BBB Industries Quality???

[RustyPile]

I'm not looking for "how do I check this" replies. I have a quality issue with BBB Industries reman alternators. I added dual electric fans to the cooling system on my truck, along with a couple very low current devices. I upgraded the main power distribution wire and put in an 8 gauge wire for the alternator output, along with adding wiring for an internal regulator system. The fans are on relays and that wiring is totally independent from the factory wiring.

The auto supply I patronize mostly carries BBB Industries reman starters and alternators. They carry a 12 month warranty. 5 years ago I installed one of their rebuilt starters on my mild 454 BBC and haven't had any problems with it.

I did the electrical upgrades back in December 2023 and installed one of their 94-amp 12SI alternators. I don't drive the truck very much, only about 1500 miles annually. A couple weeks ago, after about 400 miles, the alternator totally failed. It was replaced under warranty.
after the replacement, the first time I drove the truck after dark, when coming to a stop, the headlights would dim. Rev the engine up to about 1500 RPM, and the light came back to full brightness. I made it home OK, but the next day when I checked it, the alternator doesn't charge at idle.. The test sheet that came with it says it will charge 60 amps at idle. It actually operates like a one wire alternator. but it's not spec'd as such and neither is the wiring.

Like I said, I'm not looking for any "how to" replies. I'm looking for (I guess you could call it) reviews of the BBB Industries products.. People who have had experiences, good or bad, with that brand.

Also, I'd like recommendations for another brand, as I intend to ask for credit toward the purchase of another brand.

[Palf70Step]

I have never used them, so can't help there. I have sen that a lot, the dimming thing, on lots of alternators and gens that need to be above 1,000-1500 to keep charge on heavy load. Thats why I have the headlight relays to help with that.

[weq92f]

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No experience with BBB. I'm running a Tuff Stuff 140A, one wire alt. When it failed I had a local shop rebuild it. It did last a good while before failure though. Man at the shop told me the regulator died.

-Kevin

[RustyPile]

Originally Posted by weq92f

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No experience with BBB. I'm running a Tuff Stuff 140A, one wire alt. When it failed I had a local shop rebuild it. It did last a good while before failure though. Man at the shop told me the regulator died.

-Kevin

Thank you.. Was your alternator originally a rebuild or new? I don't feel the need for a 140 alternator, but I will look into Tuff Stuff products.

[weq92f]

Originally Posted by RustyPile

Thank you.. Was your alternator originally a rebuild or new? I don't feel the need for a 140 alternator, but I will look into Tuff Stuff products.

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It was purchased new from Tuff Stuff maybe 8 years ago. It failed last season.


-Kevin

[RustyPile]

Originally Posted by weq92f

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It was purchased new from Tuff Stuff maybe 8 years ago. It failed last season.


-Kevin

It seems quality rebuilds are hampered by the cheap quality parts coming in from other countries.. I'm not really interested in paying a couple hundred dollars for a new alternator, but it's looking more and more like that's the route to take...

[1slo64]

Most alternators don't charge at idle from my understanding.

[RustyPile]

If there is a TWO volt drop in voltage (14.4 to 12.5) at the battery as the engine returns to idle, headlights will dim, relays or not. The test data sheet that came with the alternator says it tested 58 amps charging rate at engine idle. AS I was taught at the Houston GM training center, I tested both alternators immediately after installation. I obtained the same results as shown on the test data sheet. Both alternators performed to spec upon installation. Both failed later after the installation.

Please fellas, if you don't have direct experience with BBB Industries products, leave the band width to those that do.