Cooked Alternator

[Garry]

Made the most rooky of rooky errors this morning.  Purchased a new battery.  Last one was from our trip to USA and was an AllState bright green.  Thought i would replace it before putting car in to the annual MB Concourse here in Melbourne.


Without looking what I was  doing, and the posts were on the opposite side of the battery to the AllState one,  I put it in back to front and connected it up to see a mass of smoke. Quickly disconnected battery but not quick enough.


Fried the alternator.  Anyone have the part number for a 1965 230sl Alternator?


Garry

[Vander]

That should be Bosch AL64X, 35 Amp alternator. Some people upgrade to a higher amperage such as the AL72X, but the plug on the back is different sometimes. So be sure to check your plug shape.

[Garry]

Thank-you for quick reply. I just need to find one in next couple of days to get it ready for concourse next weekend

[rwmastel]

Best of luck.  People seem to have a difficult time finding 35A alternators.  Can yours be rebuilt?

[BobH]

Hello Garry, can you see where the burn damage is?  Could be the voltage regulator or bridge rectifier diodes, so it may not need a new alternator or rebuild, just a new regulator or replacement rectifier diodes, there are posts on here with part numbers if you need them

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=34276.msg250752#msg250752

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=34510.msg262124#msg262124

[Garry]

Thanks for the help.  It really smoked out from the alternator and now smells very burnt.  Luckily i was able to get a battery disconnect that stopped the power and i believe it was not the original generator so have put out feelers for an alternative. 
There is a annual club car show this Sunday about one hour return drive so will go there on battery and carrying a spare before pulling the alternator out.  We have our annual MB Concourse next weekend so i will hopefully get it fixed by then as the event is a three hour return drive and not sure the vehicle will go that long only on battery.

[AdelaidePagoda]

Garry, sorry to hear this. Easy mistake. As you may recall I also had the need for a replacement. Alternator earlier this year. Bosch Australia were no help as they do not repair W113’s alternators and I was keen to keep my original alternator. They even found it challenging to find a suitable off the shelf alternator and had to order one in specially.
Local Mercedes and classic car repairs were also unable to help.
Finally Gullwing Gold Coast helped as they had a refurbished 230 Alternator from a car that had been nut and bolt restored and this was considered not suitable to go back in.
Try giving Stephan the owner a call.

[Charles 230SL]

..Anyone have the part number for a 1965 230sl Alternator?

Hi Garry, sorry to hear about the smoked alternator.
The original Bosch 35A alternator for early 230's is type K 14V 35A 20, part number 0 120 400 503 (thru Sep 1963), and 504, 505, or 506 (since Oct 1963). Rather than a plug, these alternators/generators have four posts on the back labeled D-, DF, B+ and D+.
The attachment shows part numbers for Bosch equipment installed on 230SLs (alternator part numbers on page 2). take care, Charles

[Garry]

Thanks Charles and others. 


I have located an alternative three pin alternator and its being tested tomorrow and rebuilt Tuesday if ok. Fitting Wednesday all being good.
Doing a car show today not far away and hopefully battery will drive it for the day.  Carrying spare battery just in case.


Thanks for all the help.


Garry

[Duncan200]

Hi Garry,

I have my rebuilt alternator sitting on a shelf as my car is a long way from being on the road.

You’re welcome to borrow mine until such time as you can source a replacement without the stress of getting something to fit.

Let me know.

Doug.

[Garry]

Hi Doug,

Thanks for kind offer.

I am getting one tested Monday in Ringwood that I think is the same as the one on my car.  If that is ok i will come down and get that. If not i might take up your offer until i can get mine restored. The urgency was due to the MB Concourse next weekend that i have committed to attending.

Do you have a photo of it. I am pretty certain mine has been replaced at some point and the brackets may be a bit different.

[Cees Klumper]

I once drove a Triumph Spitfire over 700 miles on one battery charge. Just be economical with using any electricity for non-essentials, such as signaling/indicating, fan, or braking (brake lights) ...

[Duncan200]

Hi Garry,

Here’s some pics of mine.

Doug

[Garry]

Thanks Duncan,


I have found a old one and was tested and reconditioned yesterday and i am about to drive down now  to Croydon to get and fit it this morning.
Thank for your offer though.  Much appreciated knowing i had a fall back.  Hope to see you at MB Concourse this weekend.

[Garry]

Thanks to Reinhard Klaver and his son Michael, from Klaver and Associates, Croydon, a reconditioned alternator was fitted to my Pagoda today and now running beautifully.

Now i can get to and clean up my car for the MB Concourse this coming weekend.

[rwmastel]

Maybe you should put a good word in for your vendors over in the Vendor Experience board:  https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?board=21.0

[Baybear]

The Bosch ALX 72 is a direct replacement, 55 amp vs 35 amp. It has the three prong connector. No modifications you needed. I have used this on my car for the last 4 or 5 years. I did not upgrade the wiring harness as others have suggested that you need to do. Still working great.  No electrical fires here.
Will