Installing genset in '87 270DA.

[gnephew511]

I just purchased a '87 270DA that does not have a genset. I would like to know how big of a job it is to install one and what kind and size would be recommended. Also a ball park of what to expect for price. Boat has twin 165's so not sure if is enough room in engine compartment. Thanks.

Greg

 

[MonacoMike]

Retrofitting a gennie is expensive, cost prohibitive many would say. There are many threads here on the subject. Presentation has a great post on his install. Size will depend on what you need to run and whether you will run them separately or at the same time. Mine is a 5k and I can run most of the accessories together. Look at the SR archives on their site and see what they put in from the factory. Mine was put in by a previous owner, Marine Max charged $11k, I would expect cost to be a minimum of $7k. MM

 

[Ididntdoit]

I just finished doing the job on my boat - I was lucky to find a used (50hrs) 2006 generator at a GREAT price locally. I opted for a 3kw westerbeke for a couple of reasons. #1 - much lighter than the "stock" 5kw enableing me to install it easily and not have to worry about the location #2 - it produces 25 amps of power - shore power is only 30 anyway so I'm able to run everything I need, just like shore power I can't run the stove, microwave, a/c, hot water heater and batter charger while my wife is blowdrying her hair - but 3-4 of the above at the same time aren't a problem.

As far as the installation itself is concerned - It took me a lot more time than I thought: Installing the unit itself was the easy part (on my installation I did not have to relocate anything). You must cut two holes in the boat (one for water intake one for exhaust) install the thru hulls, hoses, muffler, and strainer. Next, a water separating fuel filter and plubing into the tank (including a fuel pick up if your tank is not so equipped (luckilly, mine was) Then you have both the Dc wiring (to start the Gen) as well as the AC side including a transfer switch as well as the remote start panel (on my boat I had to remove the helm seet and side panel to follow the factory wiring from the bildge to the panel) Then there are the little things like looming all the wiring to be safe and look "factory" adding a siphon break, battery switch (or exra battery/tray), expansion tank for the cooling system, etc

The parts to do the job - hose, wire, switches, thru hulls, muffler, etc cost me about as much as the gen did (remember, I got a great deal) but in the end, I'm extremely happy with the result - true my boat may have been "worth" more with a factory installed kohler gen but between the cost of the unit, and the extra professional help I would have needed to remove the hatch and hoist it in, I was looking at about 9-10k. At about a third of that the westerbeke made the most sense for me. Take a look at Presentation's video.....a couple years later it seems to work great for him too.

 

[gnephew511]

Thanks for the info guys.

Greg

 

[kevin27]

Here is some pics from my boat I sold back in January. The aft hole at the dock line is the gen exhaust.

The hatch to the left the seat is where it's located. I think you have a water tank there, my water tank was under the front v berth.

. Westerbeke makes a small compact gen that will fit and the fuel line came from the left side on the top of the tank. You should have a capped fitting to tap into. Good luck, and give me a shout if you have any questions.

 

[88dancer300]

Kevin, How many kw was that little single cyl. gennie? Was it Kohler or Onan?

 

[kevin27]

3kw Onan and yes it was loud but worked well. The newer gensets are much more quite. My Westerbeast is so quite in the new boat the water from the exhaust is the loudest part.

 

[gnephew511]

Thanks Kevin, I think this will be a project for this winter. As it is now we are going to have a very short season up here on Lake Champlain with the height of the lake and so much flooding. I think this is something that I will attempt though.

Greg

 

[arcticspud]

What about a portable generator like a Honda and a pigtail? I won't power everything, but is a much cheaper option.

 

[Ididntdoit]

What about a portable generator like a Honda and a pigtail? I won't power everything, but is a much cheaper option.

Please do a search on honda gennie here - we seem to be a very passionate bunch when it comes to this issue - that is a taboo topic that we have killed several times