Genset

billb · Post by **billb** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 11:25 am

has anyone replaced their genset recently???I need a good deal on a 5kw diesel genset.any ideas??

robert watters · Post by **robert watters** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 3:57 pm

I ended up getting a Kohler diesel generator from acpowerplus.com and having my local yard install. Kohler has a great warranty, not that I needed it.

Jose Jaen · Post by **Jose Jaen** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 6:28 pm

Hi; 3 years ago installed a new 6kw Northern Lights with a sound box to keep it quiet but most importantly to keep it DRY. Works great provided that the AC, hair dryier, water heater and microwave are not simultaneously on. Good luck Jose Jaen "Blue Chip" 1993 33FBC Miami FL

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 7:18 pm

I've got to register my vote for the 8 KW Kohler. Be aware that with the sound shield it won't fit under the rear hatch on the SF model, it's too tall (give, take), but it does fit there just fine without the shield. I don't mind the noise so much because it never gets overloaded no matter how much stuff I run at once, and you don't really hear it in the cabin, and you certainly don't hear it when engines are running. So it's a bit noisy when outide but not a problem unless you plan to sleep in the cockpit. If you're not running A/C, then you probably only need a 5 or 6 KW. Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com

billb · Post by **billb** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 2:16 am

Sean and Robert: so how much you pay for the kohler gen set??

TBonedad · Post by **TBonedad** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:23 am

I installed a 5 kw Westerbeke and it's very adequate for the way I use the boat; mostly fishing. I run the a/c and microwave at the same time, but the hot water heater throws the breaker if the a/c is running. If we spend several days aboard I can run the water heater long enough to get water for showers, etc. then back on with the a/c to cool down for bedtime. In addition, I think running it a little harder more of the time is good. Most of the time it seems like it runs with about a 50% load. As to your question of price, I'm clueless.

bosdockpilot · Post by **bosdockpilot** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:41 am

Replaced my generator last year. Northern Lights Lugger 5.5kw. I raised the unit as high as possible to get it as high as possible due to a earlier problem with previous owner getting the old generator flooded with sea water(heavy sea spray into cockpit on long run back from fishing grounds). New gen set is quite and reliable with little or no vibration. Hope this helps.....Steve (1980 33' SF)

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 4:19 am

I got the 8EOZD model Kohler for around 8,000 Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com

robert watters · Post by **robert watters** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 10:11 am

I put my kohler in in 2002 and paid a little under 7k just for the generator and another 1200 for the install.

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 2:20 pm

Kohler told me at the boat show that you want to run a good load on the generator .it is not good to run a generator all the time with a small load.Just thought i would share that. On another note i have a question myself. My 7.3 gas kohler shut down this weekend. Where the water pump connects to the drive shaft there is a rubber spline gear.it stripped off and caused the water pump to not work.I knew this was the problem because i just replaced that a few months ago.Has anyone else had this problem?I am going to replace the part and put it back together but i am concerned that it may happen again and am wondering why this has happened twice so quickly.

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:14 pm

Yeah, you need to have something loading it when running the genny. I always turn on the a/c when I use it. Helps keep the inside dried out, and on longer trips it seems there's always someone, usually female, who wants to crawl in the cold cabin and watch movies. Tim I don't like the sound of that rubber spline gear you describe. Impellers are a weak enough link on their own. I might have a look in my docs to see if I've got the same thing. Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 2:26 am

Hey Tim, I replaced the plastic Kohler pump housing with the bronze Jabsco housing. Better pump. Your's is a couple yrs newer than mine. They may have gone to that pump in a later model. The gear on mine is stainless, if you are talking about the one on the end of the shaft. Held on by a set screw? You can just buy the stainless gear and swap it, I think. Gene Dugan

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 4:44 am

Gene, I have the bronze pump and yes the gear on the end is stainless however that gear connects to a gear on the drive shaft via a hard rubber spline gear.This rubber spline is the weak link.

Post by **Admin** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:43 am

Hey Steve, welcome to the site. Hope you become a regular!

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:10 am

Tim, Weird. I think mine is metal gear to metal spline. I need to look at the thing. Never noticed anything hard rubber. Mine is a 7.3 too. Gene Dugan