Only two of the six battery cells were 'way low on electrolyte. I think they were not filled at the factory. Haven't been low since I filled them with water but their specific gravity is lower than the other four cells. Beginning to think that the alternator is charging only some of the time. Since this is an old alternator, think I'll order a new one; or at least new diodes; from Rusty. Thanks, Peter. Gerry
----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Merle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Open circuit voltage of 12.5 indicates a good batery. 13.7 volts would > have been voltage with alternator charging ( nor a few seconds > afterwards ). Need to keep an eye on why the electrolite levels are > dropping though. > PEter > > > -----Original Message----- > From: archer [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >> WARNING! If you buy an Autocraft Titanium battery be sure and check the > cells electrolyte levels before installing. > I stopped in an Advance Auto store to buy ATF on a Sunday evening about > two > months ago. The car wouldn't start when I left so I bought one of their > Titanium A batteries. Saturday I serviced the car and checked the > electrolyte levels in the battery. Two cells were dry and it required > two > to three ounces of distilled water to bring them up to the correct > level. > The other cells sp.gr. was in the red zone 11.50-11.75. > After driving two days, the two cells I had added water to were still in > the > red zone but the other cells had come up almost to normal. I suspect > these > two cells were damaged by driving it two months with very low > electrolyte. > No one at Advanced Auto had ever heard of checking the sp.gr. or had any > knowledge of what it meant, and they refused to give me a new battery. > I checked the voltage when I serviced the car on Saturday and it was > 13.7 > volts. I checked it today and it was only 12.5 volts. I'm wondering if > the > battery might be drawing too much current and might have damaged the > diodes > in the alternator? > Gerry Archer > '83 300D and 240D _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
