www.iFourWinns.com

Oh we've got over 300 hours on the main engines. We just don't use the genset all that often. Really it's only been used for making coffee, blender drinks and running the microwave. Which could just as easily be handled with a hefty AC/DC inverter, but then I've already got the genset...

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I'm on my 3rd impeller and 2nd set of plugs on this generator. While I've got 235 hours on the engines, the generator is well over 400. Previous experience has shown that once it starts hunting and sputtering too much, it's time for new plugs. The impellers tend to take a set during the second winter and usually don't last tmore than two or three seasons, so I know that once that time rolls around, it's going to stop pumping soon and it's time for the new impeller. We sleep out a lot of weekends and we just crank it up at dinner time for the microwave and a/c and let it take the load for the refrigerators, satellite tv, hot water and everything else for the rest of the night. I don't know how the battery charger on the 348/358 is set up, but the one installed on the 378 (Intellicharge PD2050) acts like a 12 volt power supply and powers everything 12 volts on the boat as long as there is 110 VAC applied to it.

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Jerry
2004 378 Vista "Escapade", T-Mercruiser 8.1 SHO
2003 Maxum 3300SE
1987 Wellcraft San Tropez
1991 Chaparral 2550SX
1987 Bayliner 2150
!967 Caravelle 1751

well i may be able to add to this. waiting on a call from the service manager. i had mentioned in the 348/358 thread my battery and genset issues. Mechanic replaced the impeller and the spark plugs which he said were very dirty. Then he could not get the genset to start! this does not bode well.

there are very few hours on genset as we rarely used in last year and only used it this year when the battery problem appeared. if i had to guess i would say l/t 20.

stay tuned. this could get interesting and EXPENSIVE!

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2006 348 Vista
"some days you're the bug and some days you're the windshield"

I seem to recall my genset was a bit hard to restart after I serviced it. That is, it didn't turn over within 2-5 seconds like usual. It took about 4 tries at 10-15 seconds each time before it fired up. After that it returned to the normal quick turn over. Go figure.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

RJR, if it started before the servicing and wouldn't start immediately after, I would look at the plug type and whether they were gapped properly (or at least the same as the plugs that came out). Also, make sure the mechanic didn't pull one of the plug wires out of the boot when taking them off the plugs. I know these are obvious things, but nothing surprises me when it comes to boat mechanic stories.

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Jerry
2004 378 Vista "Escapade", T-Mercruiser 8.1 SHO
2003 Maxum 3300SE
1987 Wellcraft San Tropez
1991 Chaparral 2550SX
1987 Bayliner 2150
!967 Caravelle 1751

Wow, I guess I'm feeling lucky. My genny has close to 800 hrs on it and still on the original plugs.

Oil is easy to change. I take a 2.5' piece of hose and connect it to the drain spout and run down under the port engine into an old gallon milk jug. Filter is right in your face...

Impeller is even easier to change. Four small bolts and a pair of needle-nose pliers. Takes five minutes even if everything is hot.

The key I have found with the genny is I run it HARD. Start it and LOAD IT UP. A/C, battery charger, microwave, etc... Everyone I have spoken to says that the worst thing you can do to a genny is run it with little-no load.

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2004 Sea Ray 420DB
Formerly: 2005 348 Vista

I suppose I'd run it more if it was quieter. I gave a 'test listen' to another member's 358 and found his was around the same noise level. I guess you're just immune to the racket?

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

You do have a soundshield don't you? I can definitely hear it, but I wouldn't call it loud by any means.

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2004 Sea Ray 420DB
Formerly: 2005 348 Vista

I have a genset in my 288 but it doesnt have a sound shield. I notice in most of the posted pics of gensets, that other users have sound shields around thier genny's. Is that a standard item or can you order the shield as an add on later? Wondering why mine didnt come with one?
Thanks Robbi

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2008 V288 with twin 5 litre Seacores
http://www.galwayhouse.com.au

Yep, mine has the sound shield. And when I changed the plugs I gave it a try operating without the box. It was quite a bit louder. I'm wondering whether it's a combination of noise AND vibration. The way it's installed seems like it transfers a fair bit of vibration to the decking, possibly enough to make it seem noisier than it should be. I'd swap out the rubber mounting grommets for higher-end ones but they'd be a BEAR to get to properly. So meanwhile I just run it on an as-needed basis.

The sound shield box is usually optional. If the factory makes one for your particular model I don't seem why you couldn't add one after the fact. It installs in sections; four sides and a top. Unless there are hose issues it ought to be easy enough to add the box. I think, however, that there's also a base; both a frame and dampening pad. Getting that installed would be a lot more work. But if there's decent access to the unit it might not be 'impossible'. On the 348/358 it would be a LOT of work.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

OK, so it was my turn today. The genny started running rough under load this weekend, so I figured I'd start with the plugs. After 775 hrs, they were probably due...

Read Bill's first post in this thread and took most of the advice. The idea of pulling the battery switches saved me at least an hour... Thanks Bill!!!

Here's my version:

Took the three 5/16" bolts off the top of the sound shield. Not bad really...

Pulled the top and left (aftward) side of the sound shield up and towards me about 7", exposing the top of the backside plug. Pulled the back (port side) soundshield up and away from the generator about 1".

Reached through the battery switch hole and down with a 13/16" plug socket on a 3" extension on a socket wrench. Plug came right out. CAREFULLY screwed in the new plug and then realized the extension was too long to get the wrench back on the plug. Borrowed a universal socket drive from a friend - which was about 1" shorter than the extension (2" give or take). That did the trick.

Moved the port side sound shield forward. Took the top and aft-side soundshield (again, left in one piece) and moved it back into place. Replaced the three screws on top of the sound shield. Problem solved. Took about 1:15. If I had to do it again, it could probably be done in 30 minutes without rushing. The key as Bill said: DON'T DROP ANYTHING.... I can't imagine how hard it would have been to find anything back in there.

Changed the oil and impeller. Runs like a champ. With luck, I should be set for another 100 hrs.

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2004 Sea Ray 420DB
Formerly: 2005 348 Vista

You're most welcome, that's why we're here, to benefit from each others advice.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I've heard the same thing, RUN your generator and run it on a load and it will last a lifetime with minimal routine maintenance. When people start worrying about how many hours are on it I just . That's like worrying about how many hours are on your lawn mower. I've put 40+ hours on mine already since May 1st. My slip mate has 460 on his '06 and pretty much runs it all day everyday. I have the same Kohler model and it seems to run extremely quiet. In fact, the hum of my cabin fridge will drown it out at night time. The blowers are a bit loud when I'm on the deck but geez those things move some serious air.

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Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags

I couldn't agree more. To totally replace the generator from scratch (assuming you completely wear it out) would be like $8000. My boat depreciates that much every six months. I would guess you could rebuild it for half that. To worry about generator hours to me is "pennywise and pound foolish"... Now carbon monoxide is a completely different story... Have to be careful there - especially at night.

I mentioned at about 700 hrs to a friend who manages one of the Sea Ray plants that I was worried about the hours and wearing it out. He totally laughed and said I could probably expect 5000 hours if it is properly maintained. Not sure if that is what Kohler or Kawasaki would say, but sounded reasonable to me.

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2004 Sea Ray 420DB
Formerly: 2005 348 Vista

Don't think anyone here "worries" about engine or genset hours, at least not by what's been posted in this thread. So, what's the point of raising that? I'm sure that with proper use and maintenance the genset will outlast most people's ownership of a boat.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista