On Sat, 04 Mar 2006 23:44:13 -0500, Larry wrote:

Get a full genset. This main-engine-driven-AC-powerplant is economic
insanity.....

Not necessarily. If you already have one or more gensets for use at
anchor, and you spend a lot of time underway, it might make sense to
have a way to generate power from the main engines. The hydraulic
equipment can take care of speed regulation totally independent of
main engine speed, no reason to run it at 1800 RPM, all it's doing is
driving a hydraulic pump. It might be more cost effective however to
drive a large alternator from the main engine, either mechanically or
hydraulically, and use the DC output to power a large inverter. That
eliminates the complexity of hydraulic speed regulation.