Generator Question

P

Pensacola jim

New Member
Mar 24, 2009
81
Pensacola Florida Gulf of Mex
Boat Info
370AC 1998
9' Dink,2hp Honda
Engines
380hp Horizons
I have a Westerbeke BCGTC 9.6 genset. It runs at 3600rpm's and burns approx 38 to 45 gallons (GAS) per day . Is there a way to make it run at the 1800 rpm level? We live on the Gulf Coast in Florida and the AC not running is not an option. Our boat is a 370 AC and the rear master cabin only has 2 small port hole window in the master bath and shower. The larger window cannot be used partially (no screen in it) and has to completely removed and stored. In addition I have heard many owners say their's leak after removal. Ours has never been removed and is still tight.
Any suggestions on the genset would be greatly appreciated!!

Pensacola
Jim
 
Jim
You're stuck - I think your generator (power producer) is designed to run at that RPM to produce the proper voltage at the proper frequency.

You sure about that consumption number? I seem to recall WB people saying they burn about 1gph.
 
man are you sure it runs at that rpm......that seems really high for a 9.6. and that is alot of gas to consume. Seems something is really wrong.
 
Thats what they told me also. Spec's say 1.3 per hr. But reality is more than that. It runs perfect and just had the normal Westerbeke problems with it. It currently has 400 hrs on it. The boat has 247 on it and I presume all system are by now broken in. Our Marina charges $4.30 per gallon and I'm just lookking for something more efficient. The newer ones run at the lower rpms. My older Onan ran at 1800 rpms. It seems that the stator or whatever could be changed out to make it more up to date?
 
Something's wrong... Under full load, it should only burn just over 31 gallons in 24 hours - and full load is hard to achieve for that long.

Are you sure about the consumption figures? Is it properly tuned?
 
Sounds like maybe the govenor isn't working properly or something. That gen should only run around 1800. Have you had it looked at by anyone. I think there is a good Marine max in Pensi....however if you make a small trip around the corner to Orange Beach at Sportsman marine they had a guy that was good with Westerbekes. I have an 05 7.0 westerbeke and anything above 1800 she would sound like it would blow.
 
I don't think you can run an 1800 RPM governed generator at twice RPM and not blow a diode or two.

How do you know what rpm you are running at? This is a good gizmo to buy and keep aboard...
Handheld Digital Tach
 
OK will check the rpm. Thank you Ron for the e-mail string. The book says it is a 3600rpm system. I'm just guessing but I think a more efficient back end to the motor is what is needed. Why WBeke went with a generator set up that required that speed when half the rpms would be almost twice as efficient is beyond my skill set. We had a 1985 340EC w/Onan 6.5 and it ran at the lower speeds. Our boat is a 1998 and it just seems WBeke went backwards with this genset. I guess I'm just not a fan of their engeneering. Or maybe they don't consider cost/operating costs when they market their products to the manufacturers.
 
I've had this discussion with other WB owners. They have manufactured gensets with less output than yours which run at 1800RPM. Strange.
 
Jim, is that RPM reading under load? If YES, it's running too fast and should be adjusted or the governor should be checked. Might be a job for a Westerbeke guy - I don't know enough about this to advise you.
 
Jim,

If would PM me and provide a landline number, I will be more than happy to call and explain/provide the information your seeking. I believe I can answer all of your inquiries and hopefully provide some options you can pursue.

R
 
Found out this weekend that my Westerbeke does not have the water pick up designed to run on plane. I have always seen people do it and wondered if that was good for the genset. Well after a 20 min ride I found out I will be replacing the impeller I just replaced. Lesson learned. 3800 rpm for that genset man that still sounds too high. I don't think I have ever seen a Westerbeke run that high.
 
I'm questioning your measuring device. I haven't heard of a 3600 rpm gen in a boat since the old noisy Onans. Something is a miss here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,185
Messages
1,428,144
Members
61,094
Latest member
Linword
Back
Top