Generator Sound Shield on 2007 260 Sundancer

[estebanj]

I have the Kohler Low CO 5KW generator (5ECD). Has anyone added the sound shield?

Sound level is acceptable when running, maybe a bit loud in the mid cabin.

Just curious if anyone has added the sound shield (assuming it fits).

Thanks,

Esteban

 

[wastinaweigh]

Esteban,

I don't think that it fits. You should have about the same amount of room in your bilge as I do, and I don't think that there is room behind the generator.

They make a sound insulation material - I have seen it at West marine and I am sure others have it - that you could use on the engine room side of the bulkhead. This would be behind the fresh water and the black water tanks. That would accomplish the same thing, I think.

Or - after you listen to it for a while you get used to the noise.

 

[estebanj]

I don't think it fits either.

There is some form on insulation on that bulkhead now. Do you think replacing it with better insulation will help? Or add additional insulation on top of what's there already?

I will look at it more closely this weekend. Regardless, I think this is very low in my list of priorities. #1 is installing my Northstar 557, with SmartCraft, and that is planned for tomorrow.

Thanks,

Esteban

 

[wastinaweigh]

I have looked at adding this stuff to the insulation that is already there:

Noise Control Foam

but have never moved forward and added it. Like you, it has never made it very high on my to-do list, either.

Just remember to turn all of the 110 things on when you run your generator to load it up as much as possible. They don't like to run on a light load.

 

[estebanj]

Thanks for the tip. I read in the manual that the ideal load is 70%. I think for the 260 with a 5KW, turning on all the 110v switches is the best way to go, which primarily means A/C and battery charger running.

Esteban

 

[wastinaweigh]

Esteban,

Don't forget the hot water heater. In fact, you may want to have them disconnect the raw water heater since you have a generator. Eventually the salt water will corrode the heat exchanger for your HWH anyway, and the generator will give you plenty of hot water.