Author Topic: Vintage Battery Recreation Project  (Read 1956 times)

mrfatboy

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Rancho Santa Fe
  • Posts: 1339
    • Mrfatboy
Vintage Battery Recreation Project
« on: October 14, 2020, 21:27:37 »
Tired of ugly green batteries?  Nothing left to work on for your pagoda?  Want to add some pizzaz to your engine bay?

JonB and I have the solution for you!

We have been working on the Vintage Battery Project for  the last couple of weeks and we are ready for it's debut.  Our goal was to recreate the original Varta Battery from 49er's 1968 280sl.  We had only two 50+  year old low resolution pictures as reference(see below).

We split the task into two parts.  Jonny B was responsible for the 3D printing and I needed to learn a 3D cad program.

It took several revisions based on size & detail. We were doing our best questimates from the old pics.

We tried to take into account different battery styles people may have currently or able to buy.
As a result there are 3 main base versions to choose from and the cap.  At the last second I became more proficient with the cad program and made the cap able to screw into the base for added "cool factor".  Yes, insane. I know.  That version has been unprinted & untested.

I have added the files to the Premium section of the tech manual for anybody to download and print themselves.  Just take the files to a local 3D printer, online, or maybe you even have your own home 3D printer.  Remember to print each piece in your desired color. Talk to your printer about available colors.    Ours were basic yellow & black.  These were made out of ABS plastic.

Attached are photos of the different bases/caps and how they can be used for different styles of batteries.  Pick what works best for you.

https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Restricted/Start

Have fun.
1969 280sl (Aug 1968 build)
Signal Red
4 Speed

mrfatboy

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Rancho Santa Fe
  • Posts: 1339
    • Mrfatboy
Re: Vintage Battery Recreation Project
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2020, 21:29:53 »
Here are different examples of the different caps and bases on a Champion battery from Pepboys.  Decals have been removed.  Varta decal added.
1969 280sl (Aug 1968 build)
Signal Red
4 Speed

Pawel66

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Poland, Mazowieckie, Konstancin-Jeziorna
  • Posts: 5494
Re: Vintage Battery Recreation Project
« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2020, 22:57:12 »
I will have those threaded printed, will let you know if they fit.

Battery looks fantastic!
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

66andBlue

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Solana Beach
  • Posts: 4735
Re: Vintage Battery Recreation Project
« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2020, 23:14:31 »
... We had only two 50+  year old low resolution pictures as reference(see below).
...
Here is a picture from a Varta advertising from 1969 that was posted by member "lowin" on the Pagodentreff website:
https://www.pagodentreff.de/diskussionsforum/threads/batterie-welche.16093/#post-114774
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

mrfatboy

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Rancho Santa Fe
  • Posts: 1339
    • Mrfatboy
Re: Vintage Battery Recreation Project
« Reply #4 on: October 15, 2020, 09:22:15 »
The 3D files now have been uploaded to the Tech Manual.

You can download and then view them with Google Sketchup

https://app.sketchup.com/app#

or any other preferred CAD app on phone or pad.  Search for "STL Viewer"
1969 280sl (Aug 1968 build)
Signal Red
4 Speed

Leester

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, VA, Lorton
  • Posts: 441
Re: Vintage Battery Recreation Project
« Reply #5 on: October 16, 2020, 20:47:50 »
As one who is technology challenged, I find these creations incredible.  Someday I will get to where I need a battery on my restoration and look forward to giving this a try. What a great community this site is!
Lee Backus
1963 220SE Cabriolet
1970 280SL (reassembling - hopefully soon)
1978 450SL (disassembled for paint)
1985 500SEC