Recommend me a trickle charger
02-19-2023, 04:02 PM
#1
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SLC300
Recommend me a trickle charger
I drive an SLC 300 roadster. It's a fair weather car, so there are periods when it sits garaged. The battery charge drops over time and sometimes it's very hard starting.
I want something that I can clip to the pos terminal under the hood and the neg post on the chassis. This car doesn't have a dedicated port.
Is there a charger device that you can recommend that is compatible with my vehicle? CTEK seems to be a popular brand. Is there one for me?
I want something that I can clip to the pos terminal under the hood and the neg post on the chassis. This car doesn't have a dedicated port.
Is there a charger device that you can recommend that is compatible with my vehicle? CTEK seems to be a popular brand. Is there one for me?
02-20-2023, 12:00 PM
#3
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SLC300
Looks like they don't make the #1 anymore. #2 seems to be the next version.
Bonus question: without taking apart the stuff on top of it to look, how do I know whether my battery is AGM or not?
Model year 2019 SLC300 4 cylinder
Bonus question: without taking apart the stuff on top of it to look, how do I know whether my battery is AGM or not?
Model year 2019 SLC300 4 cylinder
02-20-2023, 02:55 PM
#4
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My 2019 has AGM.
If the 1 amp is not sold any more, the 2 amp should be fine.
I am impressed with the 1 amp so I bought a 5x2 for my boat, works good too, no error codes, all good.
02-22-2023, 02:44 PM
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I opened the battery cover tray and looked. Yeah, it's a Varta brand AGM battery with the MB logo on it.
I was going to spring for the Noco 2, but it got ripped in an Amazon review for its documentation. Apparently, the device works well when you can figure it out, but many buyers have returned it because the manual leaves out crucial points about how to use it. For example, to use Force mode, you have to disconnect from the battery before selecting that mode, and then reconnect. While every other mode can be selected while connected.
That might be a quibble, but I tend not to reward companies with my business when they can't provide intuitive, validated user manuals and technical documentation.
Now I think I'll get one of the CTEK models. MB's branded one is a CTEK device under the label.
I was going to spring for the Noco 2, but it got ripped in an Amazon review for its documentation. Apparently, the device works well when you can figure it out, but many buyers have returned it because the manual leaves out crucial points about how to use it. For example, to use Force mode, you have to disconnect from the battery before selecting that mode, and then reconnect. While every other mode can be selected while connected.
That might be a quibble, but I tend not to reward companies with my business when they can't provide intuitive, validated user manuals and technical documentation.
Now I think I'll get one of the CTEK models. MB's branded one is a CTEK device under the label.
02-22-2023, 02:52 PM
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2019 C63CS
These guys used to sell the OEM CTEK chargers w/o the OEM logo, now it looks like they are rebranded CTEK chargers. I honestly just ended up buying one for like $50 at Autozone. Supports AGM. Some of these trickle chargers seem to be glorified pieces at double the price doing the same job.
https://www.juicemyride.com/collecti...del-all-models
https://www.juicemyride.com/collecti...del-all-models
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03-24-2023, 06:13 PM
#9
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Well, I gave NoCo a break on their documentation and I did get the NoCo 2.
Works well. The battery leads are connected to the alligator clips with screws. I removed them and found that the leads have round copper washer connectors with holes that match the bolts that tighten the battery post clamps. Took off the nuts, attached the leads, retighten, and done. There's enough free lead to get it outside the battery housing where it can rest while driving. The connector has a nice tight cap with clip that keeps it clean. When back at the garage, pop the hood, snake the charger end lead under the windshield edge into the engine compartment, open the caps, and connect. It restarts in the same mode as last used (AGM).
I also double click to lock with the fob when I get home, which turns off keyless go. So the car and the fob are no longer burning battery handshaking all the time.
So, fully charged battery all the time.
Works well. The battery leads are connected to the alligator clips with screws. I removed them and found that the leads have round copper washer connectors with holes that match the bolts that tighten the battery post clamps. Took off the nuts, attached the leads, retighten, and done. There's enough free lead to get it outside the battery housing where it can rest while driving. The connector has a nice tight cap with clip that keeps it clean. When back at the garage, pop the hood, snake the charger end lead under the windshield edge into the engine compartment, open the caps, and connect. It restarts in the same mode as last used (AGM).
I also double click to lock with the fob when I get home, which turns off keyless go. So the car and the fob are no longer burning battery handshaking all the time.
So, fully charged battery all the time.
