Survey/ Generator who is 1800 and who is 3600RPM
- Thread starter 101TUG
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone who enjoys boating.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
The new boat will have an 1800 rpm Northern lights 6kw generator.
I installed a 3600 rpm Fisher Panda 4200 Plus on our sailboat a couple of years ago. I know that people go into convulsions at the thought of Fischer Panda but I rather liked the little unit. It was nicely made, it had decent documentation with enough information that I could understand how it worked, it was actually very quiet, especially compared to some of the other small generators and it took whatever I threw at it for loads.
I've been aboard an American Tug 395 when the generator is running and there is no question that the Northern lights unit is quieter and does not have the "buzz" of the 3600 rpm unit. I did not find either objectionable...
We had put less than 200 hours on the FP before trading the boat in so I can't be of help answering questions about durability...
Bruce
I installed a 3600 rpm Fisher Panda 4200 Plus on our sailboat a couple of years ago. I know that people go into convulsions at the thought of Fischer Panda but I rather liked the little unit. It was nicely made, it had decent documentation with enough information that I could understand how it worked, it was actually very quiet, especially compared to some of the other small generators and it took whatever I threw at it for loads.
I've been aboard an American Tug 395 when the generator is running and there is no question that the Northern lights unit is quieter and does not have the "buzz" of the 3600 rpm unit. I did not find either objectionable...
We had put less than 200 hours on the FP before trading the boat in so I can't be of help answering questions about durability...
Bruce
OP
OP
101TUG
Senior Member
twistedtree
Guru
1800 RPM, 500hrs, but only 2 years old.
Tanks Bruce, yes 200H that not a lot to tell the durable generator
My understanding is the majority of generators die of both under use and insufficient loading. Every manufacturer will stress the importance of both.
I'm sure that bad installations play a part in premature generator death too.
Bruce
OP
OP
101TUG
Senior Member
for me one of the major problem is sea water leak from the pump and make so much damage but all what I saw that 3600RPM this is lot for diesel engine
for me one of the major problem is sea water leak from the pump and make so much damage but all what I saw that 3600RPM this is lot for diesel engine
We have to remove sound shields and look...
No excuse for getting caught with lots of damage due to inattentive sloppy maintenance.
Bruce
OP
OP
101TUG
Senior Member
we know but so many people don't look same people never open car bonnet :face palm:
but this water pump make so much generator destruction
The Other Gary
Senior Member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2016
- Messages
- 336
- Location
- Canada
- Vessel Name
- Adios Dinero
- Vessel Make
- Bayliner 3988 2 x 330 Cummins
1996 westerbeke 8BT 1400 hours 1800 rpm
I just replaced the heat exchanger with a new Cupro nickel one.
Other than belts and impellers it is my only major repair
I just replaced the heat exchanger with a new Cupro nickel one.
Other than belts and impellers it is my only major repair
cardude01
Guru
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2012
- Messages
- 5,290
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Bijou
- Vessel Make
- 2008 Island Packet PY/SP
1800 rpm Yanmar-based Maspower 8k here with 700 hours. It was vibrating like hell but recently fixed that with better mounts. So far no issues. Did replace the raw water pump recently.
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2012
- Messages
- 4,279
- Location
- Australia
- Vessel Name
- Insequent
- Vessel Make
- Ocean Alexander 50 Mk I
PO had installed a 7.5kW Onan (1800) and a 2.5kW MASE (3600). The Onan was likely a 1980's unit and pretty tired. The MASE a late 1990's addition and poorly installed. I only started each of them once. Both ran fine under load (5 minutes) but were removed during refit.
I now have 2kW of solar, a Honda eu2000 and 200A alternators on each engine. The Honda has less than 10 hours use after 2 years. No aircon, otherwise a 5kW Northern Lights would have been installed.
I now have 2kW of solar, a Honda eu2000 and 200A alternators on each engine. The Honda has less than 10 hours use after 2 years. No aircon, otherwise a 5kW Northern Lights would have been installed.
Bustlebomb
Senior Member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2014
- Messages
- 147
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Snooker (for now.....)
- Vessel Make
- 1981 34 Californian LRC
5kW Northern Lights 1800 RPM with approximately 700 hours. Runs great. Just finished putting 7 hours on for the boat parade. I love the gennie. Easy to get at for service and all service points are pretty much on one side, reasonable noise (I don't have a sound shield), and runs everything I need.
I'm thinking about adding a sound shield but haven't done much research yet.
I'm thinking about adding a sound shield but haven't done much research yet.
BruceK
Moderator Emeritus
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2011
- Messages
- 13,347
- Vessel Name
- Sojourn
- Vessel Make
- Integrity 386
Onan MDKD 6.5KW, 1800rpm. Hours unknown, a reman unit in the boat when I bought 7 years ago. Quiet,smooth, good unit, in a sound shield. At a recent service, the mechanic remarked it`s a good genset.
Last edited:
Bay Pelican
Moderator Emeritus
4600 hours, Westerbeke 8kw. We are able to load the generator when used with two 100+ amp chargers, a 750 watt water heater and refrigeration.
ranger58sb
Guru
1800, 8 Kw Kohler (Yanmar 3-cyl. diesel), ~980-ish hours.
-Chris
-Chris
North Baltic sea
Guru
Northenlights 4,5kW(240v) 1800rmp only 45 hours
Victron very good generator test, if you have read what is best for you
https://finnish.victronenergy.com/generatortest
Victron very good generator test, if you have read what is best for you
https://finnish.victronenergy.com/generatortest
Gdavid
Guru
Installed a 1800 rpm, 2 cylinder, yanmar driven generator in last spring made by Alpha, a small outfit out of Pompano Beach, FL. Less than 100 hours so far. No sound shield and it does vibrate more than a 3 cylinder but it fits the space, is easy to service and appears to be well constructed. It was a new, self install and the company owner's communication was supportive and prompt. The boat and bill's both belong to my father but it was about $7.5k including all supporting systems (fuel system, thru hulls, hoses, electrical) which is a bargain.
Attachments
Last edited:
Bay Pelican
Moderator Emeritus
Wow, only three have responded with significant hours on their generators. Argues against worrying about whether a 3,600 rpm or 1,800 rpm is the better fit for most boats.
jleonard
Guru
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2008
- Messages
- 5,064
Westerbeke 4.4 kw (2 cylinder) 1800 rpm, approx. 2400 hours
High Wire
Guru
1800 westerbeke 8 BTD 2175 hrs. Approximately 1987 set. Recently pronounced doa with 265-275 psi compression in all three cyl. 50 psi below rebuild spec. Nothing but trouble for me in last 3 years. Gen end was rebuilt in 2013 with less than 100 hrs. Fairly quiet and smooth without enclosure when it ran. Not going WB again. Probably will part-out.
Lepke
Guru
- Joined
- Jun 19, 2016
- Messages
- 3,035
- Location
- US
- Vessel Name
- Charlie Harper
- Vessel Make
- Wheeler Shipyard 83'
2-14kw @1800 came with the boat. An Onan MDL3 and Perkins 4108. Both with glazed cylinders from light running. Perkins was no problem to overhaul, but Onan wants to sell a new one. I no longer have an electric stove, so planning on dumping the Onan for a much smaller generator. I will never have another Onan/Cummings product because of parts issues.
