Replacement Alternator - Does it matter which I buy?

[ccave04]

Hi All,

This past weekend I had my alternator die on my boat. No one in town carries one and I figured I could just as easily order the part as the marina could seeing I will be putting it back in myself.

The alternator I took out has the following specs on the sticker:

MERCURY MARINE PART NO. 862031
12V 65A GRD NEG. 943
MARINE SAE J1171 & ISO 8846
MADE IN KOREA

When I do a Google search for that Merc part no I get quite a few different alternators that come up ranging form $89 - $350. I am just wondering some opinions on some of the discount parts or if I should pony up and go with the Quicksilver.

Thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks, Chris.
(P.S. I think this is the right forum for this question?)

 

[ccave04]

Re: Replacement Alternator - Does it matter which I buy?

I also noticed some are black coated, is this important protection?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Replacement Alternator - Does it matter which I buy?

http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Motor-Pa...EP+General:Google-_-marine+Alternators_Phrase

 

[ccave04]

Re: Replacement Alternator - Does it matter which I buy?

Thanks for the link. I had already found the part here on iBoats I am just curious to opinions on the type of replacement alternator to put in
and some pros/cons.

 

[Don S]

Re: Replacement Alternator - Does it matter which I buy?

As long as the wiring matches up, and the mounting brackets have the pulleys lined up properly and everything is secure, there isn't a problem with the type.
If you are looking for parts by cheap price alone, you will probably get burned in the long run.

 

[a1nowell]

Re: Replacement Alternator - Does it matter which I buy?

Have you checked on having your existing alternator rebuilt? It might be a little cheaper and you would know what you have.

Just a thought

Larry

 

[Don S]

Re: Replacement Alternator - Does it matter which I buy?

Just a note, if you take your alternator to your local electrial motor, starter, alternator shop. The usually look and work like new at less than the cheapies you find on ebay and the net in general.

Edit Typing while you were posting Larry.

 

[caddylover]

Re: Replacement Alternator - Does it matter which I buy?

i have ALWAYS had all my starters and alternators rebuilt at an electrical motor shop. I've just had my Chevy Z71 alternator rebuilt a few days ago and it was a complete rebuild for $105.00. There is no need to buy a new one as the "NEW" ones have also been rebuilt but costs 2 -3 times more!!

Wife's RAV4 alternator AND starter rebuilt. $120 for the starter and $85 for the alternator. Cadillac STS alternator rebuilt for $120.00

Not sure what your pricing is out there, but it should be relatively the same or cheaper. Nice thing is that i drop these off in the morning and 4 hours later they are done.

good luck

 

[ccave04]

Re: Replacement Alternator - Does it matter which I buy?

Thanks guys, I honestly hadn't even thought about having it rebuilt. I will check around the area and find if there is a shop that can do it. After I pulled it out I brought it to Auto-zone to see if they could bench test to make sure it was dead, but it wasn't compatible with there machine so I couldn't do it... I will definitely see if someone can rebuild.