next gen UCM1-3.5 marine generator

[mckenzie.keith]

So while googling during my "generator powered from auxiliary" thread, I came across this product, the UCM1-3.5 marine generator. This is a 7 HP (5.3 kW) marinized kubota mated to a generator head with a belt. It is rated for 3500 Watts electrical output. It weighs 160 lbs (about 73 kg).

Does anyone have any experience with these? It seems like it should be reasonably reliable. The only information I could find online was more marketing literature than any kind of review.

The belt allows the Kubota to run at 2800 RPM when the generator head is running at 3600 RPM. No electronics. Mechanically governed prime mover and capacitor regulated generator head. Very simple.

While I will probably not buy a generator at all, if I did, a small one like this has a certain appeal and could replace the defunct Fischer Panda taking up space in the starboard lazarette.

 

[Alaris]

How much?

 

[mckenzie.keith]

How much?

I guess like $US 9k with the sound shield.

 

[Alaris]

Oof that’s a lot for only 3.5kW. But 15x15x28” means a lot of flexibility for installation.

 

[slug zitski]

So while googling during my "generator powered from auxiliary" thread, I came across this product, the UCM1-3.5 marine generator. This is a 7 HP (5.3 kW) marinized kubota mated to a generator head with a belt. It is rated for 3500 Watts electrical output. It weighs 160 lbs (about 73 kg).

Does anyone have any experience with these? It seems like it should be reasonably reliable. The only information I could find online was more marketing literature than any kind of review.

The belt allows the Kubota to run at 2800 RPM when the generator head is running at 3600 RPM. No electronics. Mechanically governed prime mover and capacitor regulated generator head. Very simple.

While I will probably not buy a generator at all, if I did, a small one like this has a certain appeal and could replace the defunct Fischer Panda taking up space in the starboard lazarette.

No idea

heel angle is important for sailing generators .


I didn’t read the documentation , but I notice that the engine only holds 1 quart of oil ?

hmmmmmm

 

[mckenzie.keith]

No idea

heel angle is important for sailing generators .


I didn’t read the documentation , but I notice that the engine only holds 1 quart of oil ?

hmmmmmm

View attachment 555398

View attachment 555399

I read somewhere (in documentation or on the manufacturers website) that it should not be run continuously at heel angles greater than 30 degrees. It is a 7 HP diesel motor. It does not hold a lot of oil, I guess.

 

[mckenzie.keith]

Oof that’s a lot for only 3.5kW. But 15x15x28” means a lot of flexibility for installation.

Those dimensions are without sound shield. With the sound shield it is 16 x 18 x 30" or something like that. (41 x 46 x 76 cm, roughly). And only 160 lbs. Two people might just muscle that into place without hoists and cranes and whatnot.

 

[Alaris]

Those dimensions are without sound shield. With the sound shield it is 16 x 18 x 30" or something like that. (41 x 46 x 76 cm, roughly). And only 160 lbs. Two people might just muscle that into place without hoists and cranes and whatnot.

Even with sound shield it’s small.

 

[slug zitski]

I read somewhere (in documentation or on the manufacturers website) that it should not be run continuously at heel angles greater than 30 degrees. It is a 7 HP diesel motor. It does not hold a lot of oil, I guess.

30 degrees is extreme

I guess that micro generator ok with heel

 

[Alaris]

I guess like $US 9k with the sound shield.

$7775 with no shield
$8925 with shield

Good guess

 

[accnick]

So while googling during my "generator powered from auxiliary" thread, I came across this product, the UCM1-3.5 marine generator. This is a 7 HP (5.3 kW) marinized kubota mated to a generator head with a belt. It is rated for 3500 Watts electrical output. It weighs 160 lbs (about 73 kg).

Does anyone have any experience with these? It seems like it should be reasonably reliable. The only information I could find online was more marketing literature than any kind of review.

The belt allows the Kubota to run at 2800 RPM when the generator head is running at 3600 RPM. No electronics. Mechanically governed prime mover and capacitor regulated generator head. Very simple.

While I will probably not buy a generator at all, if I did, a small one like this has a certain appeal and could replace the defunct Fischer Panda taking up space in the starboard lazarette.

I have one of the larger UCM2-5.5 units, which uses a two-cylinder 11hp Kubota running at 2800 rpm. Mine is older, is quite a bit different from the current models, and uses a different generator end. The problem with my older one is voltage instability in the absence of load, especially when trying to start the charger function of my Xantrex SW inverter/charger.

I do not know how the new models compare in that regard.

The charger will usually kick on automatically within 30 seconds or so, but sometimes I have to add a big resistance load in the form of the water heater in order to stabilize the generator output voltage enough for the charger to start. Then I just flip off the water heater breaker once the charger is ramping up.

The one I have is about 20 years old, with about 1400 hours on it. In the eight years I've owned the boat, I have put about 1100 hours on it.

It has been acceptably reliable. Failures have included the big capacitor (I now carry spares) and a badly-leaking raw water pump. The other problem has been that it eats the old-style welded stainless exhaust elbow that fits on mine. I get about 200 hours out of each of those, at a cost of about $200 each. Needless to say, I know how to swap them out.

The newer models of my generator, in the sound shield, now come with a much better cast stainless exhaust elbow, which unfortunately is not a simple retrofit for me.

I use this generator almost exclusively to charge batteries and every device such as phones and computers that plug in, as well as for making hot water when the boat is not underway.

It is pretty much a dead simple generator. The model with sound shield--which apparently consists of about 90% of sales--is fairly quiet. I don't have a sound shield, but my engine room is well-insulated, so the noise doesn't bother us.

With a waterlift muffler, the exhaust is fairly quiet as well.

 

[mckenzie.keith]

I have one of the larger UCM2-5.5 units, which uses a two-cylinder 11hp Kubota running at 2800 rpm. Mine is older, is quite a bit different from the current models, and uses a different generator end. The problem with my older one is voltage instability in the absence of load, especially when trying to start the charger function of my Xantrex SW inverter/charger.

I do not know how the new models compare in that regard.

The charger will usually kick on automatically within 30 seconds or so, but sometimes I have to add a big resistance load in the form of the water heater in order to stabilize the generator output voltage enough for the charger to start. Then I just flip off the water heater breaker once the charger is ramping up.

The one I have is about 20 years old, with about 1400 hours on it. In the eight years I've owned the boat, I have put about 1100 hours on it.

It has been acceptably reliable. Failures have included the big capacitor (I now carry spares) and a badly-leaking raw water pump. The other problem has been that it eats the old-style welded stainless exhaust elbow that fits on mine. I get about 200 hours out of each of those, at a cost of about $200 each. Needless to say, I know how to swap them out.

The newer models of my generator, in the sound shield, now come with a much better cast stainless exhaust elbow, which unfortunately is not a simple retrofit for me.

I use this generator almost exclusively to charge batteries and every device such as phones and computers that plug in, as well as for making hot water when the boat is not underway.

It is pretty much a dead simple generator. The model with sound shield--which apparently consists of about 90% of sales--is fairly quiet. I don't have a sound shield, but my engine room is well-insulated, so the noise doesn't bother us.

With a waterlift muffler, the exhaust is fairly quiet as well.

Does it eat belts rapidly or do you get some use out of them?

 

[Zonker]

For $1100 I'll get a big Rubbermaid tote, lay up some gelcoat and fiberglass inside it, and then add sound insulation. Voila. Sound shield. (seriously that's a lot for a glass box with some insulation)

 

[accnick]

Does it eat belts rapidly or do you get some use out of them?

I forgot. I broke one generator end drive belt at about 800 hours. That's it. And I now carry a spare.

Incidentally, the layout of the smaller and larger versions is completely different.

 

[mckenzie.keith]

For $1100 I'll get a big Rubbermaid tote, lay up some gelcoat and fiberglass inside it, and then add sound insulation. Voila. Sound shield. (seriously that's a lot for a glass box with some insulation)

I agree. And the whole thing is expensive for the power level, as alaris said. Compared with, for example, a high output alternator, an external regulator for it, a battery bank and an inverter... I guess I am just trying to understand all the options in the space. Its not like you are going to not have a house battery bank and ivnerter. Of course you are. This just gives you another way to charge it instead of running the auxiliary. But is that worth 8k (plus a rubbermaid tote and some glass)?

But ultimately, I am in the research stage of trying to understand what is out there, what it costs and whether it makes sense to me. Its a process.

 

[slug zitski]

I agree. And the whole thing is expensive for the power level, as alaris said. Compared with, for example, a high output alternator, an external regulator for it, a battery bank and an inverter... I guess I am just trying to understand all the options in the space. Its not like you are going to not have a house battery bank and ivnerter. Of course you are. This just gives you another way to charge it instead of running the auxiliary. But is that worth 8k (plus a rubbermaid tote and some glass)?

But ultimately, I am in the research stage of trying to understand what is out there, what it costs and whether it makes sense to me. Its a process.

How big is your boat ? What will be your sailing program

 

[mckenzie.keith]

How big is your boat ? What will be your sailing program

I am tempted to say lets not get into that.

But the boat is a Concordia 47. It is a Farr designed, Carroll built 17000 lb "racer-cruiser". The program is Baja California, Marquesas, Tuamotus, Tahiti, Hawaii, back to California, starting around Halloween 2023. I will have to quit my job probably in the spring and start getting ready full-time.

Currently the boat has little AC stuff. If I were to use a generator at all it would likely be for charging batteries. The idea of using a high output low efficiency watermaker has some appeal for the simple reason that the efficient ones are pretty expensive. Also, I have an engine driven seafrost holding plate system. I could convert the seafrost to AC and use the generator to run it. But I almost feel like I should start another thread to discuss all this stuff. As I say, right now I am in the research stage.

 

[slug zitski]

The issue is space ..storage

the mandatory cruising , passage making “ stuff “ that you need onboard is a huge pile

huge pile

when you add optional equipment you loose precious storage space and end up sleeping with extra sails and snorkeling gear in your bunk

 

[mckenzie.keith]

The issue is space ..storage

the mandatory cruising , passage making “ stuff “ that you need onboard is a huge pile

huge pile

when you add optional equipment you loose precious storage space and end up sleeping with extra sails and snorkeling gear in your bunk

I am exploring options. I hear what you are saying. If I were to install a small generator, I would first remove the defunct fischer panda and install the new generator in the location of the old one. Of course if I shitcan the FP then I can reclaim space and use it for some of the huge pile. The boat is 47 feet long and while not spacious for a 47 footer, it does have some room to store stuff.

 

[Fah Kiew Tu]

If I were to install a small generator, I would first remove the defunct fischer panda and install the new generator in the location of the old one.

If it doesn't work and you don't plan on making it work, you really should pull it anyway. I personally hate having stuff that doesn't work and is never going to work about the place (so don't look in my workshop as I'm disposing of stuff in this category...)

If the generator head part works, might be able to sell it else sell the whole thing as-is for spares.

FKT