On Sun, 10 Dec 2006 20:59:10 +0100, Jean-Marc Delaplace
wrote:

I visited today the Paris Boat Exhibition and asked a few questions
about diesel generators to produce home energy to a boat. This means a 4
kW set that would run about 12 hours a day.
When I ask about the periodic maintenance for generators, all vendors
give me figures in the 50 to 150 hour range. I am surprised of this low
figure, for it means that for some generators I would have to change the
oil every week or for the best, every other week. Do you think these
figures are real, or do vendors say so in comparison with the service
required for a car? I think the operation of a generator is less tiring
for the engine, because of its constant speed and less shocks and
variations in power. Any opinion on this?

My Kohler generator with a Yanmar diesel is rated at 250 hours between
oil changes although I generally change it more often than that. 12
hours a day is a lot of usage. You will also need to plan for water
pump impellers/gaskets, fuel filters, belts, etc. Since raw water
pumps seem to be a weak link and are somtimes hard to find, you might
want to carry a complete spare replacement. Mine failed at about 1400
hours.