Also known as 'what's in a name' (Read on to find out how the name 'Kevin the Kubota' developed)
After the episode with Brett Dillon and his 'reconditioning' of our genset, (see the page 'Brett Dillon') we determined to buy a new generator. Not just any one, a diesel powered 12 volt model, which coupled with our great inverter (that is a winner, go to www.inverter.com.au, Excelsior Power, well done guys) we could then run all the 240 volt stuff and charge the batteries at a great rate of knots. Well, to quote John Steinbeck, “The best laid plans of mice and men...........”.
We visited the factory a few times, went through everything with the owner, Brett (yes I know, the name should have forewarned us) and decided to outlay a bucket-load of cash on a new Kubota powered DcGen100LM 12 volt 100 amp genset. We were excited.
Around to the factory with the cash, sort out some last minute modifications and await delivery in a few days. He would deliver it to the mechanic who would carry out the installation.
Duly delivered for the mechanic to install in a day or two, we received a call that the (new) Kubota had leaked oil onto the workshop floor. OOPS. On the phone to Bret Sommer (name is starting to scare us about now) and off he went to inspect, yes there is a flaw in the casting, new engine required.
Week or so later, new engine installed, then comes delivery and installation. Which actually went better than we thought, exactly as planned. Had to be a first time.
Started up, within minutes it overheated. Over innumerable visits by On-Site and the mechanic it still overheated. No problem, after a bill for an additional AU$1000+ we have added a second AND third heat exchanger, exhaust blower, 2 coolant circulating pumps, metres of pipes and wires and finally it will run without tripping the overheat sensors.
Now the next design problem. It kept 'faulting out' electrically. There are lots of fail-safe cut-offs in the system. Off to the supplier went the 'smart box', twice.
On the genset there are many spade type connections, all nicely done and soldered, the whole nine yards. But the wires are too short, we are constantly replacing broken wires and plugs that just vibrate apart. By now we have arrived in the Whitsunday Islands, where all Aussie cruisers head at some point. Lovely place, pity the skipper had his head in the generator locker half the time.
The Kubota engine would not start.
A little more background (if you are still awake), we have never had full power from the genset (100 amps, remember). (We named him Kevin after the then Prime Minister, full of noise and very little power).
Now we won't regale you with whole story, sure you have better things to do with the next couple of hours, but over the last year since it was installed, (what, the warranty is no good Mr Kubota?) we have had 2 visits under warranty in Townsville but as this is being written the Kubota is out, stripped and awaiting a new piston. And it turns out the much flaunted Kubota International Warranty is printed in invisible ink.
So there you go, about the same time as Kevins' namesake gave up his politcal power our little Kevin gave up providing us power. Maybe next time we will give the choice of name more thought.
On the subject of name, Bret Sommer from OnSite was helpful at the start, but since then has disappeared. As usual we bought something with an out of sight warranty...............Once you're out of sight, it's out of warranty.
And, as usual...........
For the lawyers, this is just a narrative of certain events and contains our opinions and recollections. If you can show where this is factually incorrect or otherwise misleading, we would be happy to amend the text.
