The battery on the 1991 560SEL is DOA. I decided to check out some youtube videos to try and bring it back. First, I emptied all the old electrolyte out of the cells. Next, I mixed hot water and epsom salts (2 1/2 cups of water to 1 1/2 cup of empsom salt) then filled the cells.

One guy says to charge the battery for 24 - 36 hours after refilling with the epsom salt/distilled water mixture then DISCHARGE the batter by using a light (one could turn on the car headlights for example), then recharging the battery again. Rinse and repeat three times. I've never heard of this method. Anyone know if this is a worthwhile idea or should I simply leave it on the charger for 24 - 36 hours and see what happens?

This has been around for a while. I experimented with 4 batteries, and I did get one to work. I used pickling spice. I think I still have enough to do one battery. If you pay shipping, you can have it. IMO -- not worth the headache since you can luck out and get a hit on the first try or do like me and tinker and tinker.

Depends on how much time you are willing to spend on the battery, plus the cost of the materials. I would just use it as a core from the place you prefer to purchase batteries. I buy all mine at AutoZone.

I replace mine every three years as that is when the warranty goes out. I do not have the time, nor patience to deal with a flat battery on the side of the road.

Remember, time is not free.



If you plan to move forward with the revival, keep us posted. It will be an interesting read.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

I agree with Hitman X. I replace mine at autozone as well. I take it in once a year for 2 years completely drained and get a new one for free. Then I keep the last one for 3 years. Same with my Bosch spark plug wires, I take them in every spark plug change and get them for free since they are lifetime, also brake pads too. I haven't paid for brake pads or plug wires in like 8 years and I haven't paid for a battery in about 5 years.

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1990 190E 3.0L

Finished filling the battery with the epsom salt/distilled water solution yesterday. Placed on the charger this morning but things are getting strange. Within five minutes, the charger shows full charged! How can that be? I'm beginning to wonder if my battery charger may have a problem.......

I am sure I have killed a few batteries with my old charger (that has now gone to the great car boot sale in the sky). I bought one of those CTEK electronic things (well actually it is a cheapo knock off) but it has been brilliant.

It looks a bit like "the good ones"



It detects knackered batteries

It detects incorrect connection

It has a bring it back to life mode that I am sure saved my current battery after about a year of no use

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

Thank you for the information; my old Sears battery charger is acting strange. My sears battery charger is showing fully charged but I just tried to start the car it is DEAD DEAD DEAD! One of them is lying, either the battery charger or the car and it sure isn't the car!

I just started reading this thread, interesting information. At first blush, it seems that starting with a battery that has not been formatted as a lead cell when be the best scenario. I noticed one poster ordered his batteries from Interstate in that format. Perhaps the alum conversion results in a better battery than lead cell?

Alum conversion for lead acid batteries - Energetic Forum

Why would you spend all of the time/money trying to resurrect a dead battery? I use Interstate 72/84 month batteries that last 6-8 years here in the desert. Summer temps hit 118F. A good Interstate for my Mercedes is about $120 or about $15 per year or $1.25 a month. And even if you "saved" your dead battery, how reliable would it be, especially if you travel in remote areas of the State.
Anziani
'97 CL600
52K

As for the time and money debate ... excellent points. However, I was trying it to see if I could get all the $4 dollar battery cores and bring them back to life. Getting, let's say, 100 for $400 and bringing half back for around $30 bucks of pickling stuff and simply returning the really dead ones is a great deal IMO. I was tinkering with making an electric car a few years ago.

I bought a charger which desulfates batteries for about 55.00

It rejuvenated the very large 2V batteries used in series to run my pallet jack/low-level fork lift which I am selling since I have another one.

Very handy, but not able to lift a dead car and put it onto the second floor of my building (I have three cars up there now).

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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

I emptied all the battery acid and started anew with new distilled water and plenty of epsom salt. After days of sitting on the sears charger, still no joy. I used a hydrometer to check the levels, it shows DOA (dead on arrival) for each and every cell......I'm kinda bummed out over this but what they heck? I gave it an all american try, right?

I do like the idea of a battery charger that desulfates, I'm going to invest in one, probably the CTek. Any suggestions as to which model of the CTEK to purchase?

Off to the battery store!

One of the reasons I bought a cheap CTEK knock off was their confusing product line! Go for one that does 12V batteries up to say 120Ah should be strong enough to do most Mercedes lead acid batteries.

If you don't use your 560 all that frequently you might want to investigate different types of batteries that are happier sitting about doing nothing. Lead acid aren't ideal for this. They are, however, going to be better for your pocket!

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

You may be onto something, Stretch. The 560 does sit around more than the other car. That may be why the battery decided to give up the ghost. What other types of batteries would you recommend?

I think it is probably best you look at the prices of the alternative first!

That chap Kent has a video =>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9tRR-QjVjU

"Back in the day" people used to whitter on about marine batteries saying they at least were designed to be run flat.

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!