Marine generator service in Sardinia
You are at anchor in a quiet bay, with guests on board, summer heat and the air conditioning running. Suddenly the generator stops and the lights dim. In a moment you know the evening at anchor is over and tomorrow you will be looking for a technician in an unfamiliar port. A boat’s generator is not an extra: it has to work exactly when you need it most.
I have been working with generators for more than 10 years: first as an authorised warranty service centre for PRAMAC, FOGO and HIMOINSA, today on yachts in Sardinia and across Europe. I do servicing, winterising, fault finding, generator electrics and integration with the boat’s power system.
Why generator experience matters
A generator fault very often sits where mechanics and electrics meet. It won’t start because the starter battery or a relay has failed. It shuts down because the temperature sensor reacts to a blocked raw-water strainer. The voltage is unstable because the AVR is failing or the engine can’t hold its speed. A mechanic looks at the engine, an electrician at the wiring, and the owner pays for two visits. I know both sides: for years I serviced emergency generators for the military, hospitals and ambulance services, where a generator could not fail. I find faults methodically, with measurements, not by swapping parts and hoping.
Scheduled servicing and winterising
Servicing to the manufacturer’s schedule: oil and filters, raw-water pump impeller, anodes, belt, exhaust elbow and heat exchanger check, and finally a load test with voltage and frequency measurements. Before winter I protect the generator: fresh oil, raw-water circuit flush, impeller removed, coolant and battery checked. In spring, recommissioning, new fuel filters and a start test from every control station, so it starts first time.
Fault finding and repairs
The generator cranks but won’t fire. It shuts down after a few minutes or when the air conditioning comes on. It overheats, smokes or pushes out too little water. Lights flicker and 230 V equipment runs unevenly. Each symptom has several possible causes, from air in the fuel to the pump impeller, sensors and protections. I check them one by one, with a meter and a wiring diagram, and repair what is actually broken.
Generator electrics and Victron integration
AVR voltage regulator, exciter, brushes, winding insulation tests, control panel, auto-start and the shore / generator / inverter changeover switch. More and more often the generator works together with a Victron system and LiFePO4 lithium batteries: it then runs fewer hours but at the right load, lasts longer and gives you quiet nights at anchor. I design and build these connections so that every energy source works together.
Choosing and installing a new generator
Many owners have a generator that is too big, running at low load and wearing out, or too small, shutting down when the air conditioning starts. I begin with the boat’s energy balance: which loads, for how long, from which source. On that basis I choose the right power and often suggest a smaller generator combined with energy storage. Then installation, electrical connection, commissioning and documentation.
You know what state your generator is in
Every service and every repair ends with a report with photos: what I checked, what I replaced, what is fine and what is worth planning before the next season. You also get the running hours and the date of the next service. You don’t have to wonder whether the generator will last the season: you know in advance, even from the other side of Europe.
Brands and coverage
I work on Onan (Cummins), Kohler, Fischer Panda, Northern Lights, Mase, Paguro, Westerbeke, Vetus and Whisper Power generators, as well as PRAMAC, FOGO and HIMOINSA gensets. My base is Cagliari and I cover the whole of Sardinia. For boats in other countries, Italy, Croatia, Greece, Spain, France and the Canary Islands, I fly in with my diagnostic kit.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a marine generator be serviced?
Usually every 100–150 running hours or once a year, whichever comes first. The exact schedule depends on the model, and I adapt it to how hard you use the generator during the season.
Why does my generator smoke and leave oil in the exhaust?
This is often the result of long running at low load. Running it under a higher load or changing the charging system, for example to lithium batteries, helps. First, though, I check that the cause isn’t the air filter, the injectors or an overload.
Does the generator need to run in winter?
If the boat stays in the water and the generator hasn’t been winterised, it’s worth running it once a month for at least an hour under load. If that isn’t possible, it’s better to protect it for winter. I can take care of either.
Do you do warranty repairs?
Repairs under the manufacturer’s warranty I carry out together with the authorised dealer. Servicing, diagnostics and out-of-warranty repairs I do directly.
Can you fly to my boat in Croatia or Greece?
Yes. My base is Sardinia, but I fly to boats across the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and Europe. For trips abroad I charge a minimum of one working day on site. Before travelling I do a remote diagnosis so I bring the right parts.
Back to that evening at anchor and the silence after the generator stopped.
You can hope it lasts another season, or know that it has been checked, serviced and is ready to work.
If you prefer the second option, write to me: generator model, running hours and where the boat is.
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