Operating instructions

4F: Electrical Systems, AC
4F1: AC Generators
The ship’s two Westerbeke generators provide 20,000
watts (“20KW Generator”) and 8,000 watts (“8KW
Generator”) of AC power to the vessel and are used for
battery charging, heating hot water, the washer/dryer, all
air conditioning, and operation of incidental AC
appliances.
The generators are in the engine room. It is important
to check each generator’s sea strainer (see section 4S1)
to be sure they have not accumulated substantial debris
while the generators were run for extended periods,
particularly at anchor.
Generator Selection:
Before starting either generator, determine which you
will need. Unless you are using the air conditioning, or
using a combination of the Dryer, and water heater, you
most likely will only need the 8,000 watt generator, #2!
(You have a guide to evaluation of required wattages on
page 4.13 of this manual.)
Starting a Generator:
The generator control panels are at the top of one of
the AC control panels. Use them as follows:
1) Press the preheat switch and hold for 15
seconds;
2) While holding in the preheat switch, push the
start button until the generator starts (but no
longer than fifteen seconds); when it is started
and running (the green light will light), release
the two switches.
See warning under “Generator Problems, below!
3) Check the generator exhaust, or listen for it to confirm that cooling water is being
pumped from it.
4) After a brief warmup of a minute or so, set the generator selector in the AC panel to
the correct generator, then switch the shore power switch in the AC power panel to
“Gen”. You should see the “AC Present” pilot light go on!
(More next page...)
Generators: (Above) 20KW. (Below) 8KW.
Westerbeke Control Panels.
Section 4F: Electrical Systems, AC 4.7