What battery maintainer to buy
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 154
Likes: 7
From: Walnut Creek, CA
2018 Macan, 2018 Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, 2024 G63
What battery maintainer to buy
I will be away for 3-4 weeks and was thinking of getting a battery maintainer to keep the car battery fresh.
Any recommendations for make/ model/ type?
Any recommendations for make/ model/ type?
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 47
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E550
I have had very good luck with BatteryMinder:
http://www.batterymart.com/p-battery...y-charger.html
However, I am not sure if it is safe to connect it with the battery in the car. The BatteryMinder folks seems to think it is, if the battery is already charged. However, the MB manual says not to connect anything to the battery while it is connected to the car.
Honestly, I doubt it would cause a problem.
http://www.batterymart.com/p-battery...y-charger.html
However, I am not sure if it is safe to connect it with the battery in the car. The BatteryMinder folks seems to think it is, if the battery is already charged. However, the MB manual says not to connect anything to the battery while it is connected to the car.
Honestly, I doubt it would cause a problem.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 429
Likes: 1
From: New York Area
'14 E350 wagon; BMW G12 (2020) G01 (2019)
I use a Battery Tender Jr. for a car (Audi) that is garaged but used very infrerquently (weeks between uses). It trickle charges; has a quick connect between the crager and the battery, both alligator and ring connectors (the latter if you want to leave the battery side wires connected between uses. It works very well.
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 75
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From: NW Chiburb
04 E500
I've been using a Battery Minder Plus
http://tinyurl.com/2y5fnb
It will handle up to 5 batteries, so I bought two extra lug harnesses
http://www.batterymart.com/p-12-volt-lug-harness.html
found a 2-Conductor Automotive DC Accessory Cable at Radio Shack
http://tinyurl.com/2ym7k5
cut the accessory cable in the middle, and crimp spliced the ends (connecting the two shielded jack sides of the plugs to each other) to a length of zip cord long enough to go from the battery of one car to the battery of the other in the garage.
I have two lug harnesses on the battery of the first car (one harness comes with the Battery Minder) and one on the second car. So I can now plug the Battery Minder into one harness on the first car, run the zip cord from the second harness on the first car to the harness on the second car, and keep both batteries charged up at the same time. As long as both car's batteries are about the same voltage, there won't be a problem when you make the connection.
I've used it on trips of up to a month over the past three years, including as recently as a trip we returned from just last week. I'm sure there are other ways to do it, but this has worked well for me, and I'm satisfied with it.
Dan
P.S. Just noticed you got a reply from Joelaff while I was working on this. As noted, I've had no problems connecting the Batteryminder while the battery is in the car. It only puts out 1.3 amps, so unless the battery is completely flat with an dead cell, I don't see how it could feed back anything into the car's electrical system. Anyway, another vote for the Batteryminder.
http://tinyurl.com/2y5fnb
It will handle up to 5 batteries, so I bought two extra lug harnesses
http://www.batterymart.com/p-12-volt-lug-harness.html
found a 2-Conductor Automotive DC Accessory Cable at Radio Shack
http://tinyurl.com/2ym7k5
cut the accessory cable in the middle, and crimp spliced the ends (connecting the two shielded jack sides of the plugs to each other) to a length of zip cord long enough to go from the battery of one car to the battery of the other in the garage.
I have two lug harnesses on the battery of the first car (one harness comes with the Battery Minder) and one on the second car. So I can now plug the Battery Minder into one harness on the first car, run the zip cord from the second harness on the first car to the harness on the second car, and keep both batteries charged up at the same time. As long as both car's batteries are about the same voltage, there won't be a problem when you make the connection.
I've used it on trips of up to a month over the past three years, including as recently as a trip we returned from just last week. I'm sure there are other ways to do it, but this has worked well for me, and I'm satisfied with it.
Dan
P.S. Just noticed you got a reply from Joelaff while I was working on this. As noted, I've had no problems connecting the Batteryminder while the battery is in the car. It only puts out 1.3 amps, so unless the battery is completely flat with an dead cell, I don't see how it could feed back anything into the car's electrical system. Anyway, another vote for the Batteryminder.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
2004 E500 Wagon 4Matic
I think my uncle has this:
http://www.autobarn.net/vec080.html
to keep his Porsche charged. He just plugs it into the cigarette lighter socket. So, no need to get under the hood looking for the actual battery.
jim
http://www.autobarn.net/vec080.html
to keep his Porsche charged. He just plugs it into the cigarette lighter socket. So, no need to get under the hood looking for the actual battery.
jim
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 154
Likes: 7
From: Walnut Creek, CA
2018 Macan, 2018 Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, 2024 G63
I guess I would go with battery minder plus.
As I am new to all this, can any of the battery minder users shed some light on the usage process.
-What battery will it connect to - the one in the trunk?
- Any precautions that I should take.
I had got both my batteries replaced a month back when I was in for servicing as both of them failed the battery test (at least this is what the SA said). And would not want to go through this again when I come back from my trip.
Thanks for the replies.
As I am new to all this, can any of the battery minder users shed some light on the usage process.
-What battery will it connect to - the one in the trunk?
- Any precautions that I should take.
I had got both my batteries replaced a month back when I was in for servicing as both of them failed the battery test (at least this is what the SA said). And would not want to go through this again when I come back from my trip.
Thanks for the replies.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 723
Likes: 32
From: Central Jersey
2003 E500, 2004 G35X
Unless you live in a much colder climate than where you are now, it is really not necessary for you, especially you have new batteries. I have been away for more than 3 weeks in Jersey in December and the batteries were fine when I got back. Of course, the cars were in the garage, not heated just insulated. My 2 cents.
Last edited by Flash Gordon; Nov 15, 2007 at 04:38 PM.
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
4
weeks,unless you are sure your system has no ground leaks in the wire system,and most cars do.4 weeks may run the battery down which shortens life and if down low enough you loose all the settings.
Any good 2amp trickle charger with overcharge protection will do,and just hook it up to the underhood jump terminal and a good ground.
go and enjoy the trip
costco
sears
etc.
just make sure the key is out of the ignition,while on maint charge or any time you need to charge the battery.
Any good 2amp trickle charger with overcharge protection will do,and just hook it up to the underhood jump terminal and a good ground.
go and enjoy the trip
costco
sears
etc.
just make sure the key is out of the ignition,while on maint charge or any time you need to charge the battery.
Last edited by ohlord; Nov 15, 2007 at 04:49 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 47
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E550
Allowing a car battery to discharge, or sit without a full charge is quite bad for it. This can lead to sulphation on the plates, which reduces the power output. So, yes, it is best to stick it on a trickle charger, like the BatteryMinder, etc.
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 242
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From: NJ, USA
2004 E500 4matic
How about just disconnecting the negative terminal from the battery. shouldn't the battery hold the charge for a month? I remember I was away for 2 months playing soldier and I removed both terminals and tape them up. when I got back I just reconnect the terminals and the car was good
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: NW Chiburb
04 E500
I guess I would go with battery minder plus.
As I am new to all this, can any of the battery minder users shed some light on the usage process.
-What battery will it connect to - the one in the trunk?
- Any precautions that I should take.
I had got both my batteries replaced a month back when I was in for servicing as both of them failed the battery test (at least this is what the SA said). And would not want to go through this again when I come back from my trip.
Thanks for the replies.
As I am new to all this, can any of the battery minder users shed some light on the usage process.
-What battery will it connect to - the one in the trunk?
- Any precautions that I should take.
I had got both my batteries replaced a month back when I was in for servicing as both of them failed the battery test (at least this is what the SA said). And would not want to go through this again when I come back from my trip.
Thanks for the replies.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 17
From: San Jose, CA
2007 E63 w/P30 and Eurotech CF Diffuser
http://www.pulsetech.com/
These guys have some extremely good patented technology for treating your battery right. Most of their business is military contracts.
These guys have some extremely good patented technology for treating your battery right. Most of their business is military contracts.
