Posted: September 21 2011 at 21:10 | IP Logged

I've got a 2004 Doral Prestancia with a generator.  I've had the generator operating earlier in the year for an hour or so.  After 3 or 4 weeks, I tried it again, but was not getting any power to the panel, although the 'genny' was working.  I found that the breaker switch on top of the generator was 'thrown' and simply needed to be switched to "ON" again.  Great, power working and green lights on the panel.  Only problem is since then, the genny works for maybe two minutes, then shuts off again.  I can't figure out if it's overheating or some other reason.  The breaker switch that is on top of genny is "ON" so I'm not sure what the problem is now.  I don't THINK that it's throwing out a 'ton' of water from the starboard outlet either, when it is running.  Any ideas?  A bad impeller now?  Capt Tim, Orillia Ontario

Posted: September 22 2011 at 22:50 | IP Logged

Does your generator panel give you any codes?

I bet your impellor is shot.  It's an easy fix.  Just follow the lake water intake hose up to the genny.  The square housing that it goes into is the impellor.

$25 and 30 minutes is all it takes.

Good luck.

Posted: September 23 2011 at 10:02 | IP Logged

Thank you for the reply !  Hhhmmm.  'Generator panel...?' 

No, there's very little on my boat, except for the electrical panel..."do I get power to the fuses that run equipment on the boat...and are they 'green'...

I'm not aware of a 'panel' on the generator, apart from maybe over on the port side, but it's a bank of fuses as well...that appear okay.  I suspect you're right about the impeller, and I'll pick one up to replace it.  (I guess it's a good idea to keep one handy anyway...)

Cheers and safe boating

Capt. Tim

Posted: September 23 2011 at 17:51 | IP Logged

Is there a red switch on your genny that says OFF AUTO ON?

If you genny has a panel that displays codes and engine hours it would be by that switch.

If you want to be sure that it's your impellor, start the unit again and run it till it dies.  Then go feel the impellor housing.  It'll be REAL HOT if its bad.

Good idea to keep a spare on board as well.