SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: CTEK 3300 vs. BatteryMINDer 1510
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,040
Likes: 125
From: Atlanta Metro
Current: C217 V12TT AMG Previously: C55 AMG, SL65 AMG
CTEK 3300 vs. BatteryMINDer 1510
I've been thinking about getting a battery maintainer for the SL since I only drive it one day a week and I know the SL has lots of electronics and pumps running all the time...
I currently have a Battery Tender Plus for another car, but when going to buy another one it looks like there are a few concerns from the newer units failing. I'm also not a fan of constantly having this little "box" sitting on my floor that I feel like I'm going to step on all the time. I did hook up my BTP for a day to the SL, and it stayed red the whole time - it never went to float mode and the unit stayed hot. So I'm assuming something wasn't liking each other, or the drain on the battery is higher than the tender can provide. Not sure.
CTEK 3300 seems to be the MB OEM option and has good reviews. The BatteryMINDer 1500/1510 doesn't seem to show up too often here on MB's, but does seem to have good reviews.
Any of you guys running either of these units?
I currently have a Battery Tender Plus for another car, but when going to buy another one it looks like there are a few concerns from the newer units failing. I'm also not a fan of constantly having this little "box" sitting on my floor that I feel like I'm going to step on all the time. I did hook up my BTP for a day to the SL, and it stayed red the whole time - it never went to float mode and the unit stayed hot. So I'm assuming something wasn't liking each other, or the drain on the battery is higher than the tender can provide. Not sure.
CTEK 3300 seems to be the MB OEM option and has good reviews. The BatteryMINDer 1500/1510 doesn't seem to show up too often here on MB's, but does seem to have good reviews.
Any of you guys running either of these units?
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
2009 SL63
while it's not the model your looking at, i'm using the CTEK Multi US 7002. been very happy with it, keeps my battery charged when i'm away (sometimes months at a time), reverse polarity protection (i accidentally reversed the connection, the CTEK let me know there was a "Fault") and the power & connection cords are long.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 306
Likes: 19
From: West Chester, PA - USA
2003 SL55 AMG
Have several maintainers for other cars, but a CTek for the SL55. The Absorptive Glass Mat batteries seem to be particularly sensitive to maintainers - and the CTek does a good job on my nearly new battery.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,040
Likes: 125
From: Atlanta Metro
Current: C217 V12TT AMG Previously: C55 AMG, SL65 AMG
I ended up buying the CTEK 3300 unit since it was the OEM MB supplier. How do you guys leave yours connected? Just feed the wire over the trunk seal and crunch it? Constant pinching of the wire may not be a good thing?
