R230 SL not enough charge getting to the front battery

[JohnMurdock]

I have been told by a specialist there’s not enough charge getting through to the front battery on my 2004 SL and a new battery control module could possibly fix it. I hardly use the car and replaced the batteries at the same time I want to avoid replacing the battery control module since it’s hard to find a replacement. It’s seems to have some life in it as well. Any advice on what to do I was thinking of buying a CTEK trickle charge but are there any guides of hooking it up so I don’t cause electrical damage to the car? Do I hook up at the front or back?

 

[whitenemesis]

What symptoms are you experiencing? The front battery is only concerned with starting the engine. Does the car start ok?
If you don't use the car much then the CTEK is a good idea. One can simply connect directly to either of the batteries but keep in mind they are not normally electrically connected and one would need to charge each independently. Once the front battery is fully charged connect to the rear and leave on trickle charge in between drives.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

The R230’s a lovely thing. I’m trying not to buy my third just now…. (Instead of an EV runaround)

But…. they all struggle to hold charge if only used occasionally. Use one every other weekend for just a short hop to the pub and you’ll get the warning messages for low charge. Leave it for 2-3 months and it could be flat.

The solution is to use it. A longer run will be enough, or use a charger or CTEK conditioner to top it up occasionally, especially before or after winter.

 

[pioneercollector]

I have noticed that they consumer ( Boot battery ) really needs a run at least every three weeks to keep it in tip top charge - In the winter, if the weather is OK, I tend to bring her down from the lock up and charge her for a few days on a trickle charger ( I am not taking her out on the salt lake we call roads here! )
I have not power in my lock up, but it is really dry ..... I could always sell all my bikes and keep her at home ..... Hmmmm .... Nah