Getting closer to relaunching my fin - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

joshhol · #16 12-05-2016, 11:07 PM

Thanks meltedpanda. Looks like your system is slightly different, maybe newer, but more like the wiring diagrams in the manuals. Mine has all these convoluted condesors which probably don't work anymore.

However, using the diagram and a multi meter, I think I reattached the regulator correctly. I believe my generator needs to be re polarized which seems easy to do...if you know which pole to energize. It's like cutting the red wire or the blue wire, get it wrong and boom, regulator is toasted.

Seems like I have to do more internet scouring.

meltedpanda · #17 12-06-2016, 09:35 AM

actually mine may be just a simpler set up or older , being an "B" I have no radio or such. Those capacitors look like static suppressors, does your have a radio? Looks like an inline fuse as well Good luck on the journey

joshhol · #18 12-07-2016, 10:41 PM

I do have a radio.

I found this link to the MBZ Ponton site about polarizing a generator:

Polarizing a Mercedes-Benz Ponton Generator © www.mbzponton.org

I attempted to polarize my generator twice according to the steps but could not get the GL light to extinguish. Next I checked the link referenced in the Ponton article and tested my generator by itself. Unencumbered from the regulator, it seems to put out 30+ Volts as the engine revs.

Would appear that my generator is ok but the regulator may not be.

Will be searching for regulator tests (it was fine before the dismantle)

meltedpanda · #19 12-08-2016, 09:13 PM

good luck

joshhol · #20 12-10-2016, 03:27 PM

This could be my problem, that lower contact looks fried

joshhol · #21 12-15-2016, 03:26 PM

I'm happy to report that I got the generator/regulator combo working and all is charging well.
I took it to an automotive electric shop in rural Missouri, one that was littered with alternators, starters and generators from the past half century, and the guy cleaned up the contact and tested the regulator, reporting that it was putting out 14V as it should.

We then talked about polarizing, wiring, armatures and like.

After having verified the components were wired correctly, the regulator having a good ground to the chassis, the B+ terminal on the regulator was getting 12V from the Battery, and the wires going from generator to regulator were not shorted, I polarized it once more.

*This is important because there's a lot of info on the web, but this is what worked for me, this time:
Regulator and generator are wired up,
touched a lead from B+ tab on the regulator to D+ (51) tab on the regulator just for a second. Spark was visible.

That's all it took. Gen light goes out and battery is getting just over 14V at fast idle.

joshhol · #22 03-12-2017, 08:53 PM

Made some decent progress on the fin, I can almost say it's road worthy but as usual something else is awry.
After getting the generator working, re-checking the valve clearance, setting dwell and timing, I noticed the advance was staying advanced after revving the engine. Well, pulled the distributor and cleaned the plates that were gummy and that did the trick. Re-timed everything, set the idle mixture and idle adjustment screws, she starts easily and purrs fairly well. However, the front injection tube is not discharging fuel.
This was probably causing all the stumbling on acceleration during today's test run.

Looks like I have to pull the front carb and see what's up with the accelerator pump

meltedpanda · #23 03-13-2017, 09:00 PM

great news