SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: Consumer battery question

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Old 08-06-2018, 08:42 PM
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'92 500E, '07 SL550
Consumer battery question

2007 SL550. I've owned it 6-8 months. Per records, current trunk battery placed 4/2013.
I use an Optima 400 charger and have it showing 100% up till recently. When I turn it on and do pre-check it says that battery is 100% charged. I start the charging cycle and it only gets up to 80% now. Twice, after a few days of charging, it switches to a fault message, telling the the battery cannot be charged. If I turn it off, clear it and restart it the same sequence occurs. I haven't driven car since this started a couple weeks ago, so don't know if any battery messages are showing on the dash.
Do I need a new consumer battery?
Thanks. Bill
Old 08-07-2018, 12:11 AM
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At 8+ years old, yes, I'd replace the battery.
Old 08-07-2018, 02:40 PM
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2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
Rudeney probably meant 5+ years))

But any way even 5 years is a decent period of time for any given battery. If you want to be 100% sure that is a dying battery - try to use another charger. I had that happening to me - bought a "decent" charger for about $70 or so. Thought is a good one until had to charge a dead battery. Then I paid the $150 for a Ctek (read "MB" at the dealer) and I'm a happy camper now. Works better than any other I tested so far and never let me down.

Regards.
Old 08-07-2018, 09:28 PM
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5 years, 8 years, what's the difference? (Well three years, obviously! ) For some reason, my eyes saw "2013" and my brain read "2010". Probably too much Scotch. Still, 5 years is getting into EOL for a car battery. Do make sure that you don't have anything draining it, though. For example, a leaky pneumatic trunk latch can cause the PSE pump to run.
Old 08-07-2018, 09:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Rudeney
5 years, 8 years, what's the difference? (Well three years, obviously! ) For some reason, my eyes saw "2013" and my brain read "2010". Probably too much Scotch. Still, 5 years is getting into EOL for a car battery. Do make sure that you don't have anything draining it, though. For example, a leaky pneumatic trunk latch can cause the PSE pump to run.

Yeah, 5 years is pushing it for any battery.
Old 08-08-2018, 11:08 AM
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Thanks for the input, guys. Bill

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