Generators

papogator24

New Member
Feb 20, 2007
639
Miami, Fl
Boat Info
2007 240DA - Stolen
5.0L Bravo III
3Kw Westerbeke
Engines
5.0L Bravo III
I wasnt sure what forum to list this under but I have a question about generators.

As you should know, standard procedures after using the boat for the day, you're supposed to flush your engine with fresh water to eliminate the salt water sitting in the engine to prevent corrosion.

Now, my question is, what about for the generator since it picks up salt water as well. Are there any flushing procedures for it?
 
We are fresh water boaters so I don’t know.

Still, I would like to learn.

I’m going to follow this thread with interest.

Is your generator fresh water cooled or raw water cooled?
 
Generators are usually fresh water cooled, so they will be okay. Does yours use anti-freeze? That will tell you that it is not raw water cooled.

I have never seen anyone flush a generator, just like most do not flush fresh water cooled engines. You should inspect the exhaust system periodically, since it will have parts that eventually need replacing.
 
Your generator is most likely raw water cooled. Fresh water cooling )(heat exchanger) set up is optional on these generators - check if yours has it.

You can flush it by rigging a hole attachment to the strainer. I have also seen people just run a hose into the strainer to flush them.
 
All engines have a raw water pump. In a FWC engine, it's needed to use raw water to cool the heat exchanger. Check if you have an expansion tank and heat exchanger on the unit. Feel free to post a photo if unsure.

If you are in salt water and the generator is raw water cooled (no heat exchanger), I would add a flushing mechanism to it. There are various options available to accomplish this.

If you have the FWC option, I wouldn't worry about flushing (even though you still have raw water to cool the heat exchanger in a FWC engine).

Esteban
 
from the photo is looks like that generator does NOT have the FWC option.

If you want to flush, I would add an in-line valve between the strainer and the inlet in the generator. This valve will have a garden hose or barb fitting.

To flush:

* close the marelon valve leading to the strainer (to block sea water)
* connect garden hose and open the in-line valve
* turn on water and start generator
* you can flush with just fresh water or add Salt-Away or Salt-Terminator via the garden hose.

This requires that you open the engine hatch to flush. You can also consider the Perko FlushPro unit with a remote inlet at the transom to avoid having to open the engine hatch each time. Some people don't recommend them for engines b/c it's made of plastic and could fail, but for a generator I see no problem. (I do have it on my engine and so far no problems.)

Hope this helps.

Esteban
 
from the photo is looks like that generator does NOT have the FWC option.

If you want to flush, I would add an in-line valve between the strainer and the inlet in the generator. This valve will have a garden hose or barb fitting.

To flush:

* close the marelon valve leading to the strainer (to block sea water)
* connect garden hose and open the in-line valve
* turn on water and start generator
* you can flush with just fresh water or add Salt-Away or Salt-Terminator via the garden hose.

This requires that you open the engine hatch to flush. You can also consider the Perko FlushPro unit with a remote inlet at the transom to avoid having to open the engine hatch each time. Some people don't recommend them for engines b/c it's made of plastic and could fail, but for a generator I see no problem. (I do have it on my engine and so far no problems.)

Hope this helps.

Esteban


Thanks, I will think about installing a valve between the strainer and the inlet hose.
 
Something like in the attachment.
 

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I like to close the seacock, remove the strainer cap and put a garden hose in it, turn it on. I then start the generator up and let it run for a few minutes. The generator doesne pull as much water as the mains do so it works great. And best of all it costs nothing!!!!
 
The closed cooling system is an option on the Westerbeke 3KW generator. It's standard on all of their other models.

I don't flush my genny, except at the end of the season before I run antifreeze for winter layup. I had the entire genny apart two years ago and saw no problems. The exhaust elbow, which is raw water cooled, was in great shape.

Best regards,
Frank
 
That genset does not have closed cooling. The engine is actually an outboard engine and we all know the outboards are raw water cooled.
 

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