: MUS 4.3

This charger comes with two connection method's: clamps and eye rings. For the E320 CDI (or any vehicle with difficult to reach battery in trunk), I recommend hooking up the eye rings to the battery post bolts and snaking the wire out to a convenient place in the trunk. You then just connect the charger to the wall, connect the charger to the connection point (after removing the rubber protective cap, and then set the charger to charge.

Warning: do not run the Reconditioning mode with the charger connected to a battery and vehicle due to the higher voltage used. The newer diesels have very sensitive electronics and electrical systems! This mode might shorten the life span of electrical system of car.

The CTEK unit I purchased is very well made and thought out. I can see why MB approves of these!

The newer MB's use quite a bit of energy even when not running and this puts a lot of strain on the batteries. If you leave your newer vehicle for any length of time, using one of these occasionally or leave it on while in storage. Makes a lot of sense. You will be rewarded with a car that is always ready to start and you will get longer battery life.

Since I leave my CDI stored in the winter and it is cold here, I think this charger will pay for itself the first year of ownership.


-- Chris

[chronometers]

Originally Posted by shertex

Chris,

Thanks for this post and the research you did. For a number of years I have used a Battery Tender Plus, which has always seemed to work well with various diesels. Any reason to believe this is not a good choice? I do notice that the CTEK has a higher current capacity, which of course would be better.

Not sure of Battery Tender Plus but the CTEK would be a good unit if you do not already have a charger. My E320 CDI's battery died last winter while in storage. Check the specs. of the battery tender to make sure it will charge a battery the size of the battery in the diesels you are using. The E320 CDI from 2005-6 use a 95Ah AGM battery.

[jbach36]

Look up on YouTube what Kent Bergsma said about battery chargers. He was recommending a Ctek Smart Charger with a reconditioning cycle, that pulsates electricity charges and knocks some of the sulfate off the batteries.

[shertex]

I use a Battery Tender Plus. Haven't had the occasion to use it yet on my CDI, but other CDI owners assure me it will work fine.

On a related topic....hadn't worried before about completely disconnecting power from the car. On the W210 it's simply a matter of resetting steering angle sensor and resynching windows. But there's a lot more going on in a newer car. So Bergsma recommends using an adapter than enables you to keep 12v applied to all the electronics through the OBD port when disconnecting the battery cables. Assuming that such a procedure is perfectly safe, seems like the way to go.

[tyl604]

Through the OBDII port? Supply power?

[jay_bob]

Only enough current to keep the ECU powered up so that it does not lose its adaptations and memory when the battery is disconnected.

[tyl604]

Interesting.