new to me 95 330 sun dancer

[Mknupp]

Can someone tell me correct procedure for starting westerbeke genie, never had a boat with generator.

 

[BillK2632]

My 290 had a Kohler, but the startup process would be the same. All of the generator controls were on the distribution panel in the cabin on my boat. Starting the generator is not really any different from starting the main engines.

This is how I did it:
1. Run blower - I left blower running all the time when the generator was on. Some boats the blower is wired in to run automatically when the generator is running.
2. Start generator - don't transfer power load yet, most have a transfer switch that will only let you select power from the generator or shore power, but not both.
3. Let generator warm up a couple of minutes, check for water discharging through exhaust - ie water pump is working ok.
4. Turn off AC appliances.
5. Switch load from shorepower to generator. We were usually heading out, so I turned off shorepower at the post at this point.
6. Turn appliances on.

The best thing you can do for a generator is use it with a load. Don't just run it to power a coffee maker, turn on the water heater, AC, something that will put a load on the generator.

 

[Wanderer 290]

Just to reiterate, do not start with a load on the generator and do no not shut off generator with a load on it. Positioning the transfer switch to shore power is the easiest and quickest way to assure there is no load on the generator . And definitely let it warm up prior to putting a load on it.

 

[Mknupp]

Love this sea ray forum, thank you so much fellow boaters, much appreciated!!

 

[Stee6043]

Curious - do you have two switches or one? Actually getting the generator running can vary from boat to boat.

 

[370Dancer]

Yeah, #2 start the generator is too ambiguous for someone new to a generator. As a 1995 330, you likely have a Westerbeke, either a 4.5 or 7.0 BCG genset. On the DC 12v panel below, you will find 2 switches one momentary switch labeled Preheat/On and one labeled Start/Run. For a gas genset, that is a misnomer. You don't preheat anything (no glow plug). The Start switch is two position. In the center position, you are energizing the circuitry to run the generator. Do that first. When you push The Preheat switch up to the Run position, you are doing 2 things. One, you are engaging the fuel pump and pulling a solenoid that closes the carb butterfly (automatic choke), and two, you are temporarily bypassing all of the safety shutdown sensors. While holding that switch up in the on position, you then push the other Start switch up to engage the starter motor. If the other stuff is working correctly, the engine should receive fuel, be choked for a cold start, and will start. Once the engine starts, release the Start switch, but continue to hold the Preheat/Run button for a few seconds. This allows the engine to start generating it's own power to keep it running once you bring the shutdown safety sensors back into the mix, and most importantly, allows the oil pressure to build up so that sensor doesn't shut the genset down. I usually hold mine for 3-5 seconds. Then, release, and let the generator engine warm up, ideally to temperature, but usually I apply loads after a minute or two in Florida waters.
So in run mode, the Start/Run switch is in the center position, and the Preheat switch is off. When you are done, remove the load, let the engine cool down a bit (2-5 minutes), and then push the Start/Run switch to the Off position. That removes power to the fuel pump and closes the fuel solenoid on the carburator, choking the fuel supply and killing the engine.
Now that you know all this, you can more easily troubleshoot what's happening if it doesn't work right. For instance if the engine just cranks but doesn't start right away, then you likely have a solenoid that is not closing the butterfly on the carb (most common cause), or the fuel shutoff solenoid is not getting power or is bad, not letting fuel get to the carb. Finally, the fuel pump may not be pumping fuel. Westerbeke uses Facet electric pumps, and they can't take ethanol fuel very well without disintegrating the diaphragm in the pump. I've replaced the fuel pump a few times in 20 years. I now only run non-ethanol fuel in the boat. I wasn't always that smart.

 

[Mknupp]

yes it has two switches, thank you for the detailed explanation, that will help me so much.
now all I have to do is be patient for spring to arrive...I don't have great patience when it comes to that.