The clamp on meters are good because you can go beyond the usual 10amp maximum.

Auxiliary fans pull a lot of juice. Mercedes engineers would have performed a maximum demand calculation when selecting the alternator. When we do maximum demand calculations, some items count for 100% of its load but others might only be 50%/75% etc. This is presuming not all consumers will be running all of the time or at the same time. eg electric windows- a relatively high consumer, four of them, but would all four be operating at the same time, not likely.

If you are running an older amperage alternator (when I say older, I mean as in terms of what was standard on earlier Benz diesels) such as 50/60/70 amps, then you will definately be running into problems with permantly 'on' auxiliary fans, especially during start ups with the glow circuit add to that cabin fans and headlights etc.

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1995 E300 Diesel