Police arrested two boys yesterday...

[shadowninja]

... one was drinking battery acid, the other eating fireworks.
After lengthy interviews, Police charged one and let the other off.

In any case, I have a battery query...
CLK 55 AMG, W208.

Battery was flat (well, it had a tiny voltage when we tested it). Had car jump-started. Not driven it since last Tuesday and the journey was a short one. When all is off and closed, seems to be draining 0.14 amps.

Which is most likely scenario:
1) battery is dead and needs replacing
2) dodgy circuit (I did not however test the drain after 20 minutes as I should have done)
3) everything is fine and I need to run it more often than once a week for 15 minute journeys
?

 

[wireman]

You must fully charge the battery with a mains powered unit. Not to do so will mean the battery is only ever nearly flat at best and this will kill it off in quick time.
If the car is not used much a trickle or float charger should be used whislt it is in storage.
140mA sounds a bit high, this may be a water ingress fault some where in the wiring, Wait around a while there are others will tell you more on this.

 

[shadowninja]

Would a long drive somewhere help? Like twice round the M25.

 

[television]

Yes this is what I say a fully charged battery is efficient where as a half charged one is not, and alternators are not designed for charging flat batteries, so a mains charger once a week through the winter months.

 

[Aussie Nick]

Be careful not to overcharge. A quality automatic mains charger should be used. The automatic charger will charge the battery and then disengage until it senses that a top up is required.

 

[shadowninja]

Hm. I think I will have to invest in one of these.

Which one would you guys recommend?

 

[Aussie Nick]

I use a variety and some are local so you probably would not be able to purchase where you are. But try looking for the Projecta AC400 At 2700mA which is automatic. It is about $60 .00 here. Try this adress www.projecta.com.au

 

[television]

This is the best one

http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/Store/Product/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=105

 

[Chas]

I think I will get one of those Malcolm, thanks

cheers

Chas

(-1"c up here )

 

[Pipemaster]

optimate

Crap joke but I still smirked.... alot :razz:

I use and Optimate - http://www.optimate-sp.com/ - I have used them for my motorcyles and boats - It revived my current boat engine battery from the dead and has an automatic trickle charge setting so not to cook the battery.

 

[shadowninja]

Thanks for the replies.

Do those auto charges have a 3 pin plug?

 

[David Nock]

I think that, for reasons other than battery care, you need to think up a better driving routine. 15 mins once a week will kill a car. The oil gets contaminated, the brakes don't get chance to clean up, the underneath and the underbonet stay damp and it's all too much.
With very low milage and two cars, I have the same problem, but I make sure that if either one's out, it does at least 15 miles before coming home (unless it's run some distance on previous days). I do use a charger on one car but not on the Merc, 'cos it's not in the garage. Consequently I've always got half an eye on the days that it's stood outside without exercise. My regime must be working because the second car (Mazda) has done 49,000 miles - in 22 years and it's good for another 22 years.

 

[Pipemaster]

yep it has a normal mains plug

 

[shadowninja]

I think that, for reasons other than battery care, you need to think up a better driving routine.

Yeah, you're right; my recent routine has changed a bit, what with Christmas coming. I will treat myself to a drive every other day, I think! Great excuse.

 

[47p2]

If you are going to use a mains charger you will need to disconnect the battery first as the charger can spike the ECUs and cause damage.

You would be better to get one of these C Tek battery conditioners. They are waterproof and can be left outside, although the mains plug will have to be of the waterproof type. They do not cause any spiking therefore the battery does not have to be disconnected. You can buy them in your local Costco.

 

[shadowninja]

After much deliberation, I think I would prefer a portable charger such as one of these:
Click here

Which one will be best for a V8?

Thanks.

 

[television]

Non of them, the output is awful and full of spikes being an inverter output

 

[shadowninja]

Oh.

What about here: clicky

I was told to go for 700 Amps ones. I want to be able to jumpstart a car.

 

[M6AJJ]

Are we saying that the one Malcolm suggested

http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/S...?ProductId=105

cannot be used with the battery connected to the car. It clearly says in their advert, no need to disconnect battery.

 

[shadowninja]

I would use one of those but I don't like having a lead exposed to the outside chavs.