Roger Long
Senior Member
I think I have a pretty good idea what's going on with the old ONAN discussed in a thread below and we can keep it going for a while. However, Mathew may be changing things. Docks and infrastructure are apt to be severely damaged all over our winter cruising grounds this year which raises the ante on having a very reliable generator. It may be a lot harder to find shore power to save that freezer full of food than in past years.
Our boatyard is a Kohler dealer. They said they would put in anything we want but the mechanic said he has had less trouble with the Kohler's than others and that they are very common in RV's so have a large support network.
Does this jibe with the collective wisdom here?
I'm liking the 3 cylinder 6EKOD. It is only 6 KW as opposed to the 7.5 which is in the boat but I wouldn't mind doing some load management, such as shutting down AC and heat while cooking on the electric stove, in return for less up front cost and not having the generator running so lightly most of the time.
We haven't found the noise level of the ONAN 2 banger objectionable but the vibration is. I'm thinking of maybe trying the new unit without the sound shield and then adding it later if we think it is needed. Working on the ONAN with the shield certainly has been a pain.
Any opinions on the quietest and smoothest gen set in the 6 -7.5 KW range? That's the first mate's biggest concern. Service and support shouldn't be a major issue for a brand new installation.
Our boatyard is a Kohler dealer. They said they would put in anything we want but the mechanic said he has had less trouble with the Kohler's than others and that they are very common in RV's so have a large support network.
Does this jibe with the collective wisdom here?
I'm liking the 3 cylinder 6EKOD. It is only 6 KW as opposed to the 7.5 which is in the boat but I wouldn't mind doing some load management, such as shutting down AC and heat while cooking on the electric stove, in return for less up front cost and not having the generator running so lightly most of the time.
We haven't found the noise level of the ONAN 2 banger objectionable but the vibration is. I'm thinking of maybe trying the new unit without the sound shield and then adding it later if we think it is needed. Working on the ONAN with the shield certainly has been a pain.
Any opinions on the quietest and smoothest gen set in the 6 -7.5 KW range? That's the first mate's biggest concern. Service and support shouldn't be a major issue for a brand new installation.