Are you thinking the Bosch remans come from Germany? The transportation and
distribution alone will suck up $100.  Nothing wrong with a quality local
rebuilder. The problem is good parts for these get expensive fast. The
assembly line places use volume and re-working many parts to cut costs.
Housing shot! Bore it out and fit a bushing. Slip rings worn, machine down
and press on a sleeve. Brushes worn, solder new one to that old regulator,
etc. Same with starters. The big places can balance and test so you often
get a good unit. Unfortunately the real quality control is the end user.
That is why we want a warranty.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Rocket J Squirrel
Sent: Monday, August 22, 2011 8:24 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Alternator Brushes Wore Out Pretty Darn Quick

For $160 (no core), Ron lists the "AL33XOR" as "U.S. Remanufactured,"
not Bosch remanufactured. So that's a bit confusing.

Anyway, Dennis Haynes suggested I check for a worn rear bearing by taking
off the belt and trying to rock the alt fan, but I detected no rockerage, so
it's not clear to me if my quickly worn brushes warn of an alternator
needing replacement or not.

<Insert image of squirrel scratching head here>

--
Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
Bend, Ore.
1984 Westfalia. A poor but proud people.
1971 "Ladybug"-brand utility trailer ca. 1972 from a defunct company in San
Clemente, Calif., now repurposed as The Westrailia.

Sent from my kitchen.

On 08/22/2011 05:17 PM, mark drillock wrote:
> Yes, the genuine AL33X is the only version I buy, in a Bosch box. I
> suggest the Van-Cafe one as I'm not sure what games Ron is playing
> with his part numbers. He sometimes uses other companies part numbers
> in ways that are confusing if not deceptive. If he is offering Rebuilt
> By Bosch parts but not telling the Official Bosch Rebuilt part number
> for the item then we can't be sure of exactly what we are ordering.
> Bosch uses their own specific numbers for their rebuilt items and
> AL33X is such a number. It is perhaps the most universal of the VW 90
> amp alternators of the vintage covering our vans and many original
> Bosch longer part number versions are all replaceable by the AL33X unit.
>
> WBX Vanagons can also use an AL27X instead as the distinctions are
> very minor at most. I wonder if the BD unit is one of those or if
> perhaps they don't care to specify since it could allow them to ship
> either the 27X or 33X as available? Either will work about the same
> for WBX but for my mixed fleet the 33X works with diesel tachs while
> the 27X often won't so I have standardized on the 33X for all.
>
> Mark
>
> Rocket J Squirrel wrote:
>> Thanks, Mark.
>>
>> I'm seeing "AL33X" (Van-Cafe, $115 + $73 core) or "025903023EX"
>> (Busdepot, same pricing).
>>
>> Both are described a "genuine Bosch Rebuilt units." This pretty much
>> what you're recommending?
>>
>> --
>> Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
>> Bend, Ore.
>> 1984 Westfalia. A poor but proud people.
>> 1971 "Ladybug"-brand utility trailer ca. 1972 from a defunct company
>> in San Clemente, Calif., now repurposed as The Westrailia.
>>
>> Sent from my kitchen.
>>
>> On 08/22/2011 04:03 PM, mark drillock wrote:
>>> In general, I have had the best experiences with Bosch parts sold as
>>> "Genuine Rebuilt" and in Bosch boxes.