Kohler aftermarket impellers

[vic33004]

we have a Kohler 8EOZ generator that we replace the impellers annually, and have had good results with few pieces breaking off during the year.

Globe is selling an aftermarket 12 blade rubber nitrile viton and neoprene impeller they are warranty to run dry 15 mins. this is 6 more blades than OEM and different material. does anyone have experience with this and comments?

if the service life is really that much longer I would love to push the impeller changes to every other year as its a real PITA to do on this model with a sound shield.

 

[PascalG]

Annual change with "only a few pieces breaking off" is not what I d call good results. I usually get 3 to 4 years out of genset impellers, well over 1000 hours

That s using standard OeM impellers (northern light as well norpro/Isuzu)

There has to be a reason for the failures, loosing prime when stopped?

 

[vic33004]

the genset impeller always has wear at the annual. sometimes it is fatigue cracks other times there have been small pieces of the tips broken off. we used to have the same problem on the mains until I changed over to Seamax pumps that use the Sherwood 2700 series impellers ILO 1700 series. we typically see about 500 hours on the genset annually.

the genset is not pulling air and is drawing from a 3/4" thru hull and strainer so I don't think its sized wrong or back pressure issues.

I'm inclined to think the OEM impeller from Sherwood is not top quality.

 

[PascalG]

I just replaced th impeller on our starboard Genset ahead of an upcoming exumas trip because I noticed flow out the exhaust was a little lower than normal. There was one damaged vane which ended up blocking the pump discharge outlet. I guess northern light really oversized the cooling as it was running cool with a full load! That impeller was 3 years old and had close to 2000 hrs on it!

OEM NL impellers have 12 vanes, I don't think I have ever seen a 6 vane impeller.