Given a lot of what I hear, people like us are looking for good
parts - prefereably an upgrade from OEMR - without having to spend a
damn fortune. I'd say something about signing over your first-born son,
but I was quite happy when mine moved out, and I don't want to
encourage anything...
For those of you who know me, you know that I'm primarily interested in
two things when I look for parts - #1, I want the best parts I can find
for the price. #2, I want to make sure I get what I pay for. That
doesn't mean I'll do a job cheaply (far from it - if I have to spend
money for good parts, I don't mind doing it!) but I had damn well
better get what I pay for when I pay for quality.
Enter Rod Stuart at San Jose Generator. Apparently, Rod's been doing
starters and alternators for quite a while (no, I haven't asked) and
I've seen quite a few oddish projects going at his place. They don't
seem to bother him - he's been able to catch any curve ball I've seen
go his way without any trouble.
Of course, our needs are simpler. Chances are, you just want a new
alternator that puts out a little more power than the one that's about
to smoke out on you, or you want a good, solid starter so you don't
have to worry about it anymore.
Rod offers a one-year replacement warranty (not including shipping and
labor for installation) on his parts, but I've not needed it. The only
time I've ever had to buy another part from him is when I've bought
another vehicle! That, friends, is exactly what I'm paying for when I
pay for good parts.
While it's true that most of the "chain" stores offer "lifetime"
warranties with their electrics, how often do you end up using that
warranty just to get to one that works? Then you're annoyed because
you've put the thing in and out six times, you've had to keep going
back, and those cuts on your knuckles are probably never going to
heal...
We've all been there, and none of us like it (unless you're truly a masochist - in which case, I just don't want to know.)
I found out about Rod while I was doing the "industrial mechanic" thing
a few years ago - working on forklifts, cranes, generators, heavy
trucks, and things like that. I was working for a guy who, like me,
hates doing a job twice because of bad parts. Frankly, I still use a
lot of sources from that job - and this is definitely one of them!
All I ask is that, if you're interested, you contact Rod directly. His
phone number and address are at the bottom of this page. You will also
find a Pricing Page and an Alternator ID
page linked from here. While I'm putting his page up here until and
unless he gets one of his own, he's still running all of his own
business - and it's easier for both of us.
Rod can be contacted at:
San Jose Generator
40 San Jose Avenue
San Jose, CA 95125
408-293-2200 (voice)
