So I guess this post thread was timely, Im glad I bookmarked it!

Got home today to drive my kids to karate at the Y, the car started and drove fine from work to home. Got back in it in a hurry, barely spun the starter once or twice before crapping out.

Why does this always happen when its 0 kelvin outside and Im in a hurry? F U murphy...

Jumped in the always reliable 01 Escape and left the dead benz in the driveway. Got back tonight and jumped it off the Corrado track car. Fired up on the cables but it was idling off and all the dash lights were really dim (even more dim than usual). Plus the antilock light was on and the headlights were about 3 candle power (normally about 8 candle power).

Grabbed the fluke and I wasnt really surprised that she was running at 7.6 volts. Makes me wonder if its even possible to run without voltage...

So Im charging the battery now overnight and I will crawl under the beast tomorrow (if its warmer can you say sick day??) to make sure the cables didnt fall off the alternator. But Im guessing they are intact.

I checked pricing for remans from WP.

I can get a 90 amp bosch for $213, a 65 amp bosch for $215, a 143 amp bosch for $287, and 150 amp bosch for $326.

I will determine if my alt has the old style spade alt connector, but Im guessing it does. Which will require me to go get some 0 gage and and rig it all in. Prob a good idea anyway with higher amp alt.

I guess I'll go with the 143 amp for $287, seeing how I dont have any aftermarket mods and dont really need the extra juice (cept when the pwr goes out and I run the fridge). I'll fire up the air comp and zip the old pulley off and swap it on. And yes, I'll remove the serp belt, dont worry


Oh what fun it is to ride...

At least it died in my driveway. Perhaps murphy and I are calling a cease fire? Doubtful... Now why the hell didnt my battery light come on?

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Paul
Benz-less
I need an SDL !

Paul, the 143A unit will be fine. I would consider a used one, all my conversions have been used alternators, they are typically under $100 shipped. Worst case, you might need a new regulator, but those are pretty cheap. Remember that the remans will require a core, and they usually won't give you credit if you return a different item (i.e., your stock 70A unit).

Anyway, unless you intend to install custom battery terminals or distribution blocks, I would not use a single 0-gauge cable. It's much easier to use two 4-ga cables, as shown in my earlier post (#50, click here). That allows you to retain the original distribution block.

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Do they really check the core that close? I was planning to dupe them with my crappy 65 amp. Its so black you couldnt read it anyways

143 amp w/4 gauge it is!

Used alternator is sorta against my religion. Ive probably replaced 20 or so alternators on cars Ive owned. Im a cheap b@stard, make no mistake, but in my opinion, you cant spend enough money on things like alternators. Those damn things tend to leave you stranded in the middle of night.

Thanks for all this help, gsxr. I owe you several pints at the pub next time you're in the ATL.

__________________
Paul
Benz-less
I need an SDL !

I ended up getting a Bosch reman 120 amp from The Benz Store here in Atlanta for $190. It was going to take a week to get the 143 amp and I needed the car back sooner. The 120 amp they sold me had same pulley on it, same offset, diameter, ect.. They even threw in the SL wiring harness so it was plug/play. Cant say enough good things about The Benz Store. He was even nice enough to acccept the 70 amp as a core. (actually he said those are in high demand, whereas the others are a dime a dozen).

Its all in and running well, putting out 14.6 at idle. Thanks for all help on this thread, I would of just replaced with another 70 amp if I didnt read all this. Why the hell not get 50 more amps for $20 less ?!

__________________
Paul
Benz-less
I need an SDL !