Battery Charging Method

[WebsterMB]

Have a '99 E320 Wagon. I don't drive it much in winter and want to keep battery alive. The manual states one should charge the battery with the positive lead removed only. Yet in another section on jump starting it says you can connect the jumpers to the under the hood terminals and to let the dead battery sit connected for a few minutes to start the charge. As you know the battery is under the rear seat and a pain to get to. Will I damage the alternator, or other components if I trickle caharge to the termiinals under the hood? Comments appreciated. Thank You

 

[mjtray]

The instructions on my trickle charger state it is to be connected to the battery without needing to disconnect the battery leads first.

I have used it for years in this fashion and has never given me a problem as it shuts off once the battery is up to full charge.

Cheers

 

[mlc]

I agree with Mjtray - it should be safe to leave the battery connected - but to be safe:
Only connect / disconnect the charger whilst it is turned off or unplugged.
Dont start the car with the charger connected.

In 30 years I have never damaged an alternator/ battery with a charger or jump leads - however I worked for the AA for 5 years and was aware of incidents where damage occured due to the spike when jump leads or a high capacity booster was disconnected with the enine running.

Mark.