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AudiDudi · 03-10-2020, 03:55 PM

Dropped off the MH at the Mercedes dealer for the passenger airbag recall and to get a front end alignment. The chassis battery is over 4 yrs old, sat on the dealers lot for over a year and will only charge to about 12.49v.

I asked how much to put in a new battery as long as it was there. The quote was $520 + tax. That ain't gonna happen.

How many have changed out the battery in their Sprinters? Any challenges?

dnbgould · 03-10-2020, 05:58 PM

I had mine replaced at the dealer when it wouldn’t hold a charge...cost me about $230

paul65k · 03-10-2020, 06:08 PM

If you belong to AAA give them a call. They will likely come to you and install one for somewhere in the $200 - 250 range

pfm41 · 03-10-2020, 08:56 PM

I bought an exact replacement from NAPA for somewhere around $150. It’s relatively easy to change. All the cables on the positive post are routed so that they can be lifted off as a unit and tied toward the right with a cord from the right seat frame. The vent hose connects to the front hold down which has a nipple that goes though the bottom of the battery box. Make sure that the unused vent at the rear of the battery is plugged. Also, pull the battery disconnect before starting the procedure.

AudiDudi · 03-10-2020, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul65k

If you belong to AAA give them a call. They will likely come to you and install one for somewhere in the $200 - 250 range

Good idea - but don't have AAA and it is not an emergency. (yet)

AudiDudi · 03-10-2020, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pfm41

I bought an exact replacement from NAPA for somewhere around $150. It’s relatively easy to change. All the cables on the positive post are routed so that they can be lifted off as a unit and tied toward the right with a cord from the right seat frame. The vent hose connects to the front hold down which has a nipple that goes though the bottom of the battery box. Make sure that the unused vent at the rear of the battery is plugged. Also, pull the battery disconnect before starting the procedure.

Good to know! I see many places like NAPA and Autozone carry H8 AGMs.

Spud_Monkey · 03-10-2020, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudiDudi

Good to know! I see many places like NAPA and Autozone carry H8 AGMs.

Have you tried www.batteriesplus.com 12.49v isn't too bad at 80% SOC, might get another year or two before finally trading them in.

nvs4602 · 03-11-2020, 01:33 AM

YouTube is your friend.
https://youtu.be/urbzR7Kr1Qs

pfm41 · 03-11-2020, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudiDudi

Good to know! I see many places like NAPA and Autozone carry H8 AGMs.

Many times I see AGM mentioned for the chassis battery but our 2016 Class B came with a standard lead/acid maintenance free battery. Do you really have an AGM or is it possible that as part of a Class C build they change it to an AGM? My understanding is that you can't just change from lead to AGM without reprograming the charging characteristics. Our coach batteries are AGMs.

luvlabs · 03-11-2020, 07:21 AM

The Sprinter chassis battery is an AGM. That's how Mercedes builds them. Going back to a standard wet cell battery is possible but it has to be vented.

pfm41 · 03-11-2020, 07:23 AM

Are you reading the voltage with the on-board coach control panel/screen or with a meter on the the battery? Our monitor always reads a tenth or so lower that actual voltage.

pfm41 · 03-11-2020, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvlabs

The Sprinter chassis battery is an AGM. That's how Mercedes builds them. Going back to a standard wet cell battery is possible but it has to be vented.

Our 2016 has the vent built into the front hold down so it is obvious that it is a lead/acid. My Sprinter owners manual pictures a lead/acid and the vent system and address the venting. Is it possible that the shop is selling you an "upgrade" and if they are did they reprograming the charging system?

AudiDudi · 03-11-2020, 08:11 AM

Repylying to all the lead/AGM replies"

I looked up the MBS part number on the battery and it referenced to an H8 AGM battery.

My coach batteries are 2 lead/acid group 24's under the steps.

I am reading the voltage under the hood on the jump terminal and the ground.

I charged the battery up to ~12.8, let it sit 2 days and it was down to 12.49. About 5 days later, it was down to 12.18. In the past, the MH has sat for several weeks without being started or the battery charged. A month ago I went to start it and it would not start - the battery was reading 11.86.

The chassis was built Sept 2015 and left Forest River in Jan 2016. I purchased off the lot in May 2017 so the battery is approaching 5 years old.

Thanks for the youtube link! I'll check that out.

pfm41 · 03-11-2020, 05:58 PM

I'm confused now, every battery manufacturer shows an AGM as their first choice but some also show the flooded battery as an exact fit. The fact is that the original battery that I pulled out of our 2016 was a MB labeled Group 49 flooded battery. The liquid levels could be seen through the white translucent case. Also from what I read today it appears they are interchangeable without recalibration. I'm having the air bag recall done next week so I will ask them what was original.