If Nanopulser was not be installed on this battery, this battery might have been gone because of the low acid density and voltage.
In Japan, February is the most cold season, so the lead battery tends to be dead flat in the winter. Check the graph at the bottom of this page. If the acid density shows over 1.26, the battery condition is good.
This battery was facing dead flat.
All cells showed the low density on Feb. 9, 2003 and number 3 cell showed 1.23. This battery had been working for 6 years at that time. Actually, I felt that what a long durability this battery had. However this battery should be been replaced and it was about to be flat down.
Three reasons are considered that why this battery had been working for 6 years.
The odometer showed that this car had not been running long distances, however we could not come to the conclusion. For example, if the owner seldom drives the car, the battery tends to run out of electricity. Furthermore, the sulfation tends to attach on the element plates more and harden more in this case.
1. This battery is in the trunk room.
Some of the Mercedes Benz, Jaguar and BMW have the batteries in the trunk room. It is said that if the heavy battery is installed in the trunk room, the weight balance of the car is better for driving. This design also has benefit effects. This battery in the trunk room is not influenced by the high temperature in high summer. The lead acid battery is sensitive to the temperature, so this is an ideal way.
2. This battery has enough capacity for the 4 cylinders engine.
This battery has 100Ah capacity. Mercedes Benz E class has also same size. This Mercedes Benz C230, the battery load is less than E class which has 6 or 8 cylinders.
3. This Mercedes Benz was imported by the regular dealer.
This Mercedes Benz was imported by the regular dealer, therefore, electric parts which are alternator and computer, are modified in order to fit the Japanese traffic circumstance and temperature climate.
In Japan, some imported cars are imported by the independent car dealers who import the cars from the foreign countries directly. These imported cars are not modified local use, therefore the batteries tend to be replaced in the short terms. In Japan especially Tokyo, traffic jam is terrible, moreover the temperature and humidity is very high in summer. It is said that these reason makes the battery short life. |