TAZA MAS RE-GENERATES

Posted on September 25, 2015August 27, 2015 by Guy Phoenix

Taza Mas, a 93 ft steel ketch, approached Marine Maintenance Services (BVI) with a challenge. She had 2 old Onan generators that were old & limping & needed replacing.

After reviewing all the options the owner decided to replace them with 2 new M864 25kw Northern Lights. This was a particular challenge as the old generators had been installed by cutting holes in the side of the hull & inserting the units, re-welding afterwards. After copious measurements we decided that the old units could be removed & new generators installed by walking them through the boat. This involved lifting under the aft covered cockpit roof, 20ft through the upper salon, down a flight of stairs, around a corner, down another flight of stairs then monkey swinging both units into place. Nothing like a challenge!

Both generators are now installed & purring away to the great satisfaction of the Captain.

Leopard 46 Installation

Posted on September 24, 2015September 17, 2015 by Guy Phoenix

The owner of a Leopard 46 Crewed Charter Yacht asked Marine Maintenance Services in the BVI to replace his faithful 9kw Northern Lights generator.

This unit had 15,000 hours on it & was still running well, but the yacht had only one generator, and with a full charter season ahead they decided to change this out for a new unit. The bonus was that we instantly found him a buyer for the old one!!

The unit is now in place, but we added the optional second mounting system to ensure he had the smoothest and quietest running possible! We expect him to get the same outstanding performance from this new unit and wish him all the best for the oncoming season.

NORTHERN LIGHTS 2015 CARIBBEAN FALL REPOWER SALE

Posted on September 11, 2015September 11, 2015 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.

Introduction to our newest dealer

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Guy Phoenix

Captains speak very highly of the mechanical engineering skills of Erwan Le Normand and his team at Caraïbes Diesel Services.

Erwan started his own company – Caraïbes Diesel Services – in 2007. He previously worked with the former CAT agent in St.Martin for ten years, and Caraïbes Diesel Services now holds the main agency for CAT and Volvo Penta on St.Maarten / St.Martin. Before arriving in Saint Martin he studied at the reputable school of Etel in Brittany, France.

Caraïbes Diesel’s large workshop is located at Sandy Ground on the French side os St Maarten. They can be found near Marina Port Royale (from the lagoon direction), and the Beach Plaza hotel (from the road). They have a workshop dock to ensure a speedy service by water across the lagoon to provide service to yachts in all the main marinas. Language is not a problem as all four factory trained mechanics and one electrician on the team speak English.

Whilst specializing in Caterpillar and Volvo Penta, this highly professional team work with all main and auxiliary diesel engines including MAN, Perkins, Northern Lights and Yanmar. The company’s quality of service is so highly rated that Erwan services the French coastguard and ‘douanes’ vessels including full large engine refits.

Caraïbes Diesel’s parts store stocks a large range of over 2,500 items covering all manner of spares, belts, filters, lubricants and oils for CAT and Volvo Penta. From simple oil filters and injectors, to engine blocks and generators, they stock it!

This testimonial from a Captain sums up Caraïbes Diesel Services: “Erwan and his team provided a really good service when carrying out a complete rebuild on a Caterpillar engine – and delivered on time!”

Marine Maintenance Services Revives A Lagoon 560

Posted on August 18, 2015August 13, 2015 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.

NORTHERN LIGHTS PUTS ON SERVICE TRAINING FOR THE MOORINGS

Posted on August 11, 2015August 6, 2015 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.

New Northern Lights S3C panel

Posted on August 5, 2015August 5, 2015 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.

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

FREYA GETS A NEW HEART

Posted on July 31, 2015July 31, 2015 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: