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volvo penta generator set experiences?

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by wilsonwave, Jun 11, 2009.

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  1. wilsonwave, Jun 11, 2009
    #1
    wilsonwave

    wilsonwave Guest

    Does anybody on this forum have experiences to share about Volvo Penta gensets ?

    We're looking at the D5A TA and D7A TA's but any Volvo genset feedback is welcome.

    Patrick
  2. Capt J, Jun 11, 2009
    #2
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,530
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    I have no experience with Volvo gensets, they do make good marine engines. However parts are costly and can be hard to come by. I had to wait 3 weeks for a belt tensioner to come into the Volvo dealer for a D12 and am located in Fort Lauderdale. Volvo filters and maintanence parts are costly IMO.

    I do have experience with one large CAT genset and it was great. Parts and service are cheaper (parts) and easier to find worldwide.
  3. Fishtigua, Jun 12, 2009
    #3
    Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2007
    Messages:
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    Location:
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    Gensets are very diverse in what you want.

    How many hours a day/week/year are they going to run? Are they going to be well loaded or running light.

    We had a problem a couple of weeks ago where a genny was not running quite right. The Owner was running it while at sea to run his stabalizers and autopilot only, thus only a 12% loading. The cylinders were glazed so giving it a full load of air-con, galley, pumps and everything for 2 hours at 85% seemed to have cured the problem.

    We sell Volvo and Cat gennys as emergency standbys to Public Services, hospitals, prisons, etc and as back-ups for Banks. The Volvo D9 is very popular due to its quietness and lack of vibration.

    As to cost of running, service parts are similar. Volvo filters are very high but Cat impellers and anodes crazy. In Europe Volvo parts are easy to come by thus in the US, Cat parts are the same.

    The larger Volvos are based not on the Mitsubishi block but the MWM/Duetz, which is another fine genny.

    So all I can say is get the best deal you can on the one that fits your situation.