Does your generator stay running while on plane with a stepped hull in a Super Sport?


A

aquaforce

New member
Wow how things have changed here. I see all the specific boat categories are not here now and the site is condensed a lot. Since I can't target the FASTech and Super Sport 370/400 boaters I guess it just goes "general" now.

So here's the deal. My 419 FASTech generator will not stay running while on plane. The steps foam up the water so much that the generator inlet will not pick up enough water to keep the generator fed and cooled at 40mph so it does an over temp shutdown.

Here is the question: Does a generator on anyone's 400SS or 370SS stay running while on plane? These boats also have a stepped hull which would foam the water like my FASTech does but I wonder if the same problem is there or if it is different?

If your generator on a stepped hull stays running on plane, where is your generator pickup/inlet located?

I know some other go-fast boats that have stepped hulls and their gens run on plane just fine. I will change mine for that purpose but I am looking for a location idea from the Formula production before long efforts of testing to find the optimal location for my boat.
TIA
 

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I ran 50 miles in 4-5 foot waves with the generator running in 400 SS. Generator ran fine. My AC will not run while on plane though

Mark
 
MrCIG said:
I ran 50 miles in 4-5 foot waves with the generator running in 400 SS. Generator ran fine. My AC will not run while on plane though

Mark
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Wow, Ok this is an outlier situation here, so it begs a lot of questions. Feedback I got from other 400SS operators was no gen operation possible on plane.
How fast were you running?
Where is your pickup located?
Is the pickup behind both of the steps?
What size is the pickup screen on the bottom of the boat?

If yours runs at cruise speeds, say 40mph + then there is something there that can shed some light on water flow dynamics to solve my issue.
 
My experience is only one full season... about 180 hours on the engines. - A lot more on the generator :)

1. I have a 400SS, the AC units pretty much are running from Spring till Fall. wether the boat is at the dock or going 50... I never turn them off. (I hate humidity)
2. Before I leave the dock, I start the generator... it does not get shut off until I am back on shore power (see above) :)

Gen has NEVER over heated or given me any issues. Rough water, smooth water, slow speed, high speed...

The only issue I have had is the AC strainers need constant attention. I does not take much in the way of obstruction to reduce the flow enough to cause issues. Hi pressure, compressor overheating... ect. But I have become very accustomed to the sounds they make, can hear when it is time to check the strainers (at the dock of course) - cannot hear much underway, even with the diesels.

Which gives me another thought. Awhile back I needed something from Formula and they sent me a diagram of how the 400SS sits in the water with various engine configurations. The stern was a bit lower with the D6's--- maybe the ride angle is slightly different? But with trim and such not sure that would be a factor underway.

Sorry the the babbling, the main point: I was told when I bought the boat (new) that running everything while underway was NOT an issue in the minds of Formula.
 
This is the pickup they used for the Generator pick up. It is located behind the last step. Meant to take a picture but got side tracked
 

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aquaforce said:
Wow how things have changed here. I see all the specific boat categories are not here now and the site is condensed a lot. Since I can't target the FASTech and Super Sport 370/400 boaters I guess it just goes "general" now.
TIA
Click to expand...


Just a heads up. Your not seeing the separate categories on the forum because you were not initially logged in. Once you log in you will see them.
 
On my 370ss, I'd run the generator and a/c all day when in Havasu and traveled for miles all over the lake. Never had an issue. If I had the Gen (and a/c) on, I'd keep my speed under 40 MPH just to make certain water kept flowing. Over a 4th of July one year, outdoor air temp was even as high as 125 degrees and it kept running great whether on plane or anchored.
 
Well took off the old AC pickup and replaced it with the same model only not dented in. We will see what happens. Hopefully I won't have to prime it ever time I return from a ride

Mark
 

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Never had a problem running with the generator. Check the placement of the pickup under the boat. I think it should be placed so that any disturbance ahead of it isn't in the direct path so it doesn't pick up bubbles. Clueless
 
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