“RumHead, this is your wallet – what’s wrong with you? I’m down here on your right cheek, doing wallet stuff, and suddenly you wrench me open and tear out my innards, leaving me feeling empty and violated! How could you be so cruel!?!”
“Shut-up wallet, get used to it”, RumHead.
I’m standing over a workbench in the repair area of Will’s Starter and Alternator. The bench is covered in parts – copper, wirey, electronical looking parts. The down-to-business technician picks up a round wired piece and begins to explain it’s decrepit state – all I can think is “how will my alternator and starter ever get back together!?” They look nothing like they did when I dropped them off – they must have exploded! I’m sure for the technician, the reassembly is something he can do in his sleep – to me, it is certain doom for my precious Yanmar electrical department. His words go in one ear and out the other – is that thingy in his hand from the alternator? What’s that big copper gadget? What a cool looking pair of pliers, I smell grease…
I refocus on his words – the pile of dirty copper parts makes my head hurt. I ask – “when you said “test” I thought you hooked them up to a machine to see if they work.” “No, how can I inspect them if I don’t take them apart?” he said. I could see what he was thinking – “how did this guy manage to put his shoes on this morning?” Electric stuff baffles me, I admit it. It’s difficult enough when the offending unit is whole – impossible when it’s strewn out on a bench before my eyes. My Yanmar, my entire sailing future was in their hands.
Patient Down-To-Business Tech does his best to explain why my alternator and starter are ready for retirement and that they have similar, even better, replacement parts that are less expensive than Yanmar. He gives me some price estimates for rebuild vs. new. I’m still absorbing the information – “O.K., I’ll just get the new ones.” did I just say that? The new alt will need to have the correct pulley put on, etc. so I explain that I’ll be back in the morning and head directly home to Google “how to put shoes on”. Why does everything always have to be so complicated?
Mariola’s new electric guts.
I get in the car and my brain finally kicks in. Alternators are alternators, I see many brands in the sailing mags, anything that fits will work. The starter worries me. The replacement unit looks nothing like the original and I’ve heard stories about inferior aftermarket replacement starters in cars. A quick call to Mastry Engine, a huge Yanmar parts supplier in the area, puts all my fears to rest. Parts guy on phone tells me: cost for a brand new replacement starter for a 2QM20 – $850. Gulp. He then recommends Will’s Starter and Alternator for a rebuild. (!) I tell him as a matter of fact, they have mine now but recommend a new, better replacement but I’m worried because it’s not Yanmar. He says “They know what they are doing, they won’t steer you wrong.” I’m happy again.
THE BOTTOM LINE
My original alternator generated 50 amps and would cost around $165 to rebuild.
Will’s brand new unit generates 100 amps for $185. Double me up on those amp things!
Starter – Will’s new one is a 2 kw or something – better than my original, price: $169
After a fumbling Q&A with Very Patient Technician #2 ( “what’s the red wire do again?”) I walk out carrying my brand new shiny electrical department. Wallet lighter, but feeling like I can leave the dock with less fear than before - and 50 extra amps.
Many thanks to Antony from Bliss for referring:
Will’s Stater & Alternator Service
4695 49th Street N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33709
Phone (727) 522-7420
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
you should have bought some heavier batteries while you were there.
BTW, can you help me tow my new boat over to the lift? Just kidding.