I recently installed a 1000watt amplifier and a 800watt subwoofer in my car ('91 190E 2.3L). When the Radio is on the idle drops from 800 to 500, and if you have everything on (radio, lights, windshield wipers, and heat), the car dies. No big deal, I can just leave the radio off when the heat/wipers/lights are needed. Interestingly, the car will start right back up with no problems, as long as everything is off. At any rate I believe I need a more powerful alternator, the only problem is I know nothing about upgrading to a more powerful alternator. I know it has to be able to bolt on to the engine, but after that I am lost. Any help is much appreciated.

Andrew

 

you are using 80 amp alternator.

yes, you can replace it with bosch 120 amp with the same bracket.

have you tried adding a big capacitor on it?

 

THIS problem I know..I had it for months and kept going through alternators...
So I installed a capacitor and when I took the car in for service and questioning where I'd originally had the system installed (not the capacitor) these guys have been there 20 years and trustworthy, etc etc..I was told to rip out the capacitor b/c on the Benz with that amount of power they're really useless..he couldve sold me a larger capacitor but didnt-told me to get a bigger alternator..I did and since then-No problems whatsoever. Skip the capacitor, get the alternator..around the same price and you won't be burning through alternators or messing up your electrical system. Hope this helps..it helped me. Cheers.

 

Thanks for the replies. I'll go with the bigger alternator. Any idea on cost?

Andrew

 

if you will buy from the dealer, it will cost 645 for the 90Amperes alternator but only about half if you get from bosch. it is the same thing. maybe your alternator now is also only 70amp (you can see the label from the top).

was your battery 74AH or 80AH? if 100AH could fit, better replace it too. your battery is always the best capacitor in your car.

 

first replace battery if it is small , and then alternator.i had the same problem.

 

I know it's been over a month now, but... oh well...

Finally started to look a for this alternator. At any rate, I found this ONE. Is that it? I know its VW but does that matter?

The other one I found is this ONE. Its mercedes, but a little more expensive.

Will either one of these work?

Andrew

 

only bosch and valeo supplies alternators for mb.

first you need to ask them if the bracket or mounting is the same as yours. then the connector if the same also.

if they got bosch ESI (i have deleted mine so i cannot check it now), they can check it.