mtbmtb

just ordered the CTEK Multi US 3300 12V Smart Battery Charger by CTEK Power for $59.95 from amazon and i'm still waiting on delivery of the car. local tech and this board both seem to think i need to charge the Convience battery in the trunk if am not going to be driving on a regular basis.
i've read alot of posts, but still not exactly sure...
can i leave the battery still hooked up while charging or do i need to disconnect it?
do i just hook the alligator clips to the pos then the neg terminals of the battery?
if i have to disconnect it, will i have to reset any codes?
if i can i leave it in the trunk, will the trunk shut or at least lower enough to keep the light from coming on (is there a light in the trunk?) no worries about gasses?
will this charge the front battery too or will i need to swap over and charge it too? i know this is just the starter battery and it should stay charged for a while.
can i just leave it hooked up for a while or should i just charge for a short time and then charge again later?
i will also be using this on my 69 camaro so no problem moving it around. thanks.

ttdang123

Below in >>> is how I used my CTEK FYI.

mtbmtb

thanks, think i may go with the permanent kit like you did.

YamiFanatic

its a relatively cheap option to keep from replacing batteries and worrying about a dead car

i have use them on all my cars that dont get daily driven and the motorcycles

its easy to do and cheap its almost a no brainer

MBSL4me

I've had my 3300 for a couple of years and use it regularly on my Corvette's AGM battery (using the last setting).

I don't know what type of battery the Mercedes brand is so which setting would be best when carging the trunk battery? I'm guessing the 3rd setting (with the picture of a car) but I'd prefer not to guess.

Thanks in advance!

Juan

mtbmtb

from the amazon site:
3 Modes for Flexible Use
The Multi US 3300 is specifically developed for different needs, vehicles and batteries. With this in mind user have a choice between three different modes. The low-current mode (the motorcycle icon) is perfect for smaller 12V batteries such as motorbikes, lawnmowers, jet skies, snowmobiles, etc. The higher current mode (the car icon) is for automotive or marine applications with larger batteries. Finally, an additional winter mode (the snowflake) is specifically aimed at charging and maintenance in cold weather. It is also perfectly suited for Optima Red Top batteries.

so i'm still not sure at firstr i'd guess the car unless you plan to have it on a parked car for an extended period of time, then the snowflake? but after reading more theyt suggest the snowflake for AGM battery. loks like the snowflake remains on longer until it hits a higher voltage

ttdang123

I would use the snow flakes mode only when it is very cold.

I have been using only the "car" mode.

MBSL4me

Thanks guys...

I'm going to try the "car" mode since i don't think the Mercedes battery is AGM...

mtbmtb

i got this from ctek...
Matt Ingram, an employee of CTEK, replied to "2003 mercedes sl 500" a question about CTEK.

If the rear battery in your Mercedes is an AGM (which it usually is) then use the snowflake mode. This mode is specifically designed for AGM batteries.


i also saw this on benz world
see attachment.
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/atta...al-battery.pdfDual Battery.pdf (138.7 KB, 79 views)

MBSL4me

Wow, thanks so much! I'm glad its an AGM and I guess the front's an AGM as well then!

I'll use the "snowflake" setting and report back after charging.

Juan

anjy834u

charging the battery while the car is idle is definitely a wise option. coz usually the battery discharges when the car is at hault for long. if u don't use regular charging the battery's life may get reduced big time. and trust me in the long run it is a cheaper option to. it prohibits a lot of battery related issues which can occur due to a discharged battery.

trimix

Seeing it's winter here in the northeast and most SL are under covers in garages. Do we use the snowflake on the ctek chargers and leave them plug in for the winter on the front as well as the rear batteries?

Trimix

MBSL4me

No, just hook it up on the rear battery only. Again, only connect to the rear (trunk) battery. It will charge both at the same time.

I used the snowflake setting and after about 12 hours of charging I'm good to go!

mtbmtb

i don't think the starting battery (front) is an AGM. it just starts the car so i don't think it has a drain on it like the rear. i am not sure if charging the back will also charge the front? i've seen conflicting posts on this.

jctevere

I replaced my rear aux battery in the trunk becuase I lost all my convenience features. I went to Walmart and got it done with an everstart 48 maxx for around $84. All the convenience functions work now (heated seats, louder radio, etc) and the car can be left for over a week without losing functions.

HOWEVER: I still have the visit workshop for the battery message every startup, and my vaccum pump in the trunk just keeps going and the trunk doesn't pull in. I am thinking maybe they didn't reset something? Is there something I have to disconnect and or reset in the instrument cluster? Any other suggestions?

trimix

MBSL4me,

I thought the the two batteries were independent of each other. I have two ctek charging systems set up in my SL600 (2006). Which may not be the best way to go.

So what you are saying when i am charging the rear battery it will charge the front starter battery as well?

Can anyone else verify?


Trimix

jctevere

I'm in the same boat as you, the two batteries are in fct independent of each other. The front battery has no drain except for starting the car, so there is no need to trickle charge it unless the battery is tired and old and is having trouble starting the car. At which point it would probably be better to just outright replace it thatn try to trickle charge it back to health.

To my knowledge there is no way the rear battery can charge the front battery. Only the alternator does that.

trimix

I think the ctek system will not over charge any battery. it only charges if the battery needs it.

I thought keeping the second charge on the front was an over kill but till the snow melts the car will stay under cover and not be driven.

Trimix

sifis

I replaced the battery in the trunk with an Interstate H6A.One end of the battery vent tubing connects to the 90 deg battery connector.Where does the other end of the vent tubing connect, in order to vent to the outside? It presently lays inside the trunk and I do not seem to be able to locate the connection to vent it to the outside.Thank you.

ffabozzi

I just purchased a 2006 SL500 with 10,800 miles. It appears the battery in the trunk was replaced but the clock will not hold time, the radio defaults to 87.1, and the the top will not go down unless I run the car for 15-20 minutes. I checked the voltage on the battery and it seems ok. Does the battery need to be registered with the system?

I was wrong the battery voltage was 8.1. I ordered the CTEK system. Should I charge the battery with a normal charger first

SL600Mojo

I called Plano MB service and asked for how much to replace Rear (CE battery) and normalize the system. They said $385 for everything.

I went to Autozone asked JP (Sachse Store) how much, and he sold me the Duralast H6 AGM Premium Battery http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...er=319460_0_0_ with 3 year replacement warranty, used his Memory system that plugs into the ODBC to retain all normalization, and personally replaced the battery there in his parking lot. Fit Perfect, works perfect. Nothing lost - and wonderful service.

$150 plus tax and core exchange - all in.

SL600MOJO