Because finding a higher output alternator has become a larger ordeal than I anticipated, I have decided to get one of my alternators to work so that I can drive it in the meantime. When I installed my '68 alternator I did have to cut the harness splice it in. I matched the wires according to the positions of the '66 alternator and vehicle harness. Does anyone have experience with placing one of these later model alternator in an earlier vehicle like this or 'actuating' wire wiring diagrams? I plan to spend a little bit of time on it this evening after changing the belt on my lawnmower. I really need to drive this old girl!!

Also, does anyone know what series batteries these take? I went to get an interstate battery and their charts only go back to the 70's and the guy there told me that he needs the series number to be able to warranty the battery.

Thank you as always!

- Bryan Plaunt
Vintage Benz Organization

__________________
Join the organization at VintageBenz.org

Current vehicles the wife and I are restoring:
1966 W111 230S - near completetion
1976 280C - the wife's toy
1981 300SD - is already a beauty

There should be three wires to the alternator...
- Big ones for +12v; both 10 gauge to carry the load
- Little guy for the connection to the light in the dash.
... I suspect you've got three spade connections visible on the back of that candidate alternator, right?

Compare the back of your candidate alternator to the one in that 280C. Notice the built in regulator in the 280C. Your candidate one probably has a three pin plug at the same location. That connected to the regular on the firewall of the car it came out of. You can remove the three pin plug and replace it with the same style attached regulator.

As for your original '66 wiring. Is there a triangular plug with three pins? They should be the same as what I describe up top. The other end of those wires should be on a bakalite block that splits off to the fuse panel and also the starter.

HTH -CTH

__________________
- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/

Thank you sir! I have hopefully found a solution in a GM one wire configuration.

__________________
Join the organization at VintageBenz.org

Current vehicles the wife and I are restoring:
1966 W111 230S - near completetion
1976 280C - the wife's toy
1981 300SD - is already a beauty

The alternator wiring is simple enough not to go to the dark side and fir a single wire unit.
On post W111 Alternators such as fitted to W123 W116 and W126 :
little blue wire is dash light. Big red wire goes directly to the starter solenoid where it's connected to the battery . brown wire is alternator ground. The older type uses a separate regulator whereas the newer type use a built in regulator which is connected to the brushes. There are great!,when the alternator fails,you just replace the regulator and you are back in business within minutes.
i use them of W126 V8's which 55,65 etc amp ratings and always upgrade the main power feed because the W111 wire was designed for the generator and 20 amps...the smell of burning wiring is something you will not enjoy.