Generator conks out even on wee load

[IguanaSwim]

My northern lights 6KW Genset has been shutting down. Previously it couldn’t handle the chargers plus the Watermaker. But now it’s shutting down with just the charger, worrisome as my batteries depend on their daily fix. This morning it failed under chargers plus washer. On restart it failed in just the charger. I have a 1000 hours unit; it’s four years old. I will give it a rest and try the chargers alone in awhile.
Anything I should be watching, checking, having serviced?
Coolant and oil levels are fine, so is fuel.
The boat has six 8DL AGMs.

[GordMay]

“TOP 10 GENERATOR MAINTENANCE TIPS & TRICKS” ~ Northern Lights
➥ https://www.northern-lights.com/news...r-tips-tracks/

NL Operator’s Manual ‘OM673L3' [Troubleshooting Guide starts on pg. 28]
➥ https://www.northern-lights.com/wp-c...05/OM673L3.pdf

NL Technical Info’ ➥ https://www.northern-lights.com/technicalinformation/

[IguanaSwim]

Look at the manual. Yes am the typical guy. Freak out first.
Thank you, sailor!

[IguanaSwim]

Originally Posted by IguanaSwim

Look at the manual. Yes am the typical guy. Freak out first.
Thank you, sailor!

Ps it was the fuel filter. Now my Gen works. Am so callow. Yet grateful. Thank you

[SuenosAzules]

If the generator has an ECU a few things will cause it to shut down:

Lack of battery power
Lack of cooling water (check the in-line sea strainer and hoses)
Overheat
Low oil pressure
Contaminated fuel

[IguanaSwim]

Thanks for this as well. Alas even with a new fuel filter it stalled. Even on charging alone…and with no load, it stalled.

[c.K.]

Originally Posted by IguanaSwim

My northern lights 6KW Genset has been shutting down. Previously it couldn’t handle the chargers plus the Watermaker. But now it’s shutting down with just the charger, worrisome as my batteries depend on their daily fix. This morning it failed under chargers plus washer. On restart it failed in just the charger. I have a 1000 hours unit; it’s four years old. I will give it a rest and try the chargers alone in awhile.
Anything I should be watching, checking, having serviced?
Coolant and oil levels are fine, so is fuel.
The boat has six 8DL AGMs.

a good carburator clean should do
My very low time westing house 2200 did not start after a year of no use
well it was the carburator!
Now I have methanol free gas and a conditioner
good luck

[skipperpete]

I have to admit, I’ve never seen a Northern lights gasoline generator. I was quietly thinking through the problem solving sequence with no thought of anything other than a diesel engine.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by skipperpete

I have to admit, I’ve never seen a Northern lights gasoline generator. I was quietly thinking through the problem solving sequence with no thought of anything other than a diesel engine.

I also.

I remain convinced that NL doesn't/hasn't make/made a gasoline engine powered marine generator; but, I'm willing to be proven wrong.

Northern Lights generators are powered by “Lugger” diesels. Once marinized, the bobtail engines, used for main propulsion, wear the ‘Lugger’ brand name. Add a generator end, and it becomes ‘Northern Lights’.
➥ https://www.northern-lights.com/history/

[Tin Tin]

You said you changed the fuel filter and it ran OK, but now it doesn't again?
That would indicate one or a combination of

1. a failing fuel pump (corroded wire, terminal, etc so pump is not getting full volts)
2. fuel hose has internal collapse (eg from using diesel with ethanol it it).
3. Using ethanol laced diesel, other components may disagree with ethanol

4. Fuel is full of bugs and or water (fill the tank and put in water/bug killer, then change the filter again)
5. Fuel improperly bled from system, air getting in to lines from loose fittings



There are plenty more causes but that is where I would start. There are plenty of you tube videos on these topics.

[s/v Jedi]

I have the same genset. This is the Rolls Royce of diesel gensets.

99.9% sure the problem is a clogged exhaust elbow.

For a diesel to not have power, there are two main items: fuel delivery and breathing, which is both air inlet (filter, tuned inlet pipe) and exhaust.

My experience says exhaust injection elbow clogged.

When your unit is less than a year old then you may have excessive exhaust back pressure.

I had a 1.5” diameter waterlift plus long exhaust hose from an old genset. Northern Lights documentation shows maximum length and I was right at the maximum with a clogged elbow, indicating this was the underlying cause.

I did not want to move the exhaust thru-hull so I replace it with a new 2” waterlift muffler and a 2” gensep water separator. As the genset has a 1.5” exhaust connection, I modified the 2” muffler to create a 1.5” inlet using fiberglass tubing, epoxy and 6 ounce fiberglass tape, but I believe you can order them with smaller inlet as well.

Also, I ordered an extra injection elbow as spare. Now you can simply swap the elbow and clean the dirty one with the genset operational. If you do then I recommend to buy a stainless steel elbow instead of the cast iron one. I believe this is the right one for you but check to make sure: https://hdimarine.net/product/nl-1-5...-mixing-elbow/