Westerbeke Generator output question.

marks737

marks737

Active Member
Sep 15, 2009
333
NJ
Boat Info
2005 390 Sundancer
Engines
Cummins QSB 5.9
Just bought a 2002 310 Sundancer with a 4.5kw Westerbeke gen. When I start the gen. and turn on the Gen. breaker switch, the Voltmeter shows no power until I turn on the water heater. Then I can get power to other items: Refrig, AC etc... If I start gen. and turn on AC or other items, the gen. won't put out power. Is this normal? Am I doing something wrong?
 
No!

Mine shows volts on the meter as soon as I position the switch from shore power to generator. Sounds like a short somewhere... I would have that checked!!! You dont want an electrical problem in the middle of nowhere, much less a fire.

Congrats on your new boat!!!! I love ours!:smt038
 
I have a Kohler but operation is the same. Start genny, let it warm up then flip the main power switch and the meter should so power. Then start turning on the items you want (A/C fridge, microwave). I agree, if you are turning on the hot water heater and then it shows voltage you either have a short or somebody wired the main switch through the HW heater. SHould be easy to check. Unscrew the main panel and get out your meter and start checking switches and voltage. Good luck and congrats on the boat.
 
Sounds like an open hot leg,or an open neutral situation. What's happening is when your switching on the power to the heater, it backfeeds. Not safe at all...

Update us after you find it...
 
I read it differently. I think he's saying it has low/no no-load voltage until he applies the steady load of a water heater. Once it's producing, it continues to to so.
 
RollerCoastr said:
I read it differently. I think he's saying it has low/no no-load voltage until he applies the steady load of a water heater. Once it's producing, it continues to to so.
Click to expand...

I don't think so... The meter on that vessel is a volt meter displaying the A/C voltage from Shore Power or Generator. It's not a load meter.
 
Thanks guys. To clarify, when I turn the Gen. power switch on. I get nothing on the meter. The only item that will get the gen. to show voltage is the water heater. Then if I turn the water heater off. The meter is normal and I can use other AC powered items.
 
ardeprint said:
I don't think so... The meter on that vessel is a volt meter displaying the A/C voltage from Shore Power or Generator. It's not a load meter.
Click to expand...

No guys, the "load meters" are in Amps. I said that I thought his post was saying that his VOLTAGE meter shows low/no voltage until he applies the load of the heater.
 
RollerCoastr said:
No guys, the "load meters" are in Amps. I said that I thought his post was saying that his VOLTAGE meter shows low/no voltage until he applies the load of the heater.
Click to expand...

Ok...

Nontheless, in direct answer to marks737, meter should work as soon as your generator starts producing electrons. And, lets assume your meter is bad, all the other functions should work accordingly. For instance, no voltage, but stove works when turned on, you could isolate to a bad meter. Here you are getting power when an appliance is turned on. NOT GOOD! Any time a switch intended to do "function A" does "D function" you have an issue that requires your attention. Keep in mind this is AC current and that genny is kranking almost 38 amps. OUCH!
 
Could it be as simple as a bad Gen. Breaker switch?
 
Maybe, but it sounds more like something is wrong behind the switch panel or a grounding issue that opens the circuit when the water heater is turned on. With this scenerio you have a conductor running somewhere through your boat. With electricity anything is possible. I hate to be negative, but this could be a simple fix as it could be a really bad thing waiting to happen. I would try to get a pro to look at that as soon as possible.

Just me...
 
2808670-R1-015-6.jpg
Our genny produces voltage immediately when started and the voltage varies a bit until the carbureted engine settles into a steady RPM. In fact, on a carbureted Westerbeck genny you calibrate the voltage output by adjusting the RPMs until you see a steady 110 volts or so on the volt meter. So yes, the water heater thingy is an issue that needs to be fixed. It does sound very unsafe and causes me to wonder if a DIYer has been "fixing" things in the engine room. Low output in a general sense is caused by capacitors that are failing. WBs have two, so when one goes, change them both.
 
Last edited:
Wicked old thread but I thought I read last year that this type of issue can be an indication of failed caps/diodes or something along those lines....

Just thought I'd share that random thought :)
 
I just order this cap Westerbeke 035978, Capacitor, Bc 31.5Mfd, Part 35978
.. I’m not sure which part number is the other one I have the WB 4.5kw
 
I have all the manuals for the 2002 310 with westerbeke 4.5 if you need any part numbers. PM me.
 
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