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Thu Apr 30, 2015 4:37 pm

Curious as to if those more familiar have a preference. Huco has some electrical items that are made in Germany. Bosch has some of the same items that are made in Brazil - Spain - Hungary - Poland.

I had a box of Bosch Spark plugs ( W8CC ) that were made in India and they were horrible. Ended up shipping them back. Found a case of German manufactured ones.

Looking to carry a spare...( Voltage Regulator )... with me. Any opinions on this part. Bosch vs. Huco ??

Fri May 01, 2015 6:12 pm

As of now 100 curious individuals have read my posting yet no one seems to know the answer or their keeping it a secret. If your inclined to chime in...100 other Samba members will get an education too.

If it turns out to be a matter of National Security and you don't trust posting an answer here on the forum, just send me a PM. Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye, I wont tell a soul.

Fri May 01, 2015 6:16 pm

i've looked in, to be honest i've never heard of huco.
the last bosch plugs i fitted were made in russia.
i prefer NGK plugs

what engine are you looking for a voltage regulator for

that may help you get the answer you are looking for

Fri May 01, 2015 6:23 pm

I, too , prefer the NGK plugs.

The Bosch ignition wires are guaranteed for life and, as I recently found out, they do honor that guarantee even after 18 years of use.

Fri May 01, 2015 7:03 pm

Not interested in Spark Plugs. Its the Voltage Regulator I'm referring to. I currently have a Bosch Alternator AL114X and a Bosch Starter SR19XOR. Simply looking for a spare voltage regulator to carry... just in case.

The Bosch regulator is 119-731-1028 and the Huco is 352-3710. The Bosch regulators seem to be made all over the place like my initial posting indicates and the Huco is still manufactured in Germany.

Porsche and Mercedes guys/gals seem to favor the Huco over the Bosch. Just thought Id toss out the ? to the VW guys/gals to see if there was an opinion one way or the other.

Ive got a 1982 California Westy by the way.

Fri May 01, 2015 7:19 pm

I got a Huco ICM to replace the old Bosch one in one of my B5 Passats.

It was a fair sight cheaper than the Bosch and is running like a champ.

To be fair, the Bosch one I replaced was the original, and it had served for 13 years before shitting the bed.

I think Bosch's quality seems to have dropped some since I started with VWs in the 80s.

I wouldn't hesitate to try another Huco electrical component.

Fri May 01, 2015 7:50 pm

After a light googling:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5477061-Voltage-regulator-review-HUCO-130514
http://www.chrisnovoa.com/a-note-about-14v-voltage-regulators/ (vs. Bosch in a Volvo 240 DL)

Interesting. This is on my need list and here it is for a nice price ($12+change):
https://europortparts.com/voltage-regulator-282056

I may have to spring for one of these!

- Dave

Fri May 01, 2015 7:59 pm

Appreciate the responses. Ive done a fair amount of Goog-lin and found some so-so information. Good to get some feedback from the Vanagon guys/gals. I'm picking one up on Ebay for $14.00 and some change including shipping. Place is Partscontainer.

Sat May 02, 2015 10:22 am

Pretty sure it was a Huco I installed into my '84 1.9's alternator ten years ago.

Still good.

Wed Oct 07, 2015 3:54 pm

RCB, any insight/updates/issues on the Huco regulator? Good, bad, indifferent?

Wed Oct 07, 2015 4:25 pm

SlowLane wrote: RCB, any insight/updates/issues on the Huco regulator? Good, bad, indifferent?

Its in my stash box I carry spare parts in. I cant give you an opinion on it one way or another.

Thu Oct 08, 2015 4:07 am

Never heard of Huco....

But it doesn't seem to matter anymore where Bosch is made..... My New last of the good ones made in Germany fuel pump made it from New Jersey to Boise Idaho and quit. No hum, no buzz, just a click of the relay but did not blow fuses.

Now running a made in the Czech Republic Bosch pump and am carrying my warranty replacement last of the good ones German made Bosch fuel pump as a back up unit.

Dave

Fri Jan 15, 2016 11:17 am

Sorry for the months-late reply. Installed a HUCO electromechanical voltage regulator in my Fiat 850 Spider several years ago, works fine. Just replaced the worn-out Bosch electronic VR in my Alfa Romeo Milano with a HUCO VR (still made in Germany, rather than God-knows where for current Bosch products), and it fit and works great too.

Fri Jan 15, 2016 11:38 am

As a auto repair shop owner, I have used Huco in the past and have had no issues with them. I know this is late information, but someone may need it.

As for where they are made, I have even the German stuff be crap. Country of origin is just one input of if it is junk or not. Mostly the name. Some that do not work well is Meyle, URO, FEQ and many more.

Of course when you looking at a factory part that lists for $1400 and the FEQ price is $105, it is awfully enticing.

Fri Jan 15, 2016 11:48 am

Bosch used to be a name you could trust; not so any longer. For most electrical bits (spark/glow) on German vehicles, I've found that Beru is a more reliable choice

Fri Jan 15, 2016 2:25 pm

There was a time Beru was junk. Funny how things change.

I cannot agree with you more about Bosch. The corporate leadership take a good name and start to make junk just to make a few more dollars.

Fri Jan 15, 2016 4:07 pm

When I replaced the VR on my Vanagon..I used a "Hella" brand on sale at RockAuto..it is working fine. Was about $20.

Funny thing is you can get rebuilt alternator for close to the price of a Bosch voltage regulator (about $35 plus shipping Van Cafe). Put a Advance Auto rebuilt alternation on my daughter's VW Cabriolet..same part as a Vanagon..for $51 with the the usual 30% off coupon for purchases over $75. That alternator is working fine for the past year, with a lifetime warranty too.

I would not use Uro brand..but most any VRs out there are fine.

Fri Jan 15, 2016 8:19 pm

A customer of mine put a alternator in his Mercedes from Autozone with a lifetime warranty [it was a Sunday and he was out of luck].

I have replaced it 3 times in the last 18 months.