Category: Parts and Power

BVI 11TH ANNUAL CHARTER YACHT SOCIETY AGM & CREW PARTY

Posted on by Guy Phoenix

On 8 November Parts & Power and Marine Maintenance Service, in cooperation with Northern Lights Inc, sponsored the 11th Annual Charter Yacht Society Annual General Meeting and Crew Party at Peg Landing Restaurant at Nanny Cay Marina. The Annual Event kicked off the 34th Annual BVI Charter Yacht Show. Over 125 members of the Charter Yacht Society (CYS) were in attendance.

Although Parts & Power had been sponsoring the Boat Show Crew party for well over 15 years, the format changed 11 years ago when CYS Executive Director, Janet Oliver, approached them with a novel idea. The CYS is comprised of members, who by the nature of their business, are transient. It was challenging to get a majority of members together to attend an AGM. So Janet proposed combining the AGM with the Annual Crew Party. The format proved to be very successful.

After welcoming remarks by CYS Chairperson, Ruth Ross, & Parts & Power MD, Tom Gerker, a financial appeal was made to membership by Phil Aspinall of VI Search and Rescue (VISAR). Following that, a buffet dinner was put on Peg Leg’s and the AGM was held. Among other issues discussed was the important role the CYS plays in promoting the Charter Yacht Industry with Government, and lobbying to prevent an increase in fees for their members. The Charter Yacht Industry contributes over $50 million to the local economy. Being comprised, in large part, by small single charter boat businesses, it is difficult for the owners or crew of those Charter Yacht Businesses to have their voices heard by Government. The Charter Yacht Society does an outstanding job of representing them.

Following the AGM, Tim Dabbs of Marine Maintenance Services and Tony Tucket of Parts & Power, held an entertaining Trivia Challenge for the CYS members. Winners were awarded promotional items supplied by Northern Lights Inc. Peg Leg’s Restaurant and Manager Luis Samuel did an impressive job of providing ample hospitality and refreshments in a beautiful, nicely set, facility. A good time was had by all.

On Monday, 9 Nov, the Boat Show began. The maximum capacity of 78 yachts were in attendance. Of those, there were 5 Monohulls, 6 Motor Yachts and 67 sailing catamarans, reflecting the changing nature of the Charter Yacht Industry. There were 135 brokers which is 30% more than the previous high. With more demanding qualifications to be a broker, and a nominal charge by the CYS, this is a significant comment on how important the BVI Boat Show has become.

Parts & Power, Marine Maintenance Services and Northern Lights were proud to be able support such an important organization as the BVI Charter Yacht Society, and such a successful event.

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Very satisfied customer

Posted on by Guy Phoenix

Parts & Power in the BVI received this testimonial from Bob Tetrault of M/Y Bjoyce:

“To the entire P&P crew; Our visit and work accomplished while in the BVI was above and beyond what is expected today. No one is better at getting parts to us as we roam the Atlantic.

Today I opened a delivery that was ordered three days ago. We are presently in the Chesapeake and the order was placed by email after a prompt answer to my price and availability request.

I have been a Perkins, NL and Lugger customer for 25+ years with nothing but stellar service to speak too. Carry on Tom and my best to the crew.”

 

 

Bjoyce is a Nordhavn 55 trawler.

NORTHERN LIGHTS 2015 CARIBBEAN FALL REPOWER SALE

Posted on by Guy Phoenix
Parts & Power and Northern Lights are announcing the best sale we’ve had on Northern Lights Generators in years.During 1-30 September 2015, we’re offering special pricing on select marine and industrial generators only available through Eastern Caribbean dealers.  Contact your nearest Eastern Caribbean dealer, visit www.CaribbeanNorthernLights.com, or contact Parts & Power at 284-494-2830 for details or the dealer nearest to you.

 

Don’t forget to ask about our Special Pricing on the Technicold brand of Marine Air Conditioning!

 

For quotations on units please contact Shawina Jacobs (Shawina@partsandpower.com), Dan Durbin (dan@partsandpower.com), Ingrid Penn (Ingrid@partsandpower.com) or Ron Marchman (ron@partsandpower.com).  Or call 284-494-2830.

 

Conditions

 

All units must be shipped by 30 Sept 2015. Units and Accessories must be ordered together to validate discount. All accessories and optional equipment are at standard prices and discounts. Applies to specific Northern Lights units only, contact us for details of eligible units.

Marine Maintenance Services Revives A Lagoon 560

Posted on by Guy Phoenix

We recently hauled a Lagoon 560 at Nanny Cay boat yard to complete a quick Sea Cock check & install 2 new generators.

The original 21kw Onan in the bow had been giving endless issues despite very low hours. So the owner asked us for the solution.  After a little brain storming we ended up replacing the forward unit with a 20kw (M844LW3) Northern Lights. We also installed a 12kw (M843NW3)  Northern Lights in the Port Aft hull.

The boat is back in the water & chartering again.  The crew are very happy with the performance of the forward unit & report that the 2nd unit gives them both a perfect night time generator & the peace of mind knowing that they are not totally reliant on one unit.

M844LW3 Installation  IMG_0236  IMG_0237 IMG_0199

NORTHERN LIGHTS PUTS ON SERVICE TRAINING FOR THE MOORINGS

Posted on by Guy Phoenix

During the week of 27 July Parts & Power, the Caribbean Distributor for Northern Lights Generators, put on 2 training classes for the Mooring Service staff.

Technicians, Supervisors and Managers from all the Caribbean bases attended the Training Classes. The training was conducted by Parts & Power Technical Director, Dan Durbin.

The training consisted of:

  • Product familiarization and the design philosophy of Northern Lights (Reliability, Durability, Simplicity)
  • Diesel Engine theory and design
  • Engine Maintenance and Repair
  • DC control logic troubleshooting and repair
  • AC theory, troubleshooting and repair
  • marine exhaust systems troubleshooting and repair.

The Moorings has a large number of Northern Lights generators in their fleet of Catamaran Sailing Yachts and Power Cats. They have used a number of different generators in the past and so have experience with many different makes.

The comments from all the participants were overwhelmingly positive. They felt that Northern Lights generators are the most reliable generators that they have worked on. The training gave Parts & Power the opportunity to get feedback from the Moorings staff on application challenges they have. They were able to discuss possible solutions, and also got field information that will be passed onto to Northern Lights Inc factory.

The Moorings can put up to 3-4000 hours per year on some of their generators. Yet, after being phased out 4-5 years later, most are still reliably running generators.

Moorings Northern Lights Training Moorings Northern Lights Training Moorings Northern Lights Training Moorings Northern Lights Training

 

New Northern Lights S3C panel

Posted on by Guy Phoenix

The new Northern Lights S3C panel is p/n 22-91216.  The older version was 22-91211. The 22-91211 is the panel in most of the current parts books.

Here is a parts breakdown of the new 22-91216 panel: 22-91216 panel Parts breakdown.  Please be aware that the gauge bezels do NOT come with the gauge.  They are a separate part number.

The only way to determine which panel the customer has is by looking at the back of the gauge.  

Below is a photo of the back of the new style gauge.

The back of the new style gauge

 

Contact Parts & Power if you have any questions concerning parts for the new or old S3C panels.

FREYA GETS A NEW HEART

Posted on by Guy Phoenix

From Marine Maintenance Services, BVI.

Last week we installed a new heart in ‘Freya’, an Irwin 52.  The old Westerbeke had done its time so out it came and in went a shiny new 9kw Northern Lights set.

It was a tight job to get her down below and into the hole, but once in the owner was very happy with the load handling & noise level.  The decision to put in a Northern Lights generator was based on the owner’s research as to reliability.  The couple are planning to take the boat around the world.

We wish them the best of luck & safe sailing!

Here are some pictures of the installation work underway:

FullSizeRender FullSizeRender (1)

 

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS CARIBBEAN DEALER SERVICE TRAINING HERALDED AS GREAT SUCCESS

Posted on by Guy Phoenix

Dealer participants attending the Caribbean Service Training, hosted by Parts & Power and Northern Lights Inc from 14-16 July 2015 in Tortola BVI, were all positive in their reviews and comments. There were 6 ratings of “Excellent” (5 out of 5) and 6 “Good” (4 out of 5). There were the inevitable complaints about Service Trainer and Technical Director, Dan Durbin’s notoriously bad drawings. But he always managed to get his point across. The participants were unanimous in the fact that the quality of the instruction was very good to excellent.

In addition to his decades of field service experience, Dan has been doing Service Training since the 1960’s for such organizations as the Army Engineer School, several Colleges and a variety of Diesel Engine/Generator manufacturers. He still does training for Northern Lights at customer training events in FL. Northern Lights SE Regional Service Manager, James Newball who has been with the company of over 6 years, said he even learned a few new things at the Training. James attended the training to support Dan’s efforts, and to explain Service issues that the factory is seeing around the world. It was also James first visit to the Caribbean to meet the Dealer network and hear, first-hand, the challenges faced by NL Dealers and Customers in the Caribbean.

All the participants learned about changes to the CaribbeanNorthernLights.com website. It recently received a major face lift thanks to the efforts of Jennifer Dowling and Scott Putnicki at NL factory headquarters in Seattle, WA. Information for customers and dealers is available on the website, as well as links to NL Parts & Operators Manuals, the Dealer Secured website, “Ask a Tech” inquiry link and Service Tips. A Parts Special was revealed that is only available to customers who visit the CNL.com website.

Northern Lights Dealer Service Training is challenging because of the various backgrounds of the dealers participating. Some are Mechanics looking for more information on DC and AC electric. Others are Electricians looking for more information on Diesel Engines. Dan is very good at getting the theory and hands on training across though.

Diesel engines are a continually changing product these days due to the changes required to maintain emissions compliance by the EPA, IMO and various other regulatory organizations. Although AC and DC electricity is constrained by the laws of physics, there are new products being introduced every year to meet customers increasingly sophisticated power demands, which make generators more complicated. “One of the best features of Northern Lights Generators,” commented Parts & Power MD Tom Gerker, “is that their DC logic has remained largely unchanged for over 40 years.” It worked well in the 1970’s and works well today. Despite that, NL is always striving to improve their systems, so the product continues to evolve.

That is the reason that Northern Lights and Parts & Power puts on regular Regional Training for their Caribbean Dealers.

Northern Lights Inc and Parts & Power want to extend their gratitude to the 12 participants who made the sacrifice in time and expense to attend the training, and become more knowledgeable about the product. Their Dealerships will receive a “golden wrench” next to their Dealer name on the NL Dealer Directory and on the CaribbeanNorthernLights.com website. We also want to extend thanks to the hard working staff at Parts & Power for making the event such a great success.