Kholer 5ECD Generator noise

[Gek]

Hi
Our Sea Ray 2008 Sundancer 340 is equipped with a Kholer 5000w generator. It does not have a sound shield. When we run the generator it is very loud compared to some of the other boats around us. We could never run it overnight if we needed the a/c running. Is this a normal characteristic of this generator set or is there something wrong with it. What do other 340 owner say?

Thanks,
Gary

 

[Vida]

I have 5K Kholer also and it is noisy without the shield especially when its closed up in the engine area, wanted to see if it would run cooler without the covers big difference. Highly recommend the sound shield. Might be able to pickup a used one at a repair shop. Also you can make a sample unit / cover to see, well hear the Db difference / drop. Then get the right sound shield required.

 

[Strecker25]

Smaller boat, but the genset in our 290 is deafening in the cabin. We also could never run it overnight or for extended periods of time.

 

[bbwhitejr]

2006 w/ sound shield and not bad at all. We run it all night for AC in the summer and watch TV in the cabin with no issues. I mean you know it is running, but is certainly not deafening or anywhere close.

Bennett

 

[Korkie]

2006 340 No sound Shield. Loud with engine hatch open, quite quiet with hatch closed. You know it is running, but it is totally in the background. Not disturbing at all.

 

[Stee6043]

My Westerbeke is quite polite sounding and I do not have a sound shield. I imagine it would be nearly silent with a shield. We could easily sleep with it running.

I'd be annoyed if my generator was noisy but I'd also never spend the money on a sound shield after the fact. They want crazy money for those things. I'd 1.) DIY an enclosure using safe materials and sound deadening mats and 2.) see if there is anything you can do with the muffler if you think there is excessive noise coming from the exhaust.

Or....buy a Westerbeke. ha.

 

[Strecker25]

Or....buy a Westerbeke. ha.

That will be our preference on the next boat. I've read they run something crazy like 40% slower RPM's.

 

[Stee6043]

That will be our preference on the next boat. I've read they run something crazy like 40% slower RPM's.

I wonder if Kohler does this intentionally to generate more sales of the sound shields?

The Westerbeke is nothing fancy from what I can tell. Quite a simple device. Perhaps the noise is all RPM related? Seems like lower RPMs would also suggest longer life? Interesting...

 

[MancaveII]

I would love a sound shield but can't seem to find a source that is willing to procure it.

 

[AllTideUp]

I have a Westerbeke in my 340 and can definitely tell the difference from my friends 340 that has the kohler. I think the Kohler is a 2 cylinder while the westerbeke is a 3. Maybe this is why the kohler must run faster, thus causing the noise. Due to the noise I know I would definitely rather a boat with the westerbeke.

 

[chase]

2006 340 No sound Shield. Loud with engine hatch open, quite quiet with hatch closed. You know it is running, but it is totally in the background. Not disturbing at all.

X2 Here also