SLK Battery Jump Starter

[damyers]

Hi There

I dont come on here often so sorry for that - only seem to come on when I have a problem!

My latest is to do with Battery - I have an SLK 55 AMG which because of broken toe have been unable to drive for about 3 weeks now. Just tried to turn her over and the Battery is dead - I am not overly surprised since I know the tracker etc does drain whilst standing so that in itself isnt the issue.

I would like to purchase a 'jump starter' since I dont have a second car and dont want to call out Direct Line every time it happens - problem is I am not sure what to get. The only real mention in the manual is for 14.8 volts but all I can find is 12V jump starters (even tho some are for high perf engines up to 6 litre)

Has anyone any experience of this who could point me at a product? I would want it to be cordless!

Thanks

Dave

 

[kole301]

Just recharge the battery... Borrow a battery for day while recharging yours... SLK are sensitive to jump start... UNDO THE NEGATIVE FIRST AND RECONNECT THE NEGATIVE LAST...

 

[damyers]

Just recharge the battery... Borrow a battery for day while recharging yours... SLK are sensitive to jump start... UNDO THE NEGATIVE FIRST AND RECONNECT THE NEGATIVE LAST...

Ah OK - I would have to buy a battery since I certainly don't know anyone who would have one lying around - just a standard cheapo battery? No particular spec?

When you say Undo the negative first why do I need to undo anything cant I just connect jump leads to the +/- points or have I got it all wrong what you are saying? removing the battery is quite a parlava if thats what you mean!

Thanks by the way!

 

[kole301]

Better not to recharge the battery when it is on the car...
For an SLK the minimum is 74 Ah/680A...
Good Engineering Practice/Batteries/Disconnecting The Battery - L o t u s S e v e n C l u b
Charging a car battery - Google Search
http://www.mpoweruk.com/chargers.htm
http://www.mpoweruk.com/chargers.htmCar battery - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
How to charge your car battery

 

[damyers]

You cannot or better to say you should not recharge the battery when it is on the car... For an SLK the minimum is 74 Ah/680A...
Good Engineering Practice/Batteries/Disconnecting The Battery - L o t u s S e v e n C l u b
Charging a car battery - Google Search

Hmmm - So I cant jump start my car with a flat battery and I cant recharge the battery without removing it - sounds like madness to me but thanks for the advice!

 

[portzy]

I had the same problem with my SLK over the winter while she was sorn'd. I didnt have any problems keeping her on charge with trickle or just toping up with a full charge all whilst the battery was still in situ, this is what I did.

Looking at the engine bay front on, there is a small black box with a red flip top lid just to the left of the cylinder bank, flip the lid and you will see a big copper +ve connector spade. Without turning on your charger attach the +ve cable to this and the -ve cable to a suspension strut nut then turn on your charger and away you go. I made a point of not having any consumers on or ignition on or attempting to start her up when doing this. Finally, when she's fully charged, turn off the charger, remove the cables, flip the red lid back on.

HTH?

Portzy

PS I got one of these: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_270511_langId_-1_categoryId_165629

Quite a good investment ;-) and I dont work for Halfords btw!

 

[damyers]

Thanks

That sounds what I need - only problem is the car is nowhere near mains - do you know of a decent one that you can pre-charge and then leave on the battery?

 

[Stewart Chubb]

I have a similar product and they are excellent, can't you get an extra long extension lead made up?

 

[damyers]

I have a similar product and they are excellent, can't you get an extra long extension lead made up?

I do have an extra long lead but it have would go across the entrance to a car park which all be it private cars do run in and out of there at intervals.

 

[damyers]

Well thanks for the replies all - I have risked getting it jump started and interestingly the following initialy.

1. Stuck in 1st Gear and cant change to manual or sports
2. Power Steering when car not moving fast very heavy

Ran the engine for a few hours and then checked I could start her up again. Checked Assyst and battery now on 12V - is this OK?

Anyways having stopped and started her again all problems 1 & 2 dissapeared and she is back to normal - seems if it is so flat it goes into a kinda 'limited' mode when she comes back up.

Now to think of a trickle charger that doesnt require mains so it doesn't happen again (Agreed a better solution than jump starting it each time). Will do some digging.

Again thanks for the advice although as normal I tend to ignore most of it but at least I knew the risk I was taking! ;-)

Cheers

Dave

 

[kole301]

In normal conditions has to be over 12,6 and when charging (engine running) over 13,8
The battery has to have minimum 12,4 V to crank
11,7 is a flat battery...

 

[damyers]

In normal conditions has to be over 12,6 and when charging (engine running) over 13,8
The battery has to have minimum 12,4 V to crank
11,7 is a flat battery...

Oh - weird - it cranked AOK at 12 (well at least thats what Assyst was saying if you trust that)! Maybe I didnt run it for long enough - will see what happens tomorrow I guess! Thanks!

 

[FazMan]

Why not try Solar panal battery car charger?
Most come with a lead long enough to get it out of the garage if the cars not kept outside.
Worthwhile for those that store cars or use infrequently.

 

[misfire84]

Solar charger is the way to go , I have used them in the past and as long as there is no fault causing the battery to go flat ( seats , can bus problem etc ,) then one of these will be good

 

[damyers]

Thanks Guys

Will investigate the Solar route!

 

[damyers]

Grrrr

Looks like I spoke too soon - drivers side window not working at all now - wont lower and doesn't do the drop down and back on opening and closing door.

Anyone know how to reset the windows on an R171?

Dont think its the fuse since I can hear a click when using the button.

Thanks again!

 

[damyers]

Grrrr

Looks like I spoke too soon - drivers side window not working at all now - wont lower and doesn't do the drop down and back on opening and closing door.

Anyone know how to reset the windows on an R171?

Dont think its the fuse since I can hear a click when using the button.

Thanks again!

Dont worry about the above - took the fuses out for the front windows turned ignition. Stopped and then replaced em (same ones back in) and it now seems fine! Hopefully 'that' is now the last of it!