I need a new alternator. Called the Kubota dealer and he quoted me a price of $183.00. Seems very cheap, considering the prices I've been quoted by marine parts dealers. Has anyone done this ? What size regulator do I need? Thanks for the help.
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Alternator & Regulator
Mike You need to add some input. What's the output of the alternator being quoted for $183? Is it internally or externally regulated? The regulators do not have sizes, they only control the output of whatever alternator you purchase.
Mike You need to add some input. What's the output of the alternator being quoted for $183? Is it internally or externally regulated? The regulators do not have sizes, they only control the output of whatever alternator you purchase.
Repair
If it was my boat, I would take it to an alternator repair shop for an estinate. Should be in the yellow pages. Make sure they can maintain the marine quality.
If it was my boat, I would take it to an alternator repair shop for an estinate. Should be in the yellow pages. Make sure they can maintain the marine quality.
Repair it
I agree with Gene. Unless you have suffered physical damage to the alternator, you should take it to an electrical repair shop. This will be much cheaper than replacement, and even an auto electric shop will be able to obtain the marine equivilent parts. I recently paid $80 to have a marine alternator rebuilt (it would have been $50 had it been automotive) instead of $250 for a new one. Seemed like a no brainer.
I agree with Gene. Unless you have suffered physical damage to the alternator, you should take it to an electrical repair shop. This will be much cheaper than replacement, and even an auto electric shop will be able to obtain the marine equivilent parts. I recently paid $80 to have a marine alternator rebuilt (it would have been $50 had it been automotive) instead of $250 for a new one. Seemed like a no brainer.
Matt and Gene, Thanks
Thanks for the input. Spoke to a repairman and he stated he didn't think there was a difference in parts for a marine version. Do you know what the difference is ?
Thanks for the input. Spoke to a repairman and he stated he didn't think there was a difference in parts for a marine version. Do you know what the difference is ?
Spark protection
Mike, Most marine alternators have spark suppresors which seal the end of the alternator. An automotive alternator will have an open end. Using an automotive alternator in a boat can be very dangerous if the boat is powered by a gasoline engine. Not quite as critical in a diesel powered sailboat due to higher flash point of diesel fuel. The guts of the alternator will be the same though, so unless the shop needs to replace the marine specific parts, it will be the same internal parts for both. Hope this helps.
Mike, Most marine alternators have spark suppresors which seal the end of the alternator. An automotive alternator will have an open end. Using an automotive alternator in a boat can be very dangerous if the boat is powered by a gasoline engine. Not quite as critical in a diesel powered sailboat due to higher flash point of diesel fuel. The guts of the alternator will be the same though, so unless the shop needs to replace the marine specific parts, it will be the same internal parts for both. Hope this helps.
Stainless Steel Brush springs
Marine alts use SS brush springs. I wouldn't want automotive type alt on my boat as it would rust out in no time.
Marine alts use SS brush springs. I wouldn't want automotive type alt on my boat as it would rust out in no time.
If you must
If you find you can't repair it with marine grade parts, I was able to order a marine grade alternator through NAPA Auto Parts. He, of course, had to order it, but it arrived in 3 days, was the exact match to the one I removed and was marine grade. The best part was it was $120 cheaper than the best price on the net.
If you find you can't repair it with marine grade parts, I was able to order a marine grade alternator through NAPA Auto Parts. He, of course, had to order it, but it arrived in 3 days, was the exact match to the one I removed and was marine grade. The best part was it was $120 cheaper than the best price on the net.
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