80amp Alternator

[delmarrey]

I was making up an off shore spare parts list for my Yanmar 3JH4E and checking prices as to know what I'll need to spend. And holishitso, the average Joe out there wants $950+. It better be gold plated w/li'l jewels embedded in the thing.

The highest price I could find on an automotive alt was for a special BMW @ $423, less then half a yanny.

For $950 I could buy 4 excellent alt's w/regulators and retro fit to take one and keep the others in a sealed box.

Even the starter was $375, also a bit extreme. I would hope to get free shipping.

Rant over

[SailFastTri]

Google BUDDA'S AUTO MARINE ELECTRIC and contact him. He's awesome and knows ALL THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT ALTERNATORS. Not only that, his phone support is top notch and his prices are right.

I have no affiliation except as a satisfied customer. I paid a little over $200 for an original OEM (Paris Rhone, without the expensive green paint) replacement for a Volvo-Penta alternator that would be around $650 with the V-P green paint.

[senormechanico]

How about eBay?
There are a ton of them.
80 a alternator | eBay

Here's a Yanmar:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/80A-ALTERNAT...item3f0d9fff31

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

How about eBay?
There are a ton of them.
80 a alternator | eBay

Here's a Yanmar:

80A ALTERNATOR W/PULLEY YANMAR 6LP ENG.# 119773-77200 | eBay

That's a good find but not sure it would bolt up. I'll have to check. Either way I would retrofit before paying $950+.

I use to rebuild alts & starters back in the 80's as a second income and could completely rebuild the one I have for less then $30. Heck the regulator is $235. What a rip off. The brushes are only $4.10 and the bearings are $10 each. If they're still running when they're rebuilt, the cost is minimal.

The things that damage alts are vibration, bad batteries and saltwater.

[FrankZ]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

The things that damage alts are vibration, bad batteries and saltwater.

Good thing you don't have to worry about those on a sailboat.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by FrankZ

Good thing you don't have to worry about those on a sailboat.

I own a yanmar. You can see why I'm making a list.

[colemj]

Electromaax sells them for better prices.

Mark

[DeepFrz]

The things that damage alts are vibration, bad batteries and saltwater.

You forgot HEAT...

[four winds]

Here's an aftermarket newly manufactured option for about $140.

I have one that is in use now. Seems it would be a good spare.

100% NEW Hitachi 12 Volt 80 Amp Alternator: Alternators &amp Alternator

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by four winds

Here's an aftermarket newly manufactured option for about $140.

I have one that is in use now. Seems it would be a good spare.

100% NEW Hitachi 12 Volt 80 Amp Alternator: Alternators &amp Alternator

Thanks! Hitachi is a good brand. That maybe what's on there now. I'll have to check. I use to rebuild those back in the 70's (oops, not the 80's) I think they were on the Honda's. That's even a better deal then BUDDA'S AUTO MARINE ELECTRIC above.

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

You forgot HEAT...

You are right, I associate that with bad batteries burning out the diodes (rectifier).

[engele]

Give Whatcom Electric a call. They build and rebuild all brands and will give you a test sheet with every alternator you buy. My 100A was about $90

Welcome to Whatcom Electric.
2021 Toledo Street Bellingham, WA 98229-4735
(360) 733-5051

[four winds]

Delmarrey, just to be clear, that link I posted is not a true Hitachi brand alternator. It's a new production aftermarket copy of an original Hitachi.

Many would be suspicious of the "quality" of such an aftermarket part. I've had good luck though.

I think at this point all real Hitachis would be rebuilds (?). Or maybe the high price for genuine new part.

[hellosailor]

del, that price really isn't so surprising if that is for a brand new brand-name alternator, as opposed to an OEM remanufactured one. Even for the BMW alternator, I'd expect $400 is for a remanufactured one and that a gen-you-whine brand new one, IF it is available, to be double that or higher. Most auto alternators are not 100% virgin and new, even at the dealership parts counter.

Now go looking for a matress. The old 6" thick kind? Impossible to find. 10" thick, $800-1200, and the salesman will wink and quietly tell you that's not really any good, and lead you up into 12"+ thick and two grand if you want a "better" grade. While a perfectly good mattress that fits ordinary sheets will still go one sale for $300 once a year.

100% new for $100-150? Not quite true. See, the page says "NEW HITACHI" but then if you read it all, it says:
"OEM(s): Hitachi

Voltage: 12
Rotation:
Amps: 80
Pulley:
Regulator: Internal Regulator Condition: NEW

Manufacturer: Spider Marine "

And that's saying it is NOT a Hitachi alternator, but that Hitachi originally made it, and Spider has now REmanufactured it. It should say "Hitachi alternator REBUILT BY SPIDER" and the term "OEM" cannot honestly be used because the OEM now is Spider--not Hitachi. What's left from Hitachi? The frame? The casing cover?

Easy enough to miss, and quite deceptive since most folks won't really READ and COMPREHEND beyond the "NEW HITACHI" or "OEM HITACHI" and the price.

[four winds]

I think the reason for the high cost of some rebuilt OEM alternators is the lack of viable cores to rebuild. The case and armature in particular would eliminate a core for use.

I noticed rebuilt Hitachi models from Wilson were higher than other builders. The 35 and 50 amp Hitachi rebuilds were more than the 80amp model, all in the same case format.

I think new manufacture in an overseas CAD/CAM controlled facility is the only way a knock-off aftermarket alternator could approach the $150 price point. I have one, so I guess I believe, and I didn't turn in a core when I bought it. Allegedly because it was a new part, no core required.

[delmarrey]

Thanks for all the replies!
This started out as a rant and turned out as an info thread. I never would have purchased a $950 alt. But it's Nice to know what's out there w/o doing the research myself. The boat's orig'l alt is a Hitachi LR180-03C and there seems to be a bunch out there on the web.