I am looking at a Passage 42 that does not have a generator. The Hunter dealer I called said that an 8 KW Kohler is almost 20 installed. Has anyone done this or able to advise?
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Hi Matt, I would shop around for a P42 with a Genset...
Our 1991 P42 came with an Onan 8kw Genset (Cummins three cylinder Kubota diesel) with only 260 hours when we purchased Belle-Vie in 2002. During our two month cruises each year I generally run the set for two hours every other day to charge the house and starter banks and heat water for cleaning and washing. We find the system indispensable. Usually those P42s with Gensets, including ours, also have dual reverse cycle heat pumps for heating and cooling, which demand about 20 amps of 120 volts AC. Depending on your needs it may be worthwhile to find a lower priced P42 without the heat pumps and then add a lower kilowatt Genset. The $20K sounds about right plus an equal amount for heat pumps. When you have a moment check out the P42 Knowledge Base. Lots of good information to consider as you search for that right boat. http://kb.sailboatowners.com/brand?model=45 Terry
Our 1991 P42 came with an Onan 8kw Genset (Cummins three cylinder Kubota diesel) with only 260 hours when we purchased Belle-Vie in 2002. During our two month cruises each year I generally run the set for two hours every other day to charge the house and starter banks and heat water for cleaning and washing. We find the system indispensable. Usually those P42s with Gensets, including ours, also have dual reverse cycle heat pumps for heating and cooling, which demand about 20 amps of 120 volts AC. Depending on your needs it may be worthwhile to find a lower priced P42 without the heat pumps and then add a lower kilowatt Genset. The $20K sounds about right plus an equal amount for heat pumps. When you have a moment check out the P42 Knowledge Base. Lots of good information to consider as you search for that right boat. http://kb.sailboatowners.com/brand?model=45 Terry
P42 genset alternative
I have a 5 HP Kubota diesel generator in my P42. It is connected to a scuba compressor and a 130 amp DC generator, of which I can only use one at a time, and I alternate by using electric clutches. It doesn't put out nearly the power of the larger gensets, so it won't power a heater or air conditioner. However, we lived onboard with it for several years (in areas where heaters/air conditioners were not required), and found that 1 to 1.5 hours of running time daily gave us enough power for our freezer, watermaker, and our other electrical needs, as well as providing hot water. The entire unit, including the custom frame for the compressor and generator, cost of the compressor, etc, was about 9K. If I had it to do again, I'd get a 6 HP Kubota and a larger generator. (The generator only puts out about 80 to 90 amps when the ambient temperature is hot and it has been running for more than 20 minutes).
I have a 5 HP Kubota diesel generator in my P42. It is connected to a scuba compressor and a 130 amp DC generator, of which I can only use one at a time, and I alternate by using electric clutches. It doesn't put out nearly the power of the larger gensets, so it won't power a heater or air conditioner. However, we lived onboard with it for several years (in areas where heaters/air conditioners were not required), and found that 1 to 1.5 hours of running time daily gave us enough power for our freezer, watermaker, and our other electrical needs, as well as providing hot water. The entire unit, including the custom frame for the compressor and generator, cost of the compressor, etc, was about 9K. If I had it to do again, I'd get a 6 HP Kubota and a larger generator. (The generator only puts out about 80 to 90 amps when the ambient temperature is hot and it has been running for more than 20 minutes).
consider your intended use
Matt Consider your intended use of the generator. 8KW is very large unless you intend to aircondition every cabin on the boat and run them all at the same time. Otherwise with a 100-120 amp battery charger, and a 1500W hot water heater, you would be hard pressed ot use more than 3KW. The boat has 15amp utility breakers so you can only pull 1800 watts through any circuit. Diesel engines do not like to run at low loads, so oversizing for potential future loads that you do not have may not be wise unless you are certian that you soon plan to add the load requirments to the system. Also, must admit that I am not familiar with your floor plan.Distance from where you expect to be while runnig the gen set might matter. The generator cubby on my H49 is located at the foot of the stairs, and nothing noiser than a Panda would suit me. Regards BIll
Matt Consider your intended use of the generator. 8KW is very large unless you intend to aircondition every cabin on the boat and run them all at the same time. Otherwise with a 100-120 amp battery charger, and a 1500W hot water heater, you would be hard pressed ot use more than 3KW. The boat has 15amp utility breakers so you can only pull 1800 watts through any circuit. Diesel engines do not like to run at low loads, so oversizing for potential future loads that you do not have may not be wise unless you are certian that you soon plan to add the load requirments to the system. Also, must admit that I am not familiar with your floor plan.Distance from where you expect to be while runnig the gen set might matter. The generator cubby on my H49 is located at the foot of the stairs, and nothing noiser than a Panda would suit me. Regards BIll
Fisher Panda
I have a Fisher Pander 4200 on my Hunter 36 and love it, its pretty quiet when watching TV charging the batteries and heating water and running AC. Around 17000.00 I think completely installed. Nick
I have a Fisher Pander 4200 on my Hunter 36 and love it, its pretty quiet when watching TV charging the batteries and heating water and running AC. Around 17000.00 I think completely installed. Nick
Fischer Panda for sure
I also have a 356 with a 4.2 kW genset by Panda. Cost me $10 K installed in 2003. Plenty big enough for esentially all the A/C microwave, charger, etc. Very quiet, but be sure you order the rubber feet, muffler, and water separator kits to make sure it is as quiet as possible. Great genset--would not be without it. When determining the size you will need add all the loads you MUST have on at the same time (as opposed to running them fewer at a time). Then remember that most gensets rated at X kW cannot be run at more than 3/4 of that power level for more than a few minutes without eventually damaging them, so oversize by installing a unit 33% greater capacity than you will need. Also remember that you NEVER want to run a diesel genset at less than 33% load bcause the cylinders will glaze and the repairs are very expensive, so I always have a portable heater in the cockpit which I plug in when I need to just charge batteries or other light loads.
I also have a 356 with a 4.2 kW genset by Panda. Cost me $10 K installed in 2003. Plenty big enough for esentially all the A/C microwave, charger, etc. Very quiet, but be sure you order the rubber feet, muffler, and water separator kits to make sure it is as quiet as possible. Great genset--would not be without it. When determining the size you will need add all the loads you MUST have on at the same time (as opposed to running them fewer at a time). Then remember that most gensets rated at X kW cannot be run at more than 3/4 of that power level for more than a few minutes without eventually damaging them, so oversize by installing a unit 33% greater capacity than you will need. Also remember that you NEVER want to run a diesel genset at less than 33% load bcause the cylinders will glaze and the repairs are very expensive, so I always have a portable heater in the cockpit which I plug in when I need to just charge batteries or other light loads.
Make sure that you LOAD the generator
Our H420 has a Northern Lights 6KW generator. I normally had run it lightly for 500+ hours. Normally just charging the batteries and making hot water when needed. This would take from 5 to 20 amps of the 50 amps possible. The generator abruptly died one day and wouldn't start. After doing the filters, checking the fuel pump, etc, etc, I called in the Northern Lights mechanic. He pulled the head and it was totally full of carbon and the exhaust elbow was completely blocked. After $2000 in mechanics bill and parts, it purrs like a kitten again. I now run the air conditioner on either heat or cool whenever I need to charge the house bank. The generator didn't like to loaf so now it gets to work its butt off. I had about needing to work a diesel, I now am a firm believer. Bill Bell
Our H420 has a Northern Lights 6KW generator. I normally had run it lightly for 500+ hours. Normally just charging the batteries and making hot water when needed. This would take from 5 to 20 amps of the 50 amps possible. The generator abruptly died one day and wouldn't start. After doing the filters, checking the fuel pump, etc, etc, I called in the Northern Lights mechanic. He pulled the head and it was totally full of carbon and the exhaust elbow was completely blocked. After $2000 in mechanics bill and parts, it purrs like a kitten again. I now run the air conditioner on either heat or cool whenever I need to charge the house bank. The generator didn't like to loaf so now it gets to work its butt off. I had about needing to work a diesel, I now am a firm believer. Bill Bell
Mastervolt
I installed a Mastervolt Whisper 6 along with a Mastervolt Combi Inverver/Charger. This unit runs my two reverse cycle air conditioners and anything else I choose to run with no overload problems. The control panel indicated that I am not even at 50% capacity. My only complaint is that it is somewhat noisy even with a sound shield and lots of insulation in the locker. I installed the AC units and the genset on a 2008 Hunter 41.
I installed a Mastervolt Whisper 6 along with a Mastervolt Combi Inverver/Charger. This unit runs my two reverse cycle air conditioners and anything else I choose to run with no overload problems. The control panel indicated that I am not even at 50% capacity. My only complaint is that it is somewhat noisy even with a sound shield and lots of insulation in the locker. I installed the AC units and the genset on a 2008 Hunter 41.
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