While heading out on a trip today my alternator with only 20 hours stopped charging. I went to the shop where I purchased the last one and got another and installed it. It's charging again. This was bought from a local shop but it says made in China. It's not a merc or oem. Is there a big difference and should I be going with oem. Or are they all made over there. This is the one I installed today

OEM unit is close to 400 bucks. The one you have is around $100.

Some Chinese stuff is terrible, other Chinese stuff, not that bad.

It's a decision you have to make!

Is it marine rated? That's prob biggest concern

i just got 2 plastic serpentine idlers from merc the quality was terrible and the bearing was made in china went to Oreilly and got 2 very nice billet with ntn bearings for 21 bucks each

Db Electric is a good cost friendly alternative.