Trickle charger for 2009 CLK 350

[DaveM]

First I am new to this site having recently purchased a CLK Cabrio hoping to use it when the sunny weather arrives ha ha.As it's not used all the time I want to purchase a trickling charger. The handbook says only use Merc approved so is this correct ?Can anyone advise or do I need to check with Mercedes. I have seen a bewildering array of chargers by other manufacturers such as Accumate. What concerns me is that the handbusays only use approved chargers as the vehicle electronics are complex.

 

[AMGeed]

The Ctek brand are the ones mostly recommended although the cheap Lidl and Aldi trickle chargers do the same job.

https://www.tayna.co.uk/battery-cha...weIzOQzRgf-U56v57hM3kuyRi6YG9fmRoCGHEQAvD_BwE

 

[John Laidlaw]

As above ,I had a Lidl one for my SL and it worked just fine. It’s only downside against the more expensive ctec ones was its ability to remember the last settings after power off but that wasn’t an issue for me

 

[EmilysDad]

A plus point for CTek is that they come with connections that you can leave connected to the battery so just need to plug in rather than clip to a battery that might not be easily accessible.

 

[DaveM]

The Ctek brand are the ones mostly recommended although the cheap Lidl and Aldi trickle chargers do the same job.

https://www.tayna.co.uk/battery-cha...weIzOQzRgf-U56v57hM3kuyRi6YG9fmRoCGHEQAvD_BwE

The Ctek brand are the ones mostly recommended although the cheap Lidl and Aldi trickle chargers do the same job.

https://www.tayna.co.uk/battery-cha...weIzOQzRgf-U56v57hM3kuyRi6YG9fmRoCGHEQAvD_BwE

Thanks that was quick . I don't a lot about it but assume the charger in the link fits the CLK ?

 

[LostKiwi]

I have a big CTEK fro home use but I store two cars in France for part of the year and they are kept topped up by these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009A83P1E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The Aldi/Lidl ones have a drawback in that if power is disconnected they don't keep the last setting. The CTEK and Maypoles simply resume where they left off.

 

[Chrishazle]

Merc approved = Ctek rebadged, Porsche are the same - and you pay megabucks for the rebadging! Lidl £15 jobbie has good reports but may die after 3 years (or maybe not), Ctek always get good reports but are £45 and up. I've had an Accumate in use for about 20 years, on the 968 whenever it's in the garage, still going strong.

 

[rifiki]

Have a MXS 5.0 hot wired to both my MBs. Excellent bit of kit.

 

[nick750]

optimate, never lost a battery using this !

 

[dreadlockdw]

I have used a CTEK with my CLK 500 Cab for the last 4 years. As others have said it comes with a quick connect lead. This can be permanently connected directly to the battery terminals; thereafter the charger can be connected / disconnected quickly via a small plug / socket.

You can buy separately a version of the connecting lead with LEDs that indicate the health of the battery and suggest when it is necessary to connect the charger

The CTEK, and maybe others, has a recondition function which may be used occasionally, say annually, to keep the battery in good nick.

MB electrics are not always happy with strange voltages / spikes etc. While the charger is connected it is ok to use the key to unlock / lock the car doors and even to lower the roof if necessary, but based on forum-reading i would urge you not to put the key in the ignition for any reason until the charger is disconnected.

 

[DaveM]

Many thanks all . I did buy the Cetek and this has done the trick .?Thanks also about not using the key in the ignition until the charger is disconnected.