While in the store look for a digital volt gauge you connect in the cigarette lighter, $12.00 is what our cars are missing.
When you start the engine look at that, for a voltage drop.
And then how long it takes for to go back to normal.
It will tell you the condition of your battery the sooner the newer the battery is.
I am going to get one, I like to know what my electrical system is doing.
Yes lynns I think that that's the one.
There is no available picture on your post.
I did see it about 6 months a go, I did mention about it on an other post.
But as you know by now, I am working from memory, and part numbers are not my
strong hold.
It should work, the lighter plugs are universal if a cell phone adapter works the
tester should also.
I did mentioned that I have made from an old cigarette adapter to my
multimeter so I can read the voltage, but that unit is easier to work with.
Who needs lose wires in the car.
I also think that I should rig an amp & voltmeter in the trunk, but I haven't found a spot to be out of the way yet.
That is why I haven't bought the autozone gauge yet.
As far as the glass absorb battery goes I have nothing against them, only the price.
One day we all are going to have them, at a cheaper price. ( Mass produce.)
For many reasons, one is commercial transportation, workers, and public safety.
The other is marketing we will be able to order on line, and have it
delivered home at a reasonable price, now I like that. LOL.
Regards.
aam.
PS.
I still don't like the idea, of not been able to do my tests. Hahaha.
I also think that I should rig an amp & voltmeter in the trunk, but I haven't found a spot to be out of the way yet.
That is why I haven't bought the autozone gauge yet.
As far as the glass absorb battery goes I have nothing against them, only the price.
One day we all are going to have them, at a cheaper price.
BTW, I received a 13.7 volt reading with the engine running. When I turned the engine off the reading went to 12.5 volts and stabilized again at 12.2 volts.
Vehicle: 2000 Obsidian Black Metallic Mercedes SL 320 V6
Location: Northern Italy near Milan
Posts: 3,211
lynns I can read the battery voltage in my CL 500 using the secret menu in the COMAND radio unit and I see a stable 13.7 volts reading when the engine is running and more or less 12.2 ~ 12.5 volts when the engine is not running so either my battery is going south too or the readings are normal. What do you think?
Cheers.
__________________
I drive like I stole . . . YOURS
12.2 ~ 12.5 volts when the engine is not running so either my battery is going south too or the readings are normal. What do you think?
Mick, thanks for your response. Good to hear that your getting the same, 12.2 ~ 12.5 volts when the engine is not running and the ignition key is in sterring lock position 2. I checked my reading this morning an got 12.2 volts in position 2 and when I turned the key to postion 3 it dropped to 12.0 volts.
Quite honestly I don't know what a NEW battery is supposed to read, when the engine is NOT running, so I was hoping that Albert or someone else would chime in.
12.2-12.5 is NORMAL!!!!(with key on, no engine running) Depending on how long the car has been sitting, when first started, a volt-meter placed on the battery terminals should read ABOUT 13.5-13.9 It would NOT be unusual to see as much as 14.5V for a short time before dropping back to a normal level.
Hahaha.
Lynn, your post came after I left, it's TV time.
So here it goes.
You have a battery that is still good, but it is about 3-4 year old. (Like mine.)
We are on the same boat.
My battery factory date mark is 03, don't ck the sticker they lie.
Glasses on, eyes on the gauge while cranking, you will see a voltage drop,
and the low LED is on, then the high also, and after a while of driving,
they go off.
Keep an eye on the gauge, for now we are OK, but in summer time we most likely get in trouble.
( California, no winter here. )
Maybe we can squeeze a year and half, I don't think that we will be able to pass the second summer though.
As you know, I don't waste money, so no new battery yet.
If you can notice, the car takes a little longer to start then normal.
About the little battery thingy, it may not work on our cars, or not from the lighter
any ways.
From the radio fuse maybe, it is a $100K Mercedes so nothing is easy.
A new battery fully charged normal temperature has 2.1 v. per cell =12.6
Now if you drive the car non stop for a few hours you may see that
on your battery.
But it's like early in the morning.
Whaaaat?
Hmmmmmm.
I wonder if the rest of the guys know what I am talking about.
Regards.
aam.
PS.
Now why I have a feeling that your ignition switch is going
south?
Thor, would you please post a picture, from a distance, of where you located the new decal?
Per Lynns' request for a pic to locate the exact position of the "BATTERY IN TRUNK" guide sign p/n 1405846817. The close up of course is after installation of the new sign. There was enough glue residue to position it exactly in the original location. The full engine pic was enhanced with MS Paint with the yellow line to simulate it's position on an older pic taken before I got the new sign. I think you'll get the idea. However Lynns, I believe the cover changed from 1996 on, mine was a 1995. Double check with someone with the same year as yours to be sure of it's position...............Thor
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