Northern Lights 8kw Diesel Generator. (8800 hours)

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Billlach

Billlach

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Joined
Sep 20, 2024
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4
Location
Great Lakes
i’m going to look at a 2001 Ocean Alexander 453 Classico in Annapolis this weekend. Anybody have any opinions about almost 9000 hours on the generator to Northern lights 8 kW?

Anyone know what kind of life expectancy I can get out of that past 9000 hours if any? Of course, assuming that the service records indicate and oil samples indicate that it has been well cared for.

The main engines are caterpillar 3208 naturally aspirated with mid 4000s on them. I’m not extremely worried about that.

Thanks in advance for any commentary, concerns or recommendations.

Bill
 
Great genset, many hours left I suspect. You could call NL and talk to them for advice, very nice folks.
 
Billlach said:
i’m going to look at a 2001 Ocean Alexander 453 Classico in Annapolis this weekend. Anybody have any opinions about almost 9000 hours on the generator to Northern lights 8 kW?

Anyone know what kind of life expectancy I can get out of that past 9000 hours if any? Of course, assuming that the service records indicate and oil samples indicate that it has been well cared for.

The main engines are caterpillar 3208 naturally aspirated with mid 4000s on them. I’m not extremely worried about that.

Thanks in advance for any commentary, concerns or recommendations.

Bill
Click to expand...
Dosen't matter at this point whether it's NL or another manufacturer. It all depends on how it was treated or abused by the previous owner(s). If it were me, I would want to see service logs, previous oil sample results if available, and service invoices. The best generator isn't going to be worth much if oil changes were every 1,000 hours.

I would want to atleast get a digital copy of the owners manual. Almost always, there's required service intervals for liquids, filters, valve adjustments, and the end bearing in the generator opposite from the engine. I would want to know what has and hasn't been done.

Deferred maintenance on a generator isn't your friend!

Ted
 
Billlach said:
The main engines are caterpillar 3208 naturally aspirated with mid 4000s on them. I’m not extremely worried about that.
Click to expand...

Cat bases their overhaul recommendations on the metric of fuel consumed, not hours of operation.
So you might want to take a look....
 
If it starts quickly cold, then it probably doesn’t have anything major. Also take off the oil filler cap and put your hand over it a few inched from the cap base. You may feel some light pulses but anything heavy indicates wear.

The two tests go hand and hand to detect significant ring wear.

David
 
We had the same generator with 1/2 the hours. Check under the exhaust elbow for leaks and rust. It’s often neglected since it’s on the non- service side of the gen set. Engine mounts? And raw water pump.
 
Most likely it’s a Kubota D1105 engine. Research longevity on that engine. My experience, if maintained it’s good for 30,000 hours.
 
Crux said:
Cat bases their overhaul recommendations on the metric of fuel consumed, not hours of operation.
So you might want to take a look....
Click to expand...
I believe Cat says a rebuild may be necessary after 30000 gal of fuel. If you run at 1800 rpm that will be about 10000 hours. Over on Boatdiesel, you'll find the gurus saying it's not uncommon to see a 3208 natural last 20000 hours.
 
Have an engines and generator surveys done before you buy. Hull survey too.
 
I have two NL 753 series with about 2800 hrs each. I replaced engine mounts, fuel injectors and Jabsco raw water pump. Also the raw water exhaust elbow cast iron which was weeping. The basic engine in discussion with NL can go 80000+ hrs running pretty much running continuously. My units still run good are 35 years old.
The care is key to longevity. I would not hesitate if the unit starts easily with 9000+hrs if the basics check out..
 
Not sure how to check the electrical side other than to load it up and see if it takes it. FYI, when you shut down a gen, you're supposed to run it unloaded for a few minutes for cool down. That's more for the electrical side than the engine.

I'd take a NL with that many hrs over anything else with half that.
 
Even if it was a total basket case, $20-25k will replace with brand new. A small fraction of the total boat.
 
NL says that all cast iron elbows should be replaced with the new SS ones. Not a big deal. Brushes are like $50 and two screws to replace.
 
Steve, thanks for the reply and info! I did find a 2000 Symbol 42 Sundeck on Lake Erie. It's N. L. Generator has 533 hrs. Oil analysis was good, along with Caterpillar 3126T main. I'm under contract now.
 
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