generator

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 3:49 pm

my onan generator went on me the day before my keys trip last week with no genny running the whole trip my flowscans were showing 15% more fuel consumed than what the pump said . my flowscans were calibrated with the genny running and the flowscan always matched the pump within a gallon or 2. if my calculations are correct my old genset was burning 5gallons an hour. is that possible?i thought they were supposed to burn 1/2 gal per hour. as it was nice thinking i needed 200 gallons when in fact i only needed to buy 170.i am still curious if the difference i am seeing is the genset. now i am going to be on a hunt for a new genset...the fun never ends. Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

Post by **dougl33** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 5:08 pm

Tim, I'd speak with Frank about his Westie. I was on the boat last year when it was running and you could barely hear it. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 7:08 pm

Tim, The genset can't use that much. I don't know enough about your flowscan setup to know what to suggest but I'd give it another fillup or two and see if the problem still exists. I do know if the senders suck a little air they will spin much faster than with only fluid. In a case like you're seeing , if it was some air, it would be only a bubble here or there. As Doug says, I do like the westerbeke genset. About$5000.00

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 5:56 am

My flowscans were right on until i shut down the genny. that is why i think the floscans are fine and just need to be recalibrated. is it possible that my genny was spitting out raw fuel through the exhaust? i say that also because i noticed the last few times i used the genny the exhaust water looked king of cloudy coming out but i could not see any color slick in the water,so i was n ot sure if it was gas .but maybe it was. as far as my onan now i do not think i want to mess with fixing it...my feeling is that it is in the head where i had that rusty spark plug explode.I think maybe a piece went inside the head and caused a problem. and i am assuming that it is not worth the money to fix at this point. basically after i get it started as soon as i put the air condition on it kills the engine. Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 2:41 am

Hi Tim, 5 gal/hr..you'd think it would drown. With the new engines a nice new gen would complete the package. I have the 7.3 Kohler that I installed about 4 yrs ago? Can't remember. Runs at a higher RPM than the Westerbeak. I have a sound shield on it, but the West. is still quieter. Gene Dugan

Post by **Admin** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 5:15 am

Tim, I too have a Westerbeke in a 5kw model. Smooth, efficient and quiet. David Sumich 33 Megabites Huntington Harbour, CA Forum Administrator

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 6:07 am

I too have the 7.3 Kolher that was installed a few years ago by prior owner. Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Westbrook, CT

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 7:23 am

those are really the only choices out there kohler 7.3 westie 5 or westie 6.5 safe co it sounds like everyone is happy with either one. The westie 6.5 safe co is the latest and greatest and probably the most expensive but would be nice to have 99% carbon monoxide free and have the quietest one. do you guys with the quiet westies still have the sound shield or is there a better way from keeping the cockpiy water from dripping on the new investment? Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 10:23 am

Tim, No sound shield, they're just that quiet without one. Frank Price

Post by **dougl33** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 3:02 pm

Tim, When I was taking my initial tour of Frank's boat last summer I noticed that his microwave was running. Since he was tied up next to me while were anchored off the backside of Crane's Beach in Ipswich, MA I though he must have an inverter. He said nope, I'm running the gennie. I couldn't believe it. There wasn't the slightest noise or vibration. Even when Frank opened the hatch in the cockpit and revealed the Westie I could still barely hear it running. It was amazing. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

Post by **Admin** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 3:10 pm

Here is a quick pic of mine. Frank, does yours look similar? [img]http://bertram33.com/images/uploads/wea ... erator.jpg[/img] David Sumich 33 Megabites Huntington Harbour, CA Forum Administrator

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:10 pm

ooohhhh that is real purty!!!! good news for now ,i got my rust bucket running.I called my genny dealer and he insisted that my genny was just missing on the cylinder that my plug wire was mangled...he told me to get a standard plug and wire and adapt the end to the coil...so i did ...I got one of those cut to size plug wires and shoved the cut end into the coil and put the boot on the threads that the wire nut usually screws to and sure enough it fired right up.He told me if i can keep it running till the boat shows ,he can get me a better deal. i also called flowscan about the about the gauge reading 15% high and they suspect a clogged filter or vacuum leak prior to the sensor so i checked the pre micron filter that is installed prior to the fuel pump on my new crusaders and they did have quite a bit of crud in them.i noticed that when the mechanic cleaned the micron filters during my first service he pulled them out with a pick and put a couple of holes in the screen,thanks a lot, so i am ordering new ones.so i should have my flowscan back on track Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 7:12 pm

David, My genset looks much different than yours. Mine is a low profile one which they claim is the smallest you can buy for that output. I'll get a picture of it the next time I'm at the boat. Frank Price