Possible to run Onan 20kW generator out of water ?

[Dune]

My boat is on the hard for some weeks for minor hurricane related repairs. Found a leak in the rectangular fuel filter at the seal right before we left for the yard and would really like to fix that before the boat is back in the water.

I could of course easily replace the filter on the hard but sure would be nice to run the generator a little to make sure it is not leaking after the filter replacement....would only take 30 seconds of running to know.

I suspect I am about to hear the problem would not be overheating in 30 seconds but damage to the water pump impeller. If so, maybe I could remove it first....where is it on a 1993 Onan 20kW marine generator ?

Alternatively I suppose a garden hose might be jammed in the intake somehow and water run that way but of all those intakes might be hard to find the right one...follow the strainer inside the bllge I guess....do they make garden hose attachments to jam in a thru hull from the outside ?

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. D. I've seen a rubber suction cup type device with an integral wire hook that clamps/hooks onto the through hull intake, so I know they are made, but haven't a clue what they're called.
To find the right through hull, take the top off the sea strainer and run a hose. See where the water is exiting on the hull...

 

[sunchaser]

I suspect I am about to hear the problem would not be overheating in 30 seconds but damage to the water pump impeller. If so, maybe I could remove it first....where is it on a 1993 Onan 20kW marine generator ?

?

Lots of ways to get water to the genset. First things first though - FIND and KNOW HOW to change out that pesky impeller.

 

[Dune]

Lots of ways to get water to the genset. First things first though - FIND and KNOW HOW to change out that pesky impeller.

Yeah well, I knew at one time...but now forget....in the manual of course, but the manual is 60 miles away right now.

 

[Gabe n Em]

Close through hull, open strainer cap, insert running hose. Don't Rev it.

No warranties express or implied

 

[kev_rm]

Close through hull, open strainer cap, insert running hose. Don't Rev it.

No warranties express or implied

Brilliant

 

[Capt.Bill11]

Brilliant

And over reving will not be an issue with a genset.

 

[High Wire]

Close through hull, open strainer cap, insert running hose. Don't Rev it.

No warranties express or implied

Yep. Add a simple 90 degree garden hose shutoff valve on the boat end and make sure you have a way to pump out the bilge or drain it. Make sure the end of the hose doesn't blow out of the strainer.

 

[Bay Pelican]

This is one of the ways to flush the genset at the end of the season with fresh water.
Some of us have installed the Groco valves so that we can attach the garden hose directly to the strainer for both flushing and to use as an emergency pump.

 

[Bacchus]

My yard uses a simple household iten for winterizing...take a common rubber plunger...remove the handle and cut/ drill the hole through then insert a piece of half inch pipe w a valve and hose ftg adaptor...connect the hose and you are ready...will need a helper to hold it onto the thru hull for the gen.
The same rig works for winterizing if you hook up to antifreeze...they mount a drum on the travel lift so it is gravity flow to the thru hull.
Pretty simple & inexpensive!!!

 

[psneeld]

Take the impeller out and run it for 30 seconds.

More than that and I would developed plan B.

 

[Ski in NC]

Most gennies, a garden hose in the strainer does the job. Put hose in, close sea cock, turn on water, start machine, and if it starts drawing water you are good to go.

 

[Mule]

My yard uses a simple household iten for winterizing...take a common rubber plunger...remove the handle and cut/ drill the hole through then insert a piece of half inch pipe w a valve and hose ftg adaptor...connect the hose and you are ready...will need a helper to hold it onto the thru hull for the gen.
The same rig works for winterizing if you hook up to antifreeze...they mount a drum on the travel lift so it is gravity flow to the thru hull.
Pretty simple & inexpensive!!!

Ya beat me...simple plumber helper.

 

[kapnd]

Shame on your boats builder for not installing a fresh water flush point from the getgo. Regular flushing with fresh after use will vastly extend the life of your cooling systems. Mains, genset, and AC all will live much longer without being pickled in salt. It doesn't take a great deal of water to do so, and even a partial flush will dilute to a much more tolerable level.

 

[Dune]

Yep. Add a simple 90 degree garden hose shutoff valve on the boat end and make sure you have a way to pump out the bilge or drain it. Make sure the end of the hose doesn't blow out of the strainer.

Getting a yard water supplied garden house in a boat of this size to the engine room, would be quite a PITA but as it turns out there is a hose with nozzle already in the engine room that supplies water from the fresh water tank. Not sure if it will keep up with the required water supply of the generator but hopefully enough for 30 seconds anyway.

 

[Dune]

Shame on your boats builder for not installing a fresh water flush point from the getgo. Regular flushing with fresh after use will vastly extend the life of your cooling systems. Mains, genset, and AC all will live much longer without being pickled in salt. It doesn't take a great deal of water to do so, and even a partial flush will dilute to a much more tolerable level.

There may be one that I just don't know is there.

 

[rwidman]

Greetings,
Mr. D. I've seen a rubber suction cup type device with an integral wire hook that clamps/hooks onto the through hull intake, so I know they are made, but haven't a clue what they're called.l...

It's called a "Fake-A-Lake.

That's probably a brand name. The pole extends so you can wedge it between the ground or pavement and the hull.

 

[Shoalwaters]

Most gennies, a garden hose in the strainer does the job. Put hose in, close sea cock, turn on water, start machine, and if it starts drawing water you are good to go.

Yup, this route or making it suck from a bucket or dedicated tank are the safest ways to go. The thought of connecting a pressurised hose to the system always makes me uneasy. There is a risk, however slight, of filling the exhaust and engine with water. Murphy knew what he was talking about!

 

[kev_rm]

This is one of the ways to flush the genset at the end of the season with fresh water.
Some of us have installed the Groco valves so that we can attach the garden hose directly to the strainer for both flushing and to use as an emergency pump.

I want to install this on my boat -

Just curious what do you use to "T" to the garden hose input? Just a brass (edit: bronze) T then a valve? (nipple, threaded, whatever)

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. k. "Just a brass T then a valve?" Configuration aside you'd be best to use bronze fittings NOT brass.

 

[Bay Pelican]

I want to install this on my boat -

Just curious what do you use to "T" to the garden hose input? Just a brass (edit: bronze) T then a valve? (nipple, threaded, whatever)

The Groco safety valve attaches directly to the thru-hull. Comes in various sizes.

 

[clynn]

I winterize my engine by pulling the water in and exhaust out hose and drop them in a 5 gallon bucket with antifreeze. I don't see why you couldn't do the same with a bucket of fresh water for your generator. I run water down the exhaust pipe to keep it cool while running the motor.

 

[kev_rm]

Cool, thanks, here's another link with a diagram.

http://www.groco.net/SVC-MAN-07/Sec4/PDF/SSC.pdf

 

[Eddieandgail]

In that diagram it shows a vane type pump for the antifreeze but no pumps needed when used to empty bilge. Any reason raw water impeller pump can't pull antifreeze from a bucket?
Eddie