E class battery drain? / battery light

[lastyboy]

Hi,
Ive got a 1997 P E280 Auto saloon.

I only use it a couple of times every 3 months. However recently, the car has been going flat after a couple of weeks. I charge it up but it goes flat again.
Now i could just replace the battery but last time i charged it, it took 3 days and still wasnt at full charge even though it is only a 2 year old battery.

When i start the car ( with a full charged battery ), no battery light comes on the dash, does this mean a faulty alternator?? In the handbook on the E200/220 they show a battery light on the dash but not on the dash layout of the 280. However it does say in my handbook that the battery light will come on if there is a charging fault.
Any ideas? I dont want to buy a new battery and have my alternator repaired unless i have to.

 

[jibcl500]

the best thing is to put a multimeter on the battery with the engine running, it should read 13++ volts, if not the alternator could be at fault, best thing is get the battery check and if so replace it, if there is a fault with alternator the battery light will come on, on the dash.

jib

 

[television]

Your battery is just not getting used enough, it would pay you to cycle it a few times that is turn the headlamps on till it goes almost flat ,then charge again.

Is there no way that you could put a charger on a time switch so that it charges say once a week

 

[jibcl500]

My CL eats batteries because I dont use the car, its destroyed a new battery in less than a year. The only thing I can do to save the battery is disconnect it when the car isnt being used, only problem I have by doing this is the ABS and ECP lights are always on as a result and have to plug the laptop in to clear the fault then put the code in for the radio then I give up and take the A class or SLk instead.

jib

 

[MIW615]

Buy a battery "conditioner" this is not a charger and can be left connected to the battery all the time you are not using the car. It will maintain the battery, but not recover a completely flat battery. Ideal if you don't use the car regularly

 

[television]

Buy a battery "conditioner" this is not a charger and can be left connected to the battery all the time you are not using the car. It will maintain the battery, but not recover a completely flat battery. Ideal if you don't use the car regularly

Thats one thing that I have have not though of or used, I will give one a go now that the winter is coming on.

 

[MIW615]

Thats one thing that I have have not though of or used, I will give one a go now that the winter is coming on.

Malcolm there are lots out there to choose from, I have several versions and must say that my recent purchase is "the Rolls Royce" as far as I'm concerned, it's Swedish and made by CTEK. It is quite unique as it doesn't just trickle charge, but occasionally it will give the battery a "jolt" and this in turn will increase the voltage capacity of the battery.

As an electrical person you will appreciate that this good for the battery, see this link for further information..................

http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/...facturerId=4&gclid=CP2vnojyg48CFQlDMAodkjUNug

 

[television]

Thank you Malcolm for the link, which one do you have ?

Clever people the Swedes, the young ones come up with so many innovations, thats what they do during the long dark Winters

 

[MIW615]

thats what they do during the long dark Winters

Amongst other things

I will check my charger and let you know the model reference

 

[MIW615]

Thank you Malcolm for the link, which one do you have ?

Hi Malcolm - I have the XS800 8)

 

[television]

Hi Malcolm - I have the XS800 8)

Thank you

 

[MIW615]

Hi Malcolm - I have the XS800 8)

Just a thought, mine came direct from Sweden so it had a European plug fitted - guess if you purchase in the UK it will come with a UK plug, if not I can get you a special adaptor made for the charger (approx £2.00) or it's just as easy to cut off the European plug and fit a UK plug - although it might effect the 5 year warranty!

 

[television]

Just a thought, mine came direct from Sweden so it had a European plug fitted - guess if you purchase in the UK it will come with a UK plug, if not I can get you a special adaptor made for the charger (approx £2.00) or it's just as easy to cut off the European plug and fit a UK plug - although it might effect the 5 year warranty!

When I moved back from Sweden I had 400 items with Swedish plugs on, so I installed 50% Swedish sockets in the house and workshops, so no problem thanks

 

[MIW615]

When I moved back from Sweden I had 400 items with Swedish plugs on, so I installed 50% Swedish sockets in the house and workshops, so no problem thanks

Seems like you are fated then to by one of these then and not many electrical manufactures give a 5 year warranty - good quality.

 

[television]

Seems like you are fated then to by one of these then and not many electrical manufactures give a 5 year warranty - good quality.

My ex was good quality, the guarantee was not as good :--(

 

[M6AJJ]

Malcolm,

You got a guarantee!!!