Noisey Westerbeke 8kw (diesel) Exhaust sound

[Ray 40]

My 8kw Westerbeke makes so much noise...outside the boat...... that it's embarassing.

Inside the boat it is acceptable.

Is there something, affordable, that can be done to quiet the exhaust sounds??

Thanks,

Bud

 

[Hampton]

Check all of the items associated with the water flow - through hull, strainer, lines (for clogs), impeller, heat exchanger for clogs or broken impeller vanes... My buddy's 420 had the same thing last weekend - I made him get it checked. He had many, many broken vanes in the heat exchanger which made the water flow slowly which made the water get too hot and evaporate off which filled the heat exchanger with salt deposits which slowed the water flow which made the exhaust very loud due to lack of sound suppression which is normally provided by extensive water flow. I'm tired.

 

[MonacoMike]

My 8kw Westerbeke makes so much noise...outside the boat...... that it's embarassing.

Inside the boat it is acceptable.

Is there something, affordable, that can be done to quiet the exhaust sounds??

Thanks,

Bud

This really made my gas gennie quiet down. The dual stage is much better than my old single stage. So, if all checks out that John suggested look into one of these. MM


http://www.centekindustries.com/vernalift_dual_side.html

 

[fwebster]

I've got an 8BTD and John is correct. This is one generator that you can listen to and tell if there is adequate water flow......the sound and the way it discharges water in spurts make it easy to tell when you need to go to work.

 

[Alex F]

Frank,

Would recommend replacing my original exhaust muffler with dual stage unit? A similar mod is discussed in here: http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/45547-What-can-be-done-to-quiet-a-Kohler-generator/page5


Here's the link to the vendor: http://www.centekindustries.com/vernalift_dual_side.html

Is there any harm from technical point of view? As far as I know additional exhaust might affect engine performance in general. Would this be applicable to the generator or is this a minor item for a powerfull diesel generator?

 

[barlow]

Frank, are you saying that if the water is coming out in spurts the HE needs attention ?

 

[fwebster]

Alex,

I have found that Sea Ray makes good choices as far as mufflers are concerned. When there seem to be excessive generator noise, it usually comes from the generator mechanical noise inside the boat and not the exhaust. The subject of this thread, the 8.0 Westerbeke BTA diesel generators, is a prime example. The valve clatter and fuel knock are just plain loud, but acceptable. When you add decreased water flow you get a lot of exhaust noise and the combination of all the various noise sources becomes nearly unbearable.

The generator installation is engineered by the generator maker in combination with the boat manufacturer. Anything you do to change the exhaust flow can increase back pressure which would affect how the generator burns fuel and processes exhaust and that could increase carbon built up and change exhaust gas temperatures. I don't know enough about your generator or its installation to comment on changing or adding a muffler......other than to tell you to use caution since a mistake could cause unforseen problems that eventually cost you a big repair bill...........sorry.


Steve,

No, just the opposite. When you have good water flow on the 8.0 BTD, the water accumulates in the muffler and exits the exhaust port in spurts as the muffler fills and empties, fills and empties, etc. When there is reduced water flow, the muffler never completely fills and you get exhaust noise when you don't see water spurts every 3-4 seconds. Furthermore, I have found that the Westerbeke heat exchanger is a lot like those on the Caterpillar engines. They have a lot of excess capacity and are almost never the cause for overheating. When the generator exhaust makes excess noise outside the boat, the water stops spurting, or the exhaust water feel hot to the touch (instead of warm) the usual cause id a blocked intake or a worn/broker impeller.

 

[Turtlesboat]

I have a padded sound shield installed around mine, makes a huge difference. I can't even tell if it's running when i'm in the cabin. I can hear it in the cockpit, but it's at a level that kind of disappears if you're not specifically listening for it. Now if i suck something into the pickup, the exhaust gets loud and throaty sounding if the waterflow is at all compromised. the sound shield Velcro's over a frame you install around the Gen. the panels are flexible lead lined kind of stiff packing blanket, and they are pretty heavy. It knocks the mechanical noise down about 20db, almost about the same as if you open or close the ER hatch while it's running, about that much of a difference. I'm not sure who makes the shield, I lost the company tag on the panel, but i'll try and dig it up.

 

[sea salt]

I have a padded sound shield installed around mine

Like this:
http://stopthesound.com/generator-soundproofing/soft-generator-cover/

 

[Turtlesboat]

Yep, that's the one.

 

[MonacoMike]

This really made my gas gennie quiet down. The dual stage is much better than my old single stage. So, if all checks out that John suggested look into one of these. MM


http://www.centekindustries.com/vernalift_dual_side.html

Frank,

Would recommend replacing my original exhaust muffler with dual stage unit? A similar mod is discussed in here: http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/45547-What-can-be-done-to-quiet-a-Kohler-generator/page5


Here's the link to the vendor: http://www.centekindustries.com/vernalift_dual_side.html

Is there any harm from technical point of view? As far as I know additional exhaust might affect engine performance in general. Would this be applicable to the generator or is this a minor item for a powerfull diesel generator?

Thanks for the affirmation. :grin:

 

[Alex F]

Alex,

I have found that Sea Ray makes good choices as far as mufflers are concerned. When there seem to be excessive generator noise, it usually comes from the generator mechanical noise inside the boat and not the exhaust. The subject of this thread, the 8.0 Westerbeke BTA diesel generators, is a prime example. The valve clatter and fuel knock are just plain loud, but acceptable. When you add decreased water flow you get a lot of exhaust noise and the combination of all the various noise sources becomes nearly unbearable.

The generator installation is engineered by the generator maker in combination with the boat manufacturer. Anything you do to change the exhaust flow can increase back pressure which would affect how the generator burns fuel and processes exhaust and that could increase carbon built up and change exhaust gas temperatures. I don't know enough about your generator or its installation to comment on changing or adding a muffler......other than to tell you to use caution since a mistake could cause unforseen problems that eventually cost you a big repair bill.......

Thanks for confirming that my thoughts were on the right track, Frank. The noise level from the engine itself is not an issue as the soundproof padding works like a charm. This is where SR really hit the nail in the head. I don't have the sound shield, but really don't think I need it. Other than a bit extra noise that I'd prefer to get quiter I can't complaint. But, if this is the nature of the beast I'm not qualified to mess with something that Cummins and SR had designed. My genny got full service done before the season began, but I missed the valve adjustment. I'll have that done and will see if it might improve the exhaust noise. If not, I'm sure I can live with the current noise level. I agree that it's not worth the risk.

Thanks for the affirmation. :grin:

Sorry Mike, but we all have different opinions and the way we do things. Based on my knowledge, change in exhaust system affects engine's performance. A good example would be loud race boats (there's a good reason why they're loud and it's obviously not for the "show off"). I liked the idea of getting my genny exhaust quiter, but this is where I'm having second thoughts. As you can see, Frank confirmed that my caution wasn't for nothing.

 

[beachcombersc]

Just to add a little knowledge about my personal experiences...

I pursued a new duel stage was after learning that my good buddy with the same 280DA, but 3 years newer originally came with the duel stage and was extremely quiet compaired to mine. A prime example of SeaRay updating to better equipment in subsequent years.

The other major improvement I made sound wise was relocating the support points of the exhaust hose straps. They were originally strapped directly to the "fire wall" against the mid berth. They were strapped so firmly to the wall, it carried vibration (sound) into it. These two improvements were the best improvements ever made during my 6 years of ownership!

 

[MonacoMike]

Sorry Mike, but we all have different opinions and the way we do things.

Alex, sorry I think you missed my point: I was giving you the business for posting a duplicate link to the same page I did a couple of posts earlier and for directing him to my generator thread. I was not referencing the technical advice.

As for the water flow on the Centek Vernalift dual stage muffler they say the back preasure is in spec for my gennie and the water flow is consistant with the single stage muffler I removed. I would suggest checking with them. MM