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Northern Lights Lugger Generator Review

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Northern Lights generators have been used effectively on commercial fishing boats, high-performance yachts, and passenger vessels due to their unmatched quality and durability and the utilization of long-lasting Lugger diesel engines.

The whole range of 50 and 60 Hz marine generator sets is manufactured by Northern Lights. Their output power goes from 4.5 kW to 520 kW.

Northern Lights power is the most reliable in the industry because of the company's meticulous attention to detail. High copper content at the brushless generator end enables efficient motor starting.

The power for today's sensitive electrical devices is generated by a stator that is hand-wound and asymmetrical, and it uses a symmetrical sine wave. Furthermore, a corrosion-resistant epoxy coating is used to provide additional defense from the salty sea air.

Northern Lights' generators are low-maintenance. Most service points are located on one side for convenience's sake, when it comes to routine maintenance. Power solutions that are reliable, durable, and easy to use are built from a plethora of high quality components.

Northern Lights company history

Alaska Marine Sales and Service was established by Harold Johnson in Anchorage, Alaska, to provide services and products to the marine sector. Due to Alaska's short boating season, the company looked towards alternative revenue streams.

They were the first company to sell snowmobiles in Alaska, solidifying their position as an industry pioneer. The addition of land-based generator sets to the company's product portfolio was made to accommodate customers' needs for consistent electricity in remote, off-grid regions.

First moves toward creating a brand were taken in the early 1960s when the company began packaging Lister air-cooled diesels and Lima generators. Alaska Marine and Lister/Lima became the de facto norm in the state's rural areas.

By the late 1960s, the company had earned a stellar reputation for its ability to tailor land-based generating systems to individual needs. Alaska Marine & Equipment is now known as Northern Lights, a trade brand developed to highlight the company's emphasis on equipment.

The State of Alaska awarded the firm contracts to build complex, unattended power systems for power sites and to bring electricity to outlying communities and schools.

Contracts for powering communication facilities along the Alaska Pipeline were awarded to the business due to its prominence as a leader in self-contained, unattended cold weather power systems.

Since the early 1980s, ADE has been developing and manufacturing marine generating sets and propulsion engines using the same Komatsu industrial blocks found in their land-based counterparts.

When the company branched out into more powerful engines and generator sets, its growth potential on the international market skyrocketed.

Demand for mega yachts, a luxury commodity from North America, skyrocketed in the 1990s. The ships' captains and owners would never skimp on safety measures. Northern Lights was the go-to for the owner of a large pleasure vessel because of the company's stellar record for delivering systems that last.

Johnson moved the company headquarters to Seattle, Washington in 1970. In the middle of the 1970s, he began developing his own range of marine items.

It's a new company, and they're calling themselves Alaska Diesel Electric (ADE). The new company produced the Northern Lights land-based generator sets that were offered in Alaska and along the West Coast.

Lugger engine

In 1975, work began on the first Lugger propulsion engines, which were based on a John Deere engine block. Although the company's primary focus was on developing propulsion engines, it also witnessed tremendous growth in the market for marine generating sets.

There was obviously a demand for high-quality, mobile diesel generators in the nautical industry. Due to the lack of a small diesel engines produced in the United States, ADE teamed up with the Ishikawajima-Shibaura Machinery (ISM) Company of Japan to develop a series of small marine diesels capable of powering sets ranging in output from 5 to 20 kilowatts (kW).

Due to advances in technology and increased demand, generator sets have become increasingly important since the turn of the millennium. By the year 2000, Northern Lights had established itself as a global powerhouse.

Environmental and space-saving concerns have led to the development of cutting-edge technology and solutions including the DECS Diesel Emission Cleaning System, PTO capability on most units, and fully electronic engines.

Invention paved the way for development. In 2003, ADE rebranded as Northern Lights, Inc. Our power plants were USEPA Tier III compliant far before it was required. In 2010, Northern Lights was awarded ISO 9001 accreditation by Lloyd Register Quality Assurance.

After acquiring Technicold in 2007, Northern Lights expanded its product offerings. Northern Lights' entry into a market unrelated to energy generation or propulsion began with a Florida-based manufacturer of maritime climate systems.

Technicold's stellar reputation for design adaptation and service made them an ideal business partner for Northern Lights.

Northern Lights has over 375 dealers all over the world that they service, in addition to its main office in Seattle. Northern Lights is synonymous with high-quality, sturdy, and user-friendly marine gear.

Northern Lights Lugger Engine product range

They have a vast range of generators for personal and commercial use, here are some examples of their great product range:

Marine Generators - M673LD3G 5kW

Engine block

Quick-starting glow plugs and a four-cycle, three-cylinder diesel engine with liquid cooling and natural aspiration. Swirl technique in combustion chambers improves efficiency and reduces emissions.

Cooling System

With the regular heat exchanger cooling, keel cooling is an additional upgrade. Copper-nickel tube heat exchangers are easily maintained without the use of zincs thanks to their removable rubber end covers. The bronze, stainless steel, and rubber components of the seawater pump's gear drive eliminate any potential for failure.

Fuel System

The AC frequency may be precisely adjusted thanks to the inclusion of a self-ventilating fuel system and an inline injection pump equipped with a 3-5 percent mechanical governor.

Since the fuel rack is directly connected to the solenoid, there is no need for any additional linkages to cause problems. In case of electronic pump failure, the mechanical gasoline lift pump can be primed by hand. Regularly, the drain pan is where you'll find the plumbing for the flexible fuel lines.

Emissions

The M673LD3 satisfies the standards set out by the US Environmental Protection Agency's Tier III emission regulations. Cast aluminum intake manifold with Sound Maze technology reduces noise, and the washable air filter makes regular maintenance a breeze. With a wet exhaust elbow made of stainless steel.

Method of Lubrication

A closed crankcase vent system that collects oil vapor is used to keep the engine room clean. Having a 3.1-quart (3-liter) oil capacity and a recommended oil change interval of 200 hours is great for lubrication. The oil drain pipe facilitates routine upkeep.

DC Electricity

The DC System consists of a 12 volt starter motor and an alternator with a belt guard. A remote mount control panel with a 20-foot (6-m) harness, an hour meter, a stop/start button with a run light, and a preheat switch are included in the package.

Six more panels can be added to a standard panel when placed at a distance of 110 feet or more from the set. Stoppages for safety reasons occur frequently because of issues like low oil pressure, excessively hot coolant, and excessively hot exhaust.

AC Electricity

The pre-lubricated bearing and Class "H" insulation on the Northern Lights direct coupled four-pole, four-lead generator are just two of its many impressive features. Our fully-automated voltage regulator allows for voltage adjustments of up to 5%. To prevent damage to the AVR, a dedicated circuit breaker is installed.

Marine Generators - M200A13 175kW

Engine

Six-cylinder, four-cycle, in-line, overhead valve marine diesels commonly found in luggers are based on heavy-duty industrial engine blocks.

Longevity is ensured by using a forged crankshaft with rolled filets and induction-hardened journals. Long service life and low maintenance costs are achieved by using cylinders with wet, replaceable liners.

Chromium is used for the stems and rotators of bimetallic valves. This means you need new valve guides and seats. Pistons constructed from a Ni-Resist inlaid top ring of a three-ring aluminum alloy design. Keystone piston rings limit carbon formation when operating at low loads.

Crankshaft torsional dampers help keep the engine operating smoothly. Just one poly-vee drive belt turns the alternator with a geared coolant pump.

Fuel System

High pressure common rail fuel injection is utilized to ensure a clean, uninterrupted flow with systems that inject fuel directly into the engine.

Canister fuel filters come with a built-in drain and sensors that detect water in the fuel and low fuel pressure, and an electric fuel transfer pump that self-primes when it is turned on.

Method of Lubrication

Gear-type oil pump with positive displacement. Spin-on oil filter with full flow, and Oil spray cooling reduces piston crown temperature and increases piston durability.

Jacket-water, plate-type, full-flow oil coolers are used to lower temperatures and avoid lubricating oil deterioration, plus there is a large oil pan

Through a closed-loop crankcase vent, oil vapor is collected to prevent messes in the engine room.

Air System

The dry air filter can significantly lower intake noise. Protective turbocharger design features include water-cooling jackets on the turbines.

In order to maximize both output and combustion, a jacket water aftercooler is installed.

Cooling System

Heat exchanger in tube form, cooled by cupronickel, with removable caps for easy maintenance.

Gear-driven pumps powered by the sea water use flexible impellers made of bronze or stainless steel.

Two thermostats for rapid warming up measurements and security.

A cast-iron exhaust manifold has a two-pass jacket-water flow to maintain a constant temperature.

DC Electricity

Electronic System Profiler (ESP) delivers an SAE J1939 data stream via a CANbus connector.

In a negative ground, 12 volt DC system, regulators are installed on the circuit breaker, the starter motor, and the alternator.

A DC voltage meter, an engine hour counter, a coolant temperature gauge, and an oil pressure gauge are all part of the standard S-3C remote control panel.

You can define the quantity and kind of the information delivered with the usage of additional alternative panels. Reliable relay-based DC systems are simple to diagnose and fix.

AC Electricity

Reconfigurable AC generator with a single bearing and 12 wire connections. Plus, the brushless motor doesn't need any regular servicing.

All NL generators are built to, or exceed, class society standards, with features including Class "H" insulation, readily available diodes, larger ball bearings, marine grade shafts, and conservative 110°/50° heat rise rates.

The lifespan of engines and generators that are torque-matched is significantly increased.

Input voltage is automatically regulated within a 1.5 percent range (from no load to full load).

Isochronous frequency regulation is achieved using an electronic governor controlled by an electronic control unit.

Land Based Generators - NL944T3 36kW

Engine

Four-cycle, turbocharged, liquid-cooled, overhead-valve lugger diesel engine designed for heavy industrial use.

Double-walled oil container.

Stronger than cast iron, the crankshaft is composed of induction-hardened, forged carbon steel.

Carbon steel timing gears with helical cuts and grinding produce less noise.

Cross-ventilation in the skull facilitates efficient breathing.

Cooling System

For liquid cooling, a radiator and a pusher fan are included. Fan hand guard and radiator shroud, as well. 

Fueling System

Bosch-style in-line injection pump with a 5% mechanical governor for accurate regulation of the AC output frequency.

Manually primed fuel lift pump and a huge fuel filter that rotates on and off.

There is a stop solenoid that is responsible for shutting off the fuel rack rather than the throttle for instant engine shutdowns.

Emissions

omplies with the US Environmental Protection Agency's Tier IV emission criteria (intermediate).

There is also a large air purifier that has a filter that can be taken out and cleaned.

Method of Lubrication

A full-flow, spin-on oil filtration system is used.

DC Electricity

Instead of using expensive and often damaged printed circuit boards, DC systems rely on tried and true relays.

Alternator and voltage regulator for 12-volt systems.

J-box mounted standard panel. Among the features available on S-1B are a timer, a bypass for powering down, a preheat toggle, and a stop/start button.

AC Electricity

The steel frames of a foundation are easy to set up and provide reliable support.

Vibration mounts isolate the engine, allowing for silent operation.

Durable and highly visible Imron® enamel coating for years of reliable service.

Final thoughts

Whilst it depends on your needs, like why do you want it, what is it for, and how often you will use it… if you think Northern Lights generator with Lugger engines fits your needs then you can be assured of their strength, reliability and durability. 

About Tom Bell

Hey, I’m Tom, the owner of Generator Reviews! I built this website to help you get the very most out of your generator and select the correct one for your personal circumstances. This site contains reviews of virtually every generator, detailed buying guides, as well as maintenance advice to help you keep yours in tip-top shape!

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