Wet Generator From Bilge Splash and it's cooked

banispeter · Post by **banispeter** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 9:39 am

Anyone else had this problem: It seems the generator location down in the bottom of the bilge under the cockpit floor is so close to the bottom of the bilge that normal bilge splash has locked up the generator side of the genset and it's toast! This happen to anyone else? Man, am I PO'ed! Peter L. Banis KNOT AGAIN Boston, MA

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:14 am

Peter, That stinks! The fact that our gensets get wet is no secret. I always run my aft bilge every time i get the boat moving to clear the bilge water away from the genset.Also when i put my new genset in i raised it on pressure treated 4x4s and added a sound shield .You can have that side replaced

banispeter · Post by **banispeter** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 7:58 am

Tim: I did that too and it still got toasted and this is the second time in like 4 years and I always run the aft bilge pump on manual as soon as we get close to up on plane. My issue is with my insurance carrier. Anyone out there make claim to their carrier for this design defect and resulting inevitable damage like this? What was the result of the resolution to the claim and who was the carrier if I may ask? Peter L. Banis KNOT AGAIN Boston, MA

boat bum dan · Post by **boat bum dan** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:59 am

This is a problem on all Bertrams, My boss has a 46' and had the same problem. But I disagree a little We think the problem is water driping down out of hatch, Replaced two gen units in first two years. Had a gen set cover made And have not had any more problems in past four years (knock on wood) We made our cover out of the marine insulation that is silver on one side, Cut and folded one piece to make one end and side. (engine end is left open) and one piece that overlaps and directs water away from gen set. Dan

banispeter · Post by **banispeter** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 4:22 pm

Dan: Did the insurance carrier cover that as a claim or did you not bother? Need to know whether claims have been made and the disposition by the carriers. On the 33 the footprint of the gennie is way inside the footprint of the hatch. Dan, did you cover the entire gennie so that it would be protected from bilge splash or just hatch drip? Peter L. Banis KNOT AGAIN Boston, MA

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 3:05 am

Peter , Are you saying that your genny sits beyond the hatch opening and away from hatch drip .Because on mine and all others that i have seen hatch drip is a big problem and the genny does sit right below the hatch opening. that is one reason i opted for a full sound enclosure to protect from splash and drip

banispeter · Post by **banispeter** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 4:19 am

Tim: No. Genny is under the center cockpit hatchj BUT the footprint of the genny is weel inside the outline of the hatch and as the lip on the hatch base in the cockpit is well OUTSIDE the fottprint of the genny it appears to me the real culprit is unavoidable bilge splash. Anyone make claim to their carrier for this and what was the outcome of that process you can share with me. As you might imagine we are looking to sue someone here and I do have candidates in mind. I will explain the legal theories as to each sometiome later and if it works out as I think it will everyone who has lost a genny to this problem, down drip or bilge splash, in the recent past is welcome to climb aboard so to speak. Peter L. Banis KNOT AGAIN Boston, MA

Post by **Admin** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 4:45 am

Is this more an FBC problem than an SF problem? I don't seem to have much issue with the gennie getting wet, but then mine is under the rear hatch, not the center one.

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 5:13 am

David , I think he is referring to the aft center hatch. and i think all models are the same.

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 6:09 am

Knock on wood, but when I instaled the new Gen set, I raised it and put the full sound shield on it. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I keep a grill cover on it when not in use. I think I installed this in like 2001 and it almost looks brand new. One other measure I take is smear a good bit of OMC waterproof grease around the plate that covers the brushes to help keep the moisture out. Once a year I take that plate off and clean the front end of the windings. Gene Dugan

boat bum dan · Post by **boat bum dan** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 6:28 am

Peter I did not file a claim. When they installed the second generator the mechanic circled the section of the work order that said the generator would not be covered for water intrusuion. At that time I felt my water problem was from the bilge up, after that unit died from water intrusion we covered gen set with sound sheild and have not had any further problems. Dan

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 6:38 am

Peter, The answer to your original questions is yes. Its happened to all of us who have not modified the original gennie layout and/or hatch drains/gutters. In fact its a known issue on pretty much every Bertram thats had the gennie mounted under the cockpit sole. How much water have you gotten? This is not a new problem. I think its more of a problem on boats that may have a salt water rather than a fresh water washdown and/or are fished hard (i.e. creating a bloody mess in the cockpit that needs to be washed away while underway or by backing down hard and having raw water coming in via the scuppers and draining into the bilge). Knock on wood, but my gennie is original from 1986 and is still running with out issue. I have freshwater washdown only and I know the boats never been fished by me nor the previous owner. Pete, Is this a new gennie? If not, I know you're boat is a 1983, and things don't last forever. I'm not sure whom you could sue. Bertram is off the hook since its past the Coast Guard's 10 year limit on recalls. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 1:29 am

Jeez no wonder insurance premiums are so high these days Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... d_Time.jpg[/img]

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 2:27 am

My aft bilge pump has a float and switch on the bridge to either go auto or manual. I have my genny on marine ply with a back splash shield to help in splashing. I run it on auto all the time and do not get any water on the gen. I did make a lexan cover that mounts on the forward bulhead of the hatch. It covers the gen and half of the engine. Any issues I just lift hatch and I have full view of the gen. Mike

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 4:06 am

Mike... Can you describe your lexan cover please.. is it just a flat sheet mounted over the gennie, or is it more elaborate than this? Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC