New Generator - Kohler?

The friendliest place on the web for anyone who enjoys boating.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
See posts with no answers
Roger Long

Roger Long

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2015
Messages
451
Location
Albany
Vessel Name
Gypsy Star
Vessel Make
Gulf Star 43
I think I have a pretty good idea what's going on with the old ONAN discussed in a thread below and we can keep it going for a while. However, Mathew may be changing things. Docks and infrastructure are apt to be severely damaged all over our winter cruising grounds this year which raises the ante on having a very reliable generator. It may be a lot harder to find shore power to save that freezer full of food than in past years.

Our boatyard is a Kohler dealer. They said they would put in anything we want but the mechanic said he has had less trouble with the Kohler's than others and that they are very common in RV's so have a large support network.

Does this jibe with the collective wisdom here?

I'm liking the 3 cylinder 6EKOD. It is only 6 KW as opposed to the 7.5 which is in the boat but I wouldn't mind doing some load management, such as shutting down AC and heat while cooking on the electric stove, in return for less up front cost and not having the generator running so lightly most of the time.

We haven't found the noise level of the ONAN 2 banger objectionable but the vibration is. I'm thinking of maybe trying the new unit without the sound shield and then adding it later if we think it is needed. Working on the ONAN with the shield certainly has been a pain.

Any opinions on the quietest and smoothest gen set in the 6 -7.5 KW range? That's the first mate's biggest concern. Service and support shouldn't be a major issue for a brand new installation.
 
We have gas along with a Koehler 7.5KW generator. Some of the things I would want, gas or diesel is a machine that operates at 1800RPM and not 3600RPM. Further, if available I would also always prefer a 4 cylinder machine over anything with less. The number of cylinders along with the operating RPM have a direct influence on the low frequency vibrations.

The more cylinders the less vibration same for RPMs. Personally, I do not want a screaming generator even if low frequency vibrations are better contained
 
10/4 on not wanting a screaming genny
 
I have a 8KW diesel Kohler in my Mainship 400 (as do most Mainships, I think). It has about 600 hours on it, 500 or so from me since 2013.

I've had two breakdowns in that time. A start relay failed while we were in the Bahamas and I was able to repair it myself. Luckily my mechanic foretold that failure and I had a spare on board. Access to the relay is pretty easy if you know where it to look but it is hidden behind a panel. I also had the temp sensor fail, which caused the genset to shut down after a few minutes of run time. I was local when that happened. It was a $25 part and a pretty easy repair.

We tend to use the generator heavily for about a month out of the year when we go to the Bahamas then not much after that. I run it under load for 30 minutes or so at the dock every month or so to keep it happy.

The original installation did not allow reasonable access so I had to remove the sound shield but that's not the genset's fault. I don't notice much sound difference without the shield, but our genset is in the Lazerette.

It's been a good unit, it runs our split AC system, electric stove, fridge, separate freezer and battery charger all at the same time with no issues.
 
I installed a 9EKOZD a few years ago. No problems or complaints.

I have the sound shield. At least in my installation it doesn't make working on the unit significantly more difficult.
 
We have an older (2002) Kohler 8EOZ, and it works well, is quiet, powers everything we run, even simultaneously – including 2 ACs, water heater, microwave/convection oven, and the cooktop.

It has about 1000 hours on it now. Two failures in that time. One was the fuel filter housing. This is a Yanmar part, and the inlet port is a separate piece from the cast filter housing (top), simply pressed into the housing. If it pops slightly out of its hole, fuel can spew all over the engine room while the genset runs bravely on. I might have been seeing – but not understanding – slight hints, in that I was occasionally finding some weeping around the filter assembly… but I never did identify that as having to do with the inlet port.

Kohler said they’ve never heard of this type of failure happening before. Wasn’t able to find the right Yanmar guy to discuss it. (The filter assembly on the genset is similar in design to the filter assembly on our John Deere tractor, with Yanmar power, which only has about 700 hours on it… so I’m watching that closely, too.)

Direct replacement was easy, but I’m not comfortable that’s “fixed” the problem. I’ve (lightly) investigated alternative fuel filter assemblies, but haven’t yet found something that will fit within the sound shield. In the meantime, I’m probably going to band a big hose clamp around the thing, so that inlet port is mechanically locked into the housing top.

The second failure was the fuel pump, a Carter product. Just recently. Probably got my money’s worth from it. Direct replacement fixed that.

The most common service points are all mounted on the front of the unit, so removing one sound shield door provides decent access to most everything. Access to the belt needs a side door to be removed, not so hard. Access to the air cleaner, OTOH, is pretty much impossible, so far. It’s on the back of the unit, and there’s not enough clearance over the top to get in there. I suspect the answer to that, should it become necessary, is to open an access port through the bulkhead of our guest stateroom. That was probably a boat builder issue, not necessarily a Kohler issue… and then Kohler is at the mercy of the engine maker, to a certain extent, when it comes to where serviceable parts are located.


I suspect newer models use engines from other makers. My approach would likely be to review service manual for both genset and engine (documentation direct from engine manufacturer) before deciding on a new unit.


OTOH, I've been satisfied with that we've got.

-Chris
 
An often forgotten install issue is exhaust run height differential and access to critical areas. Does the unit you are contemplating satisfy your vessels ER, service/repair requirements and exhaust run layout?
 
Definitely go for a 1,800 rpm unit. But three cylinders will be just as smooth as four. And I am not sure that you can find a 4 cylinder genset in the 6-8 KW range.

Northern Lights is another solid brand. Good marinization and a solid and simple generator end.

David
 
I'd rather have a three cyl than a four. Four has a second order vibe that occurs twice per rev, straight up and down. Creates a buzzing noise. A three has a first order "waddle" that is easily handled by the resilient mounts. Fours usually only seen above 10kW, so moot point in this discussion.

And yep to 1800. Nope to two cyl or belt drive strangeness.

Kohler makes a good machine. Engine is probably a Yanmar 3TN series, also good stuff.

I have found some late model Kohlers with computer controls to do some strange things.

Kohler also has a good warranty, I think six years.
 
Koehler has a great reputation in the smaller gas boats. Onan seems to be the choice in diesels.

Overall support form Koehler has been great.

I've got the 5kw Koehler, but gas, and has been great. Just change the impeller and filters and zinc annually.
 
I could have mentioned, our 8EOZ is diesel, and it is indeed a Yanmar 3TN-something engine. 74, I think, from off-hand memory.


-Chris
 
danderer said:
I installed a 9EKOZD a few years ago. No problems or complaints.

I have the sound shield. At least in my installation it doesn't make working on the unit significantly more difficult.
Click to expand...
Agree w Dave Ski & others re Kohler
Our Mainship came w a Kohler 9EOZ diesel (Yanmar) w a sound shield and you can hardly hear it run. So far access for maint hasn't been a problem...some areas are tight but not impossible...e.g. "zinc" access takes a little patience and RW impeller easier if you remove pump & bracket.
 
We have diesel Kohler generators in a couple of boats. Italian boats and the builder uses them exclusively. We love them, no problems at all. However, I would still choose Northern Lights over them, just as a personal preference. Now, I would select based on your cruising grounds, not your home boatyard. What brand do you think you can get best serviced down the east coast? in Fort Lauderdale there are 8 dealers supporting Kohler plus TAW. In Jacksonville, only TAW. Do a search in between, in NC, SC, GA and you won't find much. Search NC for Northern Lights and you'll find 11 dealers. Search the coast of NC for Onan and you'll find 5. For those reasons, I would not make Kohler my first choice, although I would be no means fault the choice.
 
We have and love our Diesel Northern Lights Generator. 8KW with sound shield and the split muffler. Best generators on the market IMO. Also they quote you retail prices on parts so the dealer can 't stiff you on prices. Added bonus I have a dealer that sells everything to boaters at a 10% discount. Never get that with other brands.
 
IMG_1476124491.127799.jpg
Easy access to all service parts on a Northern Lights. This unit is 14 years old with 1600 hours without ANY repairs.
 
Pgitug said:
We have and love our Diesel Northern Lights Generator. 8KW with sound shield and the split muffler. Best generators on the market IMO. Also they quote you retail prices on parts so the dealer can 't stiff you on prices. Added bonus I have a dealer that sells everything to boaters at a 10% discount. Never get that with other brands.
Click to expand...

Northern Lights is known for great service and they have plenty of coverage where most boat.
 
Is that NL in post 17 Kubota engined?
 
Shibaura. Similar to Kubota. Both mini tractor engines.
 
Hi, I have two 20.5 EFKOZD. Installed in 2019.

I have had quite a few problems in the first year, including changing out a rotor after 25 hrs due to a ground fault, raw water pumps leaking, faulty oil pressure sensors. All of which I had to pay for.

My biggest beef is the DecisionMaker management system. It starts both generators each time I request power, they have a chat and then it shuts down the one with most hours. Similarly, when I am finished with generators it will start the offline one for a couple of minutes before shutting both down. This puts twice the necessary starts on a cold generator.

And forget about support, the Fort Lauderdale Kohler dealer, RPM Diesel, had to give up fault finding a parallelling issue I was having because Kohler USA would not return their phone calls or emails. RPM actually put that on the invoice.

Northern Lights supply a much better package in my opinion.
 
Kohler support.....NOT

I have two 20.5kw Kohlers on my boat and they are good generators but kohler's tech support is useless. I had a Florida dealer send me a bill for an unresolved issue stating his emails to kohler went unanswered and he could not proceed and i had to leave. And this is how they treat their dealers!
 
Find out if anyone can service it in your area. I have an 8K Diesel Kohler. It took me 2.5 years to find someone who could actually service it. A few said they'd come out, but lots of "You're on the list" then no shows.
 
I had a 5K Kohler on my SeaRay and it was glitchy. Love my Northern Lights.
 
I worked at Kohler Co. for 17 years. Their quality is absolutely top-notch.
 
EyeOnAlaska said:
I worked at Kohler Co. for 17 years. Their quality is absolutely top-notch.
Click to expand...

Kohler is very popular in Europe where service is widely available. We have Kohler and Northern Lights. In the US, we'd always choose Northern Lights over anyone else. We've also had Onan. We had no problems with them and we've had no issues with Kohler. However, we've heard of Kohler issues from others in other parts of the country, especially delays in parts and repairs.

However, in South Florida, there are plenty who service Kohler. TAW, RPM, Sun Power, Don Hillman are a few. TAW is actually a distributor.
 
I have a 38yo Perkins-powered 12.5kw Kohler with 1,800 hours on the clock. Still produces 118 volts at 59.7hz with a 3/4 load.
 
Roger Long said:
I think I have a pretty good idea what's going on with the old ONAN discussed in a thread below and we can keep it going for a while. However, Mathew may be changing things. Docks and infrastructure are apt to be severely damaged all over our winter cruising grounds this year which raises the ante on having a very reliable generator. It may be a lot harder to find shore power to save that freezer full of food than in past years.

Our boatyard is a Kohler dealer. They said they would put in anything we want but the mechanic said he has had less trouble with the Kohler's than others and that they are very common in RV's so have a large support network.

Does this jibe with the collective wisdom here?

I'm liking the 3 cylinder 6EKOD. It is only 6 KW as opposed to the 7.5 which is in the boat but I wouldn't mind doing some load management, such as shutting down AC and heat while cooking on the electric stove, in return for less up front cost and not having the generator running so lightly most of the time.

We haven't found the noise level of the ONAN 2 banger objectionable but the vibration is. I'm thinking of maybe trying the new unit without the sound shield and then adding it later if we think it is needed. Working on the ONAN with the shield certainly has been a pain.

Any opinions on the quietest and smoothest gen set in the 6 -7.5 KW range? That's the first mate's biggest concern. Service and support shouldn't be a major issue for a brand new installation.
Click to expand...

I had a new Carver C34 with a gas Kohler 7.5kw genset. I had nothing but trouble with it. Not even the Kohler tech could figure out why it acted as if the starting battery was dead the next morning while on the hook. The remote start never worked either. It was also very loud. I assume that was due to the high revving gas engine. That and other issues were why I sold the boat after two years and bought my NP45. Everything worked right from day 1 with the NP45. I'm very happy with it. I have a Northern Lights 9 kw diesel genset which, works like a charm.
 
Due diligence on build quality, specs and servicing will lead to either NL Luggar or Phaser Kabota. Installer should be approved by manufacturer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Y
Kohler 4CC023 oil lever
Replies
4
Views
436
Action
Action
Lshulan
Kohler Generator 6EOZ Zinc?
Replies
7
Views
775
porman
porman
G
10kw Kohler Generator 10R0P23 Schematics
Replies
24
Views
2K
grehard1
G
G
An Onan generator vulnerability - FYI
Replies
0
Views
465
Gilhooley
G
Dougcole
Shared Through Hull Watermaker/Genset
2
Replies
39
Views
3K
Dougcole
Dougcole

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom