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Cold Starts
The alternator on my 1984 300D stopped putting out so I replaced it a few weeks ago with a rebuilt 120Amp Bosch unit. I believe 120A is about the largest you can get without replacing the OEM wiring. My car has always started just fine, although recently it would struggle a little bit in the morning on a cold start. This is in Southern California and I am at almost 100K miles on the last set of glow plugs. Regardless of whatever I have done, it has always been a tad sluggish on cold starts.
Anyhow, since I put in the new alternator, it now jumps on from cold. I'm impressed with just how fast it is starting. I see all of these threads about people having issues with cold starts in cold weather and I just wanted to post this because I wonder if just having a better alternator and a less drained battery would be a big help. I have also noticed the blower motor seems to put out a bit more power for the heat. Dkr. |
#2
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The larger "Internal Fan" style alternators actually charge at 14.4V instead of the lazy 13.2-13.5V that the older "External Fan" style max out at. The result is brighter headlights, stronger blower fan, and a more fully charged battery.
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Yeah, I was thinking about the battery aspect. My last battery lasted just under four years. I wonder if I may get more lifespan with a higher powered alternator. I'm surprised I have never heard of anyone mentioning that before. I always thought high powered alternators were just for sound systems. I didn't realize there would be other benefits for a W123.
Dkr. |
#4
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So after reading your message and out of curiosity, I checked the major auto parts retailers online for an alternator for my 1983 300D that would put out 120 amps. The results for range of output were 55 amps to 70 amps. So, my two questions: 1. What is the process for finding a 120 amp unit? Perhaps by entering one's vehicle's specifications, a 120 amp unit is excluded since it wasn't considered within specifications by M-B? 2. Are the mounts and belt configuration for the 120 amp unit identical to the lower amperage specified unit? |
#5
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There is even some 100amp ones listed as new. The new ones I suspect are made in China. Note many years back I bought a New Chinese made Alternator for my Van and it has been charging fine. That must have been 10 years ago.
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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel |
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Ok, good to know. Thank you for clarifying. |
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There was what past members who bought from them said was a good quality rebuilder that sold the 80+ amp Alternators on eBay here in CA. Eagle Electric.
When I looked 3 weeks or so ago I could not find them selling on eBay. In the past for the older AC Delco Alternators that had the internal Voltage Regulator you could by an higher amperage kit that had a new Stator and Rotor. I did some internet searching and could locate no one selling that same sort of kit for Bosch Alternators. So I am wondering who Eagle Electric bought those parts from?
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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel |
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On eBay but you need to change the wiring as it won't use the stock connector.
150 AMP Mercedes Alternator W116 W123 W115 W114 W111 107 High Output Generator US $198.49 + $20 shipping. The claim is that it would be compatible with my 84 300D. However some of our members have said one of the AC hoses is close to the back of the Alternator. I don't know if all of the W123s have the same AC hose routing. Note this is in the Ad: "Please let us know if you need a Single V Pulley or Double V Pulley." Anyway 2 expensive for me.
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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel |
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They have a 120amp alternator for these?! Wow! I want one, especially if it has an internal regulator that puts out 14.5volts. But honestly how much of a load are you putting on an alternator with single starting battery? Are you charging a secondary bank or running an inverter? The glow plugs are no more than 50 but that’s intermittent. 120amps seems excessive unless you have 60 amp Continuous load. I doubt you could get a small starting battery to accept an 80 amp load for more than 30 seconds unless it were completely flat or it’s lithium.
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#10
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When I had my w123, I replaced the alternator with one from a gasser w126. I forget the amperage, but it was higher than the ones for the om617. it worked very well. Brighter lights, HVAC fan did not pull the system down, etc.
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RRGrassi 70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car 13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete. 91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K 90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K |
#11
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Thanks for looking into this and sharing the information! Very helpful, fascinating, and fun! |
#12
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If yours is low, perhaps swapping in a new Vreg/brush kit will fix it. You can do that with the alternator in the car, and the part cost ~$15.
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1984 & 1985 CA 300D's 1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport 1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans |
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#14
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Be aware that the newer "internal fan" alternators use ring terminals for their main connections instead of the single latching spade plug of the older ones. You will have to modify your wiring harness with ring terminals (which are better anyway) if you want to upgrade to a newer alternator. |
#15
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Am I wrong in thinking ( from what I've read ) that an internal fan 120 amp alternator gives no real benefit for night time driving and/or battery charging than the stock 90 amp internal fan alternator? ( If no modification to increase amperage demand )
Just want to make sure there is no benefit in changing my stock 95 E300D one. |
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