Optima battery for E300? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

michakaveli · #1 01-19-2005, 06:29 PM

Hey guys? I was maybe thinking about getting an Optima marine, Blue Top battery for my E300 as my 2 year old Interstate is really getting weaker, leaving the domelight on this past summer for a week obviously didn't help it.

I was thinking the Blue top because:
1. More CCA than the Red Top
2. Can be deep-cycled
3. Available at Costco, which I'm going to in a few minutes...

When comparing the CCA on my current Interstate w/ the Blue Top they were virtually the same and the Optima is smaller and maintainence free with no need for a vent tube..

What you guys think?

pberku · #2 01-19-2005, 06:39 PM

Amongst others, Marine batteries are designed to be deep discharged, (ie: for trolling) and accept a charge differently than a car battery. That's why you will also see battery chargers for sale that are specifically designed for Marine battery applications.

Your Mercedes Charging system was not designed to charge a Marine battery. Stick to a car battery.

Phil

83-240D · #3 01-19-2005, 08:45 PM

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http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/bg/

be sure to read the aboutbatteries.com section. it lists batteries for our cars. couriously there is no battery within 40 miles of me with more than 850cca even tho one is listed.

michakaveli · #4 01-19-2005, 09:25 PM

I ended up picking up a battery at Costco, Kirkland brand that looks to be the same style sna shape as the battery I have now and it lists 900CCA at 0 farenheit and 1000 CCA at 32 farenheit...

Best of all it was $49.99. I'm gonna try it out and see how it runs on it.

The reason I am trying another battery because that last time we had these cold temps it didn't pose as big of a chore to crank the engine. Today I have been letting it glow longer so that it won't have to crank as long to catch. On the third engine rotation she caught with no issue, but it did turn really slow though.

E300D · #5 01-19-2005, 10:31 PM

Hey, are u running an engine block heater?

I got a MB battery, 1 year old with 750CC I believe, it turns over the engine nicely when -22C even without block heater.

I use block heater for 3hrs or so b4 start up just to make it easier for the engine.

rwthomas1 · #6 01-19-2005, 11:19 PM

Thumbs up for Optima red tops! I have two in the work truck. They spin the engine so effortlessly its nothing short of amazing. Not cheap, but quality never is. RT

michakaveli · #7 01-20-2005, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E300D

Hey, are u running an engine block heater?

I got a MB battery, 1 year old with 750CC I believe, it turns over the engine nicely when -22C even without block heater.

I use block heater for 3hrs or so b4 start up just to make it easier for the engine.

I have the block heater but before the recent cold spell I never had to think about relying on it. Previously I remember the coldest ever starting after sitting all day at work was at least 5 farenheit...

#8 01-20-2005, 01:42 AM

I've been told that optima's don't hold up as well in alot of the European cars, but there is onther similar battery on the market that is a little more money that holds up even longer. I can't remember what it is right off hand

pawoSD · #9 01-20-2005, 02:24 AM

I just recently put in a New DieHard, it rocks, I can crank forever if I need to, which is rare...thankfully. My old battery was a geniune MB battery, it did fine in the warmer weather, but the cold weather killed it, it was probably about 5 years old I'd guess.

Rick Miley · #10 01-20-2005, 09:04 AM

No no no no NO!. Optimas don't gas under normal conditions, but that doesn't mean they don't ever gas. Since your battery is located under the back seat, there's a real danger of explosive hydrogen gas building up in that area. And to make it more fun, in case you didn't notice, there's a fuse block right next to the battery!

I've had an Optima red top for about 5 years and used it in 3 different applications. It's currently in the Jetta. I love it, but there's no way I'd put it under my back seat.

I hope the battery you bought at Costco is properly vented.

Hatterasguy · #11 01-20-2005, 09:44 AM

Be carefull with the Kirkland battery's, I had one in my Camry and it leaked acid everywhere. I prefer Interstate they make a good battery.

michakaveli · #12 01-20-2005, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Be carefull with the Kirkland battery's, I had one in my Camry and it leaked acid everywhere. I prefer Interstate they make a good battery.

Ironically I saw a small leak from my Interstate on the side...

Back to the saga... I connected the new battery and heard a blowing type sound from somewhere up front, I ran up front and saw a little smoke from the alternator region and the fuse area.... Disconnected it within 5 seconds of connecting the battery.

I opened the fuse panel and it aired out. I touched the positive "jump post" and it was warm, illustrating a gorund out somewhere.

I freaked, reconnected my original abttery and she started with no problem and ran fine but was not charging at all, voltage dropped to 6-7 volts but the diesel was running.

At this point I realized that the alternator looks like the culprit, specifically the voltage regulator. I jumped my car with the C220 to help recharge my Interstate and after 20 seconds saw smoke coming from the alternator so I disconnected and removed the battery. Ordered a new alternator just now.....

I hate car problems. It seems anytime I touch something S#$% has to hit the fan.... I have been having problem swith the alternator charging properly for a long time though, guess ti finally bit the bullet?

Any other problems that may have arisen guys, considering that it started after the initial ordeal and ran smooth?

Pete Burton · #13 01-20-2005, 11:02 AM

sounds like you either hooked the battery up backwards, or there was a short in the battery. Honestly, I would stay with interstate. Mine's over 4 years old, and even went a whole winter discharged, which usually kills a battery. When I finally do replace it, another interstate is a no-brainer.

Mister Byrnzoil · #14 01-20-2005, 11:46 AM

Unbelievable to read some of these posts...

if your charging system is in good shape it will charge ANY optima battery just fine...

Any sealed sprial wound battery is acceptable to put in a passenger compartment. It will not outgas or leak unless you overcharge the bejezus out of it or something catastrophic happens. ie. Park your car in a forest fire, have an autobahn style accident.

(I'd love get my battery out of the engine compartment, Especially since HEAT is the number one killer of batteries.)

I've got the blue top in my boat, While it is the strongest battery I've ever encountered, it also costs 2 or 3 times as much as a standard battery... but is it 2 or 3 times as good??? (probably not)

I've had it for less than a year, it had better last at least 4 years. In my book, longevity counts almost as much as CCAs

you might want to read this...

http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm

you can read about 'deep cycle batteries as start batteries' as well as in depth info on AGMs

heres another awesom page... especially the 'myths' portion

http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq.htm

good luck,
Robert

aklim · #15 01-20-2005, 12:29 PM

What is wrong with the MB Battery? My other car had a aftermarket one and it was 2 years old but was marginal at best. My next MB had an MB battery in it and so does my E300.

I have had the worst luck with batteries so I don't feel I need to tempt fate any further. Bought an BRAND NEW 91 Firebird. 2 weeks later, battery died. They checked the charging system but no faults were found. 6 months later, SSDD. The service manager could not believe it. He checked the battery and charging system himself. 2 months later, "One more time, baby". After that, it seemed to settle down.

I check the battery and charging system every winter twice. Once in the beginning and once in the middle