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  #1  
Old 12-14-2020, 03:50 PM
E300d 1995
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Near Lake Texoma
Posts: 480
Good writeup about alternators and adjustable requlator

Just found this interesting writeup on charging system. Doubtful if purchased due to cost but I learned a few things. Too pricey to protect just one battery.
Should be one time purchase since brushes are separate.

https://www.smartregulator.co.nz/uploads/102446/files/Voltage_Regulator_User_Manual__2013_Version_12.pdf

Probably really good addition for multi-bank batteries, RV, Boats, etc

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  #2  
Old 12-14-2020, 04:26 PM
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Join Date: May 2016
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Totally unnecessary on a car. You're taking something that's extremely reliable and adding several failure points, including a DC muffin fan (which are hideously reliable long-term).

If your battery is in the engine bay, move it to the trunk or under the rear seat if you want battery longevity. Under the hood, you can expect 4-5 years in a Texas climate maximum. Doesn't matter what kind of battery you run, the thermal cycling kills them. They'll generally die peak of summer or beginning of winter. Batteries located inside the car are exposed to a more stable temperature pattern (and lack the extreme heat of the engine bay) and typically last 5-10 years.
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Old 12-14-2020, 05:21 PM
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Ok, now you've got me digging like an excited dog determined to find that buried bone, LOL.

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Originally Posted by Diseasel300 View Post
If your battery is in the engine bay, move it to the trunk or under the rear seat if you want battery longevity. Under the hood, you can expect 4-5 years in a Texas climate maximum. Doesn't matter what kind of battery you run, the thermal cycling kills them. They'll generally die peak of summer or beginning of winter. Batteries located inside the car are exposed to a more stable temperature pattern (and lack the extreme heat of the engine bay) and typically last 5-10 years.
For my 1983 300D, I have an Interstate MTP-49/H8 under the hood. About a US $225 battery these days. I have successfully used this specific Interstate model for many years. Car *ALWAYS* garaged and a block heater run for 3-4 hours nearly every time before the car has been driven - a real garage queen! Rarely parked outside for more than a couple of hours. Under these circumstances, the typical life of the battery has been 4 to 4.5 years. In 2 weeks, the current battery will have been in the car for 4 years and 5 months. Every time I go to drive it, I wonder if I'm going to find the telltale dim glow light and starter "clunk clunk" when attempting to start the engine.

So...and I certainly do not mean to be confrontational about this...you are suggesting that if the battery was inside the car, a potentially much longer battery life would be expected? Good news, yes, but I do wonder how much I could improve on how the battery is so well taken care of already.

Last edited by dogguy; 12-15-2020 at 12:18 PM.
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Old 12-14-2020, 05:39 PM
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Best longlife is using a battery in a vehicle that sees almost constant service. If not possible cheapest battery out there might be considered..
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  #5  
Old 12-14-2020, 06:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dogguy View Post
So...and I certainly do not mean to be confrontational about this...you are suggesting that if the battery was inside the car, a potentially much longer battery life would be expected? Good news, yes, but I do wonder how much I could improve on how the battery is so well taken care of already.
There are a few relevant comparisons that can be made:

1: Euro vs. US R107's. Euro's have the battery under the hood. US have them in the trunk. The Euro's go through batteries about like any other car with the battery under the hood. The US models typically last a couple years longer. My '83 500SL Euro eats batteries like any other car of the era since the battery is sitting just up above the exhaust manifold in the back of the engine bay.

2: Early vs. Late W124's. Earlier 124's had the battery in the engine bay like any other MB of the era. Late 94/95 models had the battery relocated to the trunk. Again, the trunk-mounted batteries do last longer than the engine-bay mounted ones.

3: Just about any W210 or later MB has the battery under the rear seat or elsewhere in the car. It's not unusual for them to get 8+ years out of a quality battery. As another personal bulletpoint, my '94 E34 BMW is this way, the battery from the PO is from 2014 and still solid. No AGM, it's just a standard Duralast Gold lead-acid from Auto-Zone.

Many things play into the lifespan of a battery, but there are a few things that very negatively affect their lifespan:
- Deep discharge. Never let the battery run flat if you can ever help it. Keep your engine healthy so it starts easily.
- Unhealthy charging system. If your alternator is weak, fix it.
- Heat. Underhood batteries, especially in hot climates live shorter lives than protected batteries.
- Rough terrain. Just like anything else mechanical, batteries can be damaged by excessively rough roads or repeated exposure to excessive vibration.
- Build quality. Cheap batteries have to cut the cost somewhere. That's usually the quality and quantity of lead in the battery itself. Pick up a premium battery and a discount one of the same "size". The premium battery will be considerably heavier. If you have the ability to pick up batteries from various brands when shopping, always buy the heaviest one. It'll have the most lead and the best internal build quality.
- If the battery you have is a standard flooded lead-acid battery, check the fluid level every 6 months. If low, top up with distilled water (never use tap or spring water, you'll ruin the battery). Avoid "maintenance free" batteries that are not AGM, they lack inspection caps.
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Old 12-14-2020, 07:09 PM
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You're kind to share all of this good information.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Diseasel300 View Post
My '83 500SL Euro eats batteries like any other car of the era since the battery is sitting just up above the exhaust manifold in the back of the engine bay.
I've noticed on a 1985 W123 how M-B put a heat shield left of the battery to provide some protection from the nearby exhaust system. I figured those M-B engineers wouldn't have done so if they didn't think they needed to.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Diseasel300 View Post
Deep discharge. Never let the battery run flat if you can ever help it. Keep your engine healthy so it starts easily.
I don't drive my 1983 nearly as much as I used to but at least once a week and make certain to get the engine up to operating temperature. Even this may not be often enough though.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Diseasel300 View Post
- Unhealthy charging system. If your alternator is weak, fix it.
Check.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Diseasel300 View Post
- Heat. Underhood batteries, especially in hot climates live shorter lives than protected batteries.
I can personally attest to the truth of this.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Diseasel300 View Post
- Build quality. Cheap batteries have to cut the cost somewhere. That's usually the quality and quantity of lead in the battery itself. Pick up a premium battery and a discount one of the same "size". The premium battery will be considerably heavier. If you have the ability to pick up batteries from various brands when shopping, always buy the heaviest one. It'll have the most lead and the best internal build quality.
Fascinating!

Thanks again!
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  #7  
Old 12-15-2020, 10:42 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TX
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Diseasel300 View Post
Totally unnecessary on a car. You're taking something that's extremely reliable and adding several failure points, including a DC muffin fan (which are hideously reliable long-term).

If your battery is in the engine bay, move it to the trunk or under the rear seat if you want battery longevity. Under the hood, you can expect 4-5 years in a Texas climate maximum. Doesn't matter what kind of battery you run, the thermal cycling kills them. They'll generally die peak of summer or beginning of winter. Batteries located inside the car are exposed to a more stable temperature pattern (and lack the extreme heat of the engine bay) and typically last 5-10 years.
A battery blanket/insulation pad works really good too. It keeps the brunt of the engine heat away from the battery.
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Old 12-15-2020, 11:11 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zulfiqar View Post
A battery blanket/insulation pad works really good too. It keeps the brunt of the engine heat away from the battery.
To an extent, yes, but once the insulation saturates with heat, so will the battery. Remember, the battery gets hot when charging too. Most mid-level or higher modern cars have the battery located where it receives cool airflow or somewhere in the cabin to prolong the life of the battery (among other reasons).

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