This group provides a forum for owners and operators of diesel powered motorhomes and 5th wheel tractors to discuss mechanical issues, regulatory issues (US, Canada), ownership, insurance, campground accommodations, trip reports/suggestions, and other topics relevant to large RVs and the people who drive them.
OK.... Now I need to ask, what is this SANSEN kit? I sure hate being the dumbest person in any group!!
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You're right Brian ;
When I was a Gas Station Mechanic we overhauled alternators in the shop , they just needed cleaning , hand polishing of the rotor's slip rings and $3 worth of brushes plus a dab of good grease in the bush end cup roller bearing ..
Back then they co$t $15 wholesale , IIRC retail was $19 for most any rebuilt alternator .
Yes , I have seen many catastrophic failures but in the main the brushes just wear out .
-Nate
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My guess is that a lot of $$ is made on the sale and installation of new and rebuilt alternators, when in fact the $1 carbon brushes just need to be replaced. I just don't recall in my lifetime ever hearing or seeing a catastrophic failure of a generator or alternator like the bearings burned out and fried, or a gallon of oil fried everything. I think most people see a light go on or off, or the needle on the dash won't move, they take the car into the friendly mechanic and he says, "looks like you need to replace the alternator folks." Well, hooey - I also carry a spare regulator nowadays. If I were smarter I would probably just carry a bag of spare carbon brushes. I think when I drove my 1982 TD parts wagon from Minneapolis to L.A. and broke down at a rest stop near Independence, MO, it cost me $450 to get out of there. The guy actually took the front end off so he could get to the alternator - so I was up a crick without a paddle.
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Hi Nick ;
Yes , you have to take the car off the alternator it seems , no bending of anything is necessary .
The first time I did it , I didn't realize one of those 17MM nuts is welded to the front bracket so I mangled it pretty good .
The little rectangular thing is a radio static surpressor , it works very well indeed , just transfer it over *if* you purchase a rebuilt alternator .
Now comes the good part : all you need is a $35 (+/-) regulator/brush holder *BUT* the one you buy is CRITICAL ~ buying any brand other than OEM BOSCH in the yellow box , will not get you where you want to be ~ even the other German brands (Beru,Hugo Etc.) won't properly charge , none will ever get to 14 VDC .
I'm away from my parts stash else I'd post up the correct BOSCH P/N , if you go to Buy MB Parts dotwhever or Pelican Parts , Peach Parts etc. , they'll have it in the catalog , DO NOT get suckered into buying " the same thing really , I sell lots of these and never have any complaints " bullcrap the partshous guy will tell you ! .
I always buy two and keep one in the glovebox as the brushes wear out and it stops charging but the damn red light never comes on..... it's easy to change on the side of the road .
Many will tell you to upgrade ($) to a 90 Ampere SAAB alternator (! $$ !) but , if you just use the correct BOSCH brand regulator , it'll be fine like God and Mercedes Benz intended .
If you're anywhere in So. Cal. go to ETY in Eagle Rock and tell Allen you want the BOSCG regulator Nate insists on , you'll get the best price and he'll haveit in his hand three hours after you order it .
-Nate
I am having trouble understanding this. Hope you can help. I have a 1984 300D with a bad alternator. I have been working on cars for 40 years. The car has the 65 amp bosch version.
When removing the alternator, how are you suppose to remove the adjuster bolt. I removed the through bolt, loosened the adjuster bolt, and moved the adjuster so the alternator was closest to the engine block and belts fell off. But how are you suppose to remove the adjusting bolt. I had to bend the mounting bracket to free the adjuster rod, then it barely cleared getting it out anyway. Is that how it is done? Seems like a pain in the rear. First time I actually cussed German engineering. Did I miss something?
Once the alternator was on the ground, I was still confused. The 65amp rebuilt one I got from O'Reileys had me scratching my head some more. What is the little rectangular gizmo attached to the back of the alternator with one wire going into the rear of the alternator. Looks like a resistor. Can't find a new one. I think it said Faccon 2202 or something like that. Thought we had a picture of it but can not find it now.
When looking at the old alternator, I removed the voltage regulator and the brushes were wore down. Made me wonder if the alternator was fine, just the regulator was shot. Can it be tested off the car? How do you know? Can a voltage regulator be purchased separately? I have not been able to locate on online. I do not mind dropping $140 but if I do not have to, that is a bonus.
When we originally tested the alternator, voltage would not increase at battery when motor was reved past 2K. Thought that indicated alternator. That is why it is off the car now.
thanks, nick
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I love good fuel economy ! .
This is a slushbox tranny so the figures I get are about normal .
Plus of course , the engine in this car is shot , totally worn out so I try to drive it *gently* not like I hammer my poor old Sports Coupe .
-Nate
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.
I'm betting that ' GPD ' means : ' cheapo Chinese made crap ' .
Last thing I knew , Delco - Aire still sold the originals , be smart and do that or buy a SANSEN upgrade kit . suffer the sweating that in then enjoy better (colder) AC and MORE POWER from the engine simultaneously .
-Nate
My 1985 300SD compressor seized up. I found parts geeks, they have 3 or 4 different ones, that they seem to claim will work. I know you guys here have the intelligence to know what WILL work. I am going to try to post the link. 85 1985 Mercedes 300SD A/C Compressor - Climate Control - Four Seasons, GPD - PartsGeek
 | 85 1985 Mercedes 300SD A/C Compressor - Climate... Buy a 1985 Mercedes 300SD A/C Compressor at discount prices. Choose top quality brands Four Seasons, GPD. | ||||
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Well, that is one of the choices, anyways..... GPD is the manufacturer, whoever that is? Will it replace the one I have now, without fabricating brackets or anything?
Thanks!
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