Norpro Generators

[MarioG]

This past weekend our trusty old 15Kw Onan MDJF finally died after 37 years and countless hours of service. The crankshaft snapped clean through at the flywheel. After getting good reviews from pascal and many other good things I've herd, I plan to purchase a 17.5Kw Norpro 17NI. Simplicity in design and good factory support is paramount for me. I Plan on stripping down the old Onan in place than hoisting her out of the gen. room and extricating it through the forward berth hatch.

I got an estimate on the new generator of $11,945 including sound shield, 10' harness with remote panel, assorted maintance items "buddy Box". Unless someone has a better price I'll buy this one.

I'll take pictures of the old damage and the removal and replacement process. Mario

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Mario,
I sent you a PM with some suggestions.

 

[Bob Bradley]

I just installed the Norpro 9kW in my boat this summer. I shopped around quite a bit and wound up using Joe DeMers of Sound Design Diesel. He had the best price by $400 - $500. It also helped that he has a shop here in Ct about a half hour away, and he stocks maintenance parts. I'm quite happy with both Joe and the people at Norpro, and would recommend both without hesitation. Joe's phone is 860-666-2184, and his website is http://soundmarinediesel.com/index.html

I had taken delivery on my unit at the Norpro facility here in CT, and when I called them about a month or so later with a question, I got the guy who put the deal together for them, and then loaded it onto my truck with a forklift. He knew exactly who I was, and took care of what I needed.

 

[Boatsb]

hey mario how about a deal on a Yanmar genny?

If you are up for cheking it out zap me a PM or call the cell

407-739-5450.


I guess the NY is coming out. I know a guy....

 

[captbuddy]

I was just researching Generators looking to replace my 7.5 1981 Onan. Got on NorPro site, www.4norpro.com/navigator_series_specials.html. It is showing show specials with a 9kw for $6744. I am planing on going to the FLBS to shop for a gen set. Does anyone have any other suggestions on which kind to take a look at.
Thannks,
captbuddy

 

[Pascal]

the other two brands i'd have on my list based on experience is Northern Lights and Westerbeke.

but as mentioned before it's hard to beat the norpros pricewise, yet they are very well designed...

here is the site i told you about, they're not showing any marine units but that's where the PO got the 18kw I have on the boat.
http://www.gopower.com/index.php
give them a call...

 

[Boatsb]

here is a link to a company I know locally. great products built on yanmar engines

http://www.maspowerproducts.com/#products


I know the owner and he has a nice hatt so if someone needs a favor PM me.

I will hook you up.

 

[TedZ]

I sit here lit by power from a land based NorPro built to Central Maine Diesel specs. I make all of my power...no grid connection at all. CMD has ordered a very poor integration from NorPro in this particular unit.

As i have said before and most importantly, make sure you get a Marathon gen end. Stanford Newage fine also.

My personal opinion is that Yanmar and Isuzu are both very good engines for gennys in the size you are looking. I give the edge to Yanmar but both fine.

Mt $.02

Ted

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I just installed a Norpro 15kw this summer as well. It is a good unit, but take a look at which control panel you are going to go with. The standard controls are analog and allow for placement in multiple locations. This is nice, but you don't get automatic overspeed shutdown with the standard panel. If you want that you have to upgrade to the digital controls. That panel is nice in that you can interface it with an inverter for fully automatic operation if need be. The only downside is that if you go digital, you can only have one set of controls so you have gauges at that set and only remote start buttons elsewhere with no gauges (hope that make sense).

The other thing I don't like and I may add it is that there is no high exhaust temp shutdown on the Norpro. So, if you loose raw water flow, you could burn up your exhaust before the high water temp shutdown kicked in.

Norpro makes gensets with Isuzu or with Yanmar engines. I went with the Yanmar as I think the part availability would be better. Many sailboats have Yanmar propulsion so you can find marine parts at almost every yard.

Other thoughts: The sound shield is worth the money. It is very robust and still provides good access with removable panels on both sides and on the top. My 15kw is very quiet compared to the old Onan. And, the generator end looks to be much easier to work on.

 

[dastahl]

The Worton Creek boat monkeys are at this very moment finishing up (I hope) the install of a brand new 9.9 KW Norpro. There have been no problems with the install except for standard ship yard suprevion issues. The old Onan MDKD came right out the hatch and side door (door removed) and the new Norpro slid right in my little Hatteras LRC.
The yard is a week behind and will most likely finish today as the Nor'easter hits. I guess I can wait another few days before we head south to the Exumas.
BTW The yard had trouble finding a 9KW Norpro. They say the sales promo is working and they are having trouble getting more Yanmar engines. I wanted the Yanmar and the one I eventually got was made the week before.

Skooch
Worton Creek MD

 

[Pascal]

as i told Mario on the phone, when installing a new genny, make sure the yard measures the height of the exhaust manifold to the waterline. some gensets are lower than the old Onans and will ingest water unless a syphon break is installed on water intake line, downstream of the raw water pump.

dont' ASSume the installer will do it right

 

[Bob Bradley]

as i told Mario on the phone, when installing a new genny, make sure the yard measures the height of the exhaust manifold to the waterline. some gensets are lower than the old Onans and will ingest water unless a syphon break is installed on water intake line, downstream of the raw water pump.

dont' ASSume the installer will do it right

I installed my own Norpro 9. Two reasons: I'm cheap, and I don't trust anyone else to do the kind of job I will.

The geometry of the unit was quite similar to the Onan MDJE that I had removed, and it seemed like there was no need for the siphone break. Nonetheless, Sound Marine Diesel recommended that for the extra $50 - $75, I ought to just install it anyway, which I did. (I'm not THAT cheap.)

 

[MarioG]

I just installed a Norpro 15kw this summer as well. It is a good unit, but take a look at which control panel you are going to go with. The standard controls are analog and allow for placement in multiple locations. This is nice, but you don't get automatic overspeed shutdown with the standard panel. If you want that you have to upgrade to the digital controls. That panel is nice in that you can interface it with an inverter for fully automatic operation if need be. The only downside is that if you go digital, you can only have one set of controls so you have gauges at that set and only remote start buttons elsewhere with no gauges (hope that make sense).

The other thing I don't like and I may add it is that there is no high exhaust temp shutdown on the Norpro. So, if you loose raw water flow, you could burn up your exhaust before the high water temp shutdown kicked in.

Norpro makes gensets with Isuzu or with Yanmar engines. I went with the Yanmar as I think the part availability would be better. Many sailboats have Yanmar propulsion so you can find marine parts at almost every yard.

Other thoughts: The sound shield is worth the money. It is very robust and still provides good access with removable panels on both sides and on the top. My 15kw is very quiet compared to the old Onan. And, the generator end looks to be much easier to work on.

Sky, This is the digital unit I got. I beleve it has digital readout of temp, oil press, ect...

Digitec 300 Controller
• Programmable microprocessor panel
• Engine start up with an automatic preheat system
• Digital display
• water temperature
• oil pressure
• tamper proof hour meter
• battery voltage
• Safety systems
• automatic shutdown for low oil pressure
• high water temperature
• over speed
• over frequency
• Three onboard replaceable 40AMP fuses for fuel, crank, and
timer outputs
• 5.5” x 4.3” x 2.16” (L x H x D)
• Conform to 12V or 24V operations
• User

 

[captbuddy]

Bob,
Did you replace a 7.5 kw Onan with the 9 kw Norpro? I forgot to get my measurements on my 7.5 kw onan and will not be going to the boat before heading to Boat Show. Is it a lot quieter than the Onan?
Thanks,
captbuddy

 

[dastahl]

Pascal,
We installed a syphon break. Thanks. We also cut and put rubber protection on two hose holes in the sound shield. Norpro had sharp hole punch outs and they were too small to take the syphon hoses without room for a rubber gromet. Not too hard to do.
THe job is finished now and I am on weather watch to go south. I'm watching really crappy weather.
Skooch
42 LRC
Worton Creek MD

 

[Pascal]

it's even worst up north! 38 degree right now here in Stamford CT with a gale warning. I'm staying put till sunday waiting for the weather to clear up and hopefully get some decent conditions off NJ monday or tuesday.

something else to keep in mind about genset install. Originally on MYs Hatteras installed teh muffler next to the thru hull on a shelf, higher than the generator. This is wrong. the muffler need to be on the floor supporting the generator with the exhasut hose rising above water level and back down to the thru hull.

if the muffler is too high, water can accumulate in the hose when you shut down and back pressure can't expel the water. Next time if the genset doens't fire up right away, you can drown it. With the muffler, you have more room for water to accumulate

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Sky, This is the digital unit I got. I beleve it has digital readout of temp, oil press, ect...

Digitec 300 Controller
• Programmable microprocessor panel
• Engine start up with an automatic preheat system
• Digital display
• water temperature
• oil pressure
• tamper proof hour meter
• battery voltage
• Safety systems
• automatic shutdown for low oil pressure
• high water temperature
• over speed
• over frequency
• Three onboard replaceable 40AMP fuses for fuel, crank, and
timer outputs
• 5.5” x 4.3” x 2.16” (L x H x D)
• Conform to 12V or 24V operations
• User

That's the same one I went with. I think it's the best option of the three that are available.

Who did you end up buying it from?

 

[jim rosenthal]

Northern Lights/Alaska Diesel Electric used to publish a very good video about generator installation, which I am sure is now a DVD, called "Don't Drown Me". It had a lot of useful information about waterlift muffler placement and how to avoid getting water back into the diesel through the exhaust system. You used to be able to get it via NL dealers- they may even have it on line as a download by now.

I've had good luck with my NL. I think Westerbeke and Norpro are fine, too. I just wish the sound shield had fit in my boat- even though we moved the genset, it wouldn't go in there. They do make a BIG difference. It's bearable, but it could be quieter.

 

[MarioG]

That's the same one I went with. I think it's the best option of the three that are available.

Who did you end up buying it from?

from here:

Nor'pro/Northeast Isuzu
P.O. PO Box 297
385 Town St.
East Haddam, CT 06423
Phone: (860) 873-0100
Fax: (860) 873-0200


final cost with pick up at the FLIBS show $11370 including shoundshield.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Sounds like a good price. I paid about the same for the 15KW with the Yanmar, soundshield, and remote 300 panel.