stephen4785

Need a new battery and Iv had great luck with Optimas. Will one fit?If not whats some alternatives other than acid cell batteries.Thanks

mleskovar

I'm interested to know as well. The Optima battery (or any fully enclosed/ spiral wound/gel type) doesn't come in 100ah like the C battery but is 100ah really needed? If you need one NOW just call MB roadside assistance and they'll replace it for the cost (about $120) of the battery.

SUNILP

There is no optima that will fit in the battery area of the current battery.

mleskovar

What about ah....is 100ah necessary? I can't see why but I'm not an EE. What physical dimension of the Optima doesn't fit? Are there ANY new generation batteries (non liquid/non vented) that will work? I can't seem to get any input on this subject from the forum after several tries. I find it hard to believe EVERYONE with a C class buys a replacement battery from MB.....but I've been wrong before. I keep my battery clean and topped up but sooner or later it's going to puke and I would prefer a new generation battery as a replacement.

W0n6_3d4n

http://www.kinetikaudio.com/ ---> that battery may fit and the AH & CCA look pretty high.
What is the dimension of our battery??
Kinetik HC 2000 ---> that model has 102AH & 1500CCA
Dimension ---> 12" x 6.5" x 8.2" (8.8" with post)

MB-BOB

I agree with you mleskovar. I think the MB battery is way too big (at least in horizontal footprint). I would also like to find a newer tech battery... I am not even sure any conventional battery from autozone, wal-mart, or any place else will fit, so why not investigate the other options.

I hope we get some other opinions on this topic.

mleskovar

The dimensions of our battery (what, you're too lazy to measure?) are 13.5" X 6.75" X 7.5" high.....but the height limitation is the bottom of the coarse cab filter and that is 8". $400 for a battery!!! Get real, it's not worth it. You can buy 3 MB batteries....installed....for less than that.

W0n6_3d4n

Just a suggestion, i will never buy a car battery that expensive

mig888

so why dont we actually use optimas and develop some sort of bracket to hold them in? oh no..christmas group buy =o.

flip

stephen4785

Well those of you that said it wouldnt fit are wrong. It fits fine.Had no problems.Didnt even have to get a different the reverse post battery. 116$ for a brand new optima. The only thing different is the battery is smaller. Im gonna have to fab up a braket to hold down an optimna.Ill post some pics when Im done.

mig888

which model and post a DIY when you're done. we would appreciate it and thanks in advance!

flip

mleskovar

Optimas are rated at 65 ah and the standard MB battery is 100 ah. I don't see any extraordinary technology on the car that makes it require 100 ah but I don't know. Once again...does anyone know? Would the charging system either get overloaded or over charge the battery....as in explode?

StapleGun

I have made brackets for them in my cars in the past...my toyota, mini cooper, and BMW's. The Optima batteries are smaller but are the way to go. The oldest, five years now, is operating strongly without a hitch. Nothing but praise in my book...When the MB battery goes out in my C43, it's what's going in. My battery was replaced just prior to having purchased my C43 so need to replace it for now.

The enersys dry cell is what my Harley gets LINK

SUNILP

The benz cars have pretty high current drain electronics. CANBUS drains a bit of power itself. All the features in the car are all electronic and require power all the time. Such as if you leave a light on, the car knows this and will shut it off for you. Other cars have a mechinical switch. Depending on features installed in your car, there are 2 types of batteries the benz uses. THE larger 100A battery and there is a smaller battery but I am not sure on the spec of it. I believe all USA spec cars get the larger battery. I have a lot more electronics installed than most people and I remember reading in WIS when i installed my stationary heater system, it stated I need to upgrade to the larger high capacity battery due to the load of the heating system.

mleskovar

Now we're getting closer to a real answer. Without a stationary heating system being activated, what is the current drain in a power off and on situation (max/min for power on)? Canbus has been used since '96??, did they use a 100ah battery then? Does it draw that much in an off condition? Electronics don't eat up that much power.....electric motors, heaters, power seats, and audio systems do.

SUNILP

i doubt 96 had can. probably 98 onwards

mleskovar

I exchange emails with a battery specialist in Germany who said the only significant weakness in the Optima for our application is the CCA....cold cranking amps. If you live in an area that gets cold you might have a problem when it gets close to 0F. Our standard battery has 850 CCA at 0F and the Optima has 800 CCA at 0f. ALso, the full charge capability will be harder to meet if you do lots of short trips. There are several Optimas available and the 34/78 comes the closest to our battery in output. And it is the largest Optima at 10" X 6 7/8" X 7 13/16" high. I would be interested in any feedback from someone who has installed an Optima and which one (including length of time you've had it).

W0n6_3d4n

How much is the largest Optima??

mig888

Hey guys, some great news on this topic. My affiliation with CarLab must have its benefits, including same-day research and development on this subject. As of right now we just finished an Optima red-top transplant and are working on custom brackets and hold-down plates. I've documented the whole process as well so pictures will be coming asap. Sit tight, project will be finished tonight . Additional comments soon!

flip

edit: just FYI, we are using the suggested Optima 34/78 model above.

mig888

After nearly an hour of design and fab, CarLAB's solution to an optima battery tie down is below . Enjoy!

Production:


Installed:


Note: NO drilling through the chassis is required. Your thoughts? Process went very smoothly and the battery started right up.

flip

W0n6_3d4n

I would want the braces that hold the battery down to be fully insulated, other than that it's excellent, the terminal location seems to be easier to work with compare to stock.

mig888

Oh, forgot to mention a few things about the physical optima battery. In the second picture, near the terminals, the "circles" are actually about 2mm above the surface of where this battery brace goes across. The battery brace itself is nearly 2mm in thickness, so it can't even physically move any closer to that (+) terminal. Realize also that the carlab vinyl was also chosen to be placed on/near the (+) terminal end of the brace(where any "action" can take place...) IF the assembly moved and I assure you it won't, just tighten things accordingly.

And yes , the terminal location is now ridiculously easy to work with. Removal of the stock battery was a real PITA as well haha.

flip

W0n6_3d4n

Good to hear, how much is that optima battery??

SUNILP

those batteries usually run around 140 dollars.

drexappeal

Just wanted to bump this because it is a very useful thread and also wanted to find out why Red top seems to be the battery of choice over yellow or blue top.

From what I've read, yellow and blue top batteries are good when the car sits at rest and the engine is not started. And with all the electricals on MB's, wouldn't a yellow or blue top be better?

For those that are knowledgable, please explain what the difference would be, please chime in.