I need a new alternator and I know of DB Electrical but with Christmas and just having bought a 38R I'm REALLY trying to get some bang for my buck. Here's their ebay link for a 200A 6G cased alternator:

NEW Alternator Ford Power Stroke 1999-2003 HIGH AMP 200 - eBay (item 170567020721 end time Dec-15-10 23:41:53 PST)

I'm wondering if anyone has heard of them, had any experience with them... anything. Thanks!!

 

How much was an equivalent Alt from DB? I bought the standard replacement alt for my truck for $115 (including shipping) from DB and have zero issues from it. The staff was very helpful and the warranty is great. Any problems in the first year and it will be replaced for free, no questions asked.

EDIT: Just checked DB for a 200 amp. Slightly over $200. I can't comment on the alt you found on Ebay, but I've just been really happy with the DB alt.

 

I've never heard of them before, but their shop is about three miles north of me.

I can go check them out on Monday, if you'd like.


Pop

 

I use Auto Zones Duralast they have a lifetime warranty. I am on my third one . Whats nice is if it goes no matter were you are at, you can go to any AZ and they have your info saved under your phone #. Its great if you travel alot. I usally get 100,000 mi out of them

 

Hi Pop, Could you go and check out the shop & post your thoughts. I respect your experience & I too could use a good alternator at that price. I would be interested to hear if you thought the one from DB was a better alternator. I will spent the money for the quality but look to spend my money wisely as I know you do. I have read some of your posts and this is a good time to say Thank You for the quality information that you have given to the readers of this site, not the least of which is the 'Brotherhood' thing. I love that phrase that you use 'I'm too old to be smart', Just great, Thanks again!

Francis

 

I'll drop in on them on Monday, jus' to take a look around....

Pop

 

Hey Brendan, Andrew (87 F-150 I6) gave me a link to a place that sells true high output alternators. I haven't tried them yet, but I think Andrew has one. Maybe he can chime in or you can send him a PM. These actually put out high amps even at idle, so they are higher performance alternators than the stock units.

TAD High Amp Ford Diesel Alternator- Nations High Amp Alternators

 

Those guys are pretty proud of their products, aren't they?

I don't believe I'll be spending $600 for one of their premium products.

Pop

 

I bought my replacement starter from Nations. I got a fair price an a Mitsubishi OEM starter, but like Pop said, that's a pretty steep premium even over top of the DB unit. Right now DB is in the lead for me, but if Eagle checks out then I'll save myself $60+.

 

Dropped in on them unannounced this morning.

They are a legitimate brick-and-mortar shop, and have been in business at the same location since 1989. It's owned and directly operated by a long-term immigrant from Armenia, and he has two employees, his older uncle, and a front-office girl (who, I suspect, watches the eBay stuff for him). He's on top of the local rebuilding business, and even told me that my most-local guy, who I have been using for my parts for years, recently died. Guess he'll be seeing more of me in the future.

The large-case 6G's are directly vended to him after-receipt-of-order (ARO) from another, unnamed parts house, but my best guess would be the Los Angeles Transpo (WAI Global) warehouse. Since he doesn't keep them in stock, he couldn't show me one to evaluate.

He specializes in European-car alternator and starter rebuilding, and had endless piles of Bosch cores and parts, which he also seems to build up ARO, as I saw no warehousing shelves. He also does a good business in Japanese stuff, as well.

When rebuilding OEM Ford alternators, he says he has the best luck with Transpo-vended parts (he said "Florida", but again, they have a Los Angeles warehouse).

We had a nice discussion on Price, Speed, & Quality, and prefers not to compete on price when it comes to rebuilds.

He admits the large-case 6G case castings are invariably Chinese, with various sources for the innards, which seems to be the norm for these units. But again, Transpo has all the larger parts in stock.

Wish I could have laid my hands on one for disassembly....

Pop

 

Thanks for the info Marv. Given that the last starter I bought from DB Electrical was Chinese parts anyway (and ultimately returned for refund) I'm thinking Eagle might just be the way to go. Time to call DB and see where their 200A alternators are made.

EDIT: DB buys brand new stock replacement alternators from a source in Cincinnati, then dismantles & replaces parts to get to the 200A level, and sources vary for those parts - Canada, Japan, and Taiwan specifically were mentioned.

 

I got my DB(200A) Jan 8 09 and havent had any issues with it other than not tightening the battery wire up good. It has been alot better than any from Advance I had(Thank God for life time warranty) This one makes #6 and hope its the last one. 209 plus tx out the door

 

Are you running the 4ga power wire they recommend?

 

I decided to give Eagle a shot so I ordered it this morning off eBay. About 2 hours later I received an email saying my order was complete and shipped!! I'll have it by Friday, so guess what I'll be doing when I get off work! I'll post pics etc. and I'm also ordering a 250A mini-ANL fuse & holder, and some 4ga power wire.

 

Your turn to write a "report".

Pop