Impeller Change Interval

I agree with you completely. The visual ability to inspect would be an asset . General thinking here is every 2 to 3 years on the change. Mine always come out like new. I feel like I should go into the 'used but like new' impeller market.

I can’t imagine a clear material holding up tonthe heat but most importantly not getting scratched and turning opaque by hundreds of hours of impeller rotation.

Pulling the cover to inspect isn’t difficult but even that won’t tell the whole story

Probably some aerospace material available. There would have to be a center pin and plate built in to prevent the scouring?


Signing off . Happy Easter to all - the ham is ready!

Reinventing the wheel... never works

Making it better always does, I think. Stone to anti- puncture rubber. And air ride! Don't even need to get out of you vehicle to measure air pressure. And, thank god we're not wearing those pelts.... Think about that multidirectional wheel - the gimbal ball. Your computer mouse wouldn't be there at your right hand

But enough about wheels, IMMO a see thru cover ads value to the equipment, but is not a panacea.

Was there a basket or racor on that intake? that's not age damage in my opinion. Also looks like its on the "lee" of the set?

I change gensets annually or about every 100 hours if they've been sitting a while. I'll go 200 hours if we're on a trip and the hours are being put on day after day. They're so cheap and easy to replace, that if I'm pulling the cover plate off, whatever is in there, is getting changed. Mains I will go 2 years and more hours on, not generators.

I don’t think I ve ever gone less than 500 hours on genset impellers, even OhNos. But for us that’s 6 to 9 months...generators give you plenty of warning, you can just hear it s a little dry. Now if you only have one genny on board, you need to be a little more conservative.

Granted you're dealing with larger generators and larger impellors. Most of the generators I'm dealing with are in the 10-25 kw range and tend to beat up the small impellors faster. Plus, you're generators are running a lot and often. You're doing 500 hours on 2 different gens in 6 months. I prefer to change impellors at the home dock... not on a trip where I have a million other things going on....….but again different situation.

No much difference in size. My norpro is 15... the johnson I used to run had 20 NL and even the Lazzara “only” has 27.5 Ohnos. I hate them. They updated the water pumps to a new style which has a smaller outlet... they’re louder even with fresh impellers.

Indeed, and well done

I have to say that is an odd rub wear on the impeller , not very uniform...something is gnawing on it seems to me. Don't you think? Anyway I'm still up for a clear end plate! LOL...but as Pascal said , don't think it would stay clear for two long, as the regular bronze end plates get a bit scuffed up on the inside...Capt J, When you stop in Cape May this summer from one of your runs, look me up and you can stop by for my "Change the impellers Party!'' on my boat, assume the position...head down and ankles up! In the bilge. PIA..not easy. Think I need a bigger boat , with a walk around engine room.

No static at all. (Sorry, I couldn't control myself.)

Timely thread:
Pulled the water pump today for an impeller change: 2 years and 210 hours in service, looks okay but built up a memory.

Have seen the speed kits, my kind of program.

Can’t use ‘em on my boat, motor is shoehorned in a small opening.

A bottle of rum if you can spot the impeller face plate, AND get the impeller out without removing the water pump: