Mechman Alt Quality?... Better than OEM?

[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

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[mastershake575]

My bad, you mean like this.

Good numbers on paper but still wouldn't do it. They list that they use OEM bearings which is a no-no for car audio applications and the fact that they claim 40+ years but not a single car audio review/benchmark is a semi-red flag. With the alternator being the single most important peice of a high output build i'd go with something that's proven and specifically built for car audio applications, especially when it's literally $100-150 extra bucks where talking about.........

 

[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

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[mastershake575]

I just can't see spending $600 on an alternator for a 3,700 watt system

Like I said in the other thread your completely downplaying 3700 watts. Why are you brushing off 3700 whats like it's nothing ? (that's over 300Amps of current just on accessories). Your tone is basically "I can't justify that money for just a measley 3700watt system"

I just can't see spending $600 on an alternator

The 320amp model is $500 ? (why are you intentionally using a higher tier model to inflate the price ?).

I think people are getting hooked on the name brand game.

Yeah high dollar research and development, japanese bearings, specifically built for car audio applications, and long history of success are all merely people "getting hooked on brand name".

Singer can also be contacted on Facebook as well. Sometimes he is busy so it takes a couple days.

I love how he hasn't even gotten a quote from Singer yet he keeps spouting "uhh these other brands are $600-800"

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

90% of these ebay style alts that claim high amperage for half the price are half ass re-builds with poor regulators, chinese diodes, and amperage claims that are no where near real world numbers.

This is indeed a concern about off-brands and the manufacturer cheaping out on parts may not reveal itself until it's too late to get any remedy.

That said I'm very convinced that all things equal out of the same case size real-world performance of any of the good name ones will be nearly identical and any difference in "rating" is just semantics. Current rating is certainly meaningless unless we are told RPM and temperature so that we can compare apples to apples or verify on a test bench.

 

[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

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[Firewalker]

Actually paying more for an alternator or battery is normal. If I wanted a XS Power group 65 it is 365 dollars for it vs the 250 that my amplifier now costs.

In general even if you are buying a oem rebuilt it is going to cost more then your normal stock battery. Been that way for decades. I can remember paying at my cost 150 dollars for my parents 4.3 alternator at my auto parts store and they paid 95 dollars for their battery for it from Sams Club and that was back in the late '90s. So yeah it isn't uncommon

 

[mastershake575]

they are going to cost about 3 times what my amp cost. I guess that's normal.

Yes that is normal. Your finally learning (creating true power is very expensive, that's why very few people do it)

Actually paying more for an alternator or battery is normal. If I wanted a XS Power group 65 it is 365 dollars for it vs the 250 that my amplifier now costs.

In general even if you are buying a oem rebuilt it is going to cost more then your normal stock battery. Been that way for decades. I can remember paying at my cost 150 dollars for my parents 4.3 alternator at my auto parts store and they paid 95 dollars for their battery for it from Sams Club and that was back in the late '90s. So yeah it isn't uncommon

Agreed. Running true power has always been expensive.

Normal is a relative term. Most people who run these budget high output amplifiers are not upgrading there electrical system enough to keep up so thats why this seems outlandish when it really isn't (buying a 300A amplifier and running it off of a stock alt is outlandish yet thats technically the norm)

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Does Iraggi do alts still?

I know a lot of people have had beefs with him. I've met Iraggi, I've been to his house, seen his suburban. He's a really cool guy in person. So maybe a consideration.

 

[Marve_Lous]

Anybody run Power Bastards or US Alternators?

 

[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

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[Popwarhomie 5,000+ posts]

It seems like most of the name brand alternator companies are about the same price. I guess it is what it is. So, Mechman, Singer, or DC Power it is. I just didn't realize upgrading electrical would be over $1,200. Thanks for the help.

Who told you that you need $1200 in electrical to support 4 600rms subwoofers?

 

[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

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[metalheadjoe 10+ year member]

Does Iraggi do alts still?

I know a lot of people have had beefs with him. I've met Iraggi, I've been to his house, seen his suburban. He's a really cool guy in person. So maybe a consideration.

I bought a 320a Iraggi last summer. Their site is still up. I hesitate to bring it up because opinions are so polarized, as you said. My experience was great communication and a beautiful product. I don't have the means to properly bench test it, but he offers a limited lifetime warranty and trade-in if you get a different vehicle.

 

[Popwarhomie 5,000+ posts]

AGM- $220
Lithium- $300
Mechman 320- $600 (after shipping and new belt)
Big 4- $100

$1,220

Completely overkill for a 3k amp in a daily setup.

A G31 AGM would be $200
15' of 2/0 and 10 lugs for big3 $70

Done.

and what $300 lithium are you talking about?