"Loading" a generator?

[tobnpr]

I've always been told to load up the generator; that it's not good to run for extended periods under a light load. During the summer it's not a problem most of the time, when running both A/C units.
During the fall and winter though, A/C may not be needed much of the time- especially at night. If we're on the hook fishing, my DC draw easily exceeds 50 amps- so I need to run the gen to direct charge from the alternator as well as supplying power to the charger. This minimal draw ends up being a really light load on the 8 kw gen.

Question is: why isn't there (or, is there?) a way to "artificially" load up the generator- like with an electrical resistance coil (like a water heater) that could be seawater cooled and maybe have an adjustable resistance depending on how much power you want it to draw?

I can't come up with any other ideas to "create" additional load for the generator...or am I worrying too much about running the gen with a light load?

 

[Skuza]

Worrying way too much! Your a man with good knowledge of a boat so what are you worried about? I imagine loading the generator is only to get things good and hot and burn off any deposits. Kinda like letting a big block muscle car idle in traffic too long. The thing will start fouling the plugs and running like crap unless you romp on it and clear out the cobwebs. The closest and only thing you can do with a genny is "load" it to make it work harder and clear it out.
I just realized you have a diesel but imagine the theory is the same!

 

[never monday]

grab a couple of 1500w ceramic heaters from Home Depot. That should load it.

 

[Petep]

turn on the heat, and as never monday says plug in a cockpit ceramic heater, that along with the refridge, ice maker, etc on- it's loaded up.

 

[RollerCoastr]

I'm confused Tob. You're saying you easily draw 50 DC amps while on the hook?? So you run the engines, which aren't enough to keep up, so you run the genny too, which then isn't working hard enough?

I don't understand how you could draw 50 DC amps., but if you are, that's arguably TOO MUCH for an 8KW genny.

I assume I'm missing something here...

For the record, I'm a big believer in running gennies under load, and that applies to both gas and diesel.

 

[RollerCoastr]

ok, after re-reading, you're talking about temperate nights, with a light load on both the DC and AC circuits?

 

[tobnpr]

ok, after re-reading, you're talking about temperate nights, with a light load on both the DC and AC circuits?

Heavy DC load, light AC load. The A/C units are not reverse cycle, but I could add the ceramic heaters as suggested. The heavy DC load is due to U/W lighting, livewell pump (these two draw nearly 20 amps alone), sat tv, fridge, electronics and cockpit/ interior lighting. I'm not sure what the output of the Westerbeke alternator but I'm guessing it's in the 30-40 amp range. Since I'm exceeding that output, I need to use the Xantrex charger to assist in the charging- which means I need to run the gen.

I'm concerned that the 8D starting battery that handles the DC load would not be able to handle the load for more than 2-3 hours before being drawn down too far to crank over the main.