Generator for 376/380?

[Chuck]

I'm considering installing a generator in my 376 primarily to run the AC and charge batteries during the hot Florida and Abacos summer afternoons.I'm interested in any imput you other owners have had with this size boat. Specifically:-suggested size/Output-location (I assume one of the cockpit lazzerettes?)-noise: how bad is it? especially in the aft cabin-cost.Thanks!

 

[Grayson Koogle]

Still Researching

Chuck, We are researching the same subject but have not found/gotten any response from Hunter 376 owners that have installed a genset yet. In the "ask an owner" forum there is a 380 owner that has a Northern Lights genset.....and he is not a "happy camper" as the installation did not include a sound insulation box and it apparently is very noisy. I have looked at the Fisher Panda 4 KW genset...with the sound enclosure box it will fit in the starboard cockpit lazarette....and it seems to be the quietest set I have seen (heard). There is also an Entec genset with supposedly the same basic specs as the Fisher Panda but I have not gotten the specs on it yet. Cost is high...it is a major investment...the Fisher Panda is in the $8K range and higher depending on the dealer...then there is installation costs. We want to add a genset to our 376 but may have to wait and save a few more nickels.If you get any feedback from a 376 owner that has installed a genset, would appreciate any information. I will do the same.

 

[Pete Vente]

Depends

A lot depends on what other equipment you will be using along side your AC. Most AC units that I have seen need 30A just to start up, then 15A thereafter. Just the startup alone puts you in the 4.0-4.2 kW range. Then it leaves very little juice to charge batteries in short order. You are probably looking at a minimum of 5-6 kW. There are several low profile gensets out there that operate between the standard 1800 rpm (tend to be very large) and the smaller 3600 rpm (loud 1 cylinder) units . They use a belt driven generator end, so the diesel can run at about 2800 rpm (or thereabouts). It's not as big as the 1800 rpm units and not nearly as loud as the 3600 rpm. They also seem to be very cost effective. I've been researching (for almost the same reason as you have (I own a 37c), and I've whittled down the choices to these types of gensets. I'm currently looking at units from Apollo Diesel and Next Generation Power. Hope this helps.

 

[Bill hall]

H376

I researched the Fischer Panda 4kw and according to Practical Sailor, this is the best one. It will run the AC with power left. One problem. It doesn't fit in the aft lazarettes of the 376. It is 7 inches too tall. It will fit in the 380 with that deep starboard aft lazarette. You can put it in the aft cabin, but I don't care to sleep with it.

 

[Warren Blanchard]

Genset for the 376/380

If you subscribed to Southern Boating Magazine you probably wouldn't be asking this question now. They had a great article in their May or June issue about the subject of Gensets. You may be able to pull it down off the internet. They reviewed several models and although they didn't give strong support for any particular brand they seemed to favor the more lightweight, higher RPM models which, they seem to think, are just as quiet when properly insulated.The one thing they emphasized was the importance of not installing too big a generator. The little diesel that powers a genset works best when it is under a load and an oversized generator which can run all your boat's AC needs at once is not going to put enough of a load on that diesel when running a couple of appliances, resulting in associated problems of carbon buildup, etc. Better to go with a smaller KW generator and (as an example) turn off the water heater when your wife wants to use the hair dryer to give the diesel a healthy workout.I had an Entec 4.2KW installed on my 376. It went into the port cockpit aft lazarette and as noted was too tall. The vender and my dealer had to cut an opening in the bottom and fabricate an aluminum box which extended into the aft cabin. It was water-cooled and very well insulated in its own integrated housing but it still made a lot of noise and vibration. The good thing was, it fulfilled all our AC needs and it masked the noise of the reverse transom slap at night.I recently watched my dealer (Florida Yacht Charters & Sales) install a Fischer/Panda 4.0KW in a new 380. They still had to make a few modifications but were quite pleased with the overall result. You may want to give them a call and get some feedback. (800-537-0050 ask for Ann Marie or Bob Everhard)Warren BlanchardSV "Banana Wind" H-460Abaco, Bahamas