Retiring Onan 7.5

[Timeout]

It's finally time to retire the Onan. Seems to always act up at inopportune times and it vibrates the whole boat and is very noisy even with an enclosure which is really annoying. It currently has a fuel problem and I believe I fried the starter working that issue (so I'm taking this as a sign). I've narrowed down my replacement search to Norpro or Phasor. Any comments on which may be a better choice? I'd prefer not to have an enclosure for easy servicing but want it to be very quiet so I believe I will need the enclosure. Also looking at adding an exhaust water separator. I like the Kubota engine on the Phasor but the Norpro seems to have better control options. Thoughts?

 

[Bob Bradley]

I put in the Norpro 9kw 5 years ago and it's been flawless. I have around 1800 hrs on it. All I do is change the oil and filters annually and check and change the belts periodically. I do the impeller about every other year. It's quiet without an enclosure and has virtually no vibration.

BTW, it didn't hurt that the Norpro is made right here in CT and I was able to drive in and have them load it into my pickup truck. The people there were extremely helpful before, during, and after the purchase.

 

[Cricket]

My 12 year old Phasor with 4500 hrs has been flawless, even the paint job it came with still looks good. I replaced a 15kw Westerbeke that sometimes couldn't handle the load with everything running. Was going to put in a 20kw unit but Alan at Phasor told me I didn't need a bigger unit. He was right, can run everything without any worries.

 

[Canuck Dennis]

I would not purchase the Norpro 7 kw, it is actually a 6 kw set, go for the 9 if going Norpro. The 7 has difficulty picking up the load at start up, I have to add load from zero when switching over or the protection fuse blows, the original fuse was 2 amp, as per manual, however Norpro suggested 4 amp instead, helped a bit but still an issue.

 

[SeaEric]

I installed a 9kw Beta Marine genset which is a Kubota engine with a Marathon back end. Its a nice package that comes standard with a nice small remote panel and is set up to be easy to service. http://www.betamarinenc.com/index.php/engines/?next=27

 

[TommyB]

I installed a 9kw Beta Marine genset which is a Kubota engine with a Marathon back end. Its a nice package that comes standard with a nice small remote panel and is set up to be easy to service. http://www.betamarinenc.com/index.php/engines/?next=27

same one I have from beta marine. 21KW.
People at Beta Marine as a pleasure to work with also. Any question I have, they go our of their way to answer.
Listed as the Beta 50, V2203

 

[Timeout]

Thanks everyone. I'm 90% sure I'm going with the 9KW Beta Marine. Looks like a nice package.

 

[rwetherington]

you might want to call R&T Marine and get a price on a Kohler first. Talk to Tim Woods 252-241-7849

 

[SeaEric]

Thanks everyone. I'm 90% sure I'm going with the 9KW Beta Marine. Looks like a nice package.

I bought mine in the time frame of the Annapolis Boat Show 2 years ago and got a great price.

 

[Fanfare]

I have been quite satisfied with my 12.5 kw Phasor. It is about 200 lbs. lighter than the old 12 kw Onan. Best of all every part and filter I have needed (so far) has been available at a NAPA automotive shop. Phasor will give you the part numbers. Unlike my last experiences with Cummins/Onan Phasor is quite helpful, both in person and on the phone.