Author Topic: 280 SL - headlights and fuses  (Read 7263 times)

Ian Harris

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280 SL - headlights and fuses
« on: August 14, 2012, 07:49:23 »
I have just bought a lovely 280 SL Pagoda 1970 model with very low mileage, and I am new to the Forum. It's a left hand drive, and in order to get it through it's UK MOT, I need to convert the headlights to UK standards. Can anyone tell me what I need to buy, and where from ? Just the lens, or the whole headlamp unit ?

There is also one very small ceramic fuse - which has blown. Not sure what it does, but again any clues where I can find a supplier ?

I have tried various websites and also Mercedes UK - none of which have produced any results either for the headlights or the fuse.

Lastly, there is a pull-up switch in the middle of the centre console; it looks like a cigarette lighter (but isn't), lifts about half an inch and has a small light in the top of the switch which illuminates when the switch is lifted. Any idea what it does ??

Larry & Norma

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Re: 280 SL - headlights and fuses
« Reply #1 on: August 14, 2012, 08:34:54 »
Hi Ian
The lights I believe you can get away with new glass (or plastic lens as supplied by sls as repro).
The fuses you can get from Halfords in a blister pack thing.
The switch, do you have a heated rear screen on your hardtop?

Larry
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Naj ✝︎

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Re: 280 SL - headlights and fuses
« Reply #2 on: August 14, 2012, 12:23:48 »
Hi, Ian,

Does your car have Euro or US headlights?

This topic may help:

http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=16821.msg116186#msg116186

Naj
« Last Edit: August 14, 2012, 12:43:24 by Naj »
68 280SL

Neil Thompson

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Re: 280 SL - headlights and fuses
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2012, 17:45:26 »
Ian the switch in the centre console as Gnuface says looks like heated rear window, quite rare I think, this can be confirmed by some extra wires running vertically inside a leather flap just on the panel to the rear of the left hand door, the fuses are available easily, the blown one can be identified by the paper guide in the fuse box lid or on this website, there will be second hand headlamps available I'm sure, put a wanted advert out to the forum. Car sounds nice, any photos?

Neil
1964 230 SL RHD DB304 Horizon Blue
1957 190 SL RHD DB180 Silver
1988 R107 300 SL RHD DB199 Blue Black
1978 C123 230C 2dr Auto RHD Silver

stickandrudderman

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Re: 280 SL - headlights and fuses
« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2012, 21:42:14 »
S/H RHD headlamps are even rarer than a rocking horse's waste products.
I have new RHD headlamp glasses in stock but they are not cheap....

Neil Thompson

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Re: 280 SL - headlights and fuses
« Reply #5 on: August 16, 2012, 20:34:34 »
nothing's cheap when in limited supply
1964 230 SL RHD DB304 Horizon Blue
1957 190 SL RHD DB180 Silver
1988 R107 300 SL RHD DB199 Blue Black
1978 C123 230C 2dr Auto RHD Silver

Ian Harris

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Re: 280 SL - headlights and fuses
« Reply #6 on: August 17, 2012, 11:51:15 »
Thanks to all - think I have found the answer to replace the vintage 18mm long stubby ceramic fuses which sit on top of a copper stub. The 'usual' ceramic ones are 1 inch long - and according to the Technical Manual a ceramic 25amp dark blue 1 inch fuse can replace what's there, once the copper stub has been removed.

Will revert re the headlamp lenses; need a bit more investigating of what's fitted at present - there are various flat and bubble options, but I am fairly sure they are Euro.

I don't have a heated rear window; someone has suggested the switch might be an Overdrive, or maybe the 'Automatic Starting Aid' or 'Electromagnetic Starting Valve'

Anyone know whether a 1970 imported left hand drive needs to have seatbelts fitted in order to pass a UK MOT; I have been given two conflicting advices; one says nothing is needed; the other says I need lap belts only (but not sure if there are any mounting points).

mdsalemi

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Re: 280 SL - headlights and fuses
« Reply #7 on: August 17, 2012, 12:25:51 »
Ian,

The stubby fuses are available; at the last PUB, Bud's had full fuse kits for sale, and some other people there had just the stubby ones for sale...I think I bought a few from 66andBlue to add to the other kit I got.  I have yet to ever replace a fuse, but I'm happy I have the spares.  Now, where did I put them?  Toolbox, or glovebox...better check!  ;)
Michael Salemi
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Iconic

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Re: 280 SL - headlights and fuses
« Reply #8 on: August 17, 2012, 13:31:59 »
I don't have a heated rear window; someone has suggested the switch might be an Overdrive, or maybe the 'Automatic Starting Aid' or 'Electromagnetic Starting Valve'
Ian,
I believe the switch in the console can be for a rear fog light also.
Do you have a rear fog light?
How about a picture of it so we can see if it looks original?
1970 280 SL Automatic, USA version, Grey-Blue (906G/906G), Blue leather (245)
1968 SS396 Camaro Convertible (owned since 1977 -- my first car :D)
1984 Porsche Euro Carrera coupe, LSD, SlateBlueMet/Blue
1998 BMW M-Rdstr Estoril Blue
1970 280 SL Automatic, Anthracite Grey-173G, Red Interior-132 - sold

stickandrudderman

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Re: 280 SL - headlights and fuses
« Reply #9 on: August 18, 2012, 09:08:12 »
I never bothe with the stubby fuses. Just drill out the remainder of the stubby fuse and replace with the longer one. These are much more readily available.