Acquiring components for electric vehicle projects often involves exploring diverse sources. This Mercedes C350 Sport 2014 battery pack was a recent acquisition from eBay, secured for £487.50 – a competitive price compared to many online dismantlers. These platforms can sometimes feature inflated prices, making this find a notable bargain for delving into modern automotive battery technology.
Key Specifications of the Mercedes C350 Sport 2014 Battery
Before diving into the teardown, understanding the battery’s specifications is crucial. This data provides valuable insight into the technology packed within this Mercedes hybrid system. Here are the key specs for this battery pack:
- Car Model: Mercedes C350 Sport 2014
- Capacity: 6.38 kWh
- Power Output: 60 kW (as per Mercedes specifications)
- Voltage: 290 V (Nominal)
- Capacity: 22 Ah
- Weight: 100 kg
- Cell Arrangement: 88s1p (88 cells in series, 1 parallel)
- Width: 106 cm (approximately)
- Height: 12 cm / 17 cm (variable – approximately, due to reinforcement beam)
- Depth: 61 cm (approximately)
Please note: The dimensions provided are approximate measurements and should be considered as a general guide.
Initial Plans and the Need for Teardown
Upon arrival, a somewhat ambitious idea sparked – could this entire Mercedes C350 battery assembly fit into the front trunk (frunk) of a Fiat? The thought was enticing, imagining a streamlined integration. However, reality quickly intervened. An attempt to hoist the hefty pack using a pulley system proved unsuccessful, highlighting the battery’s substantial weight and unwieldiness.
To properly assess the feasibility, a practical approach was needed. A cardboard template, mimicking the battery’s primary shape, was created to test the dimensions within the Fiat’s frunk space. Unfortunately, the template revealed the Mercedes C350 battery was just a few centimeters too large, dashing hopes of a simple drop-in installation. This dimensional incompatibility necessitated a teardown to explore component-level integration.
Disassembly of the Mercedes C350 Battery Case
With the “frunk fitment” plan shelved, the teardown commenced. The battery enclosure is constructed from steel, utilizing two main halves that are firmly bonded together. While bolts are present along the sides of the casing, these are not for lid removal; instead, they serve to secure the internal battery modules.
The top section of the case is adhered to the bottom using a robust adhesive that incorporates a copper mesh. This copper mesh serves a critical purpose – establishing electrical continuity between the upper and lower case parts, likely for grounding and shielding.
Disassembling the battery required a deliberate approach. Prying along the top lip of the case with a screwdriver was the only effective method to break the bond. This process involved cutting through both the adhesive and the embedded copper mesh. It became immediately apparent that this Mercedes C350 Sport battery was not designed for easy servicing or routine maintenance, emphasizing its robust, sealed construction.
Noteworthy Observations and Quirks
During the teardown, a detail on the battery pack’s sticker raised an interesting point. The label indicated a voltage of 290V. However, considering the typical nominal voltage of lithium-ion cells (around 3.7V) and the 88s cell configuration (88 cells in series), a voltage closer to 326V would be expected (88 cells * 3.7V/cell = 325.6V). This suggests a nominal voltage around 290V, with potential minimum and peak voltages around 264V and 370V respectively, based on standard lithium-ion voltage ranges. This discrepancy warrants further investigation into the specific cell chemistry and operating parameters of this Mercedes C350 Sport hybrid battery.
Furthermore, after removing all internal components from the steel case, the empty enclosure weighed approximately 20 kg. This significant weight represents 20% of the total battery pack weight (100 kg), highlighting a considerable weight penalty associated with the robust steel casing, especially for a plug-in hybrid vehicle where weight optimization is often a key design consideration.
Conclusion and Next Steps
This initial teardown of the Mercedes C350 Sport 2014 battery pack provides valuable insights into its construction, specifications, and internal components. The process revealed a robust, albeit not easily serviceable, design. Further steps will involve detailed examination of the individual battery modules and their characteristics.
Stay tuned for more updates, including detailed images of the separated modules and potentially a video documenting the entire teardown process.
If you have any specific questions or require further information about this Mercedes C350 battery, please feel free to leave a comment below. Your feedback and inquiries are welcome!
