Genset size recommendations

[zekester]

I’ve got a 1990 310 express, with a/c, I’m trying to find a used genny to install, my 87 had a 6.5kW, can anyone chime in, what kW are you running in in older boat?

 

[Golfman25]

I don't know, but I think you want a male generator.

 

[Wanderer 290]

Definitely go female and smaller than yourself.

 

[Wanderer 290]

Da fq y’all talkin bout?

Read the title of the post!

 

[zekester]

Fricken spell check….ok fixed it

 

[Little Ducky]

Did your 310 have a generator at one time and was removed or are you going to do a fresh install.

Is the boat worth it?

Or could you find another 310 with a generator already installed.

 

[zekester]

Did your 310 have a generator at one time and was removed or are you going to do a fresh install.

Is the boat worth it?

Or could you find another 310 with a generator already installed.

It’s too match of a pain to sell this one and get another, if I was going to sell I’d go bigger…it never had a genny, my last 340 did and I miss it. The boats in ok shape, twin 7.4s it owes me nothing so if I can find a used genny for 3k….I found a 3 kW for 2knbut I think it’s too small….

 

[bobeast]

My 2002 310 has a 4.5. Seems sized about right for the boat. If you have no genny, I assume you don't have HVAC in which case you can likely go smaller.

 

[Skybolt]

I’ve got a 1990 310 express, with a/c, I’m trying to find a used genny to install, my 87 had a 6.5kW, can anyone chime in, what kW are you running in in older boat?

I would not go smaller then 5Kw If you can fit it, a 6 would be perfect. Hot water heater/A.C./Stove/Hair Dryer
etc. they all add up quickly. What is your main breaker(s) that will tell you what you should get, other wise things will need to be turned off and on accordingly as not to draw too much current.

 

[zekester]

I would not go smaller then 5Kw If you can fit it, a 6 would be perfect. Hot water heater/A.C./Stove/Hair Dryer
etc. they all add up quickly. What is your main breaker(s) that will tell you what you should get, other wise things will need to be turned off and on accordingly as not to draw too much current.

I have two 15 amp breakers one feeding just hvac the other the rest…so that gives me a requirement for 3.6 kw which seems low….4.5 or 5 would make sense, I don’t remember what I had on the 340 for breakers, it had a 6.5 kw unit….

 

[jmcdboater]

We have an ‘88 300 Sundancer, and when we bought her she was equipped with dual 36” double C cups…. Ooops, I was just viewing the bikini thread & lost my train of thought! When we bought her she was equipped with a Koehler 4 KW. Works good for us, we have A/C which we use willingly. If it died and we had to replace it, I’d go with a 5KW as from what I’ve seen, this size genset is more often seen in our size vessel, and the extra punch would mean the genset was not working so hard.

 

[Skybolt]

I have two 15 amp breakers one feeding just hvac the other the rest…so that gives me a requirement for 3.6 kw which seems low….4.5 or 5 would make sense, I don’t remember what I had on the 340 for breakers, it had a 6.5 kw unit….

My 340 had a 6.5 Onan as well. Well math is math, thought you had twin 30's that weren't fully used. So get a 4 kw and your covered, one thing to keep in mind is breakers are more tolerant to surges then the generator winding's are.

 

[Stee6043]

My 340 had a 4.5kW and ran everything like a champ...

 

[zekester]

I’ve found a complete quicksilver 5 kw not too far away, just concerned about the hours on it, is 1000 hours too many?

 

[Stee6043]

I’ve found a complete quicksilver 5 kw not too far away, just concerned about the hours on it, is 1000 hours too many?

For the amount of money you're going to invest in getting it installed and functional, I'd want that thing to be mint when it goes in. If it's a screaming deal on the Quicksilver, have it gone-thru by a pro or even rebuilt before you install it? 1,000 hours may be nothing if it's been well maintained...

 

[Wanderer 290]

I’ve found a complete quicksilver 5 kw not too far away, just concerned about the hours on it, is 1000 hours too many?

A 1000 hrs is high but if it

I’ve found a complete quicksilver 5 kw not too far away, just concerned about the hours on it, is 1000 hours too many?

A 1000 hrs isn’t bad for a fresh water unit. Additional concerns would be the year and parts availability.

 

[jmcdboater]

The health of that genset with those kind of hours always depends on history, how was it run and how was it MAINTAINED? Most of the time that info will not be available, or if available, verified. You can have have a compression test done and even get the oil checked (analytics) prior to laying down your hard earned money. I’m with @Stee6043, consider a rebuild prior to installing it.