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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2017 9:32:34 GMT
I'm looking for a 2.5-3kw generator. It won't be my main power source as I also have solar for summer and built in 12v diesel genny for winter, and main engine of course. Its for occasional high wattage use like boiling my clothes. Anyway I spotted this on ebay. Its 2.8kw electric start and runs on lpg. £600. I assumed it would be junk but Calor are recommending it which makes me think it may be alright. Specially for occasional use. Has anyone seen one? pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=112330822228Edit to add available for £500 on calor website...
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Post by bargemast on Mar 16, 2017 10:32:06 GMT
I'm looking for a 2.5-3kw generator. It won't be my main power source as I also have solar for summer and built in 12v diesel genny for winter, and main engine of course. Its for occasional high wattage use like boiling my clothes. Anyway I spotted this on ebay. Its 2.8kw electric start and runs on lpg. £600. I assumed it would be junk but Calor are recommending it which makes me think it may be alright. Specially for occasional use. Has anyone seen one? pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=112330822228Edit to add available for £500 on calor website... It's definitely a bargain, only if you want to power Equipment that neads a pure sine wave, it may not do the job.
Your washing machine wouldn't mind I think as it will only be to heat the water, and normally heating element don't care about the type of wave.
Peter.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2017 10:39:11 GMT
Yes thats what I think. I have 700w and 1800w pure sine inverters as well for electronic gear. The LPG genny would be for the clothes boiler heating element, larger power tools and heavy duty battery charging if needed. Just looks like a handy bit of kit and cleaner than a petrol one. I'm not worried about the noise as it is never going to be running for long and certainly not at sensitive times of the day as I have a silent diesel generator for battery charging already.
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Post by bargemast on Mar 16, 2017 11:08:45 GMT
Yes thats what I think. I have 700w and 1800w pure sine inverters as well for electronic gear. The LPG genny would be for the clothes boiler heating element, larger power tools and heavy duty battery charging if needed. Just looks like a handy bit of kit and cleaner than a petrol one. I'm not worried about the noise as it is never going to be running for long and certainly not at sensitive times of the day as I have a silent diesel generator for battery charging already. With all the other stuff you've got already, it will be a perfect- and even an eco-friendly back up solution.
I just bought a Kipor IG 2000 as a back up, as my silent (in sound proof box) diesel generator had starting problems a few week ago, because of it's dead dynastart.
During the period it didn't work, there was hardly any sunshine during the days (even less at night) for the solar panels, and I had to run 1 of my DAF engines to charge the batteries, which wasn't very economical at all, and also not good for de DAF's.
I came back last night from Belgium were I found a brand new part for my dynastart, so that I can rebuild that properly now, after the bodge I managed to do and with the help of new brushes that they sent me from Belgium.
For my peace of mind, in case I have another power problem, I will be able to use the Kipor, they sell LPG gas kit for these too, but as I (normally) don't need the Kipor, and my funds are lower than low, I didn't want to invest even more money.
Peter.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2017 11:20:15 GMT
I'm looking for a 2.5-3kw generator. It won't be my main power source as I also have solar for summer and built in 12v diesel genny for winter, and main engine of course. Its for occasional high wattage use like boiling my clothes. Anyway I spotted this on ebay. Its 2.8kw electric start and runs on lpg. £600. I assumed it would be junk but Calor are recommending it which makes me think it may be alright. Specially for occasional use. Has anyone seen one? pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=112330822228Edit to add available for £500 on calor website... It's definitely a bargain, only if you want to power Equipment that neads a pure sine wave, it may not do the job.
Your washing machine wouldn't mind I think as it will only be to heat the water, and normally heating element don't care about the type of wave.
Peter.
I've heard that if it isn't pure sine wave the computer control bits (timer etc) in some washing machines might not like it.
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Post by bargemast on Mar 16, 2017 11:36:16 GMT
It's definitely a bargain, only if you want to power Equipment that neads a pure sine wave, it may not do the job.
Your washing machine wouldn't mind I think as it will only be to heat the water, and normally heating element don't care about the type of wave.
Peter.
I've heard that if it isn't pure sine wave the computer control bits (timer etc) in some washing machines might not like it. Yes, you are absolutely right there bassplayer, but this washing machine of which magnetman posted the link in an other topic, should normally not have a problem.
Most modern automatic washing machines wouldn't work at all, or not the way they should work on a non-pure sine wave genny.
Peter.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2017 12:20:25 GMT
I've experienced several washing machine/generator problems on boats over the years - seems to be a bit random whether generators can deal with them. My clothes boiler/washer has a mechanical timer switch and a 2.5kw heating element. And an agitator run off 240v 250w. Its not a normal washing machine so I don't need to worry about pure sine at all for this particular use. Quite like the idea of LPG generator as it is another fuel option and also it has electric start which is handy.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2017 14:56:37 GMT
Yes thats what I think. I have 700w and 1800w pure sine inverters as well for electronic gear. The LPG genny would be for the clothes boiler heating element, larger power tools and heavy duty battery charging if needed. Just looks like a handy bit of kit and cleaner than a petrol one. I'm not worried about the noise as it is never going to be running for long and certainly not at sensitive times of the day as I have a silent diesel generator for battery charging already. With all the other stuff you've got already, it will be a perfect- and even an eco-friendly back up solution.
I just bought a Kipor IG 2000 as a back up, as my silent (in sound proof box) diesel generator had starting problems a few week ago, because of it's dead dynastart.
During the period it didn't work, there was hardly any sunshine during the days (even less at night) for the solar panels, and I had to run 1 of my DAF engines to charge the batteries, which wasn't very economical at all, and also not good for de DAF's.
I came back last night from Belgium were I found a brand new part for my dynastart, so that I can rebuild that properly now, after the bodge I managed to do and with the help of new brushes that they sent me from Belgium.
For my peace of mind, in case I have another power problem, I will be able to use the Kipor, they sell LPG gas kit for these too, but as I (normally) don't need the Kipor, and my funds are lower than low, I didn't want to invest even more money.
Peter.
What generator have you got? A dynastart is nice when it works. Is it a Volvo engine?
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Post by bargemast on Mar 16, 2017 21:14:48 GMT
With all the other stuff you've got already, it will be a perfect- and even an eco-friendly back up solution.
I just bought a Kipor IG 2000 as a back up, as my silent (in sound proof box) diesel generator had starting problems a few week ago, because of it's dead dynastart.
During the period it didn't work, there was hardly any sunshine during the days (even less at night) for the solar panels, and I had to run 1 of my DAF engines to charge the batteries, which wasn't very economical at all, and also not good for de DAF's.
I came back last night from Belgium were I found a brand new part for my dynastart, so that I can rebuild that properly now, after the bodge I managed to do and with the help of new brushes that they sent me from Belgium.
For my peace of mind, in case I have another power problem, I will be able to use the Kipor, they sell LPG gas kit for these too, but as I (normally) don't need the Kipor, and my funds are lower than low, I didn't want to invest even more money.
Peter.
What generator have you got? A dynastart is nice when it works. Is it a Volvo engine? The diesel genny is a German make, it's a "GEKO-M4000" driven by a single cylinder Farymann, I don't think they still exist.
My boat was built in 1993 and the genny is of that year too, has been proven a reliable machine, as long as the rubber Johnson waterpump impellor is inspected and changed regulary.
The problem with a dynastart is that it's running all the time when the engine is running, unlike an ordinary startmotor that only runs a few times to start the engine, also the brushes have a harder life on these.
Apart from that, I'm very happy with the machine.
Peter.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2017 6:39:12 GMT
I've seen Geko generators on ebay now and then. I didn't notice they had dynastarts. My diesel genny is a HFL DC traveller from the 90s. Bought second hand last year. Kubota EB200 engine double belted to a heavy duty 100a 12v alternator
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Post by bargemast on Mar 17, 2017 9:05:45 GMT
I've seen Geko generators on ebay now and then. I didn't notice they had dynastarts. My diesel genny is a HFL DC traveller from the 90s. Bought second hand last year. Kubota EB200 engine double belted to a heavy duty 100a 12v alternator They most likely had different gensets, I've seen a couple on other boats that were the same as mine.
It was a hell of a job to get the dynastart of, as the thing is fixed to the block with a long bolt that spans the distance between the 2 fixing lugs, the problem was that it was impossible to get that bolt out, as the whole engine sits too deep in the soundproof box.
In the end, with endless difficulties due to a lack of space between the box and the side of the hull, I managed to drill a small hole that I managed to make bigger and bigger by using all kinds of small graters, and after ages I could just pull the bolt out like that.
Now that that hole exist, I can remove the dynastart in less than 1 hour, but it's still not a job that I fancy doing too often, due to the bad working position, and my worn out back.
Your Kubota EB200 is a very good engine, with the 100a alternator, your batteries won't take long to charge, I presume that you use an inverter to get the 230Volts when needed.
On the photo you can see (more or less) the lack of space between the genny's soundproof box and the hull.
Peter.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2017 9:20:16 GMT
Lovely engine room My batteries only take about 30amps anyway so I have slowed the generator engine down (it has a manual throttle lever) which makes it a lot quieter and uses less fuel. It doesn't get used much but is nice to have. Originally it was an automatic starting setup but I have rewired it to be manually started. Only weakness is that it uses the same batteries to start as it is charging so it is possible to get caught out if domestic battery goes flat - another argument for a spare generator. Obviously this was not a problem when it was set up to start automatically at 11.8v or whatever as it starts easily at that voltage.
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Post by bargemast on Mar 17, 2017 9:34:56 GMT
Lovely engine room My batteries only take about 30amps anyway so I have slowed the generator engine down (it has a manual throttle lever) which makes it a lot quieter and uses less fuel. It doesn't get used much but is nice to have. Originally it was an automatic starting setup but I have rewired it to be manually started. Only weakness is that it uses the same batteries to start as it is charging so it is possible to get caught out if domestic battery goes flat - another argument for a spare generator. Obviously this was not a problem when it was set up to start automatically at 11.8v or whatever as it starts easily at that voltage. Mine doesn't start automatically, but I can start and stop it from the galley, the battery isn't charge by the dyna part of the dynastart, which is rather strange, but it's not wired to do that, so I connect a seperate charger from time to time to charge it's starting battery.
If for one reason or another, I didn't do that in time, all I have to do is to connect one of the big batteries next to it for 1 second just to start the genny, and then put the charger on, which is easy enough.
In case you like to see another photo of the engineroom :
Peter.
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Post by peterboat on Mar 17, 2017 10:30:29 GMT
I think I will stick with the whispergens that I have my new boat will have the new one fitted, its good that it does two things ie heat water and charge the batteries, I know they are obsolete but spares are available and for me its been very reliable
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Post by bargemast on Mar 17, 2017 11:18:42 GMT
I think I will stick with the whispergens that I have my new boat will have the new one fitted, its good that it does two things ie heat water and charge the batteries, I know they are obsolete but spares are available and for me its been very reliable That's a Wise decision Peter, I would do too if I would be the Lucky owner of one of these "Whispergens" with someone nearby who has all the spares and also the knowledge if you ever have a problem.
Many years ago, I was ready to buy one of these, but the Dutch importer had stopped importing them, because of reliability problems that many of the owners had already with them during their warranty period, and I was strongly advised to buy something else.
What I do remember was when they were first introduced at a boatshow, I looked at one and talked to a salesman, as I was interested in knowing about the noise they produced, as it said on the brochure "silent", when I asked the guy if I could go somewhere to hear one running, he laughed, as it worked out that the one I was looking at was running there and then, really amazingly silent.
Peter.
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