[W126 Coupe] Alternator Success!!

[Ernest Stephens]

Thanks for the tip, I'm archiving this for later use.
Ernest Stephens
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Mike R.<mailto:mramay at att.biz> 
  To: 'Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists'<mailto:mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com> 
  Sent: Sunday, May 17, 2009 18:56
  Subject: [W126 Coupe] Alternator Success!!


  I put a set of dual electric fans on my 560SEL as a precursor to putting a set on the 570SEC. The fans did the trick by keeping the engine and AC condenser cool during Las Vegas summers, but the alternator never did like it. I went through a couple of alternators and got tired of it. Turns out that a standard W126 alternator (SEC variant) is an 85 amp unit. A 100 amp alternator exists as a heavy duty unit. Neither one liked the 30 amp dual electric fans. I decided to go a non-MB route.

  I now have a custom 140-amp alternator from Nellis Auto Starters & Alternators (NASA) here in Vegas. He took a Delco alternator, put on a different front plate, a V-pulley, and a different voltage regulator. The front plate is very close to the MB mounting configuration, the Delco mounting bosses are 51mm wide vs. the 56mm MB mounts. The Delco mounting holes are 13mm closer than the MB ones but are the same size holes. Turns out the adjustment plate on the MB needed to be whittled a little to clear the new alternator. Please let me know if you need the details on that since my initial goal was to get the new alternator mounted and running. It's not hard to modify, I just haven't measured it yet. I used a 5mm thick washer to shim the Delco into the MB mounts. The Delco takes a single wire to operate. I folded the small 20 gauge wire from the MB alternator back on itself and put some heat shrink on it, then tucked it into the wiring at the alternator. The large wire from the MB alternator dropped right on the Delco alternator. The alternator was $195 (plus tax for NV folks). It took me about an hour to do the installation, including carving on the MB sheet metal mount (the piece with the 17mm adjusting bolt). With a little bit of help, it's likely this a 30-45 minute job to R&R the alternator. I have 14.35 VDC at an idle with everything running!! Woooo Hoooo!!

  Tony of NASA has enough parts on hand to make three more of these right now, and can get more of the parts. I'm done with Bosch alternators - I'll put one my new-to-me SEC as soon as I can.

  Nellis Auto Starters & Alternators
  1105 N. Nellis Blvd.
  Las Vegas, NV 89110
  (702) 452-4040

   

  Later,

  Mike R

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