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 __________________

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I never go far without a little Big Star

1994 E500 199/Gray 82k
84 300D (Salty) Orient Red/Palomino 141k
88 300CE (Ersatzhammer) 904/Java 163k -- Turbo Technics twin turbo kit, AMG Gen I body kit, Sportline steering box and steering wheel, Sportline/Eibach /Bilstein Sport/500E suspension, Quaife LSD in 210 mm diff case, Silver Arrow brakes.
88 300CE Brabus 3.6 199 on Black 44k

For anyone who hasn't seen the thread on this excellent upgrade, here is a link:Installed a 143A alternator in my W124 (86-95E-class) - with photos

__________________
I never go far without a little Big Star

1994 E500 199/Gray 82k
84 300D (Salty) Orient Red/Palomino 141k
88 300CE (Ersatzhammer) 904/Java 163k -- Turbo Technics twin turbo kit, AMG Gen I body kit, Sportline steering box and steering wheel, Sportline/Eibach /Bilstein Sport/500E suspension, Quaife LSD in 210 mm diff case, Silver Arrow brakes.
88 300CE Brabus 3.6 199 on Black 44k

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.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

B+ = Battery positive?

__________________
I never go far without a little Big Star

1994 E500 199/Gray 82k
84 300D (Salty) Orient Red/Palomino 141k
88 300CE (Ersatzhammer) 904/Java 163k -- Turbo Technics twin turbo kit, AMG Gen I body kit, Sportline steering box and steering wheel, Sportline/Eibach /Bilstein Sport/500E suspension, Quaife LSD in 210 mm diff case, Silver Arrow brakes.
88 300CE Brabus 3.6 199 on Black 44k

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

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff