Generator raw water intake

[coolair]

On my boat the original head was removed. Just inside the cabin i have 2 thru hulls. Could these be used for generator and say AC intakes or are they too far forward?

[Tony Meola]

Matt

On my 31, the 3/4 inch intake for the toilet was in the cabin in line with the toilet, actually also inline with the dinette seat against the bulkhead. I also use it for my wash down pump, and I can pump water and or flush the toilet with the boat running. The 11/2 inch thru hull was for the waste to pump out and that one if it is like mine it is slightly forward of the head area. That one might be border line when running.

[THESALTYSATO]

Coolair
On my 1970 31 Flybridge cruiser i have one just inside the door to the cabin in front of the bulkhead that is the discharge for the holding tank of the vacu-flush system. Also i have a thru hull under the kitchen sink on the starboard side. The kitchen sink and the bathroom sink are linked together and go to the discharge. My generator thru hull is on the starboard side just between the shaft coupling and the shaft log and my A/C thru is on the port between the shaft coupling and the shaft log. A question i have is where my A/C thru hull is located-- what type of water pick up is best. I have a brass circular plate with about 75 holes. It works fine at the dock but underway i loose my prime and it shuts down so i only use it when staying overnight or at the dock. I have been told i need a scoop pick up so i do not loose prime underway. What are your thoughts?? The generator has the same screen as the A/C but it works fine underway cruising at 20 to 30 mph. Some have said that the gen should not have a scoop and force water into the generator. Again your thoughts or opinion.
thanks

[coolair]

I was planning on using them for wash down pump, ac and generator. But was not sure if they would be out of water while under way. Both the 3/4" and the 1 1/4" discharge are right next to each other even with where head would be.

[Tony Meola]

If it works on mine it should work for yours. I do not have a scoop on mine. Just a flush Thru Hull. A scoop might help also.

If I can suck water on the 3/4 not sure why you can not. The 1 1/4 I can not speak for.

What I would do, is hook up a washdown pump to it, and take the boat up to cruise and turn the pump on and see if it will pick up water.

The other option is to move the Thru Hull back between the engines, offset to one side.

[coolair]

well we gonna find out!!

[Snipe]

I plan on using mine for wash down and ac they are in the same position as yours I think it will work just fine!

[coolair]

is the little round screen covering the thru-hole good enough or do you need an in line strainer for the generator too?

[Tony Meola]

Matt

I had the strainer on mine and removed it about 10 years ago. We get a ton of real grass in the bay up here, and the to that I need an online strainer. The screen did help some, but grass still gets through. Not an issue once I am in the ocean.

[Snipe]

Matt I have seen these used before. If you don’t have a strainer you could clog up the https://www.westmarine.com/buy/groco--p ... gJ4lPD_BwE

[Bruce]

Don't use a scoop on the gen set, but make sure it's not behind anything that could cause turbulence or cavitation.

I always used an inside filter. Gen impellers are not as robust as their big brothers.

[THESALTYSATO]

Bruce
thanks for the guidance and advice regarding the intake on the gen set. I plan on changing the a/c to a scoop on the next haul out to see if that will solve the problem. Let us know what we can do to assist you with the website.

[coolair]

Being it is the most forward thru hull I shouldn't have problems with turbulence and it already has the small round screen on it, not a scoop. Thank you Bruce!

[Bruce]

The AC thru hull most definatly needs a scoop.