Copper tipped fuses - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

anziani · #1 02-25-2009, 11:45 AM

A couple of years ago, I bought copper (not aluminum) Mercedes fuses from a small company north of Seattle. I have since lost the paperwork. Can anyone give me some help?
Thanks,
Anziani

'93 300CE 170K (just bought)
'95 E420 115K

OliverVB · #2 02-25-2009, 05:14 PM

Bought my latest set off ebay from this seller:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Fuse-Kit-Fitsmost-Every-MB-123-126-116-107-113_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713Q2em153Q2el1262QQcategoryZ33578QQihZ023QQitemZ360134386155#ht_229 6wt_1126

Includes more than enough fuses for models listed. Also got the brake light upgrade kits for my W123 & W124. Great safety feature!

richard28 · #3 02-26-2009, 11:23 AM

Oliver, what is the w124 brake light upgrade kit?

yal · #4 02-26-2009, 12:13 PM

m e r c e d e s s o u r c e dot com is the place I got mine from. I believe they are in WA.

Kestas · #5 02-26-2009, 04:27 PM

Actually, the original fuses are tin-plated aluminum. The tin is electroplated in a manner that leaves a matte finish. I wonder if this is why sometimes people think the fuses are all corroded and need to be replaced.

OliverVB · #6 02-27-2009, 09:16 AM

The brake light upgrade kit adds two more brake light bulbs, one in each side. The sockets and bulbs install in the empty spot in each rear light cluster where the Euro. fog light bulbs would normally be installed - not used here in the U.S. unless someone did that conversion to your car. With the brake light upgrade kit you will have TWO areas light up on each side increasing the chances your car will be seen by someone behind when you brake. IMHO, a real safety feature upgrade.

richard28 · #7 02-27-2009, 11:11 AM

Thanks

Cal Learner · #8 02-27-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OliverVB

The brake light upgrade kit adds two more brake light bulbs, one in each side. The sockets and bulbs install in the empty spot in each rear light cluster where the Euro. fog light bulbs would normally be installed - not used here in the U.S. unless someone did that conversion to your car. With the brake light upgrade kit you will have TWO areas light up on each side increasing the chances your car will be seen by someone behind when you brake. IMHO, a real safety feature upgrade.

Wow, what a coincidence. I just replaced all of the bulbs in the tail lamp assemblies. I think some of them must still have been originals. Just thought it was time to brighten things up a bit, and it does. While doing that, I noticed for the first time the 2 empty sockets (or actually just the holes obviously intended for additional sockets for something), but I had no idea what. I remember thinking it's strange that they wouldn't have just put another tail light in each of those places to double the light. But are you saying that they're brake lights and not tail lights? I'm going to check it out. Thanks for the info.

OliverVB · #9 02-27-2009, 08:09 PM

In Europe, etc., those blank spaces are used on only one side as a rear fog light. Not actually amber or white, just red like the tail/stop lights. When the front fog lights are turned on, the rear side that is the same as the driver's side in that country is illuminated. This displays two red lights on one side and a single red light on the other side. All the folks in those countries know that the side with two parts illuminated is the one near the road center. In the U.S., this would just confuse folks and probably cause some law officers to stop you for a burned out bulb.

When you add a socket to the empty spot on each side, you must run a power wire in each module to the power wire for the normal brake light. You can soldier the wire to the brake light socket or use a quick connect to splice into it. You can buy the kit from the guy linked above or get the parts yourself and do the job.

Could well be all original bulbs. My '77 230 has only had one rear bulb replaced in 32 years and 152,000 miles. I am going to replace all the O.E. bulbs also because the bulbs tend to darken some over the years and I like to know that everything is fresh and new in the lighting arena.

anziani · #10 02-28-2009, 11:52 AM

Thanks guys for the info on the copper fuse set. The Ebay place didn't have fuses for a 124
Anziani

Oldwolf · #11 05-16-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kestas

Actually, the original fuses are tin-plated aluminum. The tin is electroplated in a manner that leaves a matte finish. I wonder if this is why sometimes people think the fuses are all corroded and need to be replaced.

What are the down side to copper plated fuses?

Are the tin plated fuses only available from MB?

Last night my Right High Beam was out and I thought I had a bad relay or bad bulb. when I reviewed my owners manual I discovered no relay, just one fuse for each high/low lamp, four in all. I fiddled with the fuse and the beam came on.

OliverVB · #12 05-16-2009, 11:05 AM

If it has never been done or not done for a long time, it is probably a good idea to rotate each fuse back & forth while in the clamps so as to make good contact. I dip the tips of each new fuse in dielectric grease then rotate them after installing.