617 voltage regulator
 

My alternator is putting out 16v when cruising. I have cooked my; VERY expensive to replace, battery. YIKESSSSSS. soooo. since I am working in a 617 powered Unimog with little room under the bonnet can I remove just the voltage regulator from the alternator or do I have to completely r/r the alternator.

Where on the alternator do I look to determine if the PO put the OEM alternator on this rig or if he did an upgrade of any sort. He may have.

I feel your pain....I had a regulator fry my battery, Tachometer....stereo, and half the lights in my car last year.....I measured 17.9 volts shortly after my Tach belched smoke in the middle of nowhere.

No alternator will be putting this voltage out thats working correctly.

Look on the back
 

The Voltage Regulator (VR) on the alternator mounted to my 617 is held into the back of the alternator with two small screws. I did not need to loosen or remove any other fasteners. Removing those screws allows the VR pack to be pulled out.

Replacing this assembly (at a cost of about $20 - $30) replaces the brushes, and all of the electronics in the alternator. Given your overvoltage symptoms, this and a new battery should get you back on the road. I sure hope nothing else was toasted.

another arguement for those lifetime warranties on bats + alts...(and starters)

Unless you have a crazily adjusted adjustable regulator or a 18V regulator for some odd reason :D

Yes...new regulators are cheap enough that they are benifical to replace. Buy a reputable brand...otherwise you get what you pay for....

Just did this mod on mine...the flat blade screws can be sorta annoying if you have them but have fun heh.

Transpo makes the regulators for Bosch, and they offer an adjustable regulator for most MB alternators. See:
http://195.125.241.148/Catalog/Car_Fr.htm