Not being used

[paul73mt]

Sorry for not a lot on talk in here but new job etc etc time just flys.
Hadn’t used the car for about 5/6 weeks ( I’m doing around 300miles every 3months) so as you can tell it’s not doing a lot. Anyway the question is I used it last weekend first time for 5/6weeks Was slow to turn over but did start and drove for 160miles (lots of motorway driving ) but the eco light didn’t turn to green. Have used the car today and the eco light still orange and EML is on now I’m not sure if it was on last time I used it. Checked the codes and have:-
U012087, U010687 and P0C1C13 ( see attached photo for description) could this be that the car just needs to be put on a trickle charger over the winter ?

 

[paulr2006]

A member recently had an issue whereby he left the car (Relatively new) for 5 weeks & it screwed the Battery, MB would not cover it under warranty due to the 5 week non use which had screwed the battery. I would highly recommend you use something like a Ctec charger on a regular basis (Can be left connected on a semi permanent basis).

 

[paul73mt]

A member recently had an issue whereby he left the car (Relatively new) for 5 weeks & it screwed the Battery, MB would not cover it under warranty due to the 5 week non use which had screwed the battery. I would highly recommend you use something like a Ctec charger on a regular basis (Can be left connected on a semi permanent basis).

Thanks for the reply I’m hoping it just needs a good condition of the battery. Have cleared the faults and one said would clear after 40 starts but way things going this would take over a year

 

[DeltaD]

A member recently had an issue whereby he left the car (Relatively new) for 5 weeks & it screwed the Battery, MB would not cover it under warranty due to the 5 week non use which had screwed the battery. I would highly recommend you use something like a Ctec charger on a regular basis (Can be left connected on a semi permanent basis).

Hello. I am going away for a couple of months and noticed your ctek recommendation, would it be ok connected for that length of time?

 

[190]

The main thing is to start out with fully charged battery and don't assume that driving will necessarily keep that way. If a battery is severely discharged it takes a long time to reach full charge again, perhaps as long as 2 days on a small trickle charger.

 

[DeltaD]

The main thing is to start out with fully charged battery and don't assume that driving will necessarily keep that way. If a battery is severely discharged it takes a long time to reach full charge again, perhaps as long as 2 days on a small trickle charger.

Yes got that thanks, The battery is fully charged but will be left for a couple of months. Just wondered if the ctek would not set fire to anything if left charging for that length of time. I have it permanently charging my Rapido MH start battery, but I'm here with that alongside the house. Its the thought of being left to its own devices that is the concern. Cheers

 

[190]

Many people do leave Cteks connected for months on end without problems. There would have to be a fault occur such that the charging voltage increased above the float level for it to be an issue.

 

[DeltaD]

Many people do leave Cteks connected for months on end without problems. There would have to be a fault occur such that the charging voltage increased above the float level for it to be an issue.

Hoped that would be the case Thanks, As mentioned I have it on the MH and felt if the charger was warming up at all but thankfully, it wasn't. Its just the thought of leaving it alone for so long.

 

[Deleted member 149005]

Trickle chargers, like ctek and optimate are designed to be left connected for long periods

 

[wongl]

Hoped that would be the case Thanks, As mentioned I have it on the MH and felt if the charger was warming up at all but thankfully, it wasn't. Its just the thought of leaving it alone for so long.

I am one of those that leave my CTEK charger permanently connected to my W205 in the garage in the UK since I spend many months in HK. That said, some users have complained that their CTEK charger fried their batteries and this got me thinking that maybe I should put my CTEK charger on a timer so that it is only powered up once a week for a few hours to prevent it frying my battery should it develops a fault?

 

[DeltaD]

I am one of those that leave my CTEK charger permanently connected to my W205 in the garage in the UK since I spend many months in HK. That said, some users have complained that their CTEK charger fried their batteries and this got me thinking that maybe I should put my CTEK charger on a timer so that it is only powered up once a week for a few hours to prevent it frying my battery should it develops a fault?

It brings into question also of just where is the charge connection made, as a closed boot on a charging battery appears a very bad idea.

 

[wongl]

It brings into question also of just where is the charge connection made, as a closed boot on a charging battery appears a very bad idea.

The battery is in the boot, but it is ventilated from the boot via a tube outside the car. Of course, the car is in a garage - but that is a large space that not completedly sealed off.

 

[BTB 500]

Trickle chargers, like ctek and optimate are designed to be left connected for long periods

Yup, my Accumate charger has been running continuously for 12 years. The SL is always hooked up to it when parked ... must be doing some good as the battery is over 15 years old now!

 

[Deleted member 149005]

It brings into question also of just where is the charge connection made, as a closed boot on a charging battery appears a very bad idea.

As opposed to a closed bonnet?

 

[BTB 500]

a closed boot on a charging battery appears a very bad idea.

That's what you have as soon as the car is started - and it's charged at a much higher current then, too.

 

[190]

When a battery is on float the charging voltage is low enough that the battery won't gas so the concern about enclosed spaces isn't really valid. They are vented outside of the car anyway.

If you want to be scared though, there certainly have been cases where a permanently connected charger malfunctioned, overcharged the battery which eventually exploded and burnt the garage down. Car destroyed as well of course and might also include the house if an integral garage. Extremely rare as that scenario must be, I quite like the idea of the charger being on a timer as wongl mentioned earlier.

I imagine they have been very clever with EV chargers to make sure overcharging can't happen but consider that Lithium ion batteries have caught fire and still face restrictions when carried on aircraft.

 

[Deleted member 149005]

When a battery is on float the charging voltage is low enough that the battery won't gas so the concern about enclosed spaces isn't really valid. They are vented outside of the car anyway.

If you want to be scared though, there certainly have been cases where a permanently connected charger malfunctioned, overcharged the battery which eventually exploded and burnt the garage down. Car destroyed as well of course and might also include the house if an integral garage. Extremely rare as that scenario must be, I quite like the idea of the charger being on a timer as wongl mentioned earlier.

I imagine they have been very clever with EV chargers to make sure overcharging can't happen but consider that Lithium ion batteries have caught fire and still face restrictions when carried on aircraft.

And cars combust for many other reasons (leaking fuel injectors, electrical short circuits..)

Shit happens...

 

[paul73mt]

well its been awhile and had the car on a trickle charger for a couple of weeks battery now shows 12.5v cleared the faults and went for a drive, put some fuel in it and the EML light come back on but the start stop is now turning green and working. checked the fault codes and the same as above, any ideas on where to start or is it just take it to an indy??

 

[wongl]

My EML light came on yesterday after driving my W205 around town (it has been laid up unused with a CTEK charger). MB RAC attended and noted the following fault which they managed to clear using Xentry.

EML light on.
C/o Xentry Short Test.
Current / Stored fault codes in cdi module.
- P200A79 The charge movement flap has a malfunction. The mechanical connection has failed -
Processed f/code. Actuate via Xentry. Ok.

 

[paul73mt]

My EML light came on yesterday after driving my W205 around town (it has been laid up unused with a CTEK charger). MB RAC attended and noted the following fault which they managed to clear using Xentry.

EML light on.
C/o Xentry Short Test.
Current / Stored fault codes in cdi module.
- P200A79 The charge movement flap has a malfunction. The mechanical connection has failed -
Processed f/code. Actuate via Xentry. Ok.

Clear my codes and does stay off but does come back