Time for a new Battery

[Larry & Norma]

My battery has finally given up the ghost! I have had the car over 4 years and it
looks like it had been in there a few years previous. The car has always started first time
regardless of how long it had not been used. My question is there is new chemistry in
modern batteries, so what must I NOT use? That is not suitable for the Pagodas alternator
charging system. I am not concerned with originality just efficiency and longevity.

[mdsalemi]

You drove the correct answer when you said, "not concerned with originality."

To me, that says one thing only: Optima. Optima is a sealed, spiral AGM style battery.
Hopefully someone will tell you exactly which one to order; you need to get the right one to fit the space AND ensure that same cables can be used.

[66andBlue]

Here are the search results:
http://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/find-a-battery/?year=1966&make=Mercedes-Benz&model=230SL&engine=L6+2.3L&find_button=Search
The RedTop 34R (which I bought 6 years ago and is still strong) is priced at $150 on Amazon
In any case you need a battery with reversed poles, for example Group 34R and not Group 34.

[rb6667]

Michael, and Alfred have some excellent choices for you to consider.  I know you said you were not concerned with an original looking battery.  Personally, I like the look of a somewhat correct looking battery.  I use AC Delco in my vintage GM American Muscle cars even though there are better batteries out there.  I also, like a black battery.  Not Red or Yellow that jumps at you when you open the hood.

When my no name battery in the Pagoda gives up, I'll look at a Bosch Battery.  Even though it's not correct for our cars, at least the Mfg is the same as many of the parts on our Pagodas.........and it's black

I believe the size is Group 24F but check to make sure the posts are correct for our cars. There is also a version of this battery that have the posts reversed from the 24F.

No affiliation to Bosch.  Just another consideration.







 

[49er]

I have a World One Source battery. Perfect fit and does the job. Black like original too:-)

John

[66andBlue]

....I believe the size is Group 24F but check to make sure the posts are correct for our cars. ...

A Group 24F will fit but a 34R is closer to the original; see: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Battery

The reasons why I installed a gel  - or AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery are
(a) there will never be any overflow of battery acid since you cannot fill it!
(b) I use a tilter to clean the undercarriage and work on other things while standing upright and do not need to remove the battery to prevent acid spills: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=8987.msg59152#msg59152

Six years ago only the Optima battery and the much more expensive Odyssey batteries were available. Now you can also get a Sears battery that is not red and may be more palatable to those who are color sensitive.  
http://www.sears.com/diehard-advanced-gold-agm-battery-group-size-34r/p-02850733000P

[Larry & Norma]

Thanks for your suggestions guys, I am in the UK so the choices and prices are a little different.
The optima battery is really expensive, about £145 and is guaranteed for 2 Years.
I can buy a sealed 60AH 600A CCR battery for £50 guaranteed for 4years?

My original question was will all the modern battery types charge ok in the Pagoda or should I
avoid some of certain chemistry?

[garymand]

I use the 34R.  no worries about the alternator charging system / compatability with newer lead acid.  Backwards compatability.  Prices are about the say here, $100 for a 34R $150 for the AGM.  I also use the 34R on my 560SEL,  I like the transferability when the 4 to 7 year battery failure occurs.   On warranty, I was taught in school that batteries have a natural usable variation at 3 sigma of 4 to 6 years.  It is the typical production variation.  As a result of that knowledge, the manufacturers marketing departments set up a sorting process where percentages were sorted into price vs warranty length.  At the height of this silliness, I baught a Firestone guaranteed for life battery, its fouth generation freeby resides in my 70 Chevy truck. 

I see now in the US, the standard warrantee is just a 2 year replacement w/no proration.  The pendalum has swung.  If production practices haven't changed (it seems batteries of the same # are as heavey as always), very few batteries will fail in just 2 years.

[Paul & Dolly]

Hi Larry,

Mine has a Bosch Silver S4005 (60Ah) Battery,
It was about £65 including VAT a couple of years ago.

Keep well

Paul

[Larry & Norma]

Hi Paul
sorted now thanks.
Regards to Dolly
Cheers
Larry

[PeterW113]

Hi Larry

Just reigniting an old topic, can you tell me which battery you ended up fitting?

Kind regards

Peter

[Larry & Norma]

Hi Peter,
Sorry I cannot find the receipt at the moment, the label on the top of the battery
has the following info:-

MF 56219
62 AH (20 HR)
600A (CCA)

Hope this helps

Larry

[PeterW113]

Hi Larry

Thats great, very helpful and will help with my decision as to which to fit.

Regards

Peter

[TJMart]

I purchased a Mercedes Battery from the MB Dealership (Classic Center cannot ship here in the States) Part #002541870126. List was $155 with my discount $140. Fit perfectly.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hi Larry,,

Mine also gave up on me last year on my 1969 280sl. I took my old one into our near by Canadian Tire Store and the Salesman fitted me out with the same make and style I had in the car before. See photos, I know you are in the U.K. And may not have the same make, perhaps the photos with info on the labels may help.

Dieter

[Tyler S]

Bosch now makes an AGM battery, Group size 24F. I purchased mine off of Amazon. Fits well, a little smaller than the MB battery but it allows you to move the battery hold down bracket away from the positive cable clamp. (always made me nervous). Yes, I know I have the incorrect terminal clamps installed.

[Shvegel]

Here is a good article on AGM batteries.  Pay particular attention to the section on charging voltages.  AGM batteries are fairly sensitive to charging voltage once the battery is charged.  If you leave a charger connected for long periods during storage you might want to get out a good meter and check the charging voltage.  I work on a ship and we installed 18 size 8D (really big and expensive) batteries that we had to replace in a year because the older charger was float charging at too high of a voltage.

[PeterW113]

Larry, Dieter, Tyler and Shvegel

Many thanks for all your comments and advice. I could not easliy trace the Group / Type 24F fitment  here in the UK but we do have have Group / Type 27 who’s dimensions are 242mm L x 175mm W x 190mm H ( 9.5” x 6-3/4” x 7.5”) which seems to be the right ballpark and fits the tray.

I will probably go for a Bosch S5 005 which is 63 ah and 610 cold cranking amps which should be more than adequate.  I use do use a CTEK  battery charger / conditioner which should hopefully maintain the new battery.

Thank you all for your input.


Regards Peter.

[Mechudo62]

I went to my local MB dealership in Mexico City, gave them my VIN number and ordered a new original MB battery. It took 3 days to arrive and fitted perfectly in the engine bay. It has a milky white casing and blue MB label and looks original. Its been installed for close to two years and yields perfect engine starts hot and cold every time, highly recommended.