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07-25-2013, 11:09 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 868
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AutoZone alternators
Not to re-ignite any debate on the pros/cons of auto store alternators vs Plane Power or B&C alternators, but I thought I'd share a funny story regarding my recent AutoZone experience.
My original alternator was the stock Vans 60a unit; it lasted almost 2 years and 350 hours when it went belly up in 2008. I replaced it with a 14684 model from AutoZone; the price was $96 with a $50 core charge, so including tax/core I was out the door for around 104 bucks. Fast forward to 3 weeks ago; was out in a 3 ship gaggle with the Weiser guys headed to get some "cheap" gas at Brazoria County when the BRL (Big Red Light) came on. Low voltage, oops. I couldn't get the alternator back online, so I did a U-turn and headed back to the hangar to yank the offending alternator; I really can't get too irritated about it, it lasted 5 years, 702 hrs and part of that time had a little nose case oil leak getting it wet!
So, I pull it and head to the nearest AutoZone hoping that their "lifetime warranty" will actually hold up. They didn't have a 14684 in stock, but with a transfer from a store across town the new one was in hand by 2pm and yes, the warranty was still good. The best part was the price; the price on this thing has dropped a bit over the last 5 years, the current price being $82 with a $20 core charge. I would have been happy enough to hand 'em the bad unit and get a new (reman) unit in it's place, but wait, the guy at the counter says "I owe you some money"... I hadn't done the math in my head and was thinking I might get 5 bucks back, but he starts counting up cash out of the register and hands me 47 dollars. "Huh?" says I. "Yep" is his reply. "Really?" "Yep." I figured at this point I'll just shut up, take my new alternator and my $47 and head for the door before he wises up and takes his money back...
I know some will say that these alternators are junk, but I'm okay with 5 yrs/700 hrs on this one and their warranty coverage just blew me away. Perhaps with the new unit I'll run it 6-700 hrs and then take it to an auto electric shop for a preemptive overhaul... I'll hopefully have a couple of years to figure that part out.
__________________
John Bixby
RV-8 QB sn 82030 - 1750 hrs
O-360-A1D/CS/Pmags
Houston, TX
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07-25-2013, 11:26 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 307
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SSSSSHHHHHHHH !!!!!
Don't wake the sleeping Giant.
__________________
Tad Stripes Sargent
GRT HXr Glass
TITAN POWERED IO-370
Hartzell's advanced composite propeller
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07-25-2013, 11:58 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Ridgeland, SC
Posts: 2,589
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WOW! good thing you didnt tell him was an airplane!! most shops turn and run when you say airplane. Not boat, tractor trailer. but airplane.
it fits quite a few imported models of vehicles.
Tom
__________________
Tom Swearengen, TS Flightlines LLC, AS Flightlines
Joint Venture with Aircraft Specialty
Teflon Hose Assemblies for Experimentals
Proud Vendor for RV1, Donator to VAF
RV7 Tail Kit Completed, Fuse started-Pay as I go Plan
Ridgeland, SC
www.tsflightlines.com, www.asflightlines.com
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07-25-2013, 11:59 AM
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been here awhile
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 4,301
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gotta keep drivin' the old Honda.....
As long as I have the 1978 Honda Civic CVCC with no air I can get a free new alternator at Advance Auto Parts.......
I too find this a great reason to run an automotive alternator.
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07-25-2013, 12:04 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: OH
Posts: 207
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experience a bit different
Rollin' down the taxiway, preparing for a local flight. Newly minted RV4 with
55 hours and a Honda civic alternator 14184 and the Ford regulator. Putting out 14.2 volts. Alternator belt tension was checked at about 40 hours and was 7-8 ft/lbs. Halfway down the taxiway heard a very high pitched sound. Not the sound you get from screeching fan belt that needs lube or tightened. This was a single tone. Turned off the radio. No difference. Changed RPM no difference.
Then it stopped. Then I got the smell of burned paper in the cockpit but no smoke. EFIS said 12.8 volts. High tailed off the taxiway and got the phillips out of the travel backpack and took off the top cowl. The fan belt was broke clean and the alternator was locked up. So much for the 14184 and its bearings. Now running a B&C lightweight and B&C regulator. Different comfort levels for different folks. End of story.
__________________
Mark Wyss
Madison WI
RV4
0 360 A1A Ellison throttle body
PMags
Trutrak Efis
Catto 3 Blade
FLYING
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07-25-2013, 12:41 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Salem,OR
Posts: 102
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1978 Honda CVCC
I actually HAVE a 1978 Honda CVCC(well, the engine is a heavily modified '83 1.8L) if you ever need photographic proof 
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07-25-2013, 01:52 PM
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been here awhile
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 4,301
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TS Flightlines
WOW! good thing you didnt tell him was an airplane!! most shops turn and run when you say airplane. Not boat, tractor trailer. but airplane.
it fits quite a few imported models of vehicles.
Tom
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It's for an RV, right??
Quote:
Originally Posted by blackbeard10
Rollin' down the taxiway, preparing for a local flight. Newly minted RV4 with
55 hours and a Honda civic alternator 14184 and the Ford regulator. Putting out 14.2 volts. Alternator belt tension was checked at about 40 hours and was 7-8 ft/lbs. Halfway down the taxiway heard a very high pitched sound. Not the sound you get from screeching fan belt that needs lube or tightened. This was a single tone. Turned off the radio. No difference. Changed RPM no difference.
Then it stopped. Then I got the smell of burned paper in the cockpit but no smoke. EFIS said 12.8 volts. High tailed off the taxiway and got the phillips out of the travel backpack and took off the top cowl. The fan belt was broke clean and the alternator was locked up. So much for the 14184 and its bearings. Now running a B&C lightweight and B&C regulator. Different comfort levels for different folks. End of story.
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People have had failures with every brand of alternator, but yes, different comfort levels for everyone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OregonRVguy
I actually HAVE a 1978 Honda CVCC(well, the engine is a heavily modified '83 1.8L) if you ever need photographic proof 
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That is great to know! 
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07-25-2013, 02:32 PM
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VAF Moderator / Line Boy
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,256
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"Home made off-road vehicle" truthfully anserws all the parts guy's questions... 
__________________
Paul F. Dye
Editor at Large - KITPLANES Magazine
RV-8 - N188PD - "Valkyrie"
RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
RV-3B - N13PL - "Tsamsiyu"
A&P, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Dayton Valley Airpark (A34)
http://Ironflight.com
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07-25-2013, 02:49 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,009
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Tell the Truth
When they ask what kind of vehicle it came off of, I tell them "an RV". Which model? A Kohler. Never heard of them, must not be many on the road. You're probably right.
Terry, CFI
RV9A N323TP
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07-25-2013, 02:57 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 240
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interesting... if I plug in 78 Civic CVCC on autozone, the 14184 alternator comes up as $23.99 with a $20 core 
__________________
Ian
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