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  #1  
Old 03-21-2004, 11:54 PM
ard ard is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 21
Battery maintainer and switched 12v outlets

Hi,

I have searched the forums, but haven't found what I am looking for.

Nonetheless, if this has been previously discussed, accept my aplogies and point me to the correct thread - TIA.

I want to connect a battery maintainer to my 1997 E420. The battery maintainer (Schumacher, which I got when I purchased another car used), plugs into a 12v outlet in the car. However, the (only?) 12v outlet in this car (cigarette lighter) appears to be SWITCHED - i.e. it is disconnected from the battery when the ignition is off.

The maintainer does not appear to have hardware to connect it directly to the battery, plus, given that the battery is under the rear seat, it would be a bit of a hassle to connect/disconnect it regularly.

Has anyone come up with a way to connect a battery maintainer on this car (W210) without having to leave the ignition on? I am aware of other gizmos that strap directly to the battery, but I wanted to see whether I could make work what I already have at home.

TIA

/alex
-------
* 1997 E420

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  #2  
Old 03-22-2004, 08:25 AM
MB, love..hate..love..
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: NB Canada
Posts: 1,173
I know absolutely zip about a 97 E420, but I'd say you have 2 choices here: get at the back of the lighter socket and re-connect it to an unswitched power source. I'd be mindful of the fuse in the chosen circuit and the load from anything else on the same circuit. The other thing you might consider is picking up an inexpensive female socket (Walmart has them for about $5.00), and wiring it directly to the battery. Perhaps it can be located in an inconspicuous place (under the front seat, eg.) so you can just pull it out when you need it. I'd assume that would be when the car goes into long term storage?
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  #3  
Old 03-22-2004, 12:23 PM
ard ard is offline
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Posts: 21
Hi tkamiya,

could you please post a picture - that would be most helpful.

Thanks

/alex
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  #4  
Old 03-23-2004, 06:05 PM
ard ard is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 21
Hi donbryce,

thanks for the suggestion - in fact that's what I'll do - attach a connector to the battery with a female end, so that I can plug the charger in.

FWIW, I called Schumacher (the manufacturer) as well, and was told that the model I inherited did NOT originally come with a 12v outlet adapter, but 2 eyelet connectors - I remain skeptical, though. At any rate, whoever attached the 12v outlet adapter did a very professional job.

/alex
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  #5  
Old 03-24-2004, 07:33 AM
MB, love..hate..love..
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: NB Canada
Posts: 1,173
Here's a short saga that pertains to battery maintenance.

I have a street rod that for some reason (bad alternator diode, I suspect) will drain the battery if left idle for about 2 weeks. I went looking for a suitable maintenance charger for this short-term storage issue, as well as long term winter storage for my Benz and rod batteries. I also wanted a compact unit that could also provide a full charge, all without any danger of overcharging.

After searching the net, and looking at what was available locally, I found the 'Battery Tender Jr.'. This tiny little unit has been maintaining a storage charge since December on both batteries. It will get used all summer for the rod, and I expect many years service from here on in.

After reading the technical discussion on their website, I think it may convince you too that not all trickle chargers are the same, and that this technology is unique and, so far, quite superior to anything else on the market, IMO. I say this partly because I've actually had a brand new battery dry up on me after being connected to a regular trickle charger for several months.

http://batterytender.com/default.php?osCsid=9ddbb1fd379cd753442343679314c19c
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  #6  
Old 03-24-2004, 09:53 AM
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Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,562
I've used the Battery Tender Plus model on my '94 E500 with 45k on the odo (original MB OEM battery) for almost a year- - no complaints.

-fad
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  #7  
Old 03-24-2004, 09:58 AM
moedip
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The Battery Tender is good but I swear by the little unit sold by VDC electronics ( www.vdcelectronics.com ) The battery minder not only maintains the battery but it also desulphates it at the same time. I skeptically bought one with the promise that if it did not work as promised - they would refund my money. Three years later they will have to fight me to get it back. I also bought the 6 volt model for my 1930 Chev battery and it still cranks like new 3 years later when I only drive the car for about 10 hours a year. This little unit will maintain and desulphate up to 4 batteries at the same time. My garden tractor battery, my Mercedes battery, my son's Porsche battery and my spare VW battery are all like new after three years with them on this little marvel for 6 months out of the year. I had one battery that was 5 years old and so sulphated - I was going to take it for re-cycling - after 4 months on this baby - it is still working in one of our cars! Some say I am crazy and it is snake oil - my real life experience with it says it works - read their website and decide for yourself. The product is patented so it must work or the Patent office would not have given them one. I have a patent and know that you have to prove your claims to the examiner before they will even consider issuing a patent.I would appreciate hearing from others who have tried it.
Morris

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