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  1. Westerbeke Generator Problem

    During a recent 5 day cruise on my 41DC, I was awakened by the sound of my 7kw Westerbeke gas generator shutting down at about 4am. My first thought was it ran out of gas as that side was showing low on fuel. After refueling later that morning, the generator proved very hard to start. I checked the fuel water seperating filter, and it was full of fuel. Oil and coolant levels were fine. Then I played with the stop switch on the remote panel, and it started, ran for about 5 seconds, and then shut itself down. I found that if I continued to flip the stop button up and down, it would keep running, but seemed to be overspeeding. While it was running, I loaded it, and it came down to the proper rpm and showed proper voltage. It ran fine all day while we were crusing. Then we pulled in to a marina for an overnight stay. The next morning, I fired it again, same problem. However, this time when I tried the same routine as before with the stop switch, the generator oversped, smoked my DVD, and kicked the circuit breaker on the panel a the generator. After resetting the breaker, it would still fire up, run 5 seconds, and then die. I know there are shutdown sensors for speed, temp, and oil. One of these sensors or a faulty stop switch is shutting the engine down. Anybody have any ideas on where to start in troubleshooting this problem?
    1974 58TC "Freebird", 1965 41DC "Nancy Cay", For Sale - Click HERE for info - sosectn@aol.com
    Randy Register - Kingston, Tennessee - aka Freeebird aka Sparky1
    www.forumlychallengedboaters.com

  2. #2

    Re: Westerbeke Generator Problem

    RPM doesn't affect just voltage but also Frequency.... never bring a genset on line if you feel the RPM is off. If you dont have a frequency meter, get one... I have a Shurite which i keep plugged in the saloon on an outlet that's easy to see.

    https://www.alliedelec.com/Search/Pr...T&DESC=9016LFT

    you need to look at the wiring diagram. safety switches need to be bypassed either by holding a run switch and immediately after start or by a timer. My norpro 18 uses a 10 second timer... it failed once and the clue was that the genset would shutdown like clockwork after 10 seconds. since it's activated by a starter key, there was no way to reset it while running.

    other wstbk owners may be able to tell you how it's set up, or check the wstbk website for diagrams.

    a few years a go, I coudlnt' start a stbk gas 7.5. from the remote panel. turned out the stop switch on the genset was sticking....

    if you have sensor problem (possible, I've had to replace 2 oil press sensor on my norpro in 3 years), you can troubleshoot by temporarily disconnecting or grounding, depends on design, the sensors one at a time.. obviously, dont let it run like that without a good watch on the gauges, esp. temp.
    Pascal
    Miami, FL
    1970 53 MY #325 Cummins 6CTAs
    2014 26' gaff rigged sloop
    2007 Sandbarhopper 13
    12' Westphal Cat boat

  3. Re: Westerbeke Generator Problem

    Thanks for the reply. Things are really tight in the bilge on this genny, so I'm hoping to avoid a full test scenario of each shutdown sensor. Hoping another Westerbeke owner will have experienced the same problem and have the magic answer.
    1974 58TC "Freebird", 1965 41DC "Nancy Cay", For Sale - Click HERE for info - sosectn@aol.com
    Randy Register - Kingston, Tennessee - aka Freeebird aka Sparky1
    www.forumlychallengedboaters.com

  4. #4

    Re: Westerbeke Generator Problem

    Randy- I don't mean to scold you, but I was alarmed to read in your post that you gen set woke you up in the middle of the night. Do you go to bed with the gen set running? That's a NO NO NO NO! It can kill you and every one else on the boat. The culprit Carbon monoxide. It is odorless and deadly. Please shut it down before you go to sleep. Even with a factional alarm system aboard, I would shut it down.

    CapetaniosG
    Hatteras 53MY

  5. #5

    Re: Westerbeke Generator Problem

    diesels do not present the same CO risk as gas gensets, thousands of owners run them at nightm i've yet to hear of a single accident.

    that said, i added 3 CO detector in my boat after i got it...

    if it's well maintained, in good shape, etc...no risks.
    Pascal
    Miami, FL
    1970 53 MY #325 Cummins 6CTAs
    2014 26' gaff rigged sloop
    2007 Sandbarhopper 13
    12' Westphal Cat boat

  6. #6

    Re: Westerbeke Generator Problem

    Pascal- With all due respect I can't agree with you on this one. You're dead wrong regardless how well you maintain your Gen set. There are documented cases were people died due to carbon monoxide from a gen set left on at night while people slept on the boat.

    What happens if you have a runaway gen set while you're sleeping?
    What about a fire? What about a defective exhaust system or a failed exhaut hose? Think about it.

    CapetaniosG
    Hatteras 53 MY

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