How to properly operate generator and water systems?

[Jake McGhee]

New to this forum. Just bought a 88 sea ray sundancer 280. My first cabin cruiser. I got no info on boat when I bought it and don't know how to operate generator or water system. Generator seems to have water cooled exshaust? Any help, info ,tips would be appreciated.

 

[Sous]

New to this forum. Just bought a 88 sea ray sundancer 280. My first cabin cruiser. I got no info on boat when I bought it and don't know how to operate generator or water system. Generator seems to have water cooled exshaust? Any help, info ,tips would be appreciated.

First thing would be to head over to searay.com and log in to see if you can download any manuals for your particular boat. They have a fairly extensive "owners" site where you can get all sorts of manuals for the boats and thier assorted systems. Not sure what they'll have for an 88, but its worth a look.

Congrats on the new boat, and welcome to the site.

 

[Jake McGhee]

First thing would be to head over to searay.com and log in to see if you can download any manuals for your particular boat. They have a fairly extensive "owners" site where you can get all sorts of manuals for the boats and thier assorted systems. Not sure what they'll have for an 88, but its worth a look.

Congrats on the new boat, and welcome to the site.

Thanks i looked for a owners manual on a couple sites and ebay with no luck but I will check with sea ray. Com.

 

[Boater420]

Welcome to CSR!

What type of generator do you have? There are generally three found in Sea Ray boats that I know of...White = Koler, Red = Westerbeke, Grey = QuickSilver. You also might be able to find a manual to download at these sites as well. If you have a red generator I should be able to help you with the starting procedures.

The water system in my boat is pretty simple. Locate the electrical panel inside the cabin. Turn the "Fresh Water Pump breaker to the on position. You will need to have some fresh water in the tank or have your boat hooked up to the fresh water hose at your home or marina. Once the fresh water pump is on and you have water available from one of the sources mentioned you should be able to open a faucet and have water.

 

[Jake McGhee]

Welcome to CSR!

What type of generator do you have? There are generally three found in Sea Ray boats that I know of...White = Koler, Red = Westerbeke, Grey = QuickSilver. You also might be able to find a manual to download at these sites as well. If you have a red generator I should be able to help you with the starting procedures.

The water system in my boat is pretty simple. Locate the electrical panel inside the cabin. Turn the "Fresh Water Pump breaker to the on position. You will need to have some fresh water in the tank or have your boat hooked up to the fresh water hose at your home or marina. Once the fresh water pump is on and you have water available from one of the sources mentioned you should be able to open a faucet and have water.

I have white 5k Kohler. I can start it I just didn't want to burn it up. It has closed cooling system. But not sure about exshaust. Also I have, I guess water pickups on bottom of the boat.not sure what that is for.

 

[Jake McGhee]

I got owners manual downloaded. It should point me in the right direction and answer alot of common questions.

 

[av8ingtom]

The two thru hulls on the bottom of your boat are for the generator raw water, and your air conditioning. Open the engine hatch and make sure the 2 sea strainer valves are in the open position. Make sure the boat is in the water before trying to start your generator. You can use the air conditioning when generator is running or on shore power. Make sure all your 120 Volt circuit breakers are turned off before starting generator. Start generator switch gen circuit breaker to on position then you can turn your a/c on, and your other 120 volt accessories., battery charger, microwave, etc. you can download the owners manual from Kohler, which I would recommend that you read. Maintenance items are listed in owners manual. Do not forget to replace the Zinc located in the bottom of the generator heat exchanger. Run the generator often and put a good load on it when running.

 

[Jake McGhee]

I have not got a manual on the generator yet but I did get the owners manual for the boat. The pickup for the a/c has a pump. The pickup for the generator doesn't. Manual says boat should be stopped while u start generator. So assume the generator will prime itself. Is this correct

 

[Sous]

I have white 5k Kohler. I can start it I just didn't want to burn it up. It has closed cooling system. But not sure about exshaust. Also I have, I guess water pickups on bottom of the boat.not sure what that is for.

Do you know which Kohler unit you have? You may be able to get the manual direct from them. I have the 5ECD manual I'd be happy to send you if you want to PM me your e-mail. If nothing else that'll give you an idea of what's what on the genny.

 

[Jake McGhee]

I put it in the water last weekend. When I go out this weekend I will get a model number off generator.

 

[scoflaw]

change your oil and the impellor. Check that there is antifreeze in the system, or you could very well burn it up.

 

[Jake McGhee]

3rd weekend on boat I Belive I have everything figured out. Everything seems well. I even got it up on plain this week end.