Generator Replacement / Galley Hatch question

[JonHupp]

My next project is going to be to replace the original Kohler (Perkins) generator in my 1983 53 ED MY. I know this has been discussed in some old threads but I have a couple of 'simple' questions:

1) I'm a fan of Northern Lights (20 KW) from other boats I've owned. Is there anything better these days?

2) I know the process of removing the old Kohler is not easy. I've heard of people adding a large port to the ceiling of their galley to allow easier removal and replacement of the generator. (Rather than breaking things up and trying to get them down the circular stairs to the galley). Any comments on adding such a port? Any recommendations on size/brand for such a product. I do like the idea of letting some more natural light into the galley.

Thanks so much

Jon Hupp
K-Yacht-Ic (1983 53' ED MY)

 

[SEVEN]

Scarlett either did this or it was done prior. I’ll let him chime in. I’ve seen photos, the extra light in the galley is amazing.

 

[Pascal]

I ve put 8000 each on a pair of 2003 Lugger powered NL20. Nothing beats them. In all these hours I only did raw water pumps 3 times, 1 injector pump, 1 circulation pump and two motor mounts. Never had to replace a single sensor. In other words one circulation pump,one injector pump and all injectors were still going at 10K

That s it. And they were still going strong at 10k hours when the boat was sold.

In the last two years and 2000 hours each on a pair of 2009 Oman 27.5 I ve already done 2 water pump,3 oil press senders, 2 water flow sensors, 1 injection pump


As to going their the roof it s a lot easier and since you likely have a sunpad covering the area it doesn’t matter if a seam is visible

 

[jim rosenthal]

My home standby generator is a NL 16kW industrial set- basically the same one on a skid or tank. If there is a better genset out there than a NL, I don't know what it might be. They are VERY reliable and very well made. I have one on my boat, and one at home. Wouldn't have anything else.

 

[Toolsntoys]

I just put in a 15kw. I cut a hole in the deck and used a crane to hoist out the old and install the new. I redesigned the floor hatch larger for future access. The upper deck is none skid and will have sun pad cushions so cutting a hole seamed better the disassembling a new unit and voiding the warranty

 

[rourkeh]

I am a fan of Northern Lights and have one in my boat. If I was going to replace a generator today I would buy it from Mer Equipment. http://www.merequipment.com/products/bollard-marine-generators.aspx) in Seattle They make Bollard commercial grade, continuous duty generators that are used in offshore fishing fleets. Extremely reliable, easy to work on, cheap parts, and are rated to run 20,000 - 50,000 hours between overhauls. Nothing else out there will last as long. In the pursuit of technology today's marine generators have incorporated a lot of unnecessary crap in their design which include a lot of guaranteed to fail circuit boards and displays that serve no real purpose and cost a fortune. Bollard generators are made to run continuously to power ice machines and other equipment on commercial boats and are only shut down for oil and filter changes and have a history of excellent reliability.

 

[wndsr]

The 15 KW Onan that I removed from our 53’ went out the forward hatch after removing accessories from it. 15 KW Phazor went in the same way. Idont know where you are located but I still have the trolley and A frame set up that I made to do this. I have loaned it to two other Hatteras owners to replace their units. I am in Pennsylvania.

 

[rjwilliams]

When we replaced the 15K Onan on our 48 LRC the installer split the engine from the generating side and it easily came through the hatch.

 

[MarioG]

The 15 KW Onan that I removed from our 53’ went out the forward hatch after removing accessories from it. 15 KW Phazor went in the same way. Idont know where you are located but I still have the trolley and A frame set up that I made to do this. I have loaned it to two other Hatteras owners to replace their units. I am in Pennsylvania.

This is exactly how I did my generator swap.

 

[scottinsydney]

In my 61 MY the second old 20kva Kohler needs to be removed. I can see how to raise it from the genset room to the first level, but can not work out how to get it into the forward cabin to crane out via the hatch. What bracketing or frames is used?

Does anyone have an explanation or photos please?

 

[wndsr]

I simply built a ramp system and rolled the gen forward to V berth and then up through hatch. Ours is a 53’ so I am not sure of your layout to get to hatch

 

[Scarlett]

Sorry for late reply, been in Canada lousy phone reception. I cut out the hole for a hatch over our 53’s galley used the yacht clubs small boat crane and removed a 20 kw and an 8 kw gen and installed a 10 is Phasor and then installed the hatch. Mechanic said the cost of the hatch was less than the time he would have charged to remove them any other way and we have a lot more light and air in the galley. Also used hatch and crane for easy battery change.

 

[Glory]

I ve put 8000 each on a pair of 2003 Lugger powered NL20. Nothing beats them. In all these hours I only did raw water pumps 3 times, 1 injector pump, 1 circulation pump and two motor mounts. Never had to replace a single sensor. In other words one circulation pump,one injector pump and all injectors were still going at 10K

That s it. And they were still going strong at 10k hours when the boat was sold.

In the last two years and 2000 hours each on a pair of 2009 Oman 27.5 I ve already done 2 water pump,3 oil press senders, 2 water flow sensors, 1 injection pump


As to going their the roof it s a lot easier and since you likely have a sunpad covering the area it doesn’t matter if a seam is visible[/QUOT


If hours are the benchmark my15kw kilopack will turn 15,000 next weekend, during the NE Rendezvous.
Like the Kilopack the Phaser, my favorite, has no boards just 5 relays.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

I’ve got a NL 20KW with about 1500 hours. I need to think about rebuilding the raw water pump, but that’s it so far. My only suggestion is to consider if 20KW is too much given LEDs and more energy efficient systems. In my case, I run stuff I wouldn’t normally run underway to keep a load on.

 

[JonHupp]

Sorry for late reply, been in Canada lousy phone reception. I cut out the hole for a hatch over our 53’s galley used the yacht clubs small boat crane and removed a 20 kw and an 8 kw gen and installed a 10 is Phasor and then installed the hatch. Mechanic said the cost of the hatch was less than the time he would have charged to remove them any other way and we have a lot more light and air in the galley. Also used hatch and crane for easy battery change.

Just curious, do you recall what size / brand hatch you used? Just trying to give my guys some options. Thanks. Jon

 

[Scarlett]

John, it was the largest stock off the shelf Lewmar hatch. Can’t remember size, but I will be on the boat tomorrow and will measure it