We are beginning to look for a generator for our 356. We have a reverse cycle 16k btu a/c unit. We need enough power to run the a/c plus small appliances (coffee pot) while at anchor overnight. Any suggestions? I have looked at the Fischer Panda 5500 but am worried that 362 lbs is too heavy and will list our 356 to the port side (generator mount is in the port lazarette). Help.
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Spec It Out
Marian, I think you are on the right track. You have to find out from your air conditioning manufacturer what the starting current draw is and then match that to the Generator manufacturer. Starting current is larger than the running current. That will dictate the minimum to run the AC. However, some generators have a built-in surge/start up tolerance. The manufacturer can assist you directly. However, running a coffee pot, electrical heater, water heater, hair dryer, etc... basically electrical heating appliances... at the same time you run the AC likely isn't going to happen since you'd have to upsize the genset for these infrequent loads way too much. What you probably will wind up with is a genset large enough to run the AC which you will shut off when you make coffee, run the water heater, etc. At least that is the level of my understanding as to your question. Someone else may have a better answer. Rick D.
Marian, I think you are on the right track. You have to find out from your air conditioning manufacturer what the starting current draw is and then match that to the Generator manufacturer. Starting current is larger than the running current. That will dictate the minimum to run the AC. However, some generators have a built-in surge/start up tolerance. The manufacturer can assist you directly. However, running a coffee pot, electrical heater, water heater, hair dryer, etc... basically electrical heating appliances... at the same time you run the AC likely isn't going to happen since you'd have to upsize the genset for these infrequent loads way too much. What you probably will wind up with is a genset large enough to run the AC which you will shut off when you make coffee, run the water heater, etc. At least that is the level of my understanding as to your question. Someone else may have a better answer. Rick D.
Northern Lights 5.5KW
We have a Northern Lights 5.5 KW. Run AC, Coffee maker and charge cell phone, run computer charger all simultaneously. There is a slight list to port due to the weight of the genset, however, it is not detrimental to boat performance. Manufacturer says fuel consumption is .4 gph at half load. We use the genset a lot due to high humidity at Kentucky Lake, so AC is on even when sailing on hot days. I'm not sure we use that much fuel. We do not have a sound shield, but noise is not a problem. Slightly noisier than engine at 2500 rpm. sv Persistence
We have a Northern Lights 5.5 KW. Run AC, Coffee maker and charge cell phone, run computer charger all simultaneously. There is a slight list to port due to the weight of the genset, however, it is not detrimental to boat performance. Manufacturer says fuel consumption is .4 gph at half load. We use the genset a lot due to high humidity at Kentucky Lake, so AC is on even when sailing on hot days. I'm not sure we use that much fuel. We do not have a sound shield, but noise is not a problem. Slightly noisier than engine at 2500 rpm. sv Persistence
Ran 16k btu Marine Air System with 3.6kw
I ran a 16k btu Marine Air Systems unit with a 3.6kw alternator(Power Genny, no longer made 10hp Kubota diesel powered) for several years - the system ran fine, but the Marine Air system has a controller that starts the water pump, then the a/c fan, then the compressor - this helps with the start-up loads - I don't know if other makes of ac work this way, but it worked fine - I had to not use the ac if I wanted to use the electric water heater or the the electric stove and oven, but this didn't cause too many problems. The system was noisy and heavy, but worked well. I still have it, I use it as an emergency generator for my house.
I ran a 16k btu Marine Air Systems unit with a 3.6kw alternator(Power Genny, no longer made 10hp Kubota diesel powered) for several years - the system ran fine, but the Marine Air system has a controller that starts the water pump, then the a/c fan, then the compressor - this helps with the start-up loads - I don't know if other makes of ac work this way, but it worked fine - I had to not use the ac if I wanted to use the electric water heater or the the electric stove and oven, but this didn't cause too many problems. The system was noisy and heavy, but worked well. I still have it, I use it as an emergency generator for my house.
Fischer Panda 4200
We put a Fischer Panda 4200 on our Hunter 380 and it provides all of the power we need for our 16,000 BTU AC system. If you are concerned about overloading the unit, turn off the AC if you need to briefly run small appliances. We installed the unit in our aft locker at the transom. I would be concerned about putting anything heavier than the FP 4200 on the back of your boat without good reason.
We put a Fischer Panda 4200 on our Hunter 380 and it provides all of the power we need for our 16,000 BTU AC system. If you are concerned about overloading the unit, turn off the AC if you need to briefly run small appliances. We installed the unit in our aft locker at the transom. I would be concerned about putting anything heavier than the FP 4200 on the back of your boat without good reason.
Panda 4200 weighs 233 lbs
I was thinking of the Panda 5500 that weighs 362 lbs - I was concerned about the weight because of the port location of the space for a generator. Can you run a coffee pot with your a/c running? I would rather rough it than create a problem for the boat.
I was thinking of the Panda 5500 that weighs 362 lbs - I was concerned about the weight because of the port location of the space for a generator. Can you run a coffee pot with your a/c running? I would rather rough it than create a problem for the boat.
At Night?
Jerry - We have the same setup on our 380, however we can't run it at night because of the noise in the Master Stateroom. Can you? Any additional insulation? Any details would be appreciated. Fair Winds, Steve S/V Options
Jerry - We have the same setup on our 380, however we can't run it at night because of the noise in the Master Stateroom. Can you? Any additional insulation? Any details would be appreciated. Fair Winds, Steve S/V Options
Steve - Night running Northern Lights 5.5
It is a little noisy in the rear stateroom, but we have run for part of the night on one trip in late June. After midnight, boat was cooled down and I turned it off. Early morning started back up before humidity and heat levels returned. I haven't added insulation, but am thinking I might add some on starboard side of locker wall between stateroom and locker. Would like a little less noise. My wife spends a lot of time in stateroom reading while I am sailing with ac on during the hot summer! She doesn't mind the noise level and wouldn't go sailing without the AC! sv Persistence
It is a little noisy in the rear stateroom, but we have run for part of the night on one trip in late June. After midnight, boat was cooled down and I turned it off. Early morning started back up before humidity and heat levels returned. I haven't added insulation, but am thinking I might add some on starboard side of locker wall between stateroom and locker. Would like a little less noise. My wife spends a lot of time in stateroom reading while I am sailing with ac on during the hot summer! She doesn't mind the noise level and wouldn't go sailing without the AC! sv Persistence
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