W124 Alternator Upgrade Question
 

I know there's a dated thread on this topic in the car stereo section, but I think my question will have a better chance of getting answered here. I am upgrading my 1988 300CE alternator by converting to a 150 Amp alternator from an ML. The bracket is the same and the alternator will fit.I bought a 150A alternator from Potomac Pat to do this conversion. In preparing for it, I compared the back of the two alternators. My stock alternator has a sort of plug connection with three prongs. In looking at it closely, it seems to me that two of the wires are charge/battery wires and the third, smaller wire is a ground. This is important because the "new" alternator has only two connections (neither of which is done via plug, but by lugs on studs). I'd like to assume that I replace the two similar large wires with a single, heavier gauge wire going to a single lug and that makes up the difference. Can anyone who has done this confirm that? Thanks, Mark __________________

For anyone who hasn't seen the thread on this excellent upgrade, here is a link:http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/car-audio-multimedia/53236-installed-143a-alternator-my-w124-86-95e-class-photos.html

No, smaller is not a ground.

You need a single larger cable from the B+ on the back of the 143-150A unit. I have one on my 300sel and one on the SDL.

B+ = Battery positive?

The new cable goes where the two larger cables are now, the separate small terminal gets the smaller wire from the original alternator wiring.