Gen set replacement

[Naughty Lottie]

The time has come, and the old Onan is finally coming out. Now to decide on a replacement. Here is where I am looking for recommendations, imperial data, and impressions.I have narrowed down my choices to either the Onan or the Northern Lights. Looking at the new units offered that produce between, 15-20 KW. Question: Which one is the most quiet with sound shield, and produces the least vibration?

 

[miboatnutz]

Just installed a 20KW Northern Lights unit with sound shield late last season and couldn't be happier. It replaces a 16KW Northern Lights installed by the PO eleven years ago. That one worked flawlessly but had to be replaced due to "extenuating circumstances" that had nothing to do with the performance of the generator.

At the time of replacement, we researched both Kohler and Onan but decided to stick with Northern Lights because the other units had more printed circuit boards for generator controls and were told they tend to be a common point of failure.

Don't know if I believe it but was told 10K hours from a typical Northern Lights unit without rebuild or major problem is the norm.

 

[Naughty Lottie]

Brian, thank you for the feed back. I am a solid believer in the NL product, have run many of them over the years, and was immensely pleased with my last NL 20Kw. I’m glad you are too! As for the hours that can be racked up, don’t believe it, with proper care and feeding you can go much further! Enjoy!I’m really looking for the difirence in noise and vibration between the two.

 

[Pascal]

I ran a 70’footer for 8 years with a pair of NL20s (2003 vintage). They each had 9000 hrs when I left and they were running great In all these hours I replaced one injection pump, one circulation pump and two motor mounts (plus the usual belts impellers etc. )

Now in 2 years on an 84 with a pair of 2009 Ohno 27.5 with 4000 hours I ve done one injection pumps and a bunch of sensors. Some twice already. In fact I ve had more shut downs in 2 years Thant in the previous 8

 

[doc g]

Run from Onan, I had (2) 20 kw NL's in my old boat. I've spent more time in the gen room with the OMans in my new boat in the past three years than I did the old boat which we owned for 14 years, including pulling a head and replacing a head gasket on one of the NL's. I seriously doubt I would buy another boat with OMans. I recently had an issue with an exhaust mixer and was told by the Onan people that my 1999 / sub 3000 hour generator was obsolete and needed to be replaced . IT'S AN EXHAUST MIXER!!! I could go on and on .....Pat

 

[carolinacoast]

my mechanic has been working on my onan all day today. Run, Forrest , Run....
But my mechanic LOVES onan's.......

 

[doc g]

Onan=job security........Pat

 

[Cricket]

The NL's are great, but we're super happy with our Phasor 15kw, 6,000 hrs and have only changed the electric fuel pump once (Napa) and the isolator mounts last season, besides the usual impellers, belts, filters, etc.
Also, we did change the exhaust elbow and heat exchanger but only because they were 15 years old, and yes they were available and cost much less than I anticipated, even arrived in white Awlgrip or Imron. .
Give Alan a call at Phasor, at the least to keep NL honest.

 

[motoryacht lover]

I had a yard install a NL genset last year. So far so good. Had a small oil leak that was repaired under warranty. It is quieter than my old Onan. I looked all over for my invoice for the work so I could tell you how much the genset cost but can’t yet find it. The Onan was a 95 20KW and I too need an exhaust mixer and was told they no longer stock it. Had to replace 3 shut down reset buttons over the 10 years. My main issue with the Onan was they no longer supported the units with parts. When pricing the Onan remember to tell them if you are 12V or 24V. The 24V cost more, the sound shield was extra as well.

 

[jim rosenthal]

NL gnerators are so good that when they first came out, and their name got around, you would see the fact that a boat for sale was equipped with an NL generator touted as a selling point.

Someone recently mentioned another brand from the Pacific NW which is also very good, but I can't recall the brand name- very frustrating. Perhaps someone else can. They are supposed to be as good as a NL set.

I have two NL sets, one at home, one on the boat, and I wouldn't have anything else.

 

[Naughty Lottie]

I really appreciate all the feed back, thank you! Btw if anyone is interested I’ll have a running 30kw Phasor upFor sale once I finally decide. FOB Jacksonville FL

 

[scottinsydney]

My boat came with a 20Kva Phasor with 2000 hours. Now at 3000 hours in 2.5 years and its perfect. Very impressed. Very simple.

 

[piripucha]

I believe the West Coast generator mentioned are Bollard by Merequiment.com. I personal have two 17 KW NL and can not be happier. They are easy to work with and many of the electricalk parts are off the shelf components. Even with out the sound shield they are suprisingly quiet.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Bollard, that's the one. I couldn't remember the name.