Up (21) or down (17.5) on Genny

[Hat52MY]

Looking at new Generators to replaced the old Onan MDL4 20kW GenSet that has served us very well over the years. It appears Phasor either has a 17.5kW or 21kW option. I could make an argument either way....interested in experiences from those who have made the swap. What’s the thinking on new generator and minimum load? The generator we have at the house will actually idle down from 1800 to 900 adjusting for load. Do the new Marine GenSets do the same? Thanks.

[SKYCHENEY]

I replaced my 20kw Onan with a 15kw. I have never overloaded it. I see no need to go bigger.

[SEVEN]

My 20 KW was replaced by 15 KW as well. I think the 20 KW was a little overkill when it was first installed. The 15 KW does more than what I needed to do.

[Pascal]

20 is overkill on a boat that size. Best gen is Northern Lights...

[Boatsb]

Variable speed has issues. I'd not use it on a boat. There's no need to make it more complicated.

In Florida where AC is 24/7 you may need the Larger. 20 to 21 is not a big jump

[Cricket]

When we had the Onan 15kw it couldn't handle the full load, Phaser talked me out of going to a 20kw when we re-powered, their 15kw handles everything, and hasn't missed a beat in 20 years.

[dottieshusband]

I added a second generator in anticipation of the 20kw MDL4 dying someday. I put in a 17kw Kohler with sound shield. It carries the full load of our 63MY with no problems. It uses a Lombardi diesel engine (Lombardi is owned by kohler) lot of nice generators out there and forum member Roger Werthington is a Kohler rep. The Kohler is very quiet and vibration free, which were important to me. They are also very price competitive.

[Naughty Lottie]

Replaced the 20 with a 20, wish I had gone up. However I also installed a 12 so I have a night gen, or if the weather is good. Both are NL with boxes.Removed a Phazor, never liked the marinerization they did. Silly things like the heat exchanger end cap right over the alternator, and the box ends were not removable with out tools. Heat exchanger on one side, oil filter on the other side. Perhaps they have fixed these “minor annoyances” as the baseline hard ware was very good.

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Removed a Phazor, never liked the marinerization they did. Silly things like the heat exchanger end cap right over the alternator, and the box ends were not removable with out tools. Heat exchanger on one side, oil filter on the other side. Perhaps they have fixed these “minor annoyances” as the baseline hard ware was very good.

Sounds exactly like my NL 20KW.