Author Topic: 1963 220se with generator voltage regulator options adjusting vs replacement  (Read 4016 times)

perry113

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I am looking for an option on replacing my voltage regulator for my 1963 220seb coupe. The original voltage regulator does not allow 13.9-14.1 charging.

I did invest in a DV4 unit that lasted 100 miles. I was never given a replacement unit even though I was willing to pay for a good working unit.
This is the unit I modernized for reference.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/qYBofuXGmoTnSPTF9

My original unit more than likely can be adjusted but I cannot find any documented procedure for doing so.
This is what is in my car
Bosch generator part #LJ/GG 240/12/2400AR8
30amp unit.
I have never had an issue with my 230SL's voltage regulators.
Any info on adjusting my current unit or options on good working replacement units would be of great help.
Regards.
Peter
« Last Edit: May 30, 2021, 16:14:10 by perry113 »
Peter Perry
1970 911T Bahia Red
1972 911T Albert Blau
1963 220seb coupe barn
1965 230SL Light Ivory automatic
1966 230SL Havana Brown 4 speed Barn Find
1970 280SE living 3.5 donor car

wwheeler

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I think Mercedes offers a replacement, that for the most part, bolts up directly. That is what I have on my ‘60 W128 and has been working well for number of years. Wasn’t cheap, but neither is most of what Mercedes sells.
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

perry113

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I actually just emailed Bernick to see what Classic offers.
Did you replace yours?
I want it to look original how I need to do what I have to do.
The car aside is all restored and ready to go.
Still wondering what others have done.
Peter Perry
1970 911T Bahia Red
1972 911T Albert Blau
1963 220seb coupe barn
1965 230SL Light Ivory automatic
1966 230SL Havana Brown 4 speed Barn Find
1970 280SE living 3.5 donor car

Tyler S

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The tensioning tabs below the spring steel plates can be slightly bent in either direction to adjust voltage and cutout/cut-in. The procedure attached below is for a 6 volt system but the same principles apply. Be sure to have the ignition off when making the adjustments. Sometimes just cleaning the contact points goes a long way. Even if they are new they have been on a shelf for a long time and necessitate cleaning.
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ja17

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I think the replacements being sold are an American built regulator. Seems to be a good match as far as size and configuration. My experience with adjusting the old regulators was one coil adjusted the voltage while one other adjusted the amperage. In most cases the problem was not solved by adjustment.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

perry113

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I think the replacements being sold are an American built regulator. Seems to be a good match as far as size and configuration. My experience with adjusting the old regulators was one coil adjusted the voltage while one other adjusted the amperage. In most cases the problem was not solved by adjustment.
I will have information Hopefully tomorrow on a Classic furnished unit.
I wonder if anyone here knows what this new unit crosses over to.
Peter Perry
1970 911T Bahia Red
1972 911T Albert Blau
1963 220seb coupe barn
1965 230SL Light Ivory automatic
1966 230SL Havana Brown 4 speed Barn Find
1970 280SE living 3.5 donor car

wwheeler

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The Mercedes supplied replacement is #000 154 44 06 26. This is on my '60 220SE W128, but pretty sure it is the same for W111.

It has a tin can and is embossed with "Bosch". It is zinc plated although could easily be painted semi gloss black if desired. It looks close enough for me and mounts up with no issues. Works great. See attached.
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

perry113

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The Mercedes supplied replacement is #000 154 44 06 26. This is on my '60 220SE W128, but pretty sure it is the same for W111.

It has a tin can and is embossed with "Bosch". It is zinc plated although could easily be painted semi gloss black if desired. It looks close enough for me and mounts up with no issues. Works great. See attached.

This very Porsche 912ish but with different mounting to work on the Benz.
The 912 in fact does run a Bosch 30amp generator so it makes sense.
Peter Perry
1970 911T Bahia Red
1972 911T Albert Blau
1963 220seb coupe barn
1965 230SL Light Ivory automatic
1966 230SL Havana Brown 4 speed Barn Find
1970 280SE living 3.5 donor car

perry113

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The Mercedes supplied replacement is #000 154 44 06 26. This is on my '60 220SE W128, but pretty sure it is the same for W111.

It has a tin can and is embossed with "Bosch". It is zinc plated although could easily be painted semi gloss black if desired. It looks close enough for me and mounts up with no issues. Works great. See attached.
Bernik says your W121 application will not work. Is your car a 30amp system?
I replaced my original voltage regulator today with a spare new 30 amp bosch unit from a 68 912. It is working.  I need to to some more detailed electrical testing and see if it will reliably do the job.
Peter Perry
1970 911T Bahia Red
1972 911T Albert Blau
1963 220seb coupe barn
1965 230SL Light Ivory automatic
1966 230SL Havana Brown 4 speed Barn Find
1970 280SE living 3.5 donor car

wwheeler

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I have a W128, not a W121 if it matters. I have no idea if the unit the Classic Center provided me for me W128 (220SE Ponton) will work on the 220SE W111. I can't imagine there was that big of a change in generator regulators between '60 and '63, but maybe there was. The pictures I have seen of the W111 regulators look very similar to the one I had on my '60 W128. As long as you find something to work, that is what matters.

What unit did the Classic Center recommend?
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

Nicolas Aristodemou

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  • 280SL Auto 1970 W113, 380SL Auto 1982 R107
I have sourced a replacement electronic unit from MB Classics in Germany, straight forward swap, very cheap, functions very well for some months now, since replacing it.

Nicolas
Nicolas Aristodemou
Nicosia - CYPRUS
280SL Auto 1970 US spec (W113), 380SL 1982 R107, Citroen DS23 Pallas 1973, Triumph TR4 1963, Triumph Stag 1973, Mini Cooper S Mk1
1965, Jaguar 3.8 Mk2 1962, VW Beetle 1978 Karman Converible, 1987 Ferrari 328GTS

perry113

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I have sourced a replacement electronic unit from MB Classics in Germany, straight forward swap, very cheap, functions very well for some months now, since replacing it.

Nicolas

What is the part #?
Mercedes Benz classic ? Or an independent?

Wallace what is the generator number on your car? I assume 12 volt system 30amp?

It would be good to figure out compatibility so other owners out there have the info.

Many thanks.
Peter
Peter Perry
1970 911T Bahia Red
1972 911T Albert Blau
1963 220seb coupe barn
1965 230SL Light Ivory automatic
1966 230SL Havana Brown 4 speed Barn Find
1970 280SE living 3.5 donor car

Nicolas Aristodemou

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  • 280SL Auto 1970 W113, 380SL Auto 1982 R107
Their website is mbclassics.de

See attached product photo

Nicolas Aristodemou
Nicosia - CYPRUS
280SL Auto 1970 US spec (W113), 380SL 1982 R107, Citroen DS23 Pallas 1973, Triumph TR4 1963, Triumph Stag 1973, Mini Cooper S Mk1
1965, Jaguar 3.8 Mk2 1962, VW Beetle 1978 Karman Converible, 1987 Ferrari 328GTS

wwheeler

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That regulator from MB classics is for the later alternator. What Peter has is the earlier generator. They will not interchange.

Peter,

I will see if I can find the generator number. It is a 12V system. For now, attached is the original regulator. I think it looks a lot  like yours.   
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

Pawel66

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What is the part #?
Mercedes Benz classic ? Or an independent?


If you provide VIN, i can look up the part number.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

wwheeler

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Peter,

My generator on the '60 220SE W128 is exactly as yours. LJ/66 240/12/2400 R8, Nmax 360W Jmax 30A. Too hard to take a picture as there is a hose going over.

As I have stated before the Mercedes supplied regulator has worked well for three years now with no issues.

I also bought the DV4 unit and was going to retro it at some point. Guess you are saying it doesn't work well? Looks like you encased it in an epoxy. You think maybe that could have overheated the DV4 by not having a way for it to dissipate the heat it generated? I like the idea of the DV4 but don't want to waste my time if it only lasts 100 miles. 
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

perry113

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Peter,

My generator on the '60 220SE W128 is exactly as yours. LJ/66 240/12/2400 R8, Nmax 360W Jmax 30A. Too hard to take a picture as there is a hose going over.

As I have stated before the Mercedes supplied regulator has worked well for three years now with no issues.

I also bought the DV4 unit and was going to retro it at some point. Guess you are saying it doesn't work well? Looks like you encased it in an epoxy. You think maybe that could have overheated the DV4 by not having a way for it to dissipate the heat it generated? I like the idea of the DV4 but don't want to waste my time if it only lasts 100 miles.
Unfortunately you are 100% spot on in that the DV4 I believe could not dissipate the heat.
My original voltage regulator is marked part# 0190 309 002
14V 30amp

What is the part number on your original voltage regulator?
Peter Perry
1970 911T Bahia Red
1972 911T Albert Blau
1963 220seb coupe barn
1965 230SL Light Ivory automatic
1966 230SL Havana Brown 4 speed Barn Find
1970 280SE living 3.5 donor car