R230 winter battery maintenance

[gez]

I will be SORN'ing my 2008 R230 SL350 at the end of October.
Last year I left my Ctex mxs5.0 connected permanently, but needed to replace both batteries in the spring as although they never left me stranded they were very weak. With new batteries the car has been perfect through the year. Possibly both batteries were ageing, though i wonder if the time on trickle charge contributed to their decline so want to follow best practices this winter.
Questions I have are:
1. Is permanent trickle charge recommended or periodic charging?
2. Should I remove the batteries and trickle or periodically charge them?
3. Is it correct to connect the Ctek to the auxiliary boot located battery which will also charge the starter battery?
4. Any other best practices to follow?

 

[mioba]

If you are not using the car and its safely locked up. Remove the batteries and give them a charge.

If you plan to periodically start the car. A ctek. They switch off when charged.

 

[Blobcat]

I use Optimates and Ctek’s on all mine and leave them connected and on whenever I’m not using the vehicle. Not has any battery issues.
Yes, to connecting to the rear Aux battery

 

[AlanGunn]

I bought a battery that turned out i didn't need.
Left it connected to a Ctek mxs 5.0 for 2 years in the shed and eventually gave it to my sister and she has used it for 5 years now.
Her 3.0d can stand for 2 or 3 weeks then still start no problem.

 

[gez]

Thanks guys, I plan to leave the batteries in situ and connect permanently to my ctek.

 

[NJS5]

leave the batteries in situ and connect permanently to my ctek.

That's what I do, and periodically start & move the car. I tend to do this every 4 weeks, but other have suggested different periods.

 

[Tuscan1969]

I will be SORN'ing my 2008 R230 SL350 at the end of October.
Last year I left my Ctex mxs5.0 connected permanently, but needed to replace both batteries in the spring as although they never left me stranded they were very weak. With new batteries the car has been perfect through the year. Possibly both batteries were ageing, though i wonder if the time on trickle charge contributed to their decline so want to follow best practices this winter.
Questions I have are:
1. Is permanent trickle charge recommended or periodic charging?
2. Should I remove the batteries and trickle or periodically charge them?
3. Is it correct to connect the Ctek to the auxiliary boot located battery which will also charge the starter battery?
4. Any other best practices to follow?

Hi Gez,

Could I ask two questions please….

1) I need to replace the rear auxiliary battery in my 2003 SL 350 (3.7) - Mercedes are quoting £290. Could you recommend a cheaper alternative?

2) at present I have a cheap Aldi battery charger that claims to do trickle as well as full recharge and to also be suitable for all battery types….will that be suitable for a winter layup or would you recommend something better suited to the SL?

I really appreciate any advice you can give.

Best regards

Robert

 

[peterws1957]

Hi Gez,

Could I ask two questions please….

1) I need to replace the rear auxiliary battery in my 2003 SL 350 (3.7) - Mercedes are quoting £290. Could you recommend a cheaper alternative?

2) at present I have a cheap Aldi battery charger that claims to do trickle as well as full recharge and to also be suitable for all battery types….will that be suitable for a winter layup or would you recommend something better suited to the SL?

I really appreciate any advice you can give.

Best regards

Robert

Personally I stick to MB batteries. You might try getting a price from MB Edinburgh who give discounts to forum members on here. Otherwise I would try Tayna batteries who are very helpful in suggesting an alternative. Have the size and spec handy when you contact them.
Chargers - people on here do use the Aldi ones. Others use mainly CTek 5 or 7, although the prices of these seem to have gone up quite a bit.

 

[Tuscan1969]

Personally I stick to MB batteries. You might try getting a price from MB Edinburgh who give discounts to forum members on here. Otherwise I would try Tayna batteries who are very helpful in suggesting an alternative. Have the size and spec handy when you contact them.
Chargers - people on here do use the Aldi ones. Others use mainly CTek 5 or 7, although the prices of these seem to have gone up quite a bit.

Many thanks - I’ll follow that up with MB Edinburgh.

 

[SL63 Mark]

Hi Gez,

Could I ask two questions please….

1) I need to replace the rear auxiliary battery in my 2003 SL 350 (3.7) - Mercedes are quoting £290. Could you recommend a cheaper alternative?

2) at present I have a cheap Aldi battery charger that claims to do trickle as well as full recharge and to also be suitable for all battery types….will that be suitable for a winter layup or would you recommend something better suited to the SL?

I really appreciate any advice you can give.

Best regards

Robert

That seems a lot. I purchased a rear battery last year for my R231 SL from Mercedes, and that was £200. If you do go elsewhere, remember you need an AGM battery.

 

[Tuscan1969]

That seems a lot. I purchased a rear battery last year for my R231 SL from Mercedes, and that was £200. If you do go elsewhere, remember you need an AGM battery.

Got a much more realistic price so off to get it done tomorrow. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Malcolm Johnson]

Putting your battery charge is good option was doing that 13 years ago, about 5 years ago decided to drive it on dry days during the winter. Which was better for the upkeep of the car. I would use the trickle charger when torrential rain and snow at times in winter. what I have found with mercs is they like to be driven minimum every week. Road tax is little cost compared to a correctly maintained car.

 

[sonic]

I park my E350CDI 212 up for 6 months during the winter, & have done for the last 6 years. I leave the battery on the car & put it on the charger/ anylizer every other week. The battery is the original 15 years old.

 

[mjcbulmer]

That seems a lot. I purchased a rear battery last year for my R231 SL from Mercedes, and that was £200. If you do go elsewhere, remember you need an AGM battery.

Just paid £214.75 plus vat for both batteries from Mercedes dealer.

 

[NJS5]

Which Dealer please? £214.75 plus VAT seems a good price for 2 AGM batteries for an R230.

 

[mjcbulmer]

Which Dealer please? £214.75 plus VAT seems a good price for 2 AGM batteries for an R230.

Mercedes of NEWBURY offer 25% discount, service and parts, for older cars.

 

[mjcbulmer]

Mercedes of NEWBURY offer 25% discount, service and parts, for older cars.

Mines a R231 actually.

 

[mjcbulmer]

These are the details. I’m sure the parts dept. gave me 25% discount.

 

[mjcbulmer]

Mines a R231 actually.

I purchased the car new and it’s only done 8,000 mls.