www.iFourWinns.com

This is a follow up to my earlier post. Specifically generator issues. I can reset and restart the generator but it turns off with an LOC after 5 seconds.

Coolant is full. Can't get to the cap on top but the bottle looks good. I have been focusing on the sea water intake. The sea strainer screen is fine, water is coming in to it. The pump appears fine. Impeller looks good, the pump runs. But the pump does not seem to be getting water. I think something is happening between the sea strainer and the pump.

Questions. If I have the sea cock open and the tube completely unhooked at the generator pump, should water flow directly through? Nothing is coming out. I even started the generator with the sea cock open, everything hooked up but the top plate of the pump off. I expected water to come squirting out but just a drip.

Is it possible the whole sea strainer is clogged up even if the screen is clean? How long should it take for water to be pulled in to the generator sea pump? Is 5 seconds not long enough?

your intake may be clogged. I had a similiar issue with my a/c unit was able to flush the clog and the system is running fine. The intact should work the same way for the generator.

Another possibility is that the hub of the impeller may be spinning while the actual impeller blades may be slipping on the hub.

_________________
Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Not sure where you mean by intake. Water is getting to the sea strainer, but not to the pump.

can you try taking a garden hose and backflushing from the pump intake line and leave the cover off the strainer. Sounds like something is plugged between the strainer and the generator.

_________________
Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

SOLVED.

THe LOC indicator was a result of a bad fuse holder. The fuse was ok but the holder was broken and not holding the fuse in place properly. No issues since fixed.

which fuse holder? now I seem to have the same problem.

_________________
2008 V358 Two-tone Blue V/P Dual Prop 320 HP
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

Not sure right now, not one of the end ones. Check em all I guess.

wow that was a weird one. gotta check everything i guess.

my ge nhas been running rough since we bought the boat 3 years ago. almost no usage and prob bad gas. I have gone thu everything except carb which it prob is... but it seems so hard for me to get to carb..especially with sound shield. On the other hand dont feel like paying somebody $400 to just clena the carb out. so for now just tolerate the "hunting" sinusoidal.

_________________
2006 348 Vista
"Cruisin Home"
Hampton NH

Checked my generator out yesterday, answer was very mundane. Clogged stainer, removed the weeds, still got LOC. Then checked the impleller, all burned up every vane gone.

_________________
2008 V358 Two-tone Blue V/P Dual Prop 320 HP
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

yeah the FW Generator scoop is very agressive on picking up weed etc. We have been thru a couple of impellers so far.

yet the A/C runs all the time and doesnt ever fill with weed!

_________________
2006 348 Vista
"Cruisin Home"
Hampton NH

I've only had the AC strainer clog once a few years ago. Lucky no impeller to burn up on that pump. I probably clogged this one in the same place, our cove has a milfoil problem. Knock on wood, never an issue with the engine cooling. I just changed the engine implellers this year and they look pretty darn good. One vane on each was beginning to come off. I guess the outdrive acts as the strainer on those.

_________________
2008 V358 Two-tone Blue V/P Dual Prop 320 HP
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

yeah we have a weed problem in the merrimack river as well. We have no problem when we go out in ocean, just when we go upriver to swim we have to keep constant eye out on water output of gen. gets low we shutdown and clean strainer.

Mechanic at dealer told me FW put a very agressive scoop on the thru hull for the gen, very prone to get clogged with weed etc.

good summer so far in NH! We live in Hampton Beach and it's been great.

_________________
2006 348 Vista
"Cruisin Home"
Hampton NH

I have my own generator problem. Since we got boat three years ago it has been "hunting" (sinusoidal vroom...vroom..). replaced all consumables (plugs, filters..) but still hunts. Expert says it is dirty carb or dirty/stuck choke, prob caused by non-use/ bad gas from previous owner. I am very adept at cleaning carbs on all of my small engines but getting to this one with the sound shield and the port engine in the way has deterred me so far in taking it on.

_________________
2006 348 Vista
"Cruisin Home"
Hampton NH

So the 4kw Kohler in my 278 Vista sounds as 'fun' as the bigger one you guys have in your 358's Glad Im not the only one!

_________________
1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21