Battery issue......

[mattkh]

That Sir, is an ex-battery. It is deceased, it lives no more, it has ceased to be. Bereft of life, it rests in peace. It has gone to the great battery shop in the sky.

That battery maintained 12.3 volts for a whole week with the car standing, and the car alarm and other systems drawing current from it.

 

[Tony Dyson]

Do you think MB would be allowed to brand a shelf battery of Varta as MB if there was nothing different?

It doesn't matter what people think or believe, and changes can be specified to create inferior products just as easily, facts are all that matter. and it appears that Varta are more confident in their products than MB are as well by guaranteeing their batteries for an additional Year across the range, MB guarantees their flooded batteries for 4 Years and Varta Silver 5 Years, MB guarantee their AGM batteries 3 Years and Varta 4 Years.

 

[AndySlade]

The original battery in my 2007 S203 220CDI, was a Varta, although it had additional Mercedes-Benz stuck on labels. From VIN code checker was clearly a higher/larger Amp hr capacity fitted from new, probably because of the heated electric seats. When it gave up the ghost a couple of years ago (go going by my reckoning), I replaced with a Varta Silver from Tayna. Slightly different top moulding and handle as opposed to two handles, and slighter higher capacity, although same overall dimensions. In looking around and doing my research, it appeared that the Bosch batteries were identical to the Varta, but with less guarantee and more expensive.

The service I received from Tayna and delivery time were excellent, would not hesitate to recommend them.

 

[00slk]

That battery maintained 12.3 volts for a whole week with the car standing, and the car alarm and other systems drawing current from it.

There are 2 batteries, the starter battery is the one that read 3.4 volts, but charged up okay. It was that 1 time at the service station that it refused to start the car, so after this test I am a little confused if it is the battery, but it did drop to 9 volts now on cranking, normal or not I am unsure.

I have just checked the battery again after 3 starts over the last 3 days the the reading was 12.4 volts.
While the car was cranking over to start the volts dropped to 9 Volts, then immediately came up to 12, then 14.9 volts within seconds and settled at 14.7 volts at idle. Revving up the engine slowly the volts stayed at 14.7. When we switched off the volts read 13.6.

 

[Flyinspanner]

14.7 is normal output from an alternator

 

[Yianni1066]

I have a brand new starter battery in mine, (the small one in the front) that I bought a year ago. Because I don't use the car that often, I installed a remote control battery disconnect gadget. I use the car mainly at weekends. Covid hits and I haven't used the car in a year. Decided to use it today... battery is dead. Measured the volts, its at 3.6v.

Is this salvageable? Especiallybas it was hardly used. I dont have a charger, so do I buy a charger or a new battery?

 

[00slk]

I have a brand new starter battery in mine, (the small one in the front) that I bought a year ago. Because I don't use the car that often, I installed a remote control battery disconnect gadget. I use the car mainly at weekends. Covid hits and I haven't used the car in a year. Decided to use it today... battery is dead. Measured the volts, its at 3.6v.

Is this salvageable? Especiallybas it was hardly used. I dont have a charger, so do I buy a charger or a new battery?

I charged up mine when it was 3.6 volts, you'll need a fairly good quality charger to do it. I have 3 chargers and only 1 will charge up a battery from that kind of volts.
This starter battery was only 3.6 volts the day after I purchased my car, I charged it up and it has been good up until I stopped using the car for normal use and only seldom took it out for a run. This battery went flat again 3.4 volts or about that, I recharged it again and all was fine until a week or so ago and it would not start the car after I stopped to fuel up. I got a jump start and the battery seems to be fine again.
I'm sure yours will recharge as long as it was either a Mercedes battery ie Varta?

 

[00slk]

Seems they always fail at Petrol Stations, you are not allowed a jump at the pump but have to push it away

Mercedes SL500 R231

A bit like using your mobile at the gas station

 

[SL63 Mark]

I have a brand new starter battery in mine, (the small one in the front) that I bought a year ago. Because I don't use the car that often, I installed a remote control battery disconnect gadget. I use the car mainly at weekends. Covid hits and I haven't used the car in a year. Decided to use it today... battery is dead. Measured the volts, its at 3.6v.

Is this salvageable? Especiallybas it was hardly used. I dont have a charger, so do I buy a charger or a new battery?

If it is a new battery, it should charge up OK. A R230 owner should always have a good battery charger. A lot of people buy C-Tek ones. You should leave it on trickle charge when the car is not in use,

 

[00slk]

No more issues with the battery
Now after I post this, tomorrow when I go to start it, it'll be flat! Lol......

 

[00slk]

............Well nearly, 10 days and after my top down drive today and arriving home, I went to move the car 5 minutes after stopping it and the battery was so flat it only wurred. Checked the volts and it was 12.6
Asked the Missus to crank the car over while I had the multimeter on the terminals, it went from 12.6 volts down to 3 volts
Definaulty going to get a new battery on Tuesday as this one must have a bad cell. A quick jump start and all's well again

 

[sl500amgsport]

............Well nearly, 10 days and after my top down drive today and arriving home, I went to move the car 5 minutes after stopping it and the battery was so flat it only wurred. Checked the volts and it was 12.6
Asked the Missus to crank the car over while I had the multimeter on the terminals, it went from 12.6 volts down to 3 volts
Definaulty going to get a new battery on Tuesday as this one must have a bad cell. A quick jump start and all's well again

"Asked the mrs to crank the car.." for some reason had me visualising Truly Scrumptious turning the crank handle on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, I must be losing the plot .

Mercedes SL500 R231

 

[00slk]

"Asked the mrs to crank the car.." for some reason had me visualising Truly Scrumptious turning the crank handle on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, I must be losing the plot .

Mercedes SL500 R231

I lost the plot years ago Buddy

 

[SL63 Mark]

I lost the plot years ago Buddy

What is the plot of which you speak ?

 

[00slk]

What is the plot of which you speak ?

A wide open area Mark