Do you run your generator all the time?

[Vince_nj1]

Ok.. This is my first boat with a generator and I have some questions. When I bought the boat the generator wasnt working but as of Friday its fixed. The generator is a 5KW Kohler. The guy that repaired it told me that I should run it everytime I use the boat otherwise "it will rot out within 5 years".

First, I am little disappointed that this $15,000 option will rot out in 5 years and second I dont understand how running it every time I use the boat is going to prevent this from happening. I asked how much fuel does it burn and he estimated maybe 1 or 2 gallons per hour.

He also said that if I dont run the generator I should close the sea-cock because it can force water up to the generator and fill the engine with water. This seems to be more trouble than its worth. I told the guy that I'm going to sell it on E-bay.:grin:

Anyway.. Can I get some opinions on this? Should I run this all the time?

 

[hack4alivin]

I have the same setup as you and no you do not have to close the seacock. That would not be a good idea, especially if you forget to open it before you start the generator. :smt021


I run my generator when I need it. In the hot summer when I want the cabin cool I will run it, if we need to use the stove or microwave while not on shore power I will run it. I do not run it all the time.

If I did not use it over a several week period I will start it and run it under load for a little while just to exercise it.

 

[Luckydogs]

I run ours when needed, pretty much every trip out. If I don't need it I still like to start it up and let it get to operating temp and shut er' down.

 

[mrsrobinson]

We hardly ever run ours but....

Based on a recent discussion here I plan to start it and put a load on it at least every 2-3 weeks for 10-15 minutes just to run it.

 

[tobnpr]

What Bill said.

If you were to have a scoop-type thru hull installed-incorrectly- that could force water back into the engine. That's why only a mushroom type thru hull- not a scoop- should be installed for a generator.

 

[Stray Cat]

I don't run mine everytime we use the boat. If we go a couple of weeks where it isn't used, I will start it, bring it up to operating temperature, and load the generator as much as I can with waterheater, AC, etc. This is a term Kohler calls "excercising" the generator. It is a good idea to turn over the fuel in the carb if nothing else.

If the 5E's raw water impeller was totally shot, (missing the vanes) I could see how water could be forced into the exhaust system. However with a healthy impeller, I have never had any issues. I don't close the seacock while underway and the gen is not running.

As a side note, to exercise the generator better, I removed the raw water hoses from my heat exchanger to the waterheater. I don't heat water from the main engine, only by using AC from shore power or the generator. This way when I go to exercise it, I can load it pretty well when I turn on the waterheater.....

 

[wastinaweigh]

I run mine at least an hour every month to "exercise" it. Like any piece of equipment, lack of use is much worse than running it.

Your mechanic was probably thinking about closing the seacock if it does not start in the first 20 seconds or so of cranking. The Kohler 5KW is difficult to start if it sits for several weeks. If it takes a lot of cranking, Kohler recommends that you close the seacock and use the starter switch on the generator. When it turns over, immediately open the seacock and check your water flow out the exhaust. Extended cranking can apparently force water back through the exhaust valves, hydrolocking the engine.

If it is hard to start, I have found that if you bump the choke by hand while cranking it, it will start up right away.

I am another one who disconnected the raw water hoses from the hot water heater and use the generator for hot water. Between the air and the hot water heater, it puts a decent load on it.

 

[Vince_nj1]

Thanks for all the feedback.. I probably wont run it "all the time", but I will make sure to start it up often and put a load on it. As for the Seacock, I brought the boat from Maryland to New Jersey with it open and it didnt cause any water to back up into the unit, so I will leave it open all the time.

 

[Sea Wolff]

Years ago a Westerbeke rep recommended I run my gen, underload, for at least 30 minutes. He stated that the gen needed to run at least 30 minutes in order for the internal bearings to become well lubricated. He was also adamant about not shutting the gen down with a load on it and also adamant about not running the gen with no load.

 

[skolbe]

The generator burns about .8 gph under full load. Roughly - it is listed in the Kohler manual. Mine I estimate is burning a 1/2 gallon per hour.

 

[tc410]

Yes, I run mine all of the time. Start it before I unplug shore power and turn it off after the shore power is reconnected.

 

[Alex D]

I run mine at least an hour every month to "exercise" it. Like any piece of equipment, lack of use is much worse than running it.

Your mechanic was probably thinking about closing the seacock if it does not start in the first 20 seconds or so of cranking. The Kohler 5KW is difficult to start if it sits for several weeks. If it takes a lot of cranking, Kohler recommends that you close the seacock and use the starter switch on the generator. When it turns over, immediately open the seacock and check your water flow out the exhaust. Extended cranking can apparently force water back through the exhaust valves, hydrolocking the engine.

If it is hard to start, I have found that if you bump the choke by hand while cranking it, it will start up right away.

I am another one who disconnected the raw water hoses from the hot water heater and use the generator for hot water. Between the air and the hot water heater, it puts a decent load on it.

Another thing that works is when you start the genny up after it has been sitting for weeks, start it from the bilge and have a can of starting fluid ready. If It does not start after cranking for more than 15 seconds, just give it a tiny little shot of starting fluid. I mean just a smidge and she will fire right up.

 

[Overextended]

No need to close the sea cock....we run ours all the time when away from the dock.

 

[rmilian340]

I normaly run my generator everytime we go out.

 

[Pseudomind]

Yes, I run mine all of the time. Start it before I unplug shore power and turn it off after the shore power is reconnected.

Ditto here. I figure that is what the generator is for, as I usually have items in the refrigerator and the freezer.

I kill the breakers on the panels, start the generator, let it run for a few minutes, then switch to the two main generator breakers, next I turn the other breakers back to on. I usually leave the water heater or burner breakers off, unless I feel I will be using them soon

 

[J Levine]

Yes, I run mine all of the time. Start it before I unplug shore power and turn it off after the shore power is reconnected.

I do the same

 

[dpmulvey]

Mine is the first thing started and the last thing shut down....ALWAYS. I figure it burns about .8 to 1 gph.

From experience, the worst thing you can do is not run and stress the daylights out of a generator....any generator.

Listen to your repairman. If you do not run it it will rot out in 5 years. I have friends just now replacing their gennies after 15 years of running. They wore our the engine and manifolds....not the electricals. Like me (I learned from them) use it or lose it.

FWIW...if noise is a problem, there are plenty of sound shields on the www for Kohler's. Carry two extra sets of plugs. Kohlers are know to foul plugs quickly.


Good luck

 

[Air O'Nautical]

I run everytime we go to the boat or at least once a week.
Start, warm-up, load-up, unload, cool down, shut down.
So far..so good. 700hrs and counting...

 

[Vince_nj1]

Carry two extra sets of plugs. Kohlers are know to foul plugs quickly.


Good luck

Now that you mention it, he did tell me to change the plugs at the start of next season. My unit is fuel injected, so I would think the plugs would benefit from that and last a little longer. Eitherway, good advice. I will run it often and run it hard... Now if I can only get my wife to think that way :wink:

 

[icu812]

I run my generator when I need it and never concern myself with minimum run time/minimum load requirements that seem to be common beliefs on the subject. The engine on my '96 290DA has 388 hours on it and my generator 83 (the anchor has many more hours from overnighting and just being on the water). Both generator and engine run trouble free. I'd be interested in being informed of the technical reason for these minimum run time recommendations. BTW - if properly installed, water will only be forced into the generator in the process of sinking - IMO. - Bob