GenSet install question

[Dantodd]

I have a raw water feed sorted out.

Is there any part of the exhaust that I can share? I believe that I have to run a completely separate exhaust.

Can I split the diesel feed? I was planning on doing this before the first filter so that if one clogs it won't stop the other.

I may have an extra return. There is a sealed off tube coming out the top of the tank but I can't see the interior so I don't know if it is a feed or return or something else. Is there some common item that this is likely to be? Can I share a return or will the pressure from the running engine mess with the other diesel?

 

[Snotter]

On my boat (Morgan 41 OI), my 7.5 kw genset shares the primary filter (the filter has two 'outs') and the genset's fuel return T's into the return from my Perkins 4-154. However, it has a dedicated seacock and exhaust system. I am pleased with the installation and how both diesels run.

 

[Gunni]

Separate exhausts. Separate raw water. Mine shares the fuel feed right at the tank (before Primary filter), has its own filter w/petcock, and the return tees into the aux engine fuel return. The genset uses very little fuel - pint/hour, the aux engine uses <1gal/hr, so it all works well.

 

[Rich Stidger]

On my sailboat my diesel tank has two feeds and two returns. I used the second set for the genset. I learned later that the genset feed does no go to the bottom of the tank so that you cannot run out all of the diesel and then not be able to motor to get more. I was told this; not learned by experience.

I have separate primary Racor filters and separate seacocks and exhaust. You don't want any change of the diesel exhaust backing up into the engine or visa-verse.

I have considered having just one primary filter feeding both engines with a second primary filter that could be swapped with a valve. But since everything works fine, and my to-do list is long, I haven't had sufficient motivation.....

 

[Dantodd]

Thanks for all the info folks. I was a little worried about the return line being pressurized might cause problems with the unused engine. It's goods to know that so many are using it without problem.

 

[sailaway78]

Exhaust

Be careful where you locate the exhaust outlet. I have a friend with a newish H36. The genset install on it, was too low, and when heeled the thing was under water. Genset would just quit running.

 

[Dantodd]

Be careful where you locate the exhaust outlet. I have a friend with a newish H36. The genset install on it, was too low, and when heeled the thing was under water. Genset would just quit running.

Good point, I was going to run it next to the engine exhaust but my gen set is not on the same side of the boat as that exhaust. Maybe it would be better to run the exhaust to the other side of the boat, obviously not a concern with the propulsion engine as that is on the center line.