How do you choose a GENSET?

[svlamorocha]

Originally Posted by poiu

The 11k is for a non inductive load. Power motors with it and you need to derate it by your power factor. Most gensets are specified this way. Maybe yours has a bit of headroom or maybe you weren't all on motors, say using a good charger - you will have a decent power factor then.

This reply is a bit out of date now that you can use the "power assist" feature of a good inverter (say Victron Multiplus) to "shave" peaks such as starting current anf feed that peak from the batteries. That means you can now use a smaller genset that will be happier because it will not suffer from underloading.

Go for a smaller genset and a bigger charger.

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[poiu]

Originally Posted by svlamorocha

This reply is a bit out of date now that you can use the "power assist" feature of a good inverter (say Victron Multiplus) to "shave" peaks such as starting current anf feed that peak from the batteries. That means you can now use a smaller genset that will be happier because it will not suffer from underloading.

Go for a smaller genset and a bigger charger.

Sent from my SM-G9287 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

Sure, those combi inverters are great for peak shaving and can help in getting a smaller genset, but they don't help you one little bit if your average load doesn't match the genset 's output, or ideally a little below it. That calculation comes first and that was my focus.

Once sized correctly you can deal with the peaks in many ways, with combis, with VSD powered motors, with soft starters, with DC motors, with a direct inverter feed for peak power items or a mix of the options.

[Divedoug68]

Sorry for the delay in responding, been away on biz for a few days. Many thanks for the thoughts and questions.

Looking at an FP44 Cat. Yes, I plan to put a compressor onboard in the future, water maker, full AC, washer/dryer, a pair of tv's, underwater lights, stereo, full compliment of electronics at helm and Nav station and enough outlets for common charging, appliances, WiFi, etc. Looking at the overall load of all equipment the dealer is suggesting the NL. Several people have commented that the NL is certainly sturdy, but at a significant price point.

Primary sailing is planned for Caribbean and Bahamas. Planning on being in charter and personal use.

[savoir]

Kerching . . . . kerching !

[Divedoug68]

Looking at outfitting boat with LP steel tanks, most likely will dive and teach Sidemount onboard. Periodically fill LP80 cu/ft Aluminum tanks as well.

[J Clark H356]

If you are going to charter, I would not get anything but the Northern Lights. It is tough and although initially the cost is higher, you actual cost is first cost plus maintenance. A cheaper, less durable generator will create more maintenance cost, so,it won't take long to catch up to the Northern Lights and probably surpass it. A charter boat will be treated very differently than will an Owner used boat. What would work ok for an Owner boat could be quickly trashed by a charter group.


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[Divedoug68]

Still here guys and gals, was out of pocket all weekend. NOOB on the forum but appreciate all of the comments and advice. Looking at all that will be on board from AC to freezers, refrigerators and other electronics, this will be a critical decision.

Yes, planning on solar panels as well. Dealer has also preliminarily spec'd out 2800 W 120A Magnum inverter.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Divedoug68

Still here guys and gals, was out of pocket all weekend. NOOB on the forum but appreciate all of the comments and advice. Looking at all that will be on board from AC to freezers, refrigerators and other electronics, this will be a critical decision.

Yes, planning on solar panels as well. Dealer has also preliminarily spec'd out 2800 W 120A Magnum inverter.

If you'll post your equipment list, we can help you think about how to power it all efficiently. Will be interesting for us as well, as your use seems rather different from most of us.

[ranger58sb]

FWIW, I'd lean toward gensets that locate all the service points -- fuel filter, oil filter (and drain), air cleaner, heat exchanger, water pump">raw water pump impeller -- in one easy-to-reach location.


-Chris

[Divedoug68]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

If you'll post your equipment list, we can help you think about how to power it all efficiently. Will be interesting for us as well, as your use seems rather different from most of us.

Equipment being considered:

Yacht Pro Compressor - opt 1 - 3 phase 208-230v; opt 2 - 1 phase 100-130v
Underwater Lights (LED)
Cockpit Refrigerator
Cockpit Ice Maker
Cockpit courtesy lighting
Full AC
2 TV's
Fusion Stereo System - 6 speakers
90L Freezer
190L Over/Under Refrigerator
Microwave
110v Water Heater
2 Electric winches
Freshwater Pump
Water Maker
Electric Windlass
Interior/Exterior Lights all LED
Electric Heads - 3
Raymarine 400 EVO Autopilot p70 Control Head
Raymarine i70 instruments (2)
Raymarine Quantum Radar (WiFi)
Raymarine ES97 Plotters (2)
Raymarine 650 AIS
Raymarine 60 VHF
Video Server and WiFi System (Apple)
Cabin Fans (8)

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Divedoug68

Equipment being considered:

Yacht Pro Compressor - opt 1 - 3 phase 208-230v; opt 2 - 1 phase 100-130v
Underwater Lights (LED)
Cockpit Refrigerator
Cockpit Ice Maker
Cockpit courtesy lighting
Full AC
2 TV's
Fusion Stereo System - 6 speakers
90L Freezer
190L Over/Under Refrigerator
Microwave
110v Water Heater
2 Electric winches
Freshwater Pump
Water Maker
Electric Windlass
Interior/Exterior Lights all LED
Electric Heads - 3
Raymarine 400 EVO Autopilot p70 Control Head
Raymarine i70 instruments (2)
Raymarine Quantum Radar (WiFi)
Raymarine ES97 Plotters (2)
Raymarine 650 AIS
Raymarine 60 VHF
Video Server and WiFi System (Apple)
Cabin Fans (8)

OK, other than the dive compressor, there's nothing here which is unusual for a larger cruising yacht.

The Dive Pro 25 (is that the one?) needs 23 amps @ 115 volts including inrush current. That's no problem for the 5kW Northern Lights generator.

Another question is how you plan to use the air conditioning, and how much power it requires. If you need to be using it under way and/or at anchor, then this might require more generating capacity.

[a64pilot]

I thought it was a 9 KW Northern Lights?
However, he is going to charter the boat? So you have to size the generator so that everything, toaster, water heater, all air conditioners and at least one hair dryer can be on, and hair dryers can pull I think close to 1500 Watts, oh and a Coffee maker and microwave too.
On a boat with all that stuff, I can see how you could work even a 9 KW gen. Now if it was always just him, he maybe could learn not to make toast while the microwave and water heater were on, while the wife dried her hair.
I have to manage power even while plugged in at the dock, I can't run both AC's and the water heater, much less hair driers, microwaves etc.
But like I said earlier, 9000W is 75 amps, better have the boat wired I guess for 100 amp service?


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[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I have to manage power even while plugged in at the dock, I can't run both AC's and the water heater, much less hair driers, microwaves etc.

But like I said earlier, 9000W is 75 amps, better have the boat wired I guess for 100 amp service?

We can run all that stuff with either shorepower or 8 Kw genset. 50-amp/250V shorepower service, i.e., two 115V legs (no 220-240V systems on board).

-Chris

[Privilege]

As has been mentioned previously, weight consideration is a must. I too have a 44' cat and I have a 3.5kw generator which weighs in at 160lb dry. I put it in the end of one engine room and it made a significant difference to the trim of the boat. A 9kw Northern Lights weighs just shy of 600lb. I would be surprised if you could put that in the engine room and keep the sugar scoop dry! Try putting three people on the bottom step and see if it makes a difference on your/prospective boat. My humble advise would be to get a decent solar array which you can reley on to recharge the batteries for all of your DC loads and then rate the genset for the excess a/c loads.

[Divedoug68]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

OK, other than the dive compressor, there's nothing here which is unusual for a larger cruising yacht.

The Dive Pro 25 (is that the one?) needs 23 amps @ 115 volts including inrush current. That's no problem for the 5kW Northern Lights generator.

Another question is how you plan to use the air conditioning, and how much power it requires. If you need to be using it under way and/or at anchor, then this might require more generating capacity.

AC use would most likely be on days with little wind but hot as Hates! At anchor for those hot sticky nights. Other than that, while at the dock connected to shore power.

The compressor is a Browning YP45. It will draw 25 amps on 1 phase or 12.5 on 3 Phase.