Battery Question

[demichae]

I've searched the forums and the tech section (https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Battery) but cannot find anything on where you can buy a correct battery for a 1965 230SL.  A lot of the forum discussions are ten years old or older and the part numbers they give are not accurate.  Bud's Benz website says simply to contact dealer, but I need a part number to go off of. A 002 541 87 01 26 does not appear to be available anymore.
I would like the most correct battery in terms of appearance and fitment that is still available for my car.  Any help would be appreciated.

[dirkbalter]

I bought mine from Walmart a couple of month ago. I like it. Is was recommended and discussed here as well. If you need more info, let me know.

[lowpad]

I went the Walmart route and it fit very well. Stickers are easy to remove. People seem to like the classic "white" MB battery.  Might check with the Classic Center to see if they have a recommendation on how / where to get those.

[WRe]

Hi,
you can use every battery that fits into the car. Most of the manufacturers offer a "battery finder" on their web sides, e.g. Varta: https://www.varta-automotive.com/en-gb/battery-finder?type=pc&year=1963&make=74&model=538&engine=720&etn=563+400+061%7C560+408+054%7C560+901+068%7C&rec_etn=560+408+054%7C&ss_etn=&literal_search=%7B%22type%22%3A%22Passenger+Car%22%2C%22year%22%3A%221963%22%2C%22make%22%3A%22MERCEDES-BENZ%22%2C%22model%22%3A%22PAGODE+%28W113%29%22%2C%22engine%22%3A%22230+SL+%28113.042%29+%28110+kW+%2F+150+PS%29%22%7D.
There you also see the correct dimensions.
...WRe

[mdsalemi]

I believe that what you are searching for is this: "Group 47R"

The Group 47 is the battery physical size, and the R is for reverse terminals so they match the power cable attachment properly.

Others will fit but I believe the 47 will work with the proper OEM battery hold down.

If you are entering the [now almost dead] MBCA Concours, the OEM battery will be required for no point deduction. It's not likely you'll find an old one that still works unless it is an ersatz model that's been rebuilt. The white one was sold by MBUSA but is only "original" in that it has the MB logo and name on it. It's hardly "original".

Sealed batteries today are preferable; less likely to have any leaks and damage from battery acid.

[zoegrlh]

Changed out my battery a few years ago and got the MB white battery. Searched the east coast MB dealerships for the replacement battery. Batteries are no longer stored without the acid. It seems that all the dealers now put the acid in and charge them up for quick sales. Anyway I found only one battery left in stock (old new stock) at a dealer outside of Washington DC. Drove up and picked it up and was talking to the parts supervisor and he told me that the battery would no longer be available in future, that MB North America was contracting a new supplier and that the batteries would be black with white top. Don’t know if this happened, but do know these white batteries no longer exist. And if you do find one (ONS) if acid is in it they will not ship (EPA thing).  Anyway here is the stock number for the battery A002 541 87 01 26.

[demichae]

Thank you for the information.  I contacted the classic center and they said that 002541870126 has been replaced by 0009827101 and that that's the only one they have.  I looked up that number and it's basically a new battery for many of the current MB's.  Definitely not what I'm looking for.  It's surprising to me that it's this difficult to find a battery.  I'm not looking to enter my W113 in any concours, but I want as close to period correct as possible...there must be a battery available that would not result in point losses at a concours, and that's the one I'm looking for.  I'm going to attend Legends of the Autobahn and other Monterey Car Week events (obviously not bringing my W113, which hasn't seen daylight in 30 years), so hopefully I can get some ideas there.

[zoegrlh]

You can purchase the all black battery from Walmart, take the brand stickers off and buy a classic battery sticker VARTA, and place on. Seen lots of members do this and also 190SL owners. You can search on line for the VARTA sticker, it’s round and fits on front of batters, where judges can see it. This battery was used for European delivery Pagodas.

[mdsalemi]

...It's surprising to me that it's this difficult to find a battery...  I'm not looking to enter my W113 in any concours, but I want as close to period correct as possible...

You are looking for a unicorn, that's why it's difficult. If you are not entering a concours, particularly an MBCA concours, there's no reason to sweat trying to find something that basically doesn't exist.

A "period correct" battery might be considered to be one of those old "tar top" batteries. You can even buy fake tar tops for modern batteries. There used to be a company in Hudson, OH that made "old" period correct batteries, but I think they are gone and replaced by Jim's Battery Manufacturing 800-426-7580. There's a vintage battery company out of Denmark called SEH, and you can find them here: https://www.classic-batteries.com There was another company, also out of business, called Restoration Battery in Cincinnati...

It must not be a lucrative business making "old" batteries as it were.

Take the advice here, buy a Walmart or other plain battery, and tart it up with Varta or Bosch or Beru or any other kind of old German electrical stickers you can find or make.