Engine Compartment Socket

[dendrinos]

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

[bpossel]

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

[dendrinos]

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

[Douglas]

Pete,

Here's an image of the trouble light:

Download Attachment: slight.jpg
31.11 KB

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[al_lieffring]

quote:Originally posted by Douglas

Pete,

Here's an image of the trouble light:

Download Attachment: 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

[mdsalemi]

quote:Originally posted by al_lieffring

quote:Originally posted by Douglas

Pete,

Here's an image of the trouble light:

Download Attachment: 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

[Cees Klumper]

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

[TheEngineer]

Attached is a picture of the original trouble light and the original plug to fit the socket in the firewall

Download Attachment: TroubleLight.jpg
16.81 KB

Download Attachment: TroubleLightPlug.jpg
13.41 KB

[Douglas]

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: spotlight.jpg
43.5 KB

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[dendrinos]

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

[jeffc280sl]

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

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[dendrinos]

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

[jeffc280sl]

You are welcome!

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[Douglas]

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

[dendrinos]

Looks nice. I wonder if that will support a 12v bulb?

280 Sl
Michigan, USA