Have a Hunter-installed Fischer Panda 6 kw generator on my 2009 H41, which starts up and after a while (timing unpredictable) dies when it is being run with both air conditioners. I have had two different mechanics look at it (both FP certified)and have had a replacement control panel furnished by FP installed. No one seems to have solved the problem. Someone (not a mechanic but often quite wise) suggested that the problem could be ventilation (the generator being located in its box in the lazarette). Has anyone else had this problem? Thoughts?
Generator troubles
- Thread starter sgbridge98
- Start date
- Status
Overheating
Sounds reasonable. 6kW is a 50 amp service. you did not say what BTU rating your air conditioners are but running two is going to be approaching (if not exceeding) the units capability. It could just be getting hot and the overheat safety is cutting in.
What are the ratings of your AC units?
Sounds reasonable. 6kW is a 50 amp service. you did not say what BTU rating your air conditioners are but running two is going to be approaching (if not exceeding) the units capability. It could just be getting hot and the overheat safety is cutting in.
What are the ratings of your AC units?
Re: Overheating
I don't have the A/C manuals with me, but I assumed (which is probably dangerous) that Hunter knew what is was doing when it mated the generator to the two A/Cs when it built the boat.
I don't have the A/C manuals with me, but I assumed (which is probably dangerous) that Hunter knew what is was doing when it mated the generator to the two A/Cs when it built the boat.
Hunter design team
They also put CNG bottles that have enough gas for only about a week with a family. It all depends on what the design is for. I suspect they never intended the genset to power both ACs while at anchor simply because that is not needed. You have a breeze through the boat when on the hook if you are any kind of sailor at all so why would you need both ACs running? Or even one. AC is a dock thing. Perhaps Hunter is building dock hopper boats and not anchor out boats.
I'd try running only one AC off the genset and seeing if it still dies. Then try the other by itself then try both with one set real warm. You may be surprized at how Hunter thought you would use the boat.
They also put CNG bottles that have enough gas for only about a week with a family. It all depends on what the design is for. I suspect they never intended the genset to power both ACs while at anchor simply because that is not needed. You have a breeze through the boat when on the hook if you are any kind of sailor at all so why would you need both ACs running? Or even one. AC is a dock thing. Perhaps Hunter is building dock hopper boats and not anchor out boats.
I'd try running only one AC off the genset and seeing if it still dies. Then try the other by itself then try both with one set real warm. You may be surprized at how Hunter thought you would use the boat.
I have the same generator on my 2006 45CC. I rarely use the generator but had the same problem one night when running the 2 air conditioners. I started the generator around 8 pm and it just shut down around 3 am. Unfortunately, I do not have a solution for you. It started fine the next time I tried it, so I did not have it checked.
Last edited:
Suggest you check the oil level in the sightglass on the generator end of the unit. Friend of mine has this shutting down for over temp and found out the oil had disappeared and the bearing back there was heating up and causing the temp sensor back there to shut it down after an hour or two of running.
Call
OK too much here about mean Hunter doing stupid things when building boats,did you try calling Hunter to ask them what that 6k Gen is rated to do.
Also try calling Panda in Florida and ask them for help,I found them to be very helpful when my 42 Panda would not start,they helped me over the phone.
Did you not get the big book with your panda and the Hunter Book with all the info.
I think you are saying you can only run one AC at a time but does it run one OK,I would think Hunter should be able to help you with finding out if it the Gen is suppose to run both.
Make sure when running both nothing else is on at the same time like shut off the circuit breakers on the water heater or anything else with high draw,check the strainer and make sure you have good water flow,I did have problems once with my strainer getting alot of junk in it and causing my Gen to shut down.
Keep us informed on your problem and Call Hunter.
Nick
OK too much here about mean Hunter doing stupid things when building boats,did you try calling Hunter to ask them what that 6k Gen is rated to do.
Also try calling Panda in Florida and ask them for help,I found them to be very helpful when my 42 Panda would not start,they helped me over the phone.
Did you not get the big book with your panda and the Hunter Book with all the info.
I think you are saying you can only run one AC at a time but does it run one OK,I would think Hunter should be able to help you with finding out if it the Gen is suppose to run both.
Make sure when running both nothing else is on at the same time like shut off the circuit breakers on the water heater or anything else with high draw,check the strainer and make sure you have good water flow,I did have problems once with my strainer getting alot of junk in it and causing my Gen to shut down.
Keep us informed on your problem and Call Hunter.
Nick
Nick has a point about the water heater. On my '97 376 I've got a Phasor 6KW genset which can handle the a/c unit (only one on the boat) OR the 110v water heater element but not together UNLESS the water in the hot water tank is already warm. If you're running the a/c and flip the breaker on for the water heater when the tank is cold then it's too much for the genset and the overheat sensor will shut it down.
On the other hand, I've got two shore power inlets, one for Bus 1 and one for Bus 2. Bus 2 only feeds the breakers for the a/c and water heater. If I'm running the genset then I have to "gang" both busses together to heat hot water OR run the a/c but not together unless the water's already hot. If I'm dockside and plugged in with two shore power cords than I can run the a/c and the water heater at the same time.
On the other hand, I've got two shore power inlets, one for Bus 1 and one for Bus 2. Bus 2 only feeds the breakers for the a/c and water heater. If I'm running the genset then I have to "gang" both busses together to heat hot water OR run the a/c but not together unless the water's already hot. If I'm dockside and plugged in with two shore power cords than I can run the a/c and the water heater at the same time.
Actually, at the request of the current mechanics I ran a three hour "test" yesterday with the lazarette open and the genset box open to check for a ventilation issue. Gen ran for about two hours with both A/Cs on (and electric water heater and all other high draws off) and then shut down after a few intermittent "revolution drops". The strainer was fine. Restarted with only one A/C and it shut down after about 30 minutes again. I've been in touch with FP in Fort Lauderdale (but as for their helpfulness -they haven't returned the calls of the mechanics).
Alert
Look at what 486 just posted about 6KW Panda shuting down do low oil on rear sightglass for a rear bearing,this if low on oil will shut down unit.
Maybeyou know this already but intertesting anyway.
Nick
Look at what 486 just posted about 6KW Panda shuting down do low oil on rear sightglass for a rear bearing,this if low on oil will shut down unit.
Maybeyou know this already but intertesting anyway.
Nick
Give me a call or send me an email when you get a chance. I will work with my service department to find out what is going on with the genset.
As long as your lazarette is not air tight it is not a matter of the unit needing more air. It sounds like it might be a fuel issue or a possibly air in the cooling system.
Look at your panel and let me know what lights come on when it shuts down.
Jeff Till
jtill@fischerpanda.com
www.fischerpanda.com
800-508-6494
FP trying to help!
Jeff,
I do not own a FP, or any genset for that matter, but do want to acknowledge that you are stepping up here on the board and trying to help Hunter owners with their FP issues. That speaks a lot for the company and even more for you. Thank you.
Jeff,
I do not own a FP, or any genset for that matter, but do want to acknowledge that you are stepping up here on the board and trying to help Hunter owners with their FP issues. That speaks a lot for the company and even more for you. Thank you.
Thank you for the compliment. Hopefully I am able to answer a few questions on the site and get people back to boating. The good news is that of the couple of issues people have listed nothing seems that serious.
Thanks again and if anyone needs anything please do not hesitate to contact me. If you email me I will respond with my cell phone number so you can reach me anytime.
Jeff Till
jtill@fischerpanda.com
www.fischerpanda.com
- Status