Mercruiser trim sender and trim limit kit, generic vs. brand name

[dlogvine]

Im going to replace the trim sender and trim limit units and I found several generic brand kits on ebay. They run about $28-35. Sierra of Mercury similar kits run for almost 3 times more, around $75. Is there any significant difference in quality between these units and can I buy the cheaper unit or should I go with a more expensive brand name one? Thank you.

 

[alldodge]

I used non-OEM once

 

[Grub54891]

All I know of is Sierra, and Mercury. I've used both without issue.

 

[dlogvine]

I have no doubts that Sierra and Mercury will work without any problems. I'm more interested in how do the generic no brand units work, since these units are almost 3 times cheaper. Thank you

 

[Lou C]

Never had a Merc but on my OMC the original trim sending units lasted about 1.5-2 seasons in salt water. The Sierra one I installed in 2010 still works!

 

[altitude 411]

I have no doubts that Sierra and Mercury will work without any problems. I'm more interested in how do the generic no brand units work, since these units are almost 3 times cheaper. Thank you

They work exactly the same.... just 1/10th as long. (If your lucky.) Replacing 10 of them is 10 x's the fun so the choice is yours. Are you lucky?
Personally I'd rather be boating. I tried the cheap ones "once" as well.

 

[alldodge]

I have no doubts that Sierra and Mercury will work without any problems. I'm more interested in how do the generic no brand units work, since these units are almost 3 times cheaper. Thank you

No issue with the limit side, its always the gauge side that's the issue

 

[dlogvine]

Thank you very much, the brand name it is then. Better be safe than sorry.

 

[Lou C]

Checked mine again the other day. Sierra trim sending unit installed in 2010 still working! I guess I got lucky that time!

 

[AShipShow]

Theres not much going on with these parts inside, basically a couple copper springs and terminals... The difference is in the quality of materials and workmanship. The OEM and Sierra parts are going to have gold/nickel plating on the wipers and contacts, better grade plastics (hygrophobic - wont absorb water), better quality seals, better wire, better fitment of the assemblies, etc...
So even though theres not much going on in these parts, theres lots of places that 3rd party companies can cut corners to make it as cheap as possible.

I work for an electrical connector manufacturing compnay and its pretty easy to make something that will work for a little bit, but when you put things through excelerated life testing (thermal cycling, mixed flowing gas, salt spray, etc) its also pretty easy to make something that won't work very long.