will be getting a 410 in the spring, will need a gen set,at least 6kw. thinking of fisher panda or koler. anyone have sugestions as to which is better . Thanks KEN
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George Kornreich
Panda smaller and quieter
I have the 9KW Kohler, and it has been very reliable, considering that it is fairly new and hasn't seen much use yet. However, the panda is smaller, and I'm told is quieter and does not generate as much heat. On ours, installed under the forward berth, you get a free massage, and stay kinda warm, which (to run the A/C) is why the genset is there in the first place. Sorta wierd, wouldn't you say! So I think I'd vote for the panda if I were starting over.
I have the 9KW Kohler, and it has been very reliable, considering that it is fairly new and hasn't seen much use yet. However, the panda is smaller, and I'm told is quieter and does not generate as much heat. On ours, installed under the forward berth, you get a free massage, and stay kinda warm, which (to run the A/C) is why the genset is there in the first place. Sorta wierd, wouldn't you say! So I think I'd vote for the panda if I were starting over.
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warren feldstein
panda
I looked at the same issue for my new boat. Is your boat new. If so, should you get it from the factory. The panda is considerably more expensive. It is the only one that is water cooled. this apparently has other advantages plus winterizing concerns. I have no experience with noise. Our boat is going to be delivered with a Northern lights.
I looked at the same issue for my new boat. Is your boat new. If so, should you get it from the factory. The panda is considerably more expensive. It is the only one that is water cooled. this apparently has other advantages plus winterizing concerns. I have no experience with noise. Our boat is going to be delivered with a Northern lights.
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Chris Webb
410 generator
Ken, We have a 410 and added a 6 kw Northern Lights generator in the starboard lazarette where it would be if ordered from the factory. Although it's a tight squeeze, we were able to install it with a factory-purchased sound shield and the noise level is really not bad. We can sleep in the aft stateroom with it running. I'd agree that the Fisher Panda is the Mercedes of gen sets as it is water cooled on both ends of the gen set, as opposed to the water cooled diesel but air cooled electric generator end of ours. Five or six kw would seem to be plenty to me; it's not good to run a gen set that's not loaded to near its capacity, and 6 kw adequately runs both ac units, microwave, battery charger, etc, without a problem. I'd definitely recommend getting a gen set that runs at 1800 rpm rather than 3600 for longevity. The Northern Lights is a n 1800 rpm unit, and I understand Fisher Panda makes both 1800 and 3600 rpm units. Hope this has helped a little. Fair winds! Chris Webb s/v Grand Cru II
Ken, We have a 410 and added a 6 kw Northern Lights generator in the starboard lazarette where it would be if ordered from the factory. Although it's a tight squeeze, we were able to install it with a factory-purchased sound shield and the noise level is really not bad. We can sleep in the aft stateroom with it running. I'd agree that the Fisher Panda is the Mercedes of gen sets as it is water cooled on both ends of the gen set, as opposed to the water cooled diesel but air cooled electric generator end of ours. Five or six kw would seem to be plenty to me; it's not good to run a gen set that's not loaded to near its capacity, and 6 kw adequately runs both ac units, microwave, battery charger, etc, without a problem. I'd definitely recommend getting a gen set that runs at 1800 rpm rather than 3600 for longevity. The Northern Lights is a n 1800 rpm unit, and I understand Fisher Panda makes both 1800 and 3600 rpm units. Hope this has helped a little. Fair winds! Chris Webb s/v Grand Cru II
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bob
panda genset - 40.5
i just looked into gensets for my 40.5 and picked the fischer panda because it is smaller, lighter, quieter....it is a little more expensive....my research also indicated that it generates a more perfect sine curve which interfaces better with the heart inverter system....i'm also told that the panda unit is engineered for 3600 rpm, so there is no lonvgevity issue... one further point..i started out wanting the buy the largest kw genset i could fit into my boat....after looking into it, i went the other direction and bought a 4kw which is the smallest unit which will do the job with prudent energy management... for example, i don't plan to run the water heater and ac compressor at the same time, and thus can buy a lighter and less expensive unit.... bob
i just looked into gensets for my 40.5 and picked the fischer panda because it is smaller, lighter, quieter....it is a little more expensive....my research also indicated that it generates a more perfect sine curve which interfaces better with the heart inverter system....i'm also told that the panda unit is engineered for 3600 rpm, so there is no lonvgevity issue... one further point..i started out wanting the buy the largest kw genset i could fit into my boat....after looking into it, i went the other direction and bought a 4kw which is the smallest unit which will do the job with prudent energy management... for example, i don't plan to run the water heater and ac compressor at the same time, and thus can buy a lighter and less expensive unit.... bob
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Jeff Walker
We went with Entec
We looked at our power requirements and picked a 4.2 Kw Entec. It is water cooled, insulated, and uses the same engine (Faryman) as the Fisher Panda model of that size. Also, they both have the same noise level (approx. 50 dB). Our H410 has a single AC/heater unit in the aft cabin (comfortable enough for Southern California) which means that 4.2 Kw can heat the water and cabin, run the coffee maker and still put 70 to 80 amps into the batteries. Without anything running, it can re-charge 450 AH worth of house batteries at 96 to 104 amps. Price was about $8K installed and it is very quiet. Good luck and fair winds. Jeff and Carol s/v Twilight
We looked at our power requirements and picked a 4.2 Kw Entec. It is water cooled, insulated, and uses the same engine (Faryman) as the Fisher Panda model of that size. Also, they both have the same noise level (approx. 50 dB). Our H410 has a single AC/heater unit in the aft cabin (comfortable enough for Southern California) which means that 4.2 Kw can heat the water and cabin, run the coffee maker and still put 70 to 80 amps into the batteries. Without anything running, it can re-charge 450 AH worth of house batteries at 96 to 104 amps. Price was about $8K installed and it is very quiet. Good luck and fair winds. Jeff and Carol s/v Twilight
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Micha
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KEN
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Bill hall
Practical Sailor
Practical Sailor gave a nice review on gensets a few months ago. Fisher Panda was the winner of most categories indicated, one of which was noise, another efficiency. Check it out.
Practical Sailor gave a nice review on gensets a few months ago. Fisher Panda was the winner of most categories indicated, one of which was noise, another efficiency. Check it out.
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