Generator insulation not sticking

[PhilR]

I have the Mase 2.7 Kw generator with the factory insulation that sticks ( I wish) to the underside of the step/ cover, except that it doesn't like to stay in place. When I lift the cover, I find the insulation laying on top of the generator....I re-stick it until the next time. Has anyone had this problem and come up with a fix?

Phil

 

[SGIDAVE]

I have the Mase 2.7 Kw generator with the factory insulation that sticks ( I wish) to the underside of the step/ cover, except that it doesn't like to stay in place. When I lift the cover, I find the insulation laying on top of the generator....I re-stick it until the next time. Has anyone had this problem and come up with a fix?

Phil

Hello Phil,

I have the same problem with the insulation inside the motor box on my r21. I will be re-doing the insulation job using heavier Soundown material. Numerous places sell Soundown if you search the web. Anyway, Jamestown Distributors has the installation instructions on their website. I would suggest you obtain the "Aluminum Installation Kit" as pictured below. Basically you stick (with epoxy, for instance) the large 'foot' of the aluminum pin to the underside of the step/cover, then re-apply the insulation material (which is supposed to be applied with contact adhesive as well), then place grommets over the aluminum pins, trim the excess pin, then put on a rounded cover on the tip of the pin.

It's a lot of work, but it's the way the job was SUPPOSED to be done in the first place. Contact adhesive alone will eventually fail when sound insulation is installed horizontally...at least in my limited experience. YMMV.

Hope that helps,

/david

 

[PhilR]

David, Thanks for the information. I'll check with Jamestown Distributors for the product. It's disappointing to have this kind of problem where Ranger Tugs must know that the factory system will fail sooner rather than later and the boat owner will have to come up with a long term solution with aftermarket products.

Phil

 

[HRowland]

Hi Phil,
I had the same problem. I bought SS wood screws somewhat longer than the thickness of the insulation. I used SS washers to keep the screw heads from tearing through the insulation. The top of the hatch over the genset is thick enough for the screws to penetrate without going all the way through. I just put a few screws around the perimeter and the insulation stays in place.

Howard

 

[SGIDAVE]

Hi Phil,
I had the same problem. I bought SS wood screws somewhat longer than the thickness of the insulation. I used SS washers to keep the screw heads from tearing through the insulation. The top of the hatch over the genset is thick enough for the screws to penetrate without going all the way through. I just put a few screws around the perimeter and the insulation stays in place.

Howard

Howard makes a great point about using screws with a large washer of some kind. If the substrate to which you are sticking the sound insulation is THICK enough (like a fiberglass piece with a CORE) or below decks. In the case of my engine box, I don't want to try using a screw although it may be possible to make them work...the chance of penetrating the gelcoat on the outside would be VERY disconcerting 😳 🙁

Soundown recommends one "fastener" per square foot of insulation material as a rough guideline.

/david

 

[PhilR]

Howard, I'm surprised that you were able to screw the insulation to the underside of the step/ hatch...didn't think it was thick enough. I'll take another look....sounds like an uncomplicated solution.

Phil

 

[LADYBUG TOO]

It is a common problem with adhesives. They don't do too well with heat and "gravity" in most boating applications. On Ladybug, Too all of the under hatch insulation fell off. We used the screw and washer solution and it worked great but you do need to be sure about the thickness of the hatch and steps. On the R-29 it appears to be more than adequate to get good screw embedment. We have the Mase 4.0 and are thinking about building a better sound containment as it is quite loud in the cabin. Has anyone tried to do the same??

Pat & Carolyn, Ladybug, Too

 

[PhilR]

I was on the boat over the weekend and checked the step/ generator cover....it's much thicker than I realized. Plenty of room for the screw and washer fix. That's the way to go. Thank you all for your suggestions.

Phil