Panda Generator

[Broke sailor SV Marcell]

Anyone out there in a H-36 or 356 with the factory installed Panda Generator? What KW rating is it? How noisy is it with it running in the aft berth? If anyone installed one aftermarket, how much did it run you? Thanks. Sweating at anchor on the Chesapeake, my wife won't come on board unless we will spend the night hooked up.

 

[seadaddler]

4200

It's pretty guiet but have never used it all night,the Ac blow also seems noisey,I usually let it run until it's time to sleep than use fans.
It was factory installed 4200.
Nick

 

[Jim Seamans]

Good grief, Jorge make her sleep topside....or get the honda 2000i and run the air with it. A hell of a lot cheaper....

 

[Broke sailor SV Marcell]

I did! Didn't work with the hard start capacitor!

 

[seadaddler]

$$$$$

I think if I had to do it again I would get two Honda's and save $$$$$.
But I and wife love it when I just push the remote button at the navstation and it is all hooked into the boats electrical system and its diesel system,its great even when sailing on a long trip and the batteries are getting low if listening to music and using auto radar all I do is just push a button,can't really do that with a honda or sailing and want to use the microwave its great no fuss at all and its pretty guiet too.
Nick

 

[Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi]

Look at Northern Lights 5KW

I have an 03 356 with a Northern Lights 5KW. Have 1514 hours on it in 8 seasons and never a problem. Runs at 1800 rpm with 3 cyclinders and is quiet but better if inside a sound shield. It is installed in the aft portion of the port lazzerette. We harldly know it is running either in the cockpit or in the salon. Never bothers us at all while sleeping - just a nice hum. It uses somwhere between 5 and 6 gallons of diesel in 24 hours best I can tell.

When we leave the dock the generator is running and runs until we return. Down below is always a constant 72 degrees whatever the weather. We never worry about what is on. iI have a 420 amp hour house system with 2 lifeline agm batteries and a 2000 amp inverter we rarely use.

I have many 30 to 35 hour continuous runs and 2 at 53 hours plus each. Absolutely runs like a top and all I have to do is change oil and impellers at 300 hour internvals. Doesn't use a drop of oil between changes. I'm told some go 10,000 hours.

Pandas are single cylinder and run at 3600 rpm. I believe the Northern Lights is far superior and it will last a long time and has ability to run long hours at a time without a fault.

 

[seadaddler]

Very Inpressive

Hi Jerry sounds good to me but wahat did it and the sound shield cost back than,at the time in 2007 I was told I could not get a Gen installed at the factory and the dealer wanted to install a Panda,but I said what I know people who have them in the early 356 and so after checking they the factory offered the Panda only at the time,my AC makes more noise than the Gen when using the two,it is very small and all sealed like a luggage bag and had a relay for starting go bad once but Panda help find out what was wrong and it has been running good,just change oil and impeller when needed,did order a extra belt for the impeller.
I wanted the Gen installed at the factory and not added afterwards,But Jorge should check which one to get the best deal.I am sure many sailboats have them,even heard that bigger boats have them inside the cabin.
Nick
PS Jerry if you ever get a chance to take photo's on the under deck auto I would love to see how they installed it,I am thinking of installing one in my 36 and any help would be apprecited,I have photo's of one with backing plate on the back of the stern where I have my boat name and you did not do that so I am interested.
Nick

 

[alallen1]

use honda 2000 to run a/c

the honda 2000 runs my 16500 btu a/c but i had to install a delay in the a/c so that all functions (compressor, fan, water pump) does not start at once. the delay canbe set around 5 seconds. delay switch costs approx $85.

 

[Allan Frey]

What did you use as a delay switch (make, model) and how did you wire it in?

Allan

 

[alallen1]

to allan

parts were purchased from GRAINGER, 1241 MONTLIMAR DR, MOBILE, AL 36609 Phone 251-661-1035 (a local wholesaler)
"Relay, Time Delay, DPDT, On Delay, 8 Pin" and
Socket, Relay, 8 Pins total cost $ 91.00 for the two parts.

I had an electrician friend buy and install the delay so I can't be much help there. ( i will ask him for an explanation and post it tomorrow)

 

[Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi]

Seadaddler

My Northern Lights was installed here at Ky Lake at Lighthouse Landing. The installation cost $12,000 at the time (2003) and I didn't initiallly install the sound shield. I later added a custom one made of lead fabric from a company in Florida. It helped muffle the sound and has made it not a factor at all.

My friend with the Cabo Rico 38 which we took from here to Punta Gorda installed a 6kw panda in the Cabo Rico. We didn't hardly use it on the trip because it was so noisy - didn't use it at night even though it was COLD, due to noise. He has also had a lot of trouble keeping it running. He couldn't install anything else due to size.

My below decks Autopilot required a cut out for the arm in the rear port lazarette. See the photo below - we built a plywood box over the arm so it can move freely. The box is in the upper left of the photo. The cut out of the fiberglass was to on the left side of the box. The arm moves freely within the box enclosure. The entire problem with the installation is making room for the arm. My guys here at Lighthouse Landing figured it out and it has worked very well for 8 seasons.

 

[alallen1]

delay wiring for honda 2000

What did you use as a delay switch (make, model) and how did you wire it in?

Allan

Allan, I did not understand the electricians verbal description but i have a "pencil" outline that he worked from. leave a mailing address(or fax) and i will send. good luck

 

[Allan Frey]

Thanks for the info on the relay. I sent a private message to you, via this site, with a fax number for the pencil outline.

Allan

 

[Allan Frey]

Thanks for the outline.

Allan

 

[seadaddler]

Java/Honda

I am pretty sure Jim Seaman/Java also made some kind of delay start so he can use the Honda 2000 to run his 356 AC.
Nick