Will L.
Well-Known Member
A bit more on the powermaster. First, call their tech support and talk to them before buying anything. They are great customer service and would rather you talk with them to get what is best for your application, they have multiple alternators at different charge rates. 2 identical year rigs 1 with everything stock vs 1 with tons of lights, stereo, winch, etc. he said should choose different alternators to give much better battery and alternator life. They can custom build for also for any application. 
Iirc they have 5 finishes plain aluminum, chrome, satin, black, and something else.
Remember how everyone of their starters goes on a dyno and comes with its own spec sheet? Same deal with the alternator.
I talked to him about the warranty being 1 year on an expensive part. He put it this way: 2-3 year warranty on a p.o.s. Is there because it needs it. Quality starters and alternators last many years. If one of theirs dies early it is usually in a month becuase something went wrong. If you have one die a short life, call them and go over the situation, they live off their reputation and to call them with any issues so they can earn lifetime business- as he put it.
They also have a rebuild program where you send them your worn out powermaster starter or alternator, and they do new bearings, brushes, clean up or replace rotor, etc. and it is of course far less than a new one. I told him my story about breaking mine when I took my Hummer over a ledge and it balanced on a huge piece of rebar someone drove in the ground as a winch anchor and broke the starter housing. He said- "Oh that sucks, send it it and we'll put it back together and let you know the price, otherwise we'll cut you a really good deal on a new one". Damn, wish I hadn't thrown it away...Wish I called them before buying instead of just buying one - I would have known.
Here is my thing on powermaster. Everybody talks about being sick and tired of low quality parts. They sell quality, but expensive parts. Either buy 2 lifetime Oriellys junk and keep a spare in the truck with a belt so when it locks up on a trip you aren't stranded. Or buy quality.
I support the buy made in the USA. These are made here.
I get no kick back or discount from them for spreading the word, it's just after spinning wrenches since the early 80's as a teenager up through wrenching some of the biggest pickup fleets in this part of the country, I am disgusted with crap parts. I have a very tight budget- my hummer has needed a paintjob for 4 years, and rattle cans are in it's future most likely, and it is painful to admit it. But the intelligent investment in quality parts is better than lifetime warranty junk that downs a rig when it is needed and has potential to damage other parts, like alt bearing seizing snapping belt and taking out wiring, or starters taking out flywheels. I even seen one stick on and spin up with the engine only to grenade into the oil pan while we were trying to rip off the cable. Thankfully got the engine off, because it jammed parts into the crank and rods. Actually has to replace a rod that was damaged from the impact along with a tire from shrapnel. Cheap is not always cheap.
Iirc they have 5 finishes plain aluminum, chrome, satin, black, and something else.
Remember how everyone of their starters goes on a dyno and comes with its own spec sheet? Same deal with the alternator.
I talked to him about the warranty being 1 year on an expensive part. He put it this way: 2-3 year warranty on a p.o.s. Is there because it needs it. Quality starters and alternators last many years. If one of theirs dies early it is usually in a month becuase something went wrong. If you have one die a short life, call them and go over the situation, they live off their reputation and to call them with any issues so they can earn lifetime business- as he put it.
They also have a rebuild program where you send them your worn out powermaster starter or alternator, and they do new bearings, brushes, clean up or replace rotor, etc. and it is of course far less than a new one. I told him my story about breaking mine when I took my Hummer over a ledge and it balanced on a huge piece of rebar someone drove in the ground as a winch anchor and broke the starter housing. He said- "Oh that sucks, send it it and we'll put it back together and let you know the price, otherwise we'll cut you a really good deal on a new one". Damn, wish I hadn't thrown it away...Wish I called them before buying instead of just buying one - I would have known.
Here is my thing on powermaster. Everybody talks about being sick and tired of low quality parts. They sell quality, but expensive parts. Either buy 2 lifetime Oriellys junk and keep a spare in the truck with a belt so when it locks up on a trip you aren't stranded. Or buy quality.
I support the buy made in the USA. These are made here.
I get no kick back or discount from them for spreading the word, it's just after spinning wrenches since the early 80's as a teenager up through wrenching some of the biggest pickup fleets in this part of the country, I am disgusted with crap parts. I have a very tight budget- my hummer has needed a paintjob for 4 years, and rattle cans are in it's future most likely, and it is painful to admit it. But the intelligent investment in quality parts is better than lifetime warranty junk that downs a rig when it is needed and has potential to damage other parts, like alt bearing seizing snapping belt and taking out wiring, or starters taking out flywheels. I even seen one stick on and spin up with the engine only to grenade into the oil pan while we were trying to rip off the cable. Thankfully got the engine off, because it jammed parts into the crank and rods. Actually has to replace a rod that was damaged from the impact along with a tire from shrapnel. Cheap is not always cheap.
