Adding a genset to a C30CB

[dbsea]

Has anyone with a C30-CB NW edition added a genset, and can you share your experiences/opinions? Which generator? Overall cost? Any weight based performance impacts? TIA

 

[dbsea]

bumping this up in hopes someone who has experience with this sees it...

 

[Rednuke1]

Hi Dave. I’ve been watching your post to see if anyone replies for your specific boat/application.
I added a complete generator system to my Cutwater 28 mirroring a factory install. I don’t know if the details of the installation in my boat would apply to your larger Cutwater, but I’d be happy to help with any questions you may have.

 

[dbsea]

Hi Dave. I’ve been watching your post to see if anyone replies for your specific boat/application.
I added a complete generator system to my Cutwater 28 mirroring a factory install. I don’t know if the details of the installation in my boat would apply to your larger Cutwater, but I’d be happy to help with any questions you may have.

Thanks! What is the factory genset for the C28? Is it the NextGen 3.5? I've been looking at the NextGen 5.0, Fischer Panda 4200 AC, and the Onan 5kw. The first two are significantly lighter than the Onan, and I'm trying to ballpark the work/cost. I'd imagine with the hardware being in the $10-12k range, i'm probably into it about $15-$18k for hardware and labor.

 

[Rednuke1]

I have the NexGen, which is what the factory used. I’m very happy with it. All in, it was about $15,000 for all labor and materials. All the components matched what the factory was using. (My boat is a 2015, install of generator was 2017.)

An important note: the above price includes the complete install of the factory spec’d air conditioning and reverse cycle heat system as well. (I also have the Webasto diesel heat).

The installation was done very professionally by two techs that were former Fluid Motion employees that were working at the company that did the installation work for me in Bellingham.

 

[dbsea]

I have the NexGen, which is what the factory used. I’m very happy with it. All in, it was about $15,000 for all labor and materials. All the components matched what the factory was using. (My boat is a 2015, install of generator was 2017.)

An important note: the above price includes the complete install of the factory spec’d air conditioning and reverse cycle heat system as well. (I also have the Webasto diesel heat).

The installation was done very professionally by two techs that were former Fluid Motion employees that were working at the company that did the installation work for me in Bellingham.

Thanks for the additional info! I'll probably go with the NextGen 5.0kw when I pull the trigger. Its about $12k for the generator, sound shield, wiring harness, water/exhaust separator, etc. In the PNW I don't need AC, so sounds like I could probably get away with it for somewhere in the $15k range. What was the company you used for the install, and did they also serve as the dealer for the generator or did you buy that directly from NextGen and have it shipped to the installer?

 

[it4llc]

I was actually wondering about going in the opposite direction. We've got the generator on our C28, but 90% of our boating is a day trip, and when we do cruise, it's no more than a night away from shore power, at least at this point. I was wondering what would be involved to remove the generator and put batteries in its place to be able to run the AC for a few hours here and there w/o needing to run the generator.

 

[dbsea]

I was actually wondering about going in the opposite direction. We've got the generator on our C28, but 90% of our boating is a day trip, and when we do cruise, it's no more than a night away from shore power, at least at this point. I was wondering what would be involved to remove the generator and put batteries in its place to be able to run the AC for a few hours here and there w/o needing to run the generator.

If you were closer to the PNW I might ask if you wanted to sell me your genset! Probably not practical across the country though... unless the price was amazing. 😉

 

[Nwdiver]

May ask why you are adding a generator? I’m considering adding an EFOY Pro 2800BT Fuel cell, it’s around 10K and the installation seems easier and much lighter and quieter.

 

[dbsea]

May ask why you are adding a generator? I’m considering adding an EFOY Pro 2800BT Fuel cell, it’s around 10K and the installation seems easier and much lighter and quieter.

Great question. Longer cruising trips where we'll be away from a dock for weeks at a time, and I had also considered the possibility of a water maker. The EFOY Pro is certainly interesting - but I was having a hard time understanding the power output in comparison to a genset. It seems like the 2800 only puts out 105-125 watts, and the max charging current 11.9A, whereas a 5.5kw genset can put out 45 continous amps and 5,500 watts. It seems like it would take an eternity to charge batteries on the EFOY, am I understanding it wrong?

 

[jimv]

If you were closer to the PNW I might ask if you wanted to sell me your genset! Probably not practical across the country though... unless the price was amazing. 😉

@dbsea - I sent you a PM. I'm pulling the genset from my 2011 R27. Wondering what you consider an 'amazing price" would be. 🙂

 

[Nwdiver]

May ask why you are adding a generator? I’m considering adding an EFOY Pro 2800BT Fuel cell, it’s around 10K and the installation seems easier and much lighter and quieter.

Great question. Longer cruising trips where we'll be away from a dock for weeks at a time, and I had also considered the possibility of a water maker. The EFOY Pro is certainly interesting - but I was having a hard time understanding the power output in comparison to a genset. It seems like the 2800 only puts out 105-125 watts, and the max charging current 11.9A, whereas a 5.5kw genset can put out 45 continous amps and 5,500 watts. It seems like it would take an eternity to charge batteries on the EFOY, am I understanding it wrong?

Your understanding is correct, the difference is how you use them. The generator you use to quickly charge up your batteries, the fuel cell you leave on for longer(24X7) and hopefully keep up with your usage. In order to determine what fits your needs, you need to know what your total energy needs per day.

I don’t really have too many heavy loads that run continuously, so the Efoy, along with solar, should be able to catch up relatively easily. If I fall behind on charging, I can always run the engines 😀

It’s all down to how you use the boat, if you have air conditioning, a generator is probably better. Not sure how much power a water maker consumes, but that might push you over to the generator as well

 

[dbsea]

May ask why you are adding a generator? I’m considering adding an EFOY Pro 2800BT Fuel cell, it’s around 10K and the installation seems easier and much lighter and quieter.

Great question. Longer cruising trips where we'll be away from a dock for weeks at a time, and I had also considered the possibility of a water maker. The EFOY Pro is certainly interesting - but I was having a hard time understanding the power output in comparison to a genset. It seems like the 2800 only puts out 105-125 watts, and the max charging current 11.9A, whereas a 5.5kw genset can put out 45 continous amps and 5,500 watts. It seems like it would take an eternity to charge batteries on the EFOY, am I understanding it wrong?

Your understanding is correct, the difference is how you use them. The generator you use to quickly charge up your batteries, the fuel cell you leave on for longer(24X7) and hopefully keep up with your usage. In order to determine what fits your needs, you need to know what your total energy needs per day.

I don’t really have too many heavy loads that run continuously, so the Efoy, along with solar, should be able to catch up relatively easily. If I fall behind on charging, I can always run the engines 😀

It’s all down to how you use the boat, if you have air conditioning, a generator is probably better. Not sure how much power a water maker consumes, but that might push you over to the generator as well

Got it. My solar can do about 90ah on a good day, and my consumption is anywhere from 150-200ah a day. No AC here either. Seems like the efoy can do 250ah a day max, could be viable but i'll run the numbers more.

 

[dbsea]

If you were closer to the PNW I might ask if you wanted to sell me your genset! Probably not practical across the country though... unless the price was amazing. 😉

@dbsea - I sent you a PM. I'm pulling the genset from my 2011 R27. Wondering what you consider an 'amazing price" would be. 🙂

Responded!

 

[Captmike]

I had an Efoy 80 on board. It failed miserably. it was not exposed to sea water and located next to the house batteries. Corroded out, and the automatic system that prevented the stack from freezing did not work. Efoy offered to repair it for more than a new unit cost. I decided to bring aboard a backup battery system.

 

[SKing]

I changed my house batteries at the start of the summer to 4, 125 amp hrs, 500 amp hrs total. With the fresh batteries and a smart shunt we were able the be away from doc power for weeks at a time this year. I still have the factory solar set up which works but doesn't keep up with the refrigerators. I would go negative 90-120 hrs a day. (We also carry a portable 12v freezer) So after 2 days without running the engine we would travel. I still had my Honda generator on board just in case, but didn't use it this year.

The only thing I miss electricaly is more hot water in the mornings. Of course we don't stay out for more than 2 days but we like to move and explore.