Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: dendrinos on June 02, 2007, 05:20:07

Title: Engine Compartment Socket
Post by: dendrinos on June 02, 2007, 05:20:07: I apologize for having to ask such a basic question, but I could not find reference to it in the archives. Could someone please tell me what the apparent electrical receptacle (254070 - Socket, engine compartment) is for?

I am the new owner of a completely restored red 69 280 sl, automatic. Although it has been in our family since 75 I have never become aware of it’s function. I would like to be able to discuss the car intelligently when showing it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Pete

280 Sl
Michigan, USA
Title: Re: Engine Compartment Socket
Post by: bpossel on June 02, 2007, 05:54:20: Hi Pete,

One use for this socket was for a trouble light that plugged in to light up the engine compartment.

Bob

bpossel (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL / '97 E320
Title: Re: Engine Compartment Socket
Post by: dendrinos on June 02, 2007, 06:01:59: Bob, thanks, I suspected as much. I have never seen that light however. It might be cool to have one. Ever seen one?

280 Sl
Michigan, USA
Title: Re: Engine Compartment Socket
Post by: Douglas on June 02, 2007, 07:10:45: Pete,

Here's an image of the trouble light:

Download Attachment: (http://images/icon_paperclip.gif) slight.jpg (http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/douglas/20076291019_slight.jpg)
31.11 KB

Douglas Kim
New York
USA
Title: Re: Engine Compartment Socket
Post by: al_lieffring on June 02, 2007, 07:32:56: quote:
Originally posted by Douglas

Pete,

Here's an image of the trouble light:

Download Attachment: (http://images/icon_paperclip.gif) slight.jpg (http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/douglas/20076291019_slight.jpg)
31.11 KB

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

That is a much nicer trouble lamp than the one I had seen. A friend of mine many years ago had asked the parts counter at the local MBZ dealer to order the trouble light for him. What they sent him was a cheesy looking thing that had a tail lamp bulb with a tin reflector, about 8 foot of wire and a plug that fit into the accesory outlet.

Al Lieffring
66 230Sl
Jones'n for a new gas tank
Title: Re: Engine Compartment Socket
Post by: mdsalemi on June 02, 2007, 07:42:13: quote:
Originally posted by al_lieffring

quote:
Originally posted by Douglas

Pete,

Here's an image of the trouble light:

Download Attachment: (http://images/icon_paperclip.gif) slight.jpg (http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/douglas/20076291019_slight.jpg)
31.11 KB

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

That is a much nicer trouble lamp than the one I had seen. A friend of mine many years ago had asked the parts counter at the local MBZ dealer to order the trouble light for him. What they sent him was a cheesy looking thing that had a tail lamp bulb with a tin reflector, about 8 foot of wire and a plug that fit into the accesory outlet.

Al Lieffring
66 230Sl
Jones'n for a new gas tank

...that "cheesy" looking trouble lamp, alas, is the "correct" lamp for what its worth. I have seen quite a few original, and newer trouble lamps, and have never seen one that looked like what Douglas posted.

Keep in mind that any 12V lamp will work with the socket, so if one were so inclined they could easily find a good 12V modern LED trouble lamp and fit it to the plug assembly.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America
Title: Re: Engine Compartment Socket
Post by: Cees Klumper on June 02, 2007, 08:27:05: Douglas - I think the image you posted is a light that you can 'stick' (vacuum) to the inside of the windshield, which will then shine on objects in front of the car. Sort of like the light fixture that you see on police cars, except there the light is on the outside, operable as far as where it shines with a handle from the inside.

I use this socket for my trickle charger (an original MB float charger that I just got through SLS), by the way.

Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic
Title: Re: Engine Compartment Socket
Post by: TheEngineer on June 02, 2007, 08:29:25: Attached is a picture of the original trouble light and the original plug to fit the socket in the firewall

Download Attachment: (http://images/icon_paperclip.gif) TroubleLight.jpg (http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/theengineer/200762102631_TroubleLight.jpg)
16.81 KB

Download Attachment: (http://images/icon_paperclip.gif) TroubleLightPlug.jpg (http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/theengineer/20076210283_TroubleLightPlug.jpg)
13.41 KB
Title: Re: Engine Compartment Socket
Post by: Douglas on June 02, 2007, 15:39:13: The part I posted was the optional factory "spotlight." Here's the photo of it from the Special Equipment brochure from the period:

Download Attachment: (http://images/icon_paperclip.gif) spotlight.jpg (http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/douglas/20076217398_spotlight.jpg)
43.5 KB

Douglas Kim
New York
USA
Title: Re: Engine Compartment Socket
Post by: dendrinos on June 03, 2007, 05:53:47: Thank you all for the input. I find it interesting that the Original trouble light is so Spartan looking. Very utilitarian.

I like the idea of using the outlet as a means of charging the battery.

Anyone know where to pick up the male plug for that outlet?

Pete

280 Sl
Michigan, USA
Title: Re: Engine Compartment Socket
Post by: jeffc280sl on June 03, 2007, 06:41:53: http://www.powerletproducts.com/products/plugs.php#

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed
Title: Re: Engine Compartment Socket
Post by: dendrinos on June 03, 2007, 10:26:19: Thank You i ordered one up.

quote:
Originally posted by jeffc280sl

http://www.powerletproducts.com/products/plugs.php#

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

280 Sl
Michigan, USA
Title: Re: Engine Compartment Socket
Post by: jeffc280sl on June 03, 2007, 18:33:15: You are welcome!

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed
Title: Re: Engine Compartment Socket
Post by: Douglas on June 04, 2007, 21:54:24: Here's a part from ebay that may work:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Kaco-Trouble-Light-for-BMW-R50-R69S-Porsche-VW-Etc_W0QQitemZ220118635554QQihZ012QQcategoryZ35604QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Douglas Kim
New York
USA
Title: Re: Engine Compartment Socket
Post by: dendrinos on June 05, 2007, 04:49:09: Looks nice. I wonder if that will support a 12v bulb?

280 Sl
Michigan, USA