Correct Starting of Generator

[radiojon]

Quick generator-related question. In my 320DA Owner's Manual, here are the starting instructions for the generator:



However, STOP/PREHEAT and START/RUN are on the same rocker switch on my panel, with a separate "ON" switch, as shown below:



In the couple of times that I've used the generator, I've simply toggled the "ON" button, then pressed the STOP/PREHEAT for about 5 seconds, then pressed the START/RUN for a couple of seconds until the generator starts. I obviously cannot continue to hold down the STOP/PREHEAT button, as that will quickly shut it off.

I just want to make sure I'm not doing anything bad to the generator. Is there a specific reason to have the extra "ON" toggle button, as opposed to how it's labeled in the Owner's Manual? Just curious as to why there's a discrepancy.

- Mark

 

[ZZ13]

Mine is wired and labeled the same as yours (one year older boat than yours). I have the Kohler 5E. When I had the Kohler repair guy out this summer to fix my generator, he explained to me that Sea Ray uses the same switch panel and set of instructions for multiple generators and that the "preheat" is not applicable to the Kohler 5E. He said on my boat that the center switch turns on the circuitry to the generator and that I should turn it on before starting the generator and leave it on while the generator is running (actually my generator won't start if I don't have the center switch turned on). If I turn it off after the generator starts that will disable the sensor circuitry and the generator would essentially be running with faults unable to be detected. So, my process for my Kohler 5E is to turn on the center switch and then push the top of the right switch to start the generator. That's it. Then to turn off the generator, push the bottom of the right switch to stop it and then turn off the center switch to turn off the circuitry.

So if you have a Kohler, yours is possibly wired up the same.

 

[Bt Doctur]

If it calls for a pre-heat sequence ,thats for diesel engines, not gas.

 

[RollerCoastr]

Bill's repair guy is right - SeaRay doesn't bother to change the labels on the generator remote panels. On the remote for my gas Westerbeke, the "Preheat" button is intended to run the fuel pump to prime.

 

[Hampton]

Concur.

 

[JimFromMD]

Mine is wired and labeled the same as yours (one year older boat than yours). I have the Kohler 5E. When I had the Kohler repair guy out this summer to fix my generator, he explained to me that Sea Ray uses the same switch panel and set of instructions for multiple generators and that the "preheat" is not applicable to the Kohler 5E. He said on my boat that the center switch turns on the circuitry to the generator and that I should turn it on before starting the generator and leave it on while the generator is running (actually my generator won't start if I don't have the center switch turned on). If I turn it off after the generator starts that will disable the sensor circuitry and the generator would essentially be running with faults unable to be detected. So, my process for my Kohler 5E is to turn on the center switch and then push the top of the right switch to start the generator. That's it. Then to turn off the generator, push the bottom of the right switch to stop it and then turn off the center switch to turn off the circuitry.

So if you have a Kohler, yours is possibly wired up the same.

+1 on same layout and switches (2005 300DA). Identical process as Bill, with one addition... Turning on blowers for a minute or two prior to start, and letting run for a few minutes after generator shut down.

If you haven't read it here on the website in other threads.... be careful about holding the start button for too long, or for too many consecutive attempts to start the generator. You may end up siphoning water into the generator, although there is typically a siphon break installed. Luckily I have not experienced this myself, but my buddy did on his 05 320 with the same 5E generator.

 

[Hampton]

I think the correct time is 4 minutes on the blowers prior to starting any gas engine.

 

[Time To Relax]

On my 2005 340DA with 5E it has the start stop switch (not labeled with preheat only Start on top and stop on bottom ) and a on switch that is not momentary it will stay in the on position. Do i leave it in on wile it is running?

 

[barryg]

I start my blowers and leave them on not only before I start the generator and engines, but while I'm running at idle or slow speed. There is no real preheat used with the 5E even though it it marked at the bottom of the right start switch... I just toggle up the on switch and after a few seconds push up and hold the start switch and the generator usually kicks in pretty quickly.. If it doesn't after about 5 seconds I let go, turn the on switch off and wait a few minutes and do it again. Once the generator kicks in, I turn off the "on switch, it is not necessary to run the generator, and then once I go out to the port side and make sure the water is flowing smoothly (if not it's usually an impeller that needs changing), then I turn the generator on where the slide covers either shore power or generator (make sure the shore power is off at the boat and that the shore power switch is off before you start the generator)... I also make sure the AC convertor, Air conditioning and other switches that would use the generator for power are off till I get it started and running a few minutes... If you have any specific questions since we have the same boat, feel free to PM me and we can go over... My boat is in my back yard so I can skype you with the sequence if you need it.

Enjoy your 320!

Barry

 

[radiojon]

I start my blowers and leave them on not only before I start the generator and engines, but while I'm running at idle or slow speed. There is no real preheat used with the 5E even though it it marked at the bottom of the right start switch... I just toggle up the on switch and after a few seconds push up and hold the start switch and the generator usually kicks in pretty quickly.. If it doesn't after about 5 seconds I let go, turn the on switch off and wait a few minutes and do it again. Once the generator kicks in, I turn off the "on switch, it is not necessary to run the generator, and then once I go out to the port side and make sure the water is flowing smoothly (if not it's usually an impeller that needs changing), then I turn the generator on where the slide covers either shore power or generator (make sure the shore power is off at the boat and that the shore power switch is off before you start the generator)... I also make sure the AC convertor, Air conditioning and other switches that would use the generator for power are off till I get it started and running a few minutes... If you have any specific questions since we have the same boat, feel free to PM me and we can go over... My boat is in my back yard so I can skype you with the sequence if you need it.

Enjoy your 320!

Barry

Barry - that's interesting that you turn OFF the "ON" switch after the generator starts. What function, then, does that "ON" button serve that allows it to be shut off while the generator is running? Is there any disadvantage to leaving it "ON" while the generator is running?

I'd like to know the function of each of the buttons and how they work -- it helps in diagnosing any problems that arise if I can know what each is supposed to do. Thanks for chiming in!

- Mark

 

[mark guthrie]

I have a 280 with a 5E Kohler genset. I saw your post and looks like you have a good working knowledge. The problem is mine won't start and trying to find good troubleshooting tips. The last time it ran was about 2 months ago...started right up and then died...not to be restarted.

Any tips before I call the mechanic?

 

[480ces]

Check the plugs, fuel filter,oil and coolant levels. Even if the plugs look good try new ones, the 5E has an over sized engine and fowls plugs.

You can try manually moving the choke to open and see if it starts, the chokes are known to fail.

Dont crank for more than 10 seconds with a 30 second cool down between. Close the seacock after the first 10 second crank and only reopen if it starts, otherwise you can flood the engine with seawater!

 

[Pseudomind]

I would say break out your schematics, if is anything like my Westerbeke, there are three safety circuits, the water flow, oil pressure, and something else. Anyway this is not important for the moment What is important is that you have continuity through these devices.

As to the preheat with the westerbeke. (my gas generator does not use any preheat, It is in my case a preheat for diesel generators) in most cases you do not have a battery charging alternator or generator.

You have an electronic circuit board which allows for the 12 volts DC to pass through these safety devices. this voltage comes from (If I remember correctly) a small winding on the generator part of the electric generating part of your generator (Stator/rotor?) which if all is good then the generator will run when you are pressing the preheat, allowing the circuit board to pass the 12 VDC and develop 12 volts DC for battery charging, and also applying the initial starting 12 volts which hold these safety devices relays open so that you can release the preheat switch.

As for my issue I had a continuity problem develop on the over speed board which passed the 12 volts to the relays. It was just a board wiring trace which was open. There was nothing wrong with the over speed/under speed, just the circuit path to the initial 12 volt start loop relay. Mine would run only as long as the preheat switch was held in the on position, release it and the gen set would die. Maybe some of this information may help you?

 

[Pseudomind]

Hey did the generator issue get fixed?