(And no, I don't know)
Upgrading alternator
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
W203 06
Upgrading alternator
hey guys.
I need advice on upgrading my c180 W203's alternator to one that delivers more amp. Can i fit any after market alternator into the car or do I need a bosch one?
Also how difficult of a job is this, can it be done at home?
Cheers guys
I need advice on upgrading my c180 W203's alternator to one that delivers more amp. Can i fit any after market alternator into the car or do I need a bosch one?
Also how difficult of a job is this, can it be done at home?
Cheers guys
Last edited by Bnzova; Dec 15, 2010 at 08:31 PM.
Super Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 904
Likes: 22
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada, eh!
2003 C230 Sports Coupe, Paprika Metallic Red, Auto, Pano, Leather
The double negative means you really do know! 
Stock alternator and good battery provide plenty of reliable electrical juice. So why would OP want more juice? Probably wants to install something that drains alot of electrical amps.... like a loud BOOM-BOOM soundsystem. If that's the case, one alternative is to rebuild/re-manufacture the original stock alternator and juice it up for more amps.
You'll need to find a specialized place that rebuild alternators and know how to juice them up. Usually, a high end car audio place might be able to recommend someplace locally. Another alternative is to find a specialty place on ebay,...
Stock alternator and good battery provide plenty of reliable electrical juice. So why would OP want more juice? Probably wants to install something that drains alot of electrical amps.... like a loud BOOM-BOOM soundsystem. If that's the case, one alternative is to rebuild/re-manufacture the original stock alternator and juice it up for more amps.
You'll need to find a specialized place that rebuild alternators and know how to juice them up. Usually, a high end car audio place might be able to recommend someplace locally. Another alternative is to find a specialty place on ebay,...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
W203 06
The double negative means you really do know!
Stock alternator and good battery provide plenty of reliable electrical juice. So why would OP want more juice? Probably wants to install something that drains alot of electrical amps.... like a loud BOOM-BOOM soundsystem. If that's the case, one alternative is to rebuild/re-manufacture the original stock alternator and juice it up for more amps.
You'll need to find a specialized place that rebuild alternators and know how to juice them up. Usually, a high end car audio place might be able to recommend someplace locally. Another alternative is to find a specialty place on ebay,...
Stock alternator and good battery provide plenty of reliable electrical juice. So why would OP want more juice? Probably wants to install something that drains alot of electrical amps.... like a loud BOOM-BOOM soundsystem. If that's the case, one alternative is to rebuild/re-manufacture the original stock alternator and juice it up for more amps.
You'll need to find a specialized place that rebuild alternators and know how to juice them up. Usually, a high end car audio place might be able to recommend someplace locally. Another alternative is to find a specialty place on ebay,...
thanks for the info man
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 24
From: Boston, MA
'14 ML350, '13 C220 CDI, '07 C280, '98 ML320
MB alternator is rated at 150Amp. If you need more than that, I would say, you would need to have the alternator rebuilt by alternator remanufacturers. Call up local alternator rebuilders and see if they can rebuild for more AMP.
I am not sure if that [rebuilding the alternator for more AMPs] would cause any other electrical problems...
I am not sure if that [rebuilding the alternator for more AMPs] would cause any other electrical problems...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
My .02.....
I'm not an expert but I do understand electrics and electronics. Once again, what makes you think you need more amps? Increasing charge rate can be hazardous to your system. Unless you change the battery...or add to it...you can literally explode it. Maybe all you need is another battery added in parallel and that would be relatively easy. "Juicing up the amps" is harder than it sounds. A smaller pulley might give you all the extra you need...if you really need it. Adding windings or bigger magnets requires engineering and $$$ and what about the regulator? Are you using the 100 ah battery that comes with the car and that's not sufficient because it's going dead with your current set up? Maybe you have another problem. Just saying.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
W203 06
I'm not an expert but I do understand electrics and electronics. Once again, what makes you think you need more amps? Increasing charge rate can be hazardous to your system. Unless you change the battery...or add to it...you can literally explode it. Maybe all you need is another battery added in parallel and that would be relatively easy. "Juicing up the amps" is harder than it sounds. A smaller pulley might give you all the extra you need...if you really need it. Adding windings or bigger magnets requires engineering and $$$ and what about the regulator? Are you using the 100 ah battery that comes with the car and that's not sufficient because it's going dead with your current set up? Maybe you have another problem. Just saying.
Would upgrading the battery help? The audio forums also suggest running 0 gauge wire from the alternator to the battery.
I'm trying to avoid upgrading the alternator, it will be my last resort.
Thanks for your replies
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Yes I will be changing my battery. All the audio forums suggest that I need a better alternator to stop the dimming problems with my car. The battery doesn't go dead it stays at 14.2V when driving and drops to 13.0 when the sub woofer hits. I have more powerful subs about to be installed and am worried because it will put more of a stress on my alternator.
Would upgrading the battery help? The audio forums also suggest running 0 gauge wire from the alternator to the battery.
I'm trying to avoid upgrading the alternator, it will be my last resort.
Thanks for your replies
Would upgrading the battery help? The audio forums also suggest running 0 gauge wire from the alternator to the battery.
I'm trying to avoid upgrading the alternator, it will be my last resort.
Thanks for your replies
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
