Don't replace your battery, refurbish it! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jbach36 · #1 02-26-2015, 02:34 AM

I watched a YouTube video with Kent Bergsma. He did a video about battery charging. If you watch part two of that video he talks about a whole new breed of smart battery chargers that can actually refurbish your battery, more specifically the Ctek battery charger.

I looked into it more, and read some reviews online, and they were all glowing reports. So I bought one and used the refurbish cycle on my battery, and on my neighbors truck as well. It's hard to tell the effectiveness of it because my battery was not dead. The company recommends that you run the refurbish cycle at least once a year.

To get more info on this watch Kent's video. He explains how does the charging and takes the sulfation off the plates. Also if you do decide to get one of these, make sure you get the right model, as they have two different models with the same number; the one will refurbish and the other will not. The one that does the refurbishing can also refurbish motorcycle or riding mower batteries as well. I figured for the cost of it, it will hopefully pay for itself within just a few years.

Stretch · #2 02-26-2015, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbach36

I watched a YouTube video with Kent Bergsma of **************. He did a video about battery charging. If you watch part two of that video he talks about a Ctek battery charger that has a refurb setting on it.

I looked into it more, and read some reviews online, and they were all glowing reports. So I bought one and used the refurbish cycle on my battery, and on my neighbors truck as well. It's hard to tell the effectiveness of it because my battery was not dead. The company recommends that you run the refurbish cycle at least once a year.

To get more info on this watch Kent's video. He explains how does the charging and takes the sulfation off the plates. Also if you do decide to get one of these, make sure you get the right model, as they have two different models with the same number; the one will refurbish and the other will not. The one that does the refurbishing can also refurbish motorcycle or riding mower batteries as well. I figured for the cost of it, it will hopefully pay for itself within just a few years.

I bought a cheaper version of the CTEK and it has done a great job - there are limits though. My unused for five years 300D battery was not to be saved.

(When I woz in the air force there was a dedicated battery bay on every camp that would wash out the old fluid in lead acid batteries and then replace with new electrolyte. This, however, required a whole load of health and safety {even back then} and specialist equipment. The guys working there were often togged up like they were off into space - I guess most batteries are save-able but you need to go a bit old school and these days that isn't what is thought to be economical)

shertex · #3 02-26-2015, 07:58 AM

That's intriguing. I have a Battery Tender Plus that I've been using for a number of years. But the refurbish feature on that CTEK 7002 could make purchasing it worthwhile.

strelnik · #4 02-26-2015, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

That's intriguing. I have a Battery Tender Plus that I've been using for a number of years. But the refurbish feature on that CTEK 7002 could make purchasing it worthwhile.

I have two oif these, of different amperages: 15 amps and 400 amps

They do work if the batteries have not been damaged by other conditions, such as subzero temps which have cracked the containers and mixed the contents of cells.

I have a second one, a 400 amp one, which is also used to charge 12 fork lift batteries at once.

Since I now have a fork lift AND a pallet transporter, these do come in handy.

YOU MUST FOLLOW DIRECTIONS FOR SUCCESS!

Simpler=Better · #5 02-26-2015, 09:55 AM

I have revived a couple batteries by topping off the acid from other dead batteries and then trickle charging for a couple days. It's been a 50/50 success rate.

BWhitmore · #6 02-26-2015, 09:55 AM

I discovered yesterday, when the battery in my 1982 300TD was suddenly dead, that the Mercedes Benz battery was installed in 2005 making it 10 years old. I was amazed. The AAA battery technician told me that batteries made in Europe are great.

C.Doner · #7 02-26-2015, 12:16 PM

I have had luck with magnesium sulfate (AKA epsom salt). It worked on a battery that was not taking a charge. The battery seems quite well at this point. 1.5 years later. I have even drained it once or twice and it still charges up and holds voltage under load. I use it once a month or so in the 280 and i have no issues starting without a charge.
If it was in something that I really relied upon I would have a new battery in it. In a pinch or if on a budget I would do it in a minute. All you have to do is mix epsom salt with distilled water then replace some of the water from the battery with the mixture. Slow charge after that. It will help in a jam to just get you down the road. I would say I used about 1/tsp in each water hole on the battery.

ah-kay · #8 02-26-2015, 12:42 PM

Desulfation works best if it is used from Day 1, very regularly or hook up a small device to the battery permanently. If a battery suffers heavy sulfation or mechanical damage internally then it will not be salvageable.

Info here Battery Sulfation Recovery

ffgb · #9 02-27-2015, 01:03 AM

I too have used the Epsom Salt and have had great results. The magnesium sulfate is definitely worth it because it is cheap. I already have a battery charger so a couple of bucks was worth it instead of buying a totally new battery charger. I am still using a car battery that is over 10years old. I only used the epsom salt when the car battery was completely dead and wouldn't take a charge. I put a couple of tablespoons in each cell and hooked it up to a battery trickle charger for a couple of days and it works.

jay_bob · #10 02-27-2015, 09:09 AM

This is known in the large UPS/station battery world as an "equalize" charge. It puts a voltage about 20% above nominal across the battery. This helps to reverse the chemical effects of charge/discharge cycles and gives each cell an equal voltage.

In our world we use 60 cells x 2 V/cell to make a 125 V dc system. This is used for critical switchgear controls that cannot go down in the event of a power failure. The battery float charger is set to ~135 V dc and the equalize is in the upper 140s.

Or for a UPS it is 240 cells to make a 480 V dc bus

Or for some of our systems it is 2 sets with +/- 384 V dc split buses. Think the way your house is, 240/120 system except it's 768 V total.

These batteries have the same problem as your 6 cell car battery. In any case if you use this charger in the equalize mode I recommend that you disconnect the battery from the vehicle first. The higher voltage will do incandescent bulbs and electronics no favors.

C.Doner · #11 02-27-2015, 11:12 AM

The Epsom salt only worked on the battery that was freshly disabled. I tried it on a couple that were sitting for very long and it only worked temporarily. They got me moving though only for a month or so then they died.
The one that had not sat but was accidentally completely drained, and not accepting a charge, is restored and working properly.

ykobayashi · #12 02-28-2015, 07:33 AM

Anyone tried the cheap desulfators circuit boards on eBay?

I searched battery desulfators and a whole bunch of circuit boards for $14 came up that you put in parallel with your charger to get conditioning.

Not sure if I trust this on my $120 battery.

For me it's a toss up. If I lose reliability, a new battery cost looks small.

ah-kay · #13 02-28-2015, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ykobayashi

Anyone tried the cheap desulfators circuit boards on eBay?

I searched battery desulfators and a whole bunch of circuit boards for $14 came up that you put in parallel with your charger to get conditioning.

Not sure if I trust this on my $120 battery.

For me it's a toss up. If I lose reliability, a new battery cost looks small.

Those desulfators are the same circuit board built into the charger. They are hooked up permanently to extend the life of the batteries. It is just an AC oscillating circuit superimposed on DC. The one I use gives an audible buzzing sound. It works well. I use it on battery a month at a time in different cars to try to extend the life of the battery. It is something I experiment/play with. Does it extend the life of the battery, you bet. For how long, I have no data.

sloride · #14 02-28-2015, 05:29 PM

It looks to me where there has been success from posters here have been in warmer climate areas. Are there any with success reports from upper midwest areas. By the way February 28 today @ 16:30 it is 19* outside.