Community Forums

Mirada2005 · 01-13-2022, 07:33 PM

Hi All - we have recently, two days ago, purchased a small coach on a 2019 Sprinter chassis. The chassis battery is at 10.6 volts. I would like to connect my battery charger directly to the battery. Have any of you done this? I have not heard back from the local MB Sprinter shop as to whether this can be done without ruining something.

All input will be helpful.

Thanks,
Les, T.O. CA

jl.kauai · 01-13-2022, 09:39 PM

You should not have any problem connecting directly to your battery. I’m assuming you have a sealed battery. In the event you don’t be sure a check the water level. Remember a slow charge is the best way to charge it if possible. Be sure your connections are clean. After you charge it and you are able to use it I would recommend you have someone do a load test on it to check your battery condition. You may have a problem with it. I’m assuming also that your charging system is in working condition. Good luck, Travato John

magicbus · 01-14-2022, 11:21 AM

Just curious… is there a reason you don’t want to use the under hood positive post and any chassis ground? When my chassis battery drifts too low I just use the points MB provided.

Boxster1971 · 01-14-2022, 03:31 PM

Check your Sprinter owner's manual. It explains how to use the under hood positive terminal and a ground stud to charge the battery as magicbus mentioned above.

Mirada2005 · 01-14-2022, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magicbus

Just curious… is there a reason you don’t want to use the under hood positive post and any chassis ground? When my chassis battery drifts too low I just use the points MB provided.

The vehicle is new to us. I did not know what that positive lug connected to. I thought it might have connected directly to the starter. Now I know. Do you have a wiring diagram available?

Thank you for the input.
Les

Mirada2005 · 01-14-2022, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

Check your Sprinter owner's manual. It explains how to use the under hood positive terminal and a ground stud to charge the battery as magicbus mentioned above.

Thank you for the input.
Les

RossWilliams · 01-14-2022, 09:49 PM

If you don't have a manual they are available for download. I don't think they include a wiring diagram though.

Our Roadtrek Sprinter has two batteries under the hood - neither one is the chassis battery. The chassis battery is under the drivers seat.

Mr.Mark · 01-15-2022, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirada2005

Hi All - we have recently, two days ago, purchased a small coach on a 2019 Sprinter chassis. The chassis battery is at 10.6 volts. I would like to connect my battery charger directly to the battery. Have any of you done this? I have not heard back from the local MB Sprinter shop as to whether this can be done without ruining something.

All input will be helpful.

Thanks,
Les, T.O. CA

Hello Les, welcome to the 'B' world! Which company up-fitted your Sprinter?

Wishing many years of happy travels!
Mark

Mirada2005 · 01-15-2022, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Mark

Hello Les, welcome to the 'B' world! Which company up-fitted your Sprinter?

Wishing many years of happy travels!
Mark

2019 Entegra Qwest. We use a 2003 Mini Cooper S for a tow'd.

Les

Mirada2005 · 01-15-2022, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RossWilliams

If you don't have a manual they are available for download. I don't think they include a wiring diagram though.

Our Roadtrek Sprinter has two batteries under the hood - neither one is the chassis battery. The chassis battery is under the drivers seat.

We have a manual. Chassis battery under the driver side floor, coach batteries under the coach entry step. 2019 Entegra Qwest.

Les

KanzKran · 01-16-2022, 07:29 AM

I use the ‘always on’ power port that’s low on the console with my trickle charger. BUT mine is an ‘18, and I don’t know if the next gen vans have such a power port.

Something to look into for low power charging at least.

Mirada2005 · 01-16-2022, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KanzKran

I use the ‘always on’ power port that’s low on the console with my trickle charger. BUT mine is an ‘18, and I don’t know if the next gen vans have such a power port.

Something to look into for low power charging at least.

Ours is also a 2018 chassis and has that power port. The coach is new to us, had it less than a week. I will be looking at a trickle charger.

Thanks
Les

bigb56 · 01-16-2022, 07:09 PM

As others mentioned the positive connection is on the side of the air box and there is a copper colored stud on the driver's side fender for the negative. On the positive you have to pull back on the spring loaded protective cover then clip your charger lead on.

KanzKran · 01-17-2022, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirada2005

Ours is also a 2018 chassis and has that power port. The coach is new to us, had it less than a week. I will be looking at a trickle charger.

Mine has three termination ends that are interchangeable. One is the power plug for cigarette lighter socket style, which I use in the van in the port near the floor. Another is a pair of alligator clamps for battery posts that I use on a car in temporary semi-storage. The third is ring eye terminations for semipermanent mounting to battery post clamps or whatever that live connected to my inlaws’ car battery when they’re gone in the winter. Makes it easy to move the charger around between vehicles.

I don’t leave the charger on anything for more than a few days, and I pop off the disconnect under the ‘gas’ pedal of the Sprinter after I remove the charger. Lead acid batteries self-discharge slowly when it’s cold, so I bring them up and leave them be for a while.