Batteries ain't batteries...

[BenzBoy]

Until this morning I have had an NRMA battery in the Spirit and it was showing signs of failure so I replaced it with a German-made Bosch. The remarkable change is that the motor idles more smoothly and the electrics run better - the fan speed is higher and the windows quicker. The explanation from the auto-electrician is that the output from the NRMA battery was marginal despite being the correct nominal rating.
Fair enough - I did not expect such a measurable improvement in engine idle!!!
Food for thought. R-R and Bentley recommend only 2 battery brands: Bosch and Yuasa (Century in Oz). Now I know why.
The battery in my ML is now 10 years old and going strong - batteries ain't batteries apparently.
Regards,
Benz-Boy

 

[Michel]

Until this morning I have had an NRMA battery in the Spirit and it was showing signs of failure so I replaced it with a German-made Bosch. The remarkable change is that the motor idles more smoothly and the electrics run better - the fan speed is higher and the windows quicker. The explanation from the auto-electrician is that the output from the NRMA battery was marginal despite being the correct nominal rating.
Fair enough - I did not expect such a measurable improvement in engine idle!!!
Food for thought. R-R and Bentley recommend only 2 battery brands: Bosch and Yuasa (Century in Oz). Now I know why.
The battery in my ML is now 10 years old and going strong - batteries ain't batteries apparently.
Regards,
Benz-Boy

I recall you told me about the idle problems you had in the Spirit.
And you commented that my Spur idled smoother.

I run a Century battery, now you know why

 

[BenzBoy]

You have been through quite a number of batteries in the Spur, I understand, Michel. Any particuolar reason why?
Regards,
Benz-Boy

 

[Michel]

You have been through quite a number of batteries in the Spur, I understand, Michel. Any particuolar reason why?
Regards,
Benz-Boy

When I bought the Spur, a new Century battery was fitted.
However, I had electrical problems which made me think something was draining the battery or the alternator wasn't doing its job.
However... we checked everything until we discovered it was a faulty battery.

Nearly two years later, Century very graciously replaced it under warranty.

No problems since.

 

[BenzBoy]

When I bought the Spur, a new Century battery was fitted.
However, I had electrical problems which made me think something was draining the battery or the alternator wasn't doing its job.
However... we checked everything until we discovered it was a faulty battery.

Nearly two years later, Century very graciously replaced it under warranty.

No problems since.

Now that is excellent service from Century-Yuasa.
The NRMA sources its batteries in Singapore and sadly, you don't always get what you pay for as the Bosch was cheaper than the NRMA version...
Regards,
Benz-Boy

 

[260ebenz]

I have a Super Charge battery fitted to my 260E so are Super Charge a good battery?

Cheers.

 

[BenzBoy]

Super Charge is made by Ramcar, a Phillipino company. If it is working and keeps on working then it is good!! If it starts the 260E and keeps doing the job then rest assured it is a good battery.
Regards,
They do not make batteries to fit a Spirit or an ML so I have no personal experience of them.
Benz-Boy

 

[Styria]

Interesting. Batteries is a subject I know a liitle bit about - for starters, I have never yet found a good Apollo battery. Yuasa and Century are the same battery except for the labels that are attached to them. From memory, there is also another called, I think, Road Runner - whichever, all come from Korea (so I have been told) and sold or imported by a company situated at Silverwater.They just whack different labels on the casings.

There was also the time when the 'battery connoisseurs' bought AC-Delco units, and I was one of those connoisseurs. At various times, and quite a number of years ago, they were retailing for more than $300.00 each. Battery Life was surprisingly short lived considering (about three years max.) and I was told, yet again, that they are now also manufactured in Korea. For some two years now I have been buying the Supercharge brand and I have had absolutely no problems with any that I have bought AND supplied. I have a contact with that Company, so anyone that doesn't mind mine making a couple of 'greenies', I should be able to obtain them at a reasonable figure. Regards Styria

 

[260ebenz]

Super Charge is made by Ramcar, a Phillipino company. If it is working and keeps on working then it is good!! If it starts the 260E and keeps doing the job then rest assured it is a good battery.
Regards,
They do not make batteries to fit a Spirit or an ML so I have no personal experience of them.
Benz-Boy

Benz Boy,

Old battery was 5 years old and needed to be replaced so I did.

I had a new Super Charge battery fitted 4 months ago and the battery has been excellent and it cost $128 from memory will have to check.

I have heard from a fellow Mercedes owners that Super Charge are a good battery and they use Super Charge and are happy with the battery.

Appreciate your advice Benz Boy.

Cheers Tim.

 

[TJ 450]

Varta Batteries are also an OEM for Mercedes. You can expect to get 10 years out of these reliably.

Tim

 

[SEL_69L]

Cheap batteries in my drive car last 5 to 7 years in my experience. That is because the car is driven at least 4 times a day, every day.

The 6.9 is driven at least once only per week, which is not enough. I used to replace the battery in it once every 18 months to 2 years. Not any more. I had a battery switch installed, and so when the car is idle in the garage, the car is electrically dead. I also bought myself a toroidal ring battery charger, (less than the price of a battery, I might add); this sits on a bench in front of the car. Once a week I top up charge the battery, NEVER overcharging it. Because the battery is now maintained in good condition, top up charging never takes more than 5 minutes. Overcharging a battery can be as damaging as having it at less than full charge. The current battery is now 7 years old, and is as good as the day I bought it.

 

[Styria]

Varta Batteries are also an OEM for Mercedes. You can expect to get 10 years out of these reliably.

Tim

Hi Tim, what's the price on those Vartas - if you don'tind my asking. I have seen them at the Supercharge Batteries outlet, and it was the colour of the casing that appealed to me - that Light Blue - it goes with the Petrol Green of Gleaming Beauty ! Yeah okay....what next ? Strange fellow. Anyway, it was a slightly different shape to the Supercharge item (seemkjed longer), it was a lot more expensive (you don't really want to know, he said) and there seemed to be no interest in selling me one - you don't need one of those (he said). Guess the price difference found me being somewhat tonguetied - if you know what I mean. Regards Styria

 

[Styria]

Cheap batteries in my drive car last 5 to 7 years in my experience. That is because the car is driven at least 4 times a day, every day.

The 6.9 is driven at least once only per week, which is not enough. I used to replace the battery in it once every 18 months to 2 years. Not any more. I had a battery switch installed, and so when the car is idle in the garage, the car is electrically dead. I also bought myself a toroidal ring battery charger, (less than the price of a battery, I might add); this sits on a bench in front of the car. Once a week I top up charge the battery, NEVER overcharging it. Because the battery is now maintained in good condition, top up charging never takes more than 5 minutes. Overcharging a battery can be as damaging as having it at less than full charge. The current battery is now 7 years old, and is as good as the day I bought it.

Well, Ill be ! I supplied it. Is it really that long ? Regards Styria

 

[SEL_69L]

That's about right! Tempis fugit.

 

[TJ 450]

Styria, the cost of the MB supplied Varta DIN85 version was low $200s from memory. This was from the local MB dealer. I don't what they would retail at elsewhere. They may even be more expensive.

A Century DIN85L that I have had for a good three years seems to be holding up very well in my 6.9. That cost me about $200.

Actually, now that I remember it, I seem to recall WGB posting about the MB battery pricing a while back.

Tim

 

[Styria]

Hi Tim, at about the low $200s for the Varta, that's an excellent price. Are they sort of a light blueish colour ? For THAT type, I was quoted well in excess of $200.00. Regards Styria

 

[TJ 450]

It's a translucent white colour with blue cell plugs from memory. The ones available in the aftermarket appear very different.

Tim