Generator on a Hunter 326 (32')

kbgunn

.
Sep 19, 2017
231
2005 Hunter 33 Lake Lewisville, TX
Very interesting approach to insulating the boat from portable generator vibration and noise - haven't seen that before. If you could post a photo there might be bonus points in it for you ;).

Also very interested in hearing about your experience with the WhisperGen 3500. That is exactly the generator I considered getting installed in my H36 in the port cockpit locker, where Hunter made room for a Panda install by dealers (a few folks that frequent these discussions have them on their 36-38 foot Hunters). Curious why you chose to install yours in the salon? The WhisperGen is supposed to be a more "advanced" generation of marine generators, and while certainly gaining no advantage in price over its competitors, it seemed to have some advantages in noise and efficiency. Having found virtually no one who had them installed or even tested independently I have only the manufacturer's literature to go on. I may reach out to you separately to discuss your experience.
Weather has been a bit on the cold side here, but today was warm enough to get a pic of the generator setup. Suspending the portable eliminates the vibration on the hull and reduces the sound in the cabin greatly. The A/C sound is louder than the generator in the cabin. The line put the generator under tension to dampen the swinging at anchor. Works well up to moderate swell.
IMG_1042.JPG
 
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jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
And, once again someone new asks a question (three times) and never returns.
 
Jan 4, 2006
7,161
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
And, once again someone new asks a question (three times) and never returns.
So you notice this as well ? And here I thought it was just me.

But what REALLY burns my britches is when a newbie comes along asking a question and is completely lost with the language. Someone suggests taking a picture and posting it to show what they're dealing with and that's the end of that.

You want ME, to waste my valuable time, to take a picture for you to solve my problem ?

I don't think so :snooty: !
I just don't think that's going to happen :snooty: !

Unfortunately, it screws it up for some newbie who's willing to jump through whatever hoops to get his idea across.
 
Aug 19, 2021
505
Hunter 280 White House Cove Marina
Hey, don't be to upset. I read through this twice and learned a couple of things.

I would have never thought about the generator onboard and the insurance issue.

Every forum has a lurker or 2 soaking up this information too.
 
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Jan 4, 2006
7,161
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
I'm not upset, I'm just making an observation.
Same here.

Just because I'm using every profanity and obscenity in the book doesn't mean I'm upset :angry:. Just means that the subject matter at hand has my full attention.
 
Aug 19, 2021
505
Hunter 280 White House Cove Marina
Same here.

Just because I'm using every profanity and obscenity in the book doesn't mean I'm upset :angry:. Just means that the subject matter at hand has my full attention.
After a 20 year US Navy career, "using every profanity and obscenity in the book", that just means you are a sailor thru and thru.
 
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dLj

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Mar 23, 2017
4,244
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
And, once again someone new asks a question (three times) and never returns.
There is, of course, another interpretation.

The OP got the answer needed in the first response from @jssailem and the rest of this thread is just all thread drift and useful only for those following this thread.... I offer this out, for what it's worth...

dj
 
Jan 4, 2006
7,161
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
Or worse still, he posted the first comment, stepped out the front door, and was promptly run over by a steam roller :yikes:.

Hopefully not. But after 161 posts, I would figure he's signed up to receive an e-mail for further comments on posts he replies to.
 
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Feb 18, 2022
440
Catalina 36 Port Orchard
Well the only conclusion I can see to OP’s issue is a micro nuclear reactor. I mean this is perfect, he has plenty of cooling water all around, and without any specs on his AC unit we need to be prepared for the worst. So why not simply go nuclear on it and fix everything in one fell swoop? Yup… that’ll work…
 
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Jan 4, 2006
7,161
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
Well the only conclusion I can see to OP’s issue is a micro nuclear reactor.
I like the way you think :yikes: . Frightened mind you, but I like it.

And there's no need to worry about disposing of nuclear waste products. He's surrounded by an ocean to take care of such problems.
 
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Johann

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Jun 3, 2004
477
Leopard 39 Pensacola
With today’s DC aircons, LFP batteries, and high output alternators I don’t see why you would go the genset route on a 32‘ boat. A diesel genset install would probably be north of $10k and for that I think you could get setup pretty nicely with LFP and a sweet alternator without losing all the space a genset takes.
 
Apr 8, 2011
772
Hunter 40 Deale, MD
With today’s DC aircons, LFP batteries, and high output alternators I don’t see why you would go the genset route on a 32‘ boat. A diesel genset install would probably be north of $10k and for that I think you could get setup pretty nicely with LFP and a sweet alternator without losing all the space a genset takes.
Actually…very interesting thought here. I priced a small genset install and with labor it was $15-$20k. On my 36’ boat I’d still be concerned about the noise and vibration, and I want to sleep through the a/c, not lay awake nice and cool. I wonder whether A proper LifePo4 install and a major alternator upgrade would be less? And silent when in use. Then I’d just need the one diesel motor on the boat. ;)
 
Jan 4, 2006
7,161
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
a major alternator upgrade would be less?
You might want to see what your existing generator is capable of with an external controller if it doesn't already have one.

I went from pissing along with a 10-12A input to:

1647734161198.png


On bulk charge. Same original Hitachi 52A alternator. Batteries were now always fully charged when we motored from anchorage to anchorage.
 
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Jul 2, 2013
5
Hunter 36 Niceville
Actually…very interesting thought here. I priced a small genset install and with labor it was $15-$20k. On my 36’ boat I’d still be concerned about the noise and vibration, and I want to sleep through the a/c, not lay awake nice and cool. I wonder whether A proper LifePo4 install and a major alternator upgrade would be less? And silent when in use. Then I’d just need the one diesel motor on the boat. ;)
Same reasoning for me if you read my earlier posting
In the end the cost is probably close but intangible benefits make it a good option
No noise/vibration
Do not need to maintain another engine
No thru holes
I needed a bigger alternator for sure, and a capable inverter
 

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Apr 8, 2011
772
Hunter 40 Deale, MD
You might want to see what your existing generator is capable of with an external controller if it doesn't already have one.

I went from pissing along with a 10-12A input to:

View attachment 203580

On bulk charge. Same original Hitachi 52A alternator. Batteries were now always fully charged when we motored from anchorage to anchorage.
Wow, interesting thought, for those with a generator. I don’t have one installed.
 
Apr 8, 2011
772
Hunter 40 Deale, MD
Same reasoning for me if you read my earlier posting
In the end the cost is probably close but intangible benefits make it a good option
No noise/vibration
Do not need to maintain another engine
No thru holes
I needed a bigger alternator for sure, and a capable inverter
Ran across a guy on Facebook who replaced his diesel generator with 1,000ah of LifePo4 and a complete Victron install and solar panels. $30,000 rough cost. He can run a/c off batteries all night, but wow, guess labor for install ran that way up.