Westerbeke Genset

[tonyiiiafl]

I have drawn the line in the sand as to what I will spend. To get my 6.5CZ Kohler back to reliability. Has anyone switched. Out to a Westerbeke? I have a 390CMY vintage 1994, and wish to keep in same place. Between the engines. I understand they are pretty quiet versus the dinosaur I have? Any idea on pricing? Also, the 6.5 does what I need, but any advantage to going bigger. Don’t want to break thee bank, but need to start planning now Thanks in advance.

[bud37]

I seem to remember a thread a while back that had some discussion about changing out a genny.....there is a guy Keith that is a generator repair guy that commented on some different brands.....insightful.

If you do replace yours with new , IMO, try to get a low RPM one...1800 as compared to the 3600 rpm . That may limit you somewhat......maybe Westerbeke is the only one still making the lower rpm models. Pretty pricey though.

What rpm is your Kohler 6.5 cz and does it have the sound shield ?

[tonyiiiafl]

My Kohler has a Honda GX360 engine, 3600RPM. Even with the sound shield it is a tad noisy. I liked the 1800 3 cylinder Westerbeke. I guess they are around $10,000.00. However, I hope I an salvage mine for the summer, and get a sight deal at the Boat Show this February.

[KeithS]

Kohler is out of the gas marine generator business for a while now. Westerbeke is the only one making them now. The current choice for you would be the the 5 or 7.5MCGA. They are 1800 rpm units with multi-port fuel injection. They are strong and pretty quiet. Closer to $12K now that there is no competition.
The Kohler units with the Honda engine are getting pretty old now. Parts are getting tougher to get with some parts no longer available.

[tonyiiiafl]

Well, today I spent my time in the bilge. I replaced the starboard alternator, only to find out it was a broken wire. OK, I now have a spare. As for the Genset........I got the new governor spring, and replaced it, still a light surge. So i tightened up the slack spring by taking a couple turns around on it Now only a surge for the first 2 minutes of running until it gets warmer up. Checked the impeller and it was new as stated. Ran water back from the heat exchanger to the raw water pump, no restrictions so I believe it is clear. Removed the control box, and replaced the capacitor. I still hadn’t gotten the 25uf’s yet, so replaced with the spare 20 I had. Lastly I recrimped the connections to the temp sensors. Then I poked around. I believe the water temp sensor is bad. It wiggles in the crimped brass threaded part, one is on order. Then I checked the coolant in the heat exchanger(new winter 2018)/, sw it was low! So topped it off, didn’t take much, but nonetheless, i is now full. Fired it up and after 90 seconded she purred well, placed a load on it and no surge, just hunkered down to business. Ran it for 45 minutes, no issues. Cured? WHO KNOWS! But it isn’t shutting off on its own anymore!