OEM FOR 5X COST?

[Byrnerc]

When it comes to my boats, I want the best. My life may depend on it. So my question to those who have knowledge of the inners of starter motors used by Westerbeke is this; is a starter motor from Westerbeke for $1500 that much better than a marine Mitsubishi for $300? Yes, I know that $300 is cheap for a marine quality but what makes Westerbeke charge 5 times more?
Rossco

[BlueH2Obound]

"but what makes Westerbeke charge 5 times more?"

Gullible customers, and the fact that people will pay it.

[smac999]

Buy two 300 and keep a spare…

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Byrnerc

When it comes to my boats, I want the best. My life may depend on it. So my question to those who have knowledge of the inners of starter motors used by Westerbeke is this; is a starter motor from Westerbeke for $1500 that much better than a marine Mitsubishi for $300? Yes, I know that $300 is cheap for a marine quality but what makes Westerbeke charge 5 times more?
Rossco

Do Westerbeke make starter motors? or do they by them in from another supplier, Mitsubishi perhaps

[Byrnerc]

I liked the "buy two 300...". I still hope someone has actually seen the insides and knows if there is a significant quality difference.

thanks for the comments...
R

[wholybee]

I don't know about the Westerbeke, but some motors (in particular, my Volvo) are electrically isolated. The ground connection to the starter and the alternator are made to those devices directly, and they are electrically isolated from the engine, with no ground connection to the engine block. The special electrically isolated starter is very pricy.

In electrically isolated engines, there is no anode in the heat exchanged, and the shaft collar anode will last for years. It's a pretty cool thing, outside of the expensive parts.

However, if ground is connected to the engine, either directly, or by installing a starter or alternator that is not isolated, internal damage to the heat exchanger and engine will happen quickly, as there is no anode to protect them.

With that said, if your engine is not electrically isolated, and the starter grounds directly to the engine block, then there is probably little difference. The $300 one is probably made in China and is probably an exact copy of the genuine part.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by Byrnerc

When it comes to my boats, I want the best. My life may depend on it. So my question to those who have knowledge of the inners of starter motors used by Westerbeke is this; is a starter motor from Westerbeke for $1500 that much better than a marine Mitsubishi for $300? Yes, I know that $300 is cheap for a marine quality but what makes Westerbeke charge 5 times more?
Rossco

Westerbeke has to go to the OEM to order, buy, store, rebadge, warrant, distribute and make a profit on the starter motor; you get to pay for those things.

Usually a close inspection of things like starter motors (and alternators) will reveal who the OEM is (Bosch, Denso, Hitachi, Delco etc). Your choice of who gets your money.

Very occasionally there are some important differences but these will show up when comparing the OEM part numbers.

[Searles]

If you really fell the need to carry a spare starter complete with the solenoid, better still carry a clockwork starter ,windup Lucas made them plus adapters to suit mast small engines ,l have one for a Perkins 4108 ,tested once ,verry good ,packed away .⛵️⚓️

[ABJ87]

The difference… it’s painted red and in a different box.

[stormalong]

Westerbeke is very good at hiding the origin of their engines and soaking their customers for parts. Had one once. Needed a simple fuel fitting. They quoted $80 (around 1999). But they didn't have one and it would take four weeks to get it. That's a fifth of the sailing season in Chicago. Took the cracked fitting to a welder and got it brazed for about $5.

That $1500 starter is the same as the $300 one plus a $1200 paint job.

[Byrnerc]

Thanks to all, the grounding issue is a new and interesting one. I never heard of a clock work starter, that I'll research. Here is why I don't think it's just an expensive paint job; Westerbeke doesn't want the parts on the shelf, no money being made on that investment so, in light of the competition, they should lower the price. Another reason, I've worked on starter motors and some internal parts are inferior which don't last as long. Also, marine motors are supposed to be protected from a salt environment which makes them more costly. Despite my argument, you-all are probably right, it's the paint and I'm gullible.

[stormalong]

Originally Posted by Byrnerc

Thanks to all, the grounding issue is a new and interesting one. I never heard of a clock work starter, that I'll research. Here is why I don't think it's just an expensive paint job; Westerbeke doesn't want the parts on the shelf, no money being made on that investment so, in light of the competition, they should lower the price. Another reason, I've worked on starter motors and some internal parts are inferior which don't last as long. Also, marine motors are supposed to be protected from a salt environment which makes them more costly. Despite my argument, you-all are probably right, it's the paint and I'm gullible.

Yes, it is the paint and you are gullible.

Since you have worked on starter motors, buy an OEM starter, remove the Westerbeke one from your engine and compare them part for part. Worst case you are out $300. Best case you have saved $1200. Worth the risk?

[Tin Tin]

Might have something to do with marine starters being sealed so as not to create sparks, particularly important for gasoline engines, maybe not such an issue for diesels.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Byrnerc

When it comes to my boats, I want the best. My life may depend on it. So my question to those who have knowledge of the inners of starter motors used by Westerbeke is this; is a starter motor from Westerbeke for $1500 that much better than a marine Mitsubishi for $300? Yes, I know that $300 is cheap for a marine quality but what makes Westerbeke charge 5 times more?
Rossco

My $$$$$ Mitsubishi starter burned up 8 years ago and I asked the same question. One of the electrical shops said they could rewind it for $300. I replaced it with a $110 (including 2 day shipping) aftermarket starter. People here on CF said it wouldn't last, but it is still working just fine and has more starts on it than the OEM unit.

[capt jgw]

Not that familiar with Westerbeke engines, but the same is true for Universal Diesel, which is now owned by Westerbeke. Universal parts are 100 percent Kubota tractor parts, repackaged at up to 10 times the Kubota price. The only parts that don't come directly from Kubota are the marinisation parts like the water cooled exhaust manifold. And those are not available. I had two Universals, and bought all my parts at local tractor shops. The only trick was you had to know what tractor that base engine was used in and order parts for that.