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Northern Lights 12kW Generator shutting down

Discussion in 'Generators' started by SplashFl, Aug 1, 2025.

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  1. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Any rust on the liners in not good.
    Drain all water and oil again. fresh oil, no water, run for a minute should dry the liners off.
  2. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    3800 hours is a lot, it's the AGE of things that has more of an effect. Could be getting water in the oil from the exhaust riser too, possibly, that generator is easy to get out, 2x6" ramps to get over that partial bulkhead with a come along.
  3. SplashFl

    SplashFl Senior Member

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    I found a hatch directly above it, never been open based on the ER ceiling insulation. MAYBE breaking it down to 2 or 3 sections it could lift out but mechanic will explore in the AM. Said typically water is either from water pump seal or exhaust gasket. The sea water pump was replaced about 10 hrs. ago so maybe the mechanic that did that job messed up.
  4. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Let me know when to come down to help.
    rtrafford and SplashFl like this.
  5. SplashFl

    SplashFl Senior Member

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    UPDATE: Generator mechanic FINALLY showed yesterday. Removing the NL in two parts via a "hidden" hatch above it and installing a new Phaser ordered 3 weeks ago. Supposed to set up his A frame today and then off to the boat yard to grab with their lift and lower the new one.
    Capt Ralph let me know if you're serious about purchasing the NL unit. No idea what caused the coolant a path to the oil. Could be simple fix; could be major.
    Re[;acing Gen 1.jpg
  6. SplashFl

    SplashFl Senior Member

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    Decided to just replace it with a new 12.5 Phaser, with Kubota engine. Awaiting mechanic to finish the job after he broke it into ER hatch size & boat yard swapped the old with the new and mechanic was gifted the old NL so someday maybe I'll learn what caused its failure. New sure looks purdy. :)
    Imgp0031.jpg
  7. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Did he wash your car??
    ;)
  8. SplashFl

    SplashFl Senior Member

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    LOL It was actually a last-minute subject when the lift driver asked where to put the old unit. After looking into converting it to land use I gave up on that idea and faced for a quick decision at the yard asked the installer if he wanted it. In hind sight should have tried to push him to install right away but realized how warm the ER would be so just let it go. Too heavy to deal with plus no place to store and still with the coolant in oil situation.
  9. motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    Is the black canister a fuel filter or fuel pump? Was it a factory part or did you add it and if so why? Curious as I have a newish 20KW NL and I don’t have that set up and have had some priming issues with my unit
  10. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Kubota uses electric fuel pumps.

    Northern lights luvs their mechanical fuel pump. Reliable but sometimes troublesome.
    On one customer's boat I installed a relay and electric lift pump to the glow plug system to help prime the gen set that had simular problems as yours. No more issues.

    On my lil get set, mounted a few feet over fuel tank level. I added a check valve to help reduce drain back to the tank during long storage periods.

    Just some of my swamp logic applied.
    Last edited: Nov 1, 2025 at 11:23 AM
    motoryachtlover likes this.
  11. SplashFl

    SplashFl Senior Member

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    Photo is the new Phasor that's replacing the NL. The black on the left is the fuel pump. Next is fuel filter, and all the way on the right is oil filter. All exactly as delivered; I've not changed anything. Was happy to see the oil filter in the vertical position vs. horizontal on the NL and the sea water pump on the front vs. right side as it was on the NL.
    motoryachtlover likes this.