New Battery

[ML Dude]

I don't know if most of you are having the same problem I am with battery life, but both my MY2000 cars have had several batteries in 4years.

Meanwhile, my diesel has the same DieHard Intl. for 7 years.

Gilly, can I get the new sealed battery for the ML, or is it just for certain models?

Also, how do I contact my local factory rep?

Thx! Ed

[Ron in SC]

I had a problem, earlier this week with a battery with real low voltage on one of my cars.. Much to my suprise it still started the car. It was an Optima Red top, it’s sealed and made differently than the regular lead acid batteries. I don’t know if they would be ok in ML’s or not. When I replaced my ML’s battery I bought a large Interstate lead acid battery, Interstate makes Optima, too, or the company that owns both makes them.

Do you think you should check and see if you have a voltage draw greater than normal when the car is just sitting? You might want to check that out and also check to see if the alternator is charging the battery properly.

Here’s the thread that contains my posts about my low voltage problem on the car I mentioned above. I did order the PriorityStart product made reference to in one of the posts. It will disconnect the battery from the load, ie car, if the voltage on the battery gets below like about 11.9 volts that way you can start your car as the battery will not be completely flat. Seems like a good product for cars that are driven infrequently.

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=133118

[PaulH]

I have the original battery in my ML. It's about 4.5 yrs old. Used mostly for local runs, with maybe one long trip per year.

[slowdriver]

I have the same driving habits as PaulH with the same results. Original bat about 4.5 years old.

[azinn]

Originally posted by slowdriver
I have the same driving habits as PaulH with the same results. Original bat about 4.5 years old.

I replaced mine at the 4 year mark as preventitive maintenace. Read to many stories about battery failure in the good ole ML. Just my 2 cents worth.

[tabo]

I have 5 cars, and after changing the battery, I notice the lights are a little brighter and the engine starts a bit faster.. The average life time of a battery is 4 years.. You can tell when you need to change it is when the car doesn't start.. than you jump start it it works, than next time you need to jump start it again to start...

[ML Dude]

Well, it's sounding like I have some unique problem with a power drain. But on both cars? The only pattern is that it happens after sitting for a few weeks. Technically, they should be able to sit for a few months... I'll look into it!

Still need to know if the upgraded sealed "GEL" battery is available for the ML

[Ron in SC]

Still need to know if the upgraded sealed "GEL" battery is available for the ML

I think whether a given type of battery will work in the ML depends whether it will fit, has enough CCA's, has sufficient reserve capacity and whether the alternator in the ML charges within the requirements of the battery. You may want to consider an AGM battery. When my ML's battery died after 4.5 years I just got a very large Interstate Battery the MTP-93, a regular lead acid battery because it was relatively inexpensive and I'd had no problems with the previous OEM lead acid battery.

I've used GEL batteries in the past on boats and they are expensive, sensative to recharge voltage, and have low CCA's, I believe they are mostly for deep cycle applications.

Here's something that may interest you that I copied about AGM batteries of which the Optima is one brand.

AGM (Absorption Glass Mat) sealed battery technology was originally developed in 1985 for military aircraft where power, weight, safety, and reliability were paramount considerations.
AGM battery technology has continued to develop and offer improvements over other sealed battery technologies. AGM technology has become the next step in the evolution of both starting and deep cycle sealed batteries for marine, RV, and aviation applications. This "next generation" technology delivers increased safety, performance, and service life over all other existing sealed battery types, including gel technology.
In AGM sealed batteries, the acid is absorbed between the plates and immobilized by a very fine fiberglass mat. No silica gel is necessary. This glass mat absorbs and immobilizes the acid while still keeping the acid available to the plates. This allows a fast reaction between acid and plate material.
The AGM battery has an extremely low internal electrical resistance. This, combined with faster acid migration, allows the AGM batteries to deliver and absorb higher rates of amperage than other sealed batteries during discharging and charging. In addition, AGM technology batteries can be charged at normal lead-acid regulated charging voltages, therefore, it is not necessary to recalibrate charging systems or purchase special chargers.

[Champa]

Hi folks, the battery in our ML also laster close to 5yrs. I changed it not because it lost power, but because it started to occationally spill acid. The alternator was ok, so it wasn't an overcharging problem, but the battery is known for braking up this way. I replaced it with an original MB battery, it was expensive but at 4.5+ changing intervals I can afford it, ;-) ...and then I sold it :-(

my 0.02

[ML Dude]

Thanks Ron,

My question about fitment is really a warranty question. If the factory is placing them in only certain models as my dealer states. Then I can only purchase one to replace my failed batteries instead of requesting one to try and solve the failing battery problem. It wouldn't be the first time my dealer was wrong!

I will probably never purchase any other after market battery than a top-of-the-line DieHard. I'm very loyal to brands that do right by me. I know that Interstate or some other company manufactures the actual battery for many retailers. I guess the DieHard specs are reliable. These batteries have served me well over the years and my latest one is 7yrs old and still working fine after being drained for more than a year!

I think a DC spec battery is way down there on my top choice list...

[Gilly]

Those sealed batteries (VRLA) as far as I know are just for certain models, Ones that come to mind immediately are the new SL R230 (only the one in the trunk I believe), and the new E W211.

They may do fine in an ML, by my recollection they looked like they would fit, but not sure. You could also try an aftermarket gell-cell, but I really recommend the MB battery.

You should be able to get about 4 years minimum on the MB battery. Once in awhile of course one will quit early, not too often though.

Don't know what your rep would be able to say or do. To contact yours I would ask the dealer when he is expected to visit next and if you could set up an appointment, then just hope it's a day that will work for you.

Gilly

[slowdriver]

Just a note of interest -- I buy my batteries from SAM's Club, average price $56. I had a Champion 1050 battery in my Dodge Caravan for 9 years (yes I said 9 years) before it required a jump. It never leaked and I leave that van out in the driveway 365 days a year in Chicago's hot/freezing climate. I visited SAM's when I purchased my ML about 3 months ago and found they recently began stocking a ML320 replacement battery for around $54.

[azinn]

I spent a lot of time checking all the different brands and prices, but none fit like the original battery. So thats the one I replaced it with.

[slowdriver]

azinn - How much is a MB dealer battery?

[azinn]

Originally posted by slowdriver
azinn - How much is a MB dealer battery?

I called both dealers in town for a price on the new battery.
The dealer where I bought the battery listed it for $180.95 and they charged me $109.00. With tax it came to $116.36. The other dealer in town quoted a slightly higher price, don't recall how much. This was with no exchange and I installed it. I took the old one to Sam's Club for disposal. This was in October of 2003.