Kohler 5.0kw Gene'

B

Bugsy24

Active Member
Jun 25, 2010
2,171
Freehold, New Jersey
Boat Info
2008 310 Sundancer
Engines
T-350 Mag,Br3's W/Axius
Hey guy's, bought a semi new 2008 310 Da (Brokered Boat)with a Kohler generator and have yet to get the salesman cornered to explain to me the start up and running procedures of the gen set! I've got the manual and it's BULL----! Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks in Advance,
Bugsy
 
If it is like my Kohler 5ecd, the red switch on the generator needs to be in the auto mode, sea cock needs to be open, perform all routine checks and start from the remote switch, hold switch down until the light comes on about 1 to 2 seconds. Have the blower running the whole time before and after.
 
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I've got the same boat. Make sure the genset switch in the engine compartment is set to auto. In the cabin, you should have the genset remote start at the bottom right of your control panle. Beside it is a remote on switch for the exhaust. Turn that on and run for a few minutes, the hit the middle button on the remote for the genset (biggest button). For start, then hit the top button (arrow) to "send" start signal to the genset. To turn off, hit the middle button again, then hit the bottom button to "stop".
 
oh yeah - and don't forget to switch power up top from "shore" to "genset" by moving the slide control to the right and flipping up the switch. Reverse this when you go back on shore power. This is in the top left corner of your control panel.
 
Thanks, I don't remember seeing those switches on the control panel but I'll look at it again tomorrow!!!
 
Here're the quick steps:

1. Turn on the blowers and run for few minutes (>4min).
2. Turn the generator switch ON on the control panel.
3. Press and hold the Prime button for few seconds, then START button.
4. Let the genny run for 2min or so to warm up, only then turn OFF the shore power and switch to Generator.
5. Continue running the blowers.
6. When ready to shut it OFF, turn OFF the breaker and switch back to Shore power.
7. Let the genny run for couple of min to cool off and then press on the STOP button.
8. Turn OFF the ON button.
9. Turn OFF the blowers.
 
Bugsy24 said:
Skolbe,
You said have the runner running all the time?????????????
Click to expand...

Meant blower. The 5ecd does not have the prime button, but you should be good to go. A few other things to remember, if for some reason you do not have power and the generator is running. The breaker on the generator itself is easy to bump and turn off. If that is the case just turn it back on.
 
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Bugsy,

Since you're new to operating generators make sure to keep an eye on the exshaust, you should see fair amount of water coming out. It takes several seconds from the initial start before water starts to come out. But, if the genny is running for more than 30 seconds or 1 min and you don't see water out of exshaust, shut it down to prevent damages. You need to get use to see what the normal flow is, thus if anything changes you would be able to determine if it's related to poor water flow or something else.
 
Thanks Alex, I started the gene' up yesterday and it went for about 5 seconds and then went into an Error Code and shut down. The Marina mechanic worked on it this morning and said that from lack of use, (original owner used it twice) sand and salt had turned to a concrete like substance and bloked water flow and trashed the impeller! They got it fixed and said the invoice is in the mail!!!! Ouch I wonder how much thats going to be in "Jersey Dollars"!
 
If the trashed impeller is the only thing that had to be fixed consider yourself very lucky. It's not going to be a big bill for a cheap part and 15min of work (although, they'll charge for at least 30min or they may have 1hr min. labor rate).
 
One small suggestion. Whenever you replace the impeller, do yourself a favor and get a reading of how much water a brand-new impellor displaces. Simple to do. Put a 5 gallon bucket under the outlet and time it for 20 seconds. Make a note of this in your maintenance journal or on the gen itself. Then you have a benchmark to go against to check for future problems. If the impellor loses two blades, it will not be able to displace as much water and hence you know you might have a problem.

I've even thought of replacing the metal impellor cover with an industrial acrylic version with gasket just to be able to see if the little guy is doing ok in there but not worth the risk of a leak when removing the 4 bolts is relatively easy.
 
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