Westerbeke

[Tony Metcalf]

I have a Westerbeke petrol generator. It has its own battery and battery charger. Am I able to bridge it to the house batteries?
I am having issues with the Westerbeke and no one can help.
The generator is new - 12 months old.
Tony

[Lepke]

Everybody has trouble with Westerbeke.


What is the question? Will the new generator work on another engine? Will the battery charger work with other batteries?

[Tony Metcalf]

My question is:

Can I wire up a bridging switch such that when the generator battery goes flat, i bridge the flat generator battery with the fully charged house batteries and crank/start the Westerbeke ?

[SailingHarmonie]

Originally Posted by Tony Metcalf

My question is:

Can I wire up a bridging switch such that when the generator battery goes flat, i bridge the flat generator battery with the fully charged house batteries and crank/start the Westerbeke ?

You can, but why go to the expense of a switch and wiring when jumper cables work just as well?

Our boat actually came from the factory with jumper cables to bridge between the house bank and the engine battery in case of an engine battery failure. In ten years we needed them once. They worked a treat.

Keep It Simple Sailor!

[Tony Metcalf]

Standard automotive jumper leads may work as long as the batteries are in close proximity.

When you say 'you can', I know it sounds logical but some modern electronics require their own fully charged battery to work. I know BMW does. I know Westerbeke also asks for something similar.

All their literature says ' NOTE: You must use a dedicated battery'

[Tin Tin]

We have a Westerbeke diesel that we have given up on trying to keep its start battery charged by the generator itself. We hooked up a DC DC Victron 18A charger from the house bank to the Westerbeke starter battery. We set the cut out voltage quite high so the house bank will charge the generator battery only when house bank is being charged at above 13.5v and it cuts out when house voltage is than 12.5V so it will not flatten the house bank. Works well with solar panel arrangements. Of course when you start the generator it will also charge the house bank and at the same time that will then charge its start battery.

[Tony Metcalf]

Cheers All.
Still fighting with Westerbeke. Has anyone heard of a maximum temperature for the engine compartment where the generator is located?
Westerbeke are telling me that if the temperature exceeds 48C their generator is not warranted.
Our engine compartment (Mercruisers) is ventilated but the generator does not run whilst underway. I also note there are no issues with the Mercruisers that are current models with full electronics.
When the generator runs the blower runs providing forced ventilation.