Generator question

Steve S

Steve S

Well-Known Member
Jun 5, 2007
3,123
Northern IL.
Boat Info
2000 400 Sedan Bridge with twin CAT 3116's

2000 340 Sundancer - SOLD!
210 Monaco 1987 - SOLD!
Engines
Twin Caterpillar 3116's 350 HP straight drives
I have a Westerbeke generator in my 340 Sundancer (No, not a Honda generator on the swim platform!)

My normal procedure is blowers on, wait 2 minutes, start the genny, then move up to the helm and start the mains. Then we go cruising. Upon returning to the dock I reverse the procedure. Shut down the mains, then the genny and finally the blower. But before I have shut off the genny I have noticed that the blower is pretty loud.

So my random question of the day is if you are out on the hook, do you leave the blower on the whole time the genny is running? Just curious. I have not tried anchoring yet.

Steve
 
I do not leave it on while on the hook. Others,im sure,will say they leave it on. Personal preference I guess
 
I run the blowers a couple minutes before startup of either generator or engines. Once started, I shut the blowers off. The manual states to the run the blowers when the engines are running and the boat is moving slow or siting still or continuously if the genny is running. I'm in my bilge often and insure that I don't have any fuel leaks, but I guess I'm still just a rebel!
 
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I run them before starting the motors or genny. Once underway I turn the blowers off. If we're at anchor and the genny is running I still leave them off since we usually have a breeze. If we were sleeping with the genny running I might leave them on.
 
Leave them running for about 5 minutes once started then turn them off. I try and kick them on about every 20-30 minutes for about 2 minutes. We don't ever sleep out all night so I have never tested this theory all night.
 
I run my Gen about 2-300 hours a year, I always leave the blowers on. Even all night. YMMV.
 
Question because I have no experience with boat gennys. If one is using a gas boat generator how is that different than using a portable (insert your favorite brand). I refer only to the CO emissions. proper grounding is a whole different argument. I'm not for or against. Just trying to wrap my head around one gas burner vs. another.
 
sdarc said:
Question because I have no experience with boat gennys. If one is using a gas boat generator how is that different than using a portable (insert your favorite brand). I refer only to the CO emissions. proper grounding is a whole different argument. I'm not for or against. Just trying to wrap my head around one gas burner vs. another.
Click to expand...

Among other things (see Honda Genny in a box thread for more detail and debate) an on-board generator is properly installed and exhaust vented over the side. Portable generators are often run on the swim platform or up on the bow where the CO can more easily get sucked into the cabin via the "station wagon" effect or through open port holes. When installed in the boat, the exhaust is vented though the side and near the water line where a breeze more easily moves the emissions away. The newer ones have lower CO emissions as well.
 
Another advantage of the on board generators, especially the newer ones (my experience is only with Kohler), is the built in CO detector. If that sniffer even thinks there is CO in my er it shuts down. So between the CO detector on the Kohler, and the three CO detectors in my cabin, and my gas fume detector in the er, I sleep well at night on the hook or wherever I might be using the generator.
 
I believe that the reason the directions call for the blower to be on always when running the Genny is for the CO emissions as well as the fuel vapors IMO. If the exhaust develops even a very small leak of any sort, that could prove deadly as the CO would build up in the bilge and work its way into the cabin.


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Todd
 
I always run the blower with the generator. Would be nice to turn it off. But my understanding it should be on the whole time.
 
I don't leave my blowers on once the mains and gen are fired up and running. My understanding is it would counteract the auto fire suppression system if it had to go off. No need to have all that fresh oxygen being pumped in there.
 
I thought it was recommended to keep the blower running to help control bilge temperature while the generator is running and the boat isn't moving.
 
Gary Hill said:
Another advantage of the on board generators, especially the newer ones (my experience is only with Kohler), is the built in CO detector. If that sniffer even thinks there is CO in my er it shuts down. So between the CO detector on the Kohler, and the three CO detectors in my cabin, and my gas fume detector in the er, I sleep well at night on the hook or wherever I might be using the generator.
Click to expand...

I agree and have a similar level of CO detection redundancy.

It should also be noted that the inline blowers that come standard on Sea Rays are not designed for continuous use. If you are going to run the bilge blowers continuously you should consider installing squirrel cage blowers.
 
I also was told by the dealer that blowers on when the genny is running. I run mine over 150 hrs yr and have always ran the blowers with it. Should not be any difference than running mains at idle speed.
 
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