[W126 Coupe] Battery for 560

[Dan Landiss]

Robert, as I interpolate the chart for hybrid batteries, at 12°C a 
charging voltage of 14.5 - 14.9 VDC would be appropriate. 14.0 VDC would 
be the minimum -- at 60°C (battery temperature)! Unfortunately I doubt 
that your battery supplier knows the charging details.

The slight amount of silver reported to be in Optima batteries does not 
seem to change the hybrid-chemistry recommendations.

Note that my "1988 300TE charging at about 13.9 volts has frequent 
battery problems, while a 1991 560SEC which charges at about 14.1 volts 
has caused little trouble."

Nice scope!

on 5/3/2011 10:00 AM Robert Karl Stonjek wrote:

> Thanks, Dan,

> I just ran a test using a Fluke Scopemeter and the charging voltage 

> from cold (12°C outside) it is charging at just under 14V dropping to 

> 8.55 during cranking (charged the battery yesterday).

> Here's the printout from the Scopemeter.  The unit was connected when 

> the engine was off, then the engine started (the dip), then revved a 

> bit (the peak), then all lights on and finally switched off (the 

> trough at the end).

> The battery I'm looking at does not have any silver in it that I am 

> aware of.

> I'll retest it after a run (when the underhood temperature is higher).

> I'll check with the battery supplier as to the right charging voltage 

> for the battery I've selected.

> BTW Interstate batteries are not available locally, but when I was 

> researching UPS (sealed lead-acid) batteries I discovered that almost 

> none of the brands manufacture batteries themselves.  The location of 

> the manufacture of the batteries seemed to be the biggest determinant 

> eg Taiwanese good, Chinese bad (for 'CBS' brand UPS batteries).

> Robert

>

> I concur with the others that Interstate batteries are just fine. Have 

> you considered that the problem may be the charging system, not the 

> batteries? The required charging voltage varies with temperature, but 

> from a 0°C cold start 14.5 to 15.o VDC is not excessive. As under-hood 

> temperatures rise that should fall to around 14 VDC.

>

> Charts here: <http://landiss.com/battery.htm>.

>

> The voltage regulator for your Bosch alternator is part of the brush 

> assembly and can be separately replaced. You should be able to find 

> one rated at the correct charging voltage. Owners of Escort radar 

> detectors might note that your display can often be switched to read 

> battery voltage.

>

> on 5/3/2011 1:05 AM Robert Karl Stonjek wrote:

>> What's the best battery for a 560SEC (euro, higher compression)?

>> The last two batteries in my car do not appear to have been adequate, 

>> the original (on purchase) being Bosch BDIW65I with CCA of 550 and RC 

>> of 105.  That battery was hopeless.

>> I had it replaced with a Century DIN 85L with CCA of 600 and RC of 

>> 135.  This is a bigger battery but it only lasted 5 years and is now 

>> gone, but it never really cranked the motor over fast enough in my 

>> opinion.

>> The owner's manual suggests a 91A/h battery.

>> Online battery selectors suggest DIN 88 or DIN 100.  The battery 

>> should be no more than 350*175mm by my measurement.  It could be 

>> taller than 175 (current battery height), but no more than around 200mm.

>> Batteries I've seen online include the Federal 649MF (900CCA, 100A/h, 

>> DIN95) but they are hard to get and expensive in Oz.

>> The Dekor 58515 (DIN88L) looks good (CCA 750, RC 165) but it is 

>> expensive ($70 more than the battery I last purchased plus I have to 

>> pay freight of $50 to get down to where I live ie it is not available 

>> locally).  This is a 'maintenance free' battery.

>> The main physical difference between DIN88 and DIN100 is 19 verses 21 

>> plate construction (outside dimensions can be the same depending on 

>> manufacturer).

>> It looks like DIN100 is the best option, but what brand and where can 

>> you get them from (in Oz).  I suppose the low compression cars (9:1) 

>> don't have so much of a problem with cold cranking (CCA) as the 

>> higher compression (10:1) euro version.

>> And another problem you probably don't have ~ hitting kangaroos.  I 

>> hit one at 140kph a few days ago.  It hit on the lower right hand 

>> (driver's) side bending the bumper bar and destroying the fog lamp 

>> but doing no other significant damage.  The roo was killed outright 

>> and was in very messy condition.  Had I been going slower it would 

>> have had time to put in another hop and would have been caught right 

>> in the middle of my grill, probably leaving the car undrivable and 

>> very expensively damaged.

>> Not quite sure how I'm going to straighten the bumper (is bent 

>> downward, maybe a couple of cm ie an inch).

>> Robert

>>

>>

>> The MB Coupes Website!

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>> Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.

>

> -- 

>

> ######################################################################

> Men stumble over the truth from time to time, but most pick themselves

> up and hurry off as if nothing happened.       --Sir Winston Churchill

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>

>

> The MB Coupes Website!

> W126 SEC Mailing List

> Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.


-- 

######################################################################
Men stumble over the truth from time to time, but most pick themselves
up and hurry off as if nothing happened.       --Sir Winston Churchill
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