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Higher output alternator for 2012 odyssey?

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#21 ·
Ticket said:
hmmm
one crying consumer hardly warrants a C+ rating though.
Click to expand...
Thing is that the company did not even respond to the consumer's complaint through the BBB. That makes me believe that the company doesn't care about their product's reputation or the customer. And they do not exactly have many reviews on the web. I'll stick with Denso! Their reputation precedes them.
 
#22 ·
parmm said:
Thing is that the company did not even respond to the consumer's complaint through the BBB. That makes me believe that the company doesn't care about their product's reputation or the customer. And they do not exactly have many reviews on the web. I'll stick with Denso! Their reputation precedes them.
Click to expand...
point is the OP was looking for higher amperage output over the stock 130 amp.

10-15 years ago, we had local re-builders that did the same.
guys with their old classics or people who do customs, would take in their core and have it rebuilt to better specs.
mechman is one of the few that comes back that can do this kind or work, esp for an odyssey.
I would hardly base my purchase decisions on 1 bad review, especially one without ANY details.
but that's just me.

if anyone has better suggestions with more reviews, feel free to add them to the thread.
 
#23 ·
seems like a crybaby to me...

wants them to do custom work for him, then return it and pay nothing.
www.bbb.org

Mechman Alternators | Better Business Bureau® Profile

This organization is not BBB accredited. Alternators in Knoxville, TN. See BBB rating, reviews, complaints, & more.
www.bbb.org www.bbb.org

Edit: looks like the link doesnt take you direct to the complaint.

Most Recent Customer Complaint
Complaint Type: Problems with Product/Service
Status: Unanswered


02/12/2019


Ref invoice #29708 date of purchase 02/03/2019

Desired Outcome

I want this item returned at no fee to me.as I am not satisfied
with the product.and also I do not want to be charged a
restocking fee.
 
#24 ·
parmm said:
Thing is that the company did not even respond to the consumer's complaint through the BBB.
Click to expand...
The BBB isn't a governmental organization... Think of it like an old-school Yelp, that also kinda likes to shake down businesses for money (ok, just like Yelp...). Not saying the review isn't valid, just take it with a grain of salt.

-Charlie
 
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#25 · (Edited)
Directly on their site...

Warranty

warranty, repair
www.mechman.com www.mechman.com

Return Policy

MechMan alternators are built to order, and are non-refundable. New and unused Mechman alternators in the original packaging may be returned within 30 days of purchase on an exchange basis only. Please call 1-865-522-6166 for an RGA number before returning any goods.

the crying bbb consumer needs to learn how to read.

Edit: AND... just to make sure they weren't pulling a fast one, the handy wayback machine confirms this was their policy since June 27 2014

Shipping & Returns

web.archive.org web.archive.org
 
#26 ·
John Clark said:
Those are custom made to fit. You'd have to contact them. One thing to consider is that if you double the output of the alternator yet you leave the same size wire from the B+ terminal on the alternator to the fuse box and to the battery, you could have too much current for that wire and cause damage.

That said, when I've tested alternators on these vehicles I haven't been able to get more than 100A of load, and that's with seat heaters, and everything I can find to turn on. If you get a Denso brand standard alternator you will have no issues. 130A is a decent sized alternator already.

I have found the parts store remans don't put out more than 80A even they they say they are 130A alternators.
Click to expand...
John Clark said:
One thing to consider is that if you double the output of the alternator yet you leave the same size wire from the B+ terminal on the alternator to the fuse box and to the battery
Click to expand...
from their FAQ's on their website..
It is ABSOLUTELY IMPERITIVE that a properly sized positive AND ground cable be run directly from the alternator to the terminals of the battery.

FAQ's

faq, diy, help, installation, instructions, how to, install, belt, shorter belt
www.mechman.com www.mechman.com

once again John knows best.
😁
 
#27 ·
Taddtrox said:
The factory 130 amp alternator bit the dust the other day, we have two other Honda cars so I can afford to spend a little time shopping around for an upgraded replacement.
Unfortunately, I’ve only had success finding 130 - 180 amp units on Amazon. I’d really like to avoid purchasing bargain bin unit.

Any suggestions are welcome.
Click to expand...
I have a 2006 Odyssey. Denso makes a 150 amp alternator for my model year. Works great. No headlight dimming with my high-powered stereo.

Maybe one is available for your year?
 
#30 ·
ctransj said:
would the gas mileage drop when using a higher output alternator?
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This depends on the efficiency, if it's less efficient it will but I doubt you will be able to measure it accurately.

Regarding the original post on higher output alternators - the amp rating is just a marketing number. You need to look at the power curve and see what it does at idle and temperature. Mechman is shifting this curve by using a smaller pulley - smart guy...and John is right - make sure your wiring is adequate gauge if you choose to upgrade.
 
#31 ·
Taddtrox said:
The factory 130 amp alternator bit the dust the other day, we have two other Honda cars so I can afford to spend a little time shopping around for an upgraded replacement.
Unfortunately, I’ve only had success finding 130 - 180 amp units on Amazon. I’d really like to avoid purchasing bargain bin unit.

Any suggestions are welcome.
Click to expand...
My daughter has a 2012 (below a touring and below an exl). In the past 2 years she has twice had issues with the big mounting bolt that threads into the alternator mounting hole come loose and back out and damage the threads. Twice also in these same occasions the mounting bracket, a $10 Honda part cracked. My Honda parts guy says he sells a lot of these brackets for Odyssey’s. I am thinking 2 things: on my Odyssey it is a Houdini act to get the alternator out upwards. How would a more powerful alternator affect these 2 issues?
 
#34 ·
Taddtrox said:
The factory 130 amp alternator bit the dust the other day, we have two other Honda cars so I can afford to spend a little time shopping around for an upgraded replacement.
Unfortunately, I’ve only had success finding 130 - 180 amp units on Amazon. I’d really like to avoid purchasing bargain bin unit.

Any suggestions are welcome.
Click to expand...
The mechanic where I work ordered all his personal needs through Rock Auto. On line parts, says gets the best price if he has the time for shipping.
 
#36 ·
T-500 said:
This depends on the efficiency, if it's less efficient it will but I doubt you will be able to measure it accurately.

Regarding the original post on higher output alternators - the amp rating is just a marketing number. You need to look at the power curve and see what it does at idle and temperature. Mechman is shifting this curve by using a smaller pulley - smart guy...and John is right - make sure your wiring is adequate gauge if you choose to upgrade.
Click to expand...
T-500 said:
smart guy
Click to expand...
most would say smart @ss, but thanks for that.
😅
 
#37 ·
robertjmjrs said:
If it’s only pulls size getting it out might not be an issue, but I think the increased mechanical load on the mounting system might be an issue
Click to expand...
you raise some good points.

If they use the stock casing for a rebuild, then size and fitment would be identical, including install procedure.

bolts coming off like on your daughters vehicle, sounds like a candidate for thread locker.
plenty is used on that side of the engine, from the timing belt components to the serpentine tensioner.

if I were to go with one of these upgraded units, would need some feedback from the vendor on the possibility of using the stock pulley.
would not want to mess around with custom belt sizes.

anything 150 amp and up, is more than enough for what I would need.
with all the accessories, android tv, dashcam and custom sub and 600 watt amp, the stock 130 amp unit still holds up ok.
 
#38 ·
MrRangerZr1 said:
Why do you want a higher output alternator? Are you running any accessories off the battery?
Click to expand...
Taddtrox said:
The factory 130 amp alternator bit the dust the other day, we have two other Honda cars so I can afford to spend a little time shopping around for an upgraded replacement.
Unfortunately, I’ve only had success finding 130 - 180 amp units on Amazon. I’d really like to avoid purchasing bargain bin unit.

Any suggestions are welcome.
Click to expand...
Somebody else already asked but I am as curious as they are... Why do you want a higher output alternator? I'm with ya...I want to add another small battery bank to run some stuff when the car is off and be able to charge back up when the van is running without overloading the alternator when it is doing it's regular job. Another comment about the size of the factory wiring, the alternator is only going to provide the availability to pull 240 amps out if it, so it will be fine if your just running regular stuff but if you install some devices that will draw more then the factory output, it might be a concern if the wire size? I wonder if you can come off the higher output alternator with an additional wire to power external devices to not overload the factory wiring?
 
#39 ·
TSG Ted said:
... if you install some devices that will draw more then the factory output, it might be a concern if the wire size?
Click to expand...
That's a good point.

High-power accessories should be connected directly to the battery (with their own fuse or circuit breaker) so to avoid overloading the factory wiring.

The chassis ground cable should also be upsized accordingly.
 
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