New generator suggestions
- Thread starter agwhaley
- Start date
KevinC
Well-Known Member
Perhaps just a rebuilt/remanufactured Kohler 5K. Would be the simplest to install since it would just drop in.
You can try: https://browardarmature.com/ they are also site sponsors and have a good reputation.
-Kevin
Loneranger
Well-Known Member
- May 2, 2008
- 1,068
- Boat Info
- 2000 SeaRay Sundancer 270
- Engines
- 7.4l Mercruiser w/ Bravo III
Or you could bravely go where few have gone…
For the same cost of a generator and probably less weight, put in a large lithium bank and seriously upgrade the main propulsion alternator to charge the lithium bank. Could work depending upon how you use your electricity? Sailboaters do it a lot and you probably run your main propulsion engine way more than the sailboaters.
For the same cost of a generator and probably less weight, put in a large lithium bank and seriously upgrade the main propulsion alternator to charge the lithium bank. Could work depending upon how you use your electricity? Sailboaters do it a lot and you probably run your main propulsion engine way more than the sailboaters.
- Jun 5, 2016
- 5,551
- Boat Info
- 410 Sundancer
2001
12" Axiom and 9" Axiom+ MFD
- Engines
- Cat 3126 V-Drives
I’ve started down this road, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised how easy it can be. It does take some planning and thought, but silence is golden (in a nice secluded cove at sunrise)!
Seriously, for the cost of a new generator, you likely could have enough power to run all the ac and dc loads for a day or two.
Not for everybody, as a good genny is worth it weight in gold, but it is worth considering.
Seriously, for the cost of a new generator, you likely could have enough power to run all the ac and dc loads for a day or two.
Not for everybody, as a good genny is worth it weight in gold, but it is worth considering.
Stee6043
Well-Known Member
Man...you battery guys must hate air conditioning. I live in Michigan and consider air conditioning a must have, even if just anchored out for the day. I don't know how you guys in the south survive on batteries. My blood must be too thick up here...
Stee6043
Well-Known Member
Depending on the total cost I'd strongly consider throwing a diesel genset in your boat, @agwhaley. A couple people here have done it. Yes, you'll need a separate (though small) fuel tank but diesel generators are slick. Run 'em all night (so you can run your air conditioning) with no worries of CO....
Ididntdoit
Well-Known Member
+1 on above - Look at Fischer Panda or Northern Lights
Ididntdoit
Well-Known Member
Sailboaters have high efficiency small diesel engines they can run just to charge the batteries - said engines are often equiped with high output alternator setups for this purpose
HawkX66
Well-Known Member
- Jul 27, 2020
- 1,344
- Boat Info
- "Tread Knot"
1997 Sea Ray Sundancer 290DA
2020 F350 6.7L
- Engines
- 454 L29 Carb w/ Bravo III
I'm not sold on battery banks. The environmental impact of the lithium batteries alone is enough reason for me. I have a real nice Kohler 8eozd, but its too big for my boat. I'd never be able to load it enough. I think I'll be going with a 4.5 or so diesel when I'm ready to reinstall one. The convenience of gas on a gas boat is obviously nice, but the durability and efficiency of a diesel can't be discounted.
- Jun 5, 2016
- 5,551
- Boat Info
- 410 Sundancer
2001
12" Axiom and 9" Axiom+ MFD
- Engines
- Cat 3126 V-Drives
Is there a reason you need to replace it? Most of the time they can be rebuilt for far less. If going to replace, putting back same as what you had might make it easier as all the plumbing would be very similar.
If looking for something different, the westerbeke runs at 1800 rpm, so maybe less vibration.
Regardless, get a sound shield if it will fit.
If looking for something different, the westerbeke runs at 1800 rpm, so maybe less vibration.
Regardless, get a sound shield if it will fit.
Definitely get a generator that runs at 1800 RPM. The fasters ones that run at 3600 RPM produce far more vibration and sound. They also have a shorter life span since they run at twice the speed.
stephenm27
Active Member
The Fischer Panda diesel units run at a variable RPM based on load. I think it ranges from 2100 to 3200 IIRC. This also helps with fuel efficiency.
With approx 80 hrs now on our FP, I’d recommend it if buying new/diesel.
How old is your FP?
FP changed their engine supplier and are now using Kubota engines. This may resolve some of their reliability issues. They also don't seem to be advertising variable speed anymore, but also don't list the engine RPM on the spec sheets.
I know a lot of people that had older FP generators installed and hated them. They were loud and vibrated a lot because of the higher RPM. Also the older designed tended to eat themselves from the inside (metal shavings in the oil), and were hard to service because things like the water pump could only be accessed blind from the back side.
Edit - found the 7.5 kWh version runs at 3600 rpm.
stephenm27
Active Member
My unit is a 2021 6.4 kVA FP. It does indeed have a 2 cylinder Kubota Z482 engine. Their datasheets don't advertise the variable speed (not sure why), but it is most definitely variable speed as they have a fairly sophisticated LCD control panel for the helm that displays stats/errors/winding temp/oil temp/RPM/etc (including load %).
Impeller and oil filter on this unit are readily reached though I have yet to change either so we'll see how serviceable they really are soon.
