Diesel Generators - Whats best?

[bestintentions]

Hello

It seems that there are quite a few makes of diesel generator sets (4-8 KVa) - does anyone have any pointers as to which ones are really quiet and work well?

Thanks!

 

[Anonymous]

Mine is a 1999 FP 6kVA and has been round the world once with the PO - nearly 900hrs. Seems to be in good condition and keeps good frequency and voltage regulation across its full load. Pretty quiet. Very easy to use - you don't need to be technical and can let guests turn it on without worrying.

David

 

[mainshiptom]

I have an Onan 7.5KW 1981 ! easy to maintain change oil and filter evry 200 hours ! water cooled ! starts every time, looks heavy but I never had to lift.

Uses very little diesel if any?

gets you lots of room in anchor areas or marinas. All you have to do is start it up , Just joking.

In Holland on the vere meer, We where moored on an island, We used to switch on and go for a walk ! When we get back we had chrged battries hot water for shower and Swmbo could use hair dryer !


Love it


Tom

 

[mocruising]

A good read of the "Gear tests" following the last 2 ARC'
s might be a good place to start. I think Westebeke have come out on top for two years now. I had one on my last boat and it never let me down in two years. I have a different make now but its only been running since August so no real comment. 5-6 Kw seems about standard for boats upto 50' or so. Water cooled low reving with a sound shield seem favourite. Good luck.

 

[slavkod]

HI,

I have FP 5KVA on board and had some problems with it, manly impellers and once I had to change integrated circuit in controller and one pipe. Other than that it works OK.

Slavko

 

[Anonymous]

When your impellers went, did the generator shut itself down in good time before the temperature rose? That's my big worry, leaving it running for a couple of hours while we go ashore to come back to a seized engine, and a beeping engine temperature alarm!

 

[sailorman]

wot did the neighbors do while u went walkies?? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[cliffb]

Sorry for the ignorance... but what does FP stand for.? Or perhaps it doesn't.

Thanks

 

[tcm]

Re: fischher panda nm

.

 

[groomer]

the latest & greatest in diesel gen sets has to the the nz invention "whispergen" it not only provides the juice but also heating..can be used domesticallyor recreationally..the driver is a EXTERNAL combustion unit and has to be seen to be believed..it is on the web..check it out!

 

[TrueBlue]

Sorry to be a misanthrope but:-

Stirling engines are very inefficient so lots of waste heat.
Whispergen runs on bottled gas and would gobble up the fuel.
can only do 1200 Watts.

Otherwise super idea.

I suggest a small gen set from Beta Marine, could be modified to heat water and space as well.
OR
bigger alternator with one of those battery confusing thingies to up the charging rate. Run it while you're cooking to lower the net battery drain.
OR
engine drive gen set (AC alternator / AC invertor) to drive the cooker. Lots of belts but norra lot of engine room space needed.