I have a gen in my 382. How fast can I run the boat with the Gen running without starving it for water?

I was told 40 mph is the limit. I looked under the boat, and I have no scoop, only a flat through hull fitting on the suction of the water pump. I was supposed to get the gen piped into the strainers when I had them installed, but mechanic said that he did not have room.

I ran it at 35 mph, and still had good returns out of discharge side, at 40 mph, it is hard to tell, the discharge is blown out too fast to tell. Temp stays in normal operating limits (210-225F)

What are you guys doing with the gen.

I have to say, I could not be happier with the gen and ac in the boat. My kids and wife love it. I want to make a fitting that will enable me to run and flush the ac system at home off of the hose. I need to see if the suction port is threaded, or if I can thread it to NPT and adapt to a hose.

Mack did you have an after market Gen installed? If so what brand and where did you install it. Do you have pics? I would like to add a gen.

Thanks,
JB

I think it is factory installed. Think it is a Onan. It is white in color, and is mounted on the area directly behind the rear seat on the port side of the engine hatch. The vacuflush system is mounted on the starboard side in the same location. I have just enough room to step between the engines and the gen and waste tank.

I will get a pic tomorrow.

I want to say that it is supposed to be a 5kw onan. It runs off of the boat's gas tank, and has a breaker switch under the seat to switch between shore and gen. Can start it under engine hatch, or in refrigerator compartment. Had 29 hours on it when I got the boat.

Has paid for its weight in gold already, and have only used it once. I ran it to cool cabin, and ran batt charger to boost up weak battery while on water.

Take that back, I think it is a Kohler.

Mack,if my memory is good,and it normally is not,I believe your boat was originally built without the genset,but was installed later to factory specs. I remember it was a very well done installation by a well respected dealer whose name escapes me at my senior moment.Speed before losing cooling water varies depending on pickup style and installation,but we usually see 50 mph before you lose flow,then the genset shuts down before any damage happens.Pretty sure yours is a Kohler,I think the dealer got all Formula factory stuff and did a nice job. Maybe the original owner will see this and chime in.

Ok In Flat Water But As Soon As To Much Air Get's Under The Boat You Will Have Trouble ..
I Know My Boat Is Hooked Up To The See Trainer And Also Has A Has A Thrul Hull Fiting ..
You Could Also Use A Low Water Pickup From The Transom
Mike

Doesn't sound factory. Ours is in the center of the boat between the rear seat and the engine compartment. We have start/stop, blower switch, AC circuit breakers all in the cabin power panel next to the TV. Having AC power is awesome!

I've never had a problem at any speed......but heard that you should not connect it to the engine sea strainers.....

With a flush through-hull, you are more likely to see suction instead of pressure, so be v-e-r-y careful about running it underway.

As far as using a pressurized pickup like the engine feeds, if the generator water pickup system has an over-pressure relief hose fitted to the through-hull, you should be OK. Have a look at the first photo below to see how mine came from the factory. There was a scoop on the bottom, not just a flush through-hull, and the HUGE 2" hose on the top of the tee vented the excess pressure out the back of the boat at speed. The 3/4" hose is the actual water feed to the strainer.

The generator should be a Kohler 5E. (Second photo)