Fischer-Panda Generator in Passage 420
- Thread starter Dick King
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Panda...
Dick, As large as that boat is there has to be somewhere to put one. Are you looking at the PMS 4200 or PMS 6000? What is the total BTU value of your air conditioning? Pat McCartin Inland Marine Diesel Buford, Ga imd_ga@hotmail.com
Dick, As large as that boat is there has to be somewhere to put one. Are you looking at the PMS 4200 or PMS 6000? What is the total BTU value of your air conditioning? Pat McCartin Inland Marine Diesel Buford, Ga imd_ga@hotmail.com
Panda
It is a 6000 and my 2 A/Cs total 23000 BTU. The gen will fit above the main engine, but the problem is that the plastic civer can't be removed to service the gen. I'm thinking of mounting it so it can be pulled out into the aft cabin for servicing. Any suggestions?
It is a 6000 and my 2 A/Cs total 23000 BTU. The gen will fit above the main engine, but the problem is that the plastic civer can't be removed to service the gen. I'm thinking of mounting it so it can be pulled out into the aft cabin for servicing. Any suggestions?
PMS 6000, good choice
With 23K BTU, you'll need most of that 6Kw. I realy like the idea of a pull out shelf to service the genset. I don't see any issues with the wiring or hoses as long as there is enough slack. The PMS6000 is a more self contained unit than others in the lineup. I wouldn't do the slide out as a shelf. Panda discourages mounting on a shelf. This causes a drum effect and can increase the noise and vibration. Consider mounting to an angle iron frame open to the bottom. I think I may have been misreading what you are saying. The upper sound cover is split into 2 pieces that only need to lifted 1/2" to clear the base once the straps are undone. Pat McCartin Inland Marine Diesel Buford, Ga imd_ga@hotmail.com
With 23K BTU, you'll need most of that 6Kw. I realy like the idea of a pull out shelf to service the genset. I don't see any issues with the wiring or hoses as long as there is enough slack. The PMS6000 is a more self contained unit than others in the lineup. I wouldn't do the slide out as a shelf. Panda discourages mounting on a shelf. This causes a drum effect and can increase the noise and vibration. Consider mounting to an angle iron frame open to the bottom. I think I may have been misreading what you are saying. The upper sound cover is split into 2 pieces that only need to lifted 1/2" to clear the base once the straps are undone. Pat McCartin Inland Marine Diesel Buford, Ga imd_ga@hotmail.com
Panda
Dick On our 420 we have a factory installed generator. I am not to sure that with all the wiring, exhast, fuel and cooling lines that you would be able to discount it all and pull it out through the opening in the aft cabin, let alone the wieght of the unit. Also if it were on a rollable shelf I would agree with Pat on noise. I know what you mean with the cover, there sure isn't enought headroom in that area to remove the cover. Since the cover is just for sound absorption, why not look at the possiblity of cutting the cover into sections so it would be removable piecemeal for seviceing. The only area of the unit that needs to be gotten to on a regular basis is for oil change, cooling and fuel filter. Mike Bernard, s/v Eternity
Dick On our 420 we have a factory installed generator. I am not to sure that with all the wiring, exhast, fuel and cooling lines that you would be able to discount it all and pull it out through the opening in the aft cabin, let alone the wieght of the unit. Also if it were on a rollable shelf I would agree with Pat on noise. I know what you mean with the cover, there sure isn't enought headroom in that area to remove the cover. Since the cover is just for sound absorption, why not look at the possiblity of cutting the cover into sections so it would be removable piecemeal for seviceing. The only area of the unit that needs to be gotten to on a regular basis is for oil change, cooling and fuel filter. Mike Bernard, s/v Eternity
Northern Lights gen set
I've been doing research on gensets for the 420. Hunter installs the Northern Lights 6kw. It's about $2k - $3k cheaper then the Panda, plus has gotten good reviews for reliability. Panda is supposedly the quietest, but it's rated at 52 db vs 56 db for Northern. I don't know that translates into "real noise" when you're sleeping only a few feet from it.
I've been doing research on gensets for the 420. Hunter installs the Northern Lights 6kw. It's about $2k - $3k cheaper then the Panda, plus has gotten good reviews for reliability. Panda is supposedly the quietest, but it's rated at 52 db vs 56 db for Northern. I don't know that translates into "real noise" when you're sleeping only a few feet from it.
Removing Panda Cover
Lifting it up the 1/2 inch is not the problem, moving it far enough (about 10 inches) to the side just can't be done in the space above the engine. There is only about 2 inches of room on each side!
Lifting it up the 1/2 inch is not the problem, moving it far enough (about 10 inches) to the side just can't be done in the space above the engine. There is only about 2 inches of room on each side!
Cut the Cover
Mike, I like the idea of cutting the box! I know it will go into the opening - I have already done that. Just lay a 2 X 8 between the bed and the opening and push it in or pull it out. Dick King s/v Sapphire
Mike, I like the idea of cutting the box! I know it will go into the opening - I have already done that. Just lay a 2 X 8 between the bed and the opening and push it in or pull it out. Dick King s/v Sapphire
Already go it
Point well taken. I bought the Panda from my Hunter dealer, but they neglected to tell me that the Northern Light is the usual genset. I got a good price on the Panda and already have it sitting in the space above the engine. I WILL FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT WORK!!! Dick King s/v Sapphire
Point well taken. I bought the Panda from my Hunter dealer, but they neglected to tell me that the Northern Light is the usual genset. I got a good price on the Panda and already have it sitting in the space above the engine. I WILL FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT WORK!!! Dick King s/v Sapphire
Dick, keep us informed
...I'm anxious to know your implementation approach and the results. Plus, how the heck did you get it down the companionway? 300 lbs of deadweight down a ladder sounds fun.
...I'm anxious to know your implementation approach and the results. Plus, how the heck did you get it down the companionway? 300 lbs of deadweight down a ladder sounds fun.
Getting Panda Onboard
350 pounds! Unload from pickup truck, load onto dock cart, wheel down 250 feet of dock, swing boom over cart (oops, have to turn boat around first), hoist Panda with a 6:1 tackle, swing boom over aft cabin hatch, lower Panda thru hatch (oops, forgot to take into acount size of rope knots - go below and stand on bunk and hold Panda while help repositions ropes), lower Panda onto 2X8 on bunk, slide Panda on 2X8 from bunk to space above engine, buy beer for helpers and help them consume it!!! Then later realize problem with cover on Panda. This should go to Lats & Atts "You Think That Was Dumb".
350 pounds! Unload from pickup truck, load onto dock cart, wheel down 250 feet of dock, swing boom over cart (oops, have to turn boat around first), hoist Panda with a 6:1 tackle, swing boom over aft cabin hatch, lower Panda thru hatch (oops, forgot to take into acount size of rope knots - go below and stand on bunk and hold Panda while help repositions ropes), lower Panda onto 2X8 on bunk, slide Panda on 2X8 from bunk to space above engine, buy beer for helpers and help them consume it!!! Then later realize problem with cover on Panda. This should go to Lats & Atts "You Think That Was Dumb".
Without Cover
Dick, Try running it without the cover. Our Northern Lights 6KW doesn't have a cover and it's not that loud. We have never tried to sleep with it running. We only use to charge batteries and make hot water at anchor. Bill
Dick, Try running it without the cover. Our Northern Lights 6KW doesn't have a cover and it's not that loud. We have never tried to sleep with it running. We only use to charge batteries and make hot water at anchor. Bill
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