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I have a 2018 C 63S cabriolet. The car will be sitting for approximately two months and I wanted to get a trickle charger for the car. I called Mercedes and they told me not to hook up a charger to the battery directly, but look inside some panel in the engine. They also said there is a special charger made for this car costing $139. What I wanted to know is, is this Mercedes charger anything special, or is it basically just a Mercedes branded trickle charger for a whole lot more money?
Thank you
Yes, there are terminals in the engine bay to hook the charger up to. The OEM charger is the following CTEK. If you can get it for $139 than that's actually cheaper than the one w/o the logo. It's an excellent charger, but any trickle charger that supports AGM batteries will do. I just bought one at a local auto store for like $70 or something like that. I bought it for my previous car before I went to Europe for 2 months to pick up my C63S. Kinda realized last minute that I should probably put it on a trickle charger for that long. The charger has come in handy during the pandemic to keep the batteries charged in both of our cars.
My car sits quite a bit and I sometimes get the Mercedes Me app message "12v battery low - go drive for 40 mins or hook up a charger" -- I've had good success with "Battery Tender" brand charger / maintainers, you can check them out here: Battery Tender
Any of the high-rated chargers will work. I've purchased 2 (because my GTR has a Lithium battery) and have used both on a C43 and C63 S:
NOCO Genius (I have the 10-amp version)
Schumacher (I have a 5-yr old 15-amp version with no support for Lithium batteries)
I purchased both of mine via Amazon.
I bought the Schumacher charger because I noticed that it was the same as the (rebranded) charger that was being used on the cars in my dealer's showroom. It's been a reliable charger. Newer versions now exist.
The GTR also comes with a rebranded CTEK charger (4-amp, IIRC) ... didn't know that when I purchased the NOCO, but it worked out because I now have 1 charger for each of the 2 garage positions in which the GTR gets parked.
All of these chargers will bring the battery up to full charge then switch into a maintenance-mode charge.
During these pandemic times, we've gotten into the habit of connecting the charger if the car isn't going to be driven for a couple of days. A bit of a bother, but helps extend the life of the battery (which is rather pricey on the GTR). The GTR is easiest because it has a power/charger socket in the rear hatch area.
*****I use NOCO Genius chargers on several of my cars that sit, including my C63s now due to our snowy weather. The NOCO Genius chargers work well, and can be left on the car indefinitely. They are smart chargers and go into maintenance mode once the battery is charged. I rigged up quick connect plugs that are fused for safety on all of my cars that sit so I don't have to leave the hood open, or even open it at all to hook up the charger. The NOCO male end coming from the charger just snaps into the female end on the car, and the female end has a nice cover on it when not being used to keep dirt/water/etc.. out of it. Works really well.
*****I use NOCO Genius chargers on several of my cars that sit, including my C63s now due to our snowy weather. The NOCO Genius chargers work well, and can be left on the car indefinitely. They are smart chargers and go into maintenance mode once the battery is charged. I rigged up quick connect plugs that are fused for safety on all of my cars that sit so I don't have to leave the hood open, or even open it at all to hook up the charger. The NOCO male end coming from the charger just snaps into the female end on the car, and the female end has a nice cover on it when not being used to keep dirt/water/etc.. out of it. Works really well.
The CTEC charger I got for my motorcycle came with this option for connecting to the battery and it makes it incredibly hassle free to keep the battery charged up. If you have a vehicle you don't drive much, I would recommend using something like this to make your life easy.
The CTEC charger I got for my motorcycle came with this option for connecting to the battery and it makes it incredibly hassle free to keep the battery charged up. If you have a vehicle you don't drive much, I would recommend using something like this to make your life easy.
****Yea. I use those M10 Eyelet kits from NoCo because they are fused, and fit the NoCo chargers which I use on all of my garage queen cars, which generally only come out on sunny days. Years ago, I used to pop the hoods up every couple of weeks and connect a charger, etc... Realized life is too short, and my C63s was *super* easy to mount those eyelets on. You only need one M10 nut, and for ground just use one of the accessory grounds that already have a couple of other wires on them already, with its own nut already there... The positive terminal is protected by the plastic bonnet on the positive terminal in the engine compartment. I ran the plug to come out discretely from the back of the hood and it folds out of the way neatly, is basically not visible and is sealed with a protective cap. It's so easy to hook up the smart charger now, no popping the hood, etc.. Just flip the cap, and plug in - done in 5 secs.
Looking for a trickle charger for my 2019 Mercedes C63s. Something that I can plug in during the winter months that can keep the battery charged up in good health. Do the Pre Facelift vs Facelift have the same batteries or are they different? Here is what I found on amazon which ones would you guys recommend if any?
Looking for a trickle charger for my 2019 Mercedes C63s. Something that I can plug in during the winter months that can keep the battery charged up in good health. Do the Pre Facelift vs Facelift have the same batteries or are they different? Here is what I found on amazon which ones would you guys recommend if any?
I have this exact one for my 2017 C63 and it has worked without any issues. I do not believe there are any differences with the battery of the pre facelift and facelift cars, but cannot say for certain.
I've bought 3 Battery tender chargers and they work great. I know MB says not to hook it to the battery directly, but I installed the ring terminals and it has been good for the past 2 years
I've bought 3 Battery tender chargers and they work great. I know MB says not to hook it to the battery directly, but I installed the ring terminals and it has been good for the past 2 years
Likewise I’ve connected straight to battery and have had no issues.
I don’t personally trickle charge that often - maybe once a month or so but no issues here using a Noco.
Ok extremely dumb question lol. I have the CTEK charger but when I connect the positive clamp to the terminal once the hood is lowered it unhooks itself. I have tried clamping it in various positions but its always the same. Do you guys have some special clamp or something that holds the hood up full time? Thanks
I ended up getting one of the NOCO chargers and just leave the hood open. When I tried closing the hood with everything hooked up it was an issue like the one your having. Next option is to hook it up to the battery in the trunk but some say its not recommended by Mercedes.
Ok extremely dumb question lol. I have the CTEK charger but when I connect the positive clamp to the terminal once the hood is lowered it unhooks itself. I have tried clamping it in various positions but its always the same. Do you guys have some special clamp or something that holds the hood up full time? Thanks
Not a dumb question at all. U have to angle the clip on the positive/red terminal before closing the hood. I then use a small box right where the spring clamp is supposed to engage and close. The box props it open ever so slightly and hood stays partially open. Here's a pic to see.
I can send a close up pic tonight when I get home if needed of what kind of box I use as well. Let me know.
Ok extremely dumb question lol. I have the CTEK charger but when I connect the positive clamp to the terminal once the hood is lowered it unhooks itself. I have tried clamping it in various positions but its always the same. Do you guys have some special clamp or something that holds the hood up full time? Thanks
Haven't had an issue. I fold the cover over completely flat, then make sure that the clamp is flat as well and lower the hood to the first latch position. It stays there on its own w/o any need of a prop.
Not a dumb question at all. U have to angle the clip on the positive/red terminal before closing the hood. I then use a small box right where the spring clamp is supposed to engage and close. The box props it open ever so slightly and hood stays partially open. Here's a pic to see.
I can send a close up pic tonight when I get home if needed of what kind of box I use as well. Let me know.
Nice garage. Are you gonna repaint the wall if you switch to a different brand?
I ended up getting one of the NOCO chargers and just leave the hood open. When I tried closing the hood with everything hooked up it was an issue like the one your having. Next option is to hook it up to the battery in the trunk but some say its not recommended by Mercedes.
How long did it take for the hood to settle? I know it won't just drop and slam down on top but in my experience all these hood struts eventually just give out and lose pressure so they will start to decline and you have to go back and prop it up again.
Not a dumb question at all. U have to angle the clip on the positive/red terminal before closing the hood. I then use a small box right where the spring clamp is supposed to engage and close. The box props it open ever so slightly and hood stays partially open. Here's a pic to see.
I can send a close up pic tonight when I get home if needed of what kind of box I use as well. Let me know.
Nice garage! Mind posting a pic of the box and location? haha
I just put the hood into the service position and leave it up. On the driver's side strut you'll see a place to press in which will allow the hood to open all the way up to the next level where it'll snap into place.
I just put the hood into the service position and leave it up. On the driver's side strut you'll see a place to press in which will allow the hood to open all the way up to the next level where it'll snap into place.
Oh nice tip! Might try that tonight! Thanks for the suggestion.
I just put the hood into the service position and leave it up. On the driver's side strut you'll see a place to press in which will allow the hood to open all the way up to the next level where it'll snap into place.
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