Alternator repair costs?

[dralex]

As you can tell, everything on my boat is breaking this year and the bills are mounting up. I have an original alternator on my Yanmar 2GM20, which as I have said before is not outputting correctly- I suspect it is one of the brushes ( ? correct word). Is it worth getting a repair opinion first, or should I go for a new one and be done with it? Would it be better if I took it off and took it to an auto electrician?

Thanks

Alex

 

[longjohnsilver]

Yes go and get it refurbished, shouldn't cost more than about £100, or look for a cheap new one, probably about the same money.

 

[boatmike]

You should find someone locally to test it first. An auto repair man rather than marine and your yellow pages should identify a specialist. If it is just replacement brushes required that's a 20 minute job.... You could strip it and do it yourself but if not confident to do so give it to a specialist.

 

[oldharry]

Just paid out £107 to have my Bukh Motorola alt sorted after it got over enthusiasic about charging voltage - new diode pack and regulator.

 

[milltech]

I think I paid £220 to have mine done, but it was a pretty antique 40 y o alternator off one of my Gardners.

 

[l'escargot]

Just dropped the Hitachi off my old YSB in for checking today, it is only putting out 12.5 volts. Has anyone any idea what cars had Hitachi alternators fitted? I might try having a look round the scrap yard to see if I can find one and it would be useful to narrow down the search a bit instead of having to lift the bonnet of every car.

 

[halcyon]

You can normally get replacement brushes for around £3/5, with built in regulator there £15/20 from LSUK. Depending on alternator, the brushes may be two screws and remove, others need the alternator stripping.
Phone round your local auto electric people.

Brian

 

[ZEBEDEE]

Try talking to Autocare on Plymouth 01752 221617 they are based in Exeter Street Plymouth. not far from you and they are very good. If they don't have what you want, they can usually repair, or know a man who can. www.autocare.startermotor.co.uk

No relation just satisfied customer

 

[savageseadog]

Take yours to a breakers yard, the same Hitachi alternator is used a fair number of cars

 

[andy_wilson]

YES!

My 50A Valeo alternator was a bit rusty due to a water leak on to it. Needed new bearings (squealing) and brushes (worn) as a minimum, and idealy a new rotor (commutator worn).

Local auto starter motor / alternator specialist could only get the price to £70.00, or a replacement 80Amp Valeo for £80.00.

I went for the latter, and he even agreed to clean the old one up and re-assemble as-is for me to put away as a spare - seeing as though it was still working fine.

 

[boatmike]

Er... Try Japanese ones??

 

[Roberto]

If you have -or can get your hands on- a copy of Calder's Boatowner Manual, there is a rather straightforward description of how to test an alternator with just a tester-multimeter; it is not of course comparable to bench testing, but still it can give quite a few informations about what is functioning or where the fault is

 

[oldharry]

.... yes but you still have to pay for the bits! /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[dralex]

Thanks for the useful replies.

Alex

 

[Guest]

Breakers yard for replacement ...

Or find local auto-electrics guy .... not one of the "Brand-name" places ...
Back-street guys who services use are best ...

No point in buying new ... if they can't repair - then do a swap for recon unit ...

 

[l'escargot]

[ QUOTE ]
Er... Try Japanese ones??

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you have any knowledge that may actually narrow it down or was it just an uninformed guess? I can do uninformed guesses myself /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

The idea is that I can phone the scrap yards and ask them if they have any models of the cars I need.