New/Rebuilt Generator

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 3:58 pm

Since my rusty rattletrap generator has started leaking fuel from the (also rusty) fuel pump for an unknown reason, I've decided to remove this one, the original Onan 8 KW. Then either have it rebuilt or replace it with a new one of yet unknown type. Project will include a new sound box over the genny (where do I get that) to keep it quiet AND dry. Anybody have thoughts or suggestions? I wonder if 8 KW is really needed on these boats, and what brands people are happy or unhappy with. thanks

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 5:36 pm

Sean, My experience with rebuilding Onans has taught me that it's not worth it. Parts are generally not available and what is available is wildly expensive. Plus you have to figure that at this point , there are things that are ready to go that you can't foresee and will suddenly go bad after all the work has been done. After I went through all that I bought a Westerbeke 5.0 . It is very quiet and seems to make enough power but I know if I need the air conditioning at the same time as the microwave and the water heater, somethings going to give. Generally speaking with a little thought to loads , it's enough power. A lot of guys will try to get more life from their old gensets and run them only when absolutely necessary but if you really think about it, these boats were made to use a genset much the way large aircraft use an APU, to keep everything going all the time, although most of the time that means the 'fridge only. That's my advice. Frank Price

billb · Post by **billb** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 2:47 am

Sean: if yours is diesel, I would go with a northern lights or westerbeke, 5.0 is all you need for a 33, and you can order them with a sound shield....I have a Kohler right now and I continue to have (rusted) starter problems....the next one will be a northern lights.... Bill B.

TIM · Post by **TIM** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 6:56 am

I AM IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THIS RIGHT NOW. I HAVE A NORTHERN LIGHTS AND THE MOTOR WENT ON ME. I ORDERED A NEW SWING MOTOR FOR IT FROM THE FACTORY. IT COMES WITH A WARRENTY FOR ONE YEAR. I AM GOING THROUGH THE GEN. PART OF THE ASSEMBLY. WHEN DONE WILL MARRY THEM BACK UP AND INSTALL. SHE HAD 2000 HOURS. THE GEN PART HAVE LONGER LIFE SPANS THAN THE MOTORS. THIS MIGHT BE A OPTION A SAVE YOU A FEW $$. THE MOTOR WAS $4,100. A NEW GEN RUNS ABOUT $7,OOO. I AM SURE ONAN DOES THE SAME

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 10:57 am

quote:Originally posted by billb Sean: if yours is diesel, I would go with a northern lights or westerbeke, 5.0 is all you need for a 33, and you can order them with a sound shield....I have a Kohler right now and I continue to have (rusted) starter problems....the next one will be a northern lights.... Bill B. Bill- does your Kohler have the sound shield? I was hoping that will keeps things dry for me Also, does your 5KW run the water heater, fridge, A/C and microwave all at once without tripping? I'm worried that it wouldn't. Also thinking about an ice maker too, but that's down the line. And it came with an 8 so I thought I'd stick with that size.

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 11:01 am

quote:Originally posted by TIM I AM IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THIS RIGHT NOW. I HAVE A NORTHERN LIGHTS AND THE MOTOR WENT ON ME. I ORDERED A NEW SWING MOTOR FOR IT FROM THE FACTORY. IT COMES WITH A WARRENTY FOR ONE YEAR. I AM GOING THROUGH THE GEN. PART OF THE ASSEMBLY. WHEN DONE WILL MARRY THEM BACK UP AND INSTALL. SHE HAD 2000 HOURS. THE GEN PART HAVE LONGER LIFE SPANS THAN THE MOTORS. THIS MIGHT BE A OPTION A SAVE YOU A FEW $$. THE MOTOR WAS $4,100. A NEW GEN RUNS ABOUT $7,OOO. I AM SURE ONAN DOES THE SAME Tim my motor runs great but has 4200 hours on it, and is quite rusty. The generator has black windings, which I've learned is BAD. I deceided to replace with a new one with a fancy sound/weather shield. Trying to decide between a 9 KW Onan and an 8 KW Kohler, which is what is easily available in my area. The Kohler comes with a slightly better warranty (5 years vs. 3). Either one is going to be about $11.5k installed with all the bells and whistles. Not happy about that but knew it was coming. I don't want to be in the Bahamas this summer drinking warm beer! If anybody has any info or suggestions please offer

CB35 · Post by **CB35** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 1:34 pm

I was going to say 5KW is all you need until I remembered FLA. Stay close to 8KW. Do you one or two AC units. My 35B has two a 12 and a 6KBTU. Ac is the most improtant and my compressors really draw at start-up. A buddy just got a 9KW Onan for his 38B rebuild. Charlie

TIM · Post by **TIM** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 4:39 pm

[:)]my gen, has been moved under the salon, out of the weather and always dry. I built a removable insulated kill box in a aft lazerett, where the gen was. works great.

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 10:00 pm

quote:Originally posted by TIM [:)]my gen, has been moved under the salon, out of the weather and always dry. I built a removable insulated kill box in a aft lazerett, where the gen was. works great. I've thought about doing that, but have read some bad reports about how moving that weight forward adversely effects the ride in rough seas. Tends to bring the bow down so that it wants to stuff, especially in a following sea. Have you been in any rough water since you moved it? There is only one place on my SF where that would fit too, under the main hatch in the salon- maybe you have the FBC with more room? Anyway, I don't think I would want to give up the easy access I have to all the mechanical equipment either.

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 3:19 am

other than them getting wet...i like the fact that bertram put the genset outside all the way back.keeps the noise and CO far away when you are sleeping.although i do like the idea of a fish box back there. Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 6:49 am

Is there any cover or shield that can be put over the gen to keep it from getting wet? Fish blood and salt water dropping onto my gen doesnt turn me on and I am afraid some day it may not let the gen turn on. Stu

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 7:45 am

i did see one guy i met had his hatch drains hoses all go into a sump pump rather than to the bottom of the bilge which i thought was a good idea. Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 11:16 am

I have the hoses going into the bilge, the sump pump sounds like a good idea for fish blood, not to much liquid, but the part I dont like is when you get alot of salt water coming onto the deck. The hatch is'nt sealed and the hoses can not keep up with the volume so the water trickles over the lips of the seat for the hatch. I remmember someone posting about sealing the hatches with a removable locking device. Anybody try that. I just replaced my gen end this year at 2,700. I really dont want to do that again. Moving it into the salon under the floor was something I was looking at but it is alot of work and I am afraid of killing the performance of the boat putting that much weight so for forward. Plus the noise. Anybody got any suggestions? Stuart

capt33 · Post by **capt33** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 1:46 pm

This is my first time posting. I have owned and opeated a 1980 33 sportfish for the past 11 years. I have been through just about every upgrade and repair possible. As for the gen set, I mounted a 5kw Northern Lights under the salon floor on my boat. It was a great decision as after 10,000 hours I never had any problems besides a few raw water impellers and and a new set of injectors,(preventitive maintenence). Always had plenty of power, ran 3 500 watt lights a microwave, water heater, refrigerator, a/c heat and a quartz heater for the bridge. THe best part of all is it still looked brand new. There was no difference in the ride. The only difference I noticed was the boat would lay a litle bow heavy when at rest. The gen was relatively light at 375lbs. Hope this was of some help.

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 12:30 am

Where did you mount it under the salon floor? With the water tank, airconditioning unit, lectra/san unit and hot water heater there, its got to be pretty cramp. The only place that I could see to mount it would be up under the salon bulkhead, that at least gives you some room to get to things and maintain them. So the storys of it effecting the ride are not correct? I need to find out more. Stuart