Fischer Panda U.S. Grows Market Share In Specialty Vehicle Generator Sales

Safari Expedition Vehicle

OAKLAND PARK, FL – SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 – In researching his needs for a hard working, easily installed, super silent and water cooled generator for his line of custom-built self-contained Expedition Vehicles, Mike Van Pelt turned to a familiar name in marine quality generators—Fischer Panda.

Van Pelt, managing director with Missouri-based Global Expedition Vehicles (GXVs), www.globalxvehicles.com, said his company selected the Panda AGT4000/12 DC PVMV-N to be installed in the “Safari Expedition” model due to its size and performance record.

At the heart of the Safari Expedition’s power system is the Fischer Panda AGT4000/12 DC PVMV-N vehicle diesel generator which is super efficient, utilizing an asynchronous water-cooled generator plant that has an auto-start system to automatically start to charge batteries when their voltage is low. The Fischer Panda PVMV-N diesel generator is small, light and practically has no heat signature. Super quiet, the unit measures 59 dBa at 7 meters.

After reviewing several competitive products, Van Pelt said Fischer Panda proved to best suit the rigorous performance and serviceability requirements for off-road, self-contained expedition vehicles.

‘Our GXVs are built to be world travel vehicles; therefore, worldwide serviceability is a high priority,” said Van Pelt. “We only source the highest quality materials for our 4 X 4 world-class vehicles, and while we do pay a small premium sometimes for some of our components, we believe that buying once and having it last a lifetime is a better purchasing decision than buying lower quality and replacing it several times over the course of a vehicle’s life. We chose Fischer Panda because, just as in the yacht world, our vehicles are out for months at a time in unpredictable conditions where self-reliance and dependability can be key to surviving.”

Van Pelt said the GXV will be installing the Fischer Panda AGT5000/12 DC PVMV-N generator on the production of newer, larger platform chassis models, including the Western Star and Freightliner.

“We believe Fischer Panda is the best generator on the market that meets the needs of our off-road RVs, which are custom-built to be the ultimate self-contained Expedition Vehicle,” Van Pelt added.

Chad Godwin, Director of Sales for Fischer Panda U.S., said Fischer Panda generators are ideal for specialty vehicles and coaches that require extreme quiet and reliability.

Godwin said the PVMV-N DC series are designed to provide AC current through batteries and inverters on board the coach or specialty equipment vehicle to power all consumers on board. By using the inverter system when not many heavy consumers on board are needed the battery bank and inverter system can resulting in savings up to 70 percent running time and 70 percent in fuel requirements. In addition, he continued, the Fischer Panda‘s PVMV-N generator ensures that batteries will have a much longer life by minimizing the risk of battery discharge.

About Fischer Panda Generators:
Fischer Panda has played a pioneering role in the design and manufacture of marine and vehicle generators for the past 31 years. In 1978 in Germany, Fischer Generators developed the quietest diesel generator in the world. That trend towards small, quiet and super efficiency was to continue, and in 1988, Fischer Generators added “Panda” to its brand and introduced its proprietary and water-cooled asynchronous electric plant. Fischer Panda U.S., which began operations in 1995, is located at 4345 NE 12 Terrace in Oakland Park, Florida. For more information, please call 954-462-2800 or access the company’s web site at www.fischerpanda.com.

Fischer Panda Generators U.S. to Open Sales & Services Store In Brazil

OAKLAND PARK, FL – JANUARY 4, 2010 – The U.S. office of Fischer Panda Generators has announced it is opening a marketing, services and distribution operation in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The store will primarily focus on the Brazil marine market with longer term plans to serve as the South American headquarters.

“This will be a Fischer Panda U.S.-owned operation and will provide the same level of customer and tech service, spare parts, in-stock generators and warranty programs that we currently provide for our customers throughout North America,” said Ashley Rushton, Operations Officer. The Sao Paulo office, located at FISCHER PANDA DO BRASIL – COMÉRCIO DE GERADORES LTDA., Rua Dom Bento Piquel, nº 495 Casa Verde Alta, São Paulo, SP, Brazil – CEP 02544-000. and is expected to open for operation in the second quarter of 2010. The operation will be staffed during the first quarter of 2010.

Through its standard line of innovative water cooled marine generators– ranging from 4 kW to 20 kW– Fischer Panda Generators U.S. has provided hundreds of solutions for both sail and powerboat manufacturers and owners throughout the Americas. The six traditional Fischer Panda AC generators are the PMS 4200 Plus, PMS 6000, PMS 8 Mini-DP, PMS 12 Mini-DP, PMS15 DP and PMS 20 DP. Fischer Panda also has two standard DC generators—AGT 4000 and AGT 6000 with a variety of DC voltages available.

As the only true 100%, water-cooled asynchronous generators on the market, Fischer Panda stands apart from the competition. No other cooling system is more efficient. The Fischer Panda generator can cool the stator winding with nearly 100-
percent efficiency due to the unique design of the asynchronous rotor that has no windings, no brushes or diodes. A conventional synchronous generator, on the other hand, can never achieve this level of efficiency because the rotor windings are cooled with air. That same air is very hot and transfers considerable noise. The air also carries humidity and dirt into the windings, which increases the resistance and thereby reduces electrical output.

The freshwater-cooled Fischer Panda generators provide distinct advantages over air-cooled generators, in size, weight, noise and efficiency.

Fischer Panda Generators
Fischer Panda Generators has played a pioneering role in the design and manufacture of marine and vehicle generators for the past 31 years. In 1978 in Germany, Fischer Generators developed the quietest diesel generator in the world. That trend towards small, quiet and super efficiency was to continue, and in 1988, Fischer Generators added “Panda” to its brand and introduced its proprietary and water-cooled, asynchronous electric plant. Fischer Panda U.S., which began operations in 1995, is located at 4345 NE 12 Terrace in Oakland Park, Florida. For more information, please call 954-462-2800 or access the company’s web site at www.fischerpanda.com.

Fischer Panda Generators U.S.A. reports increased sales of its Marine generators for Military Applications

OAKLAND PARK, FL— NOVEMBER 30, 2009 — The U.S. office of Fischer Panda Generators has announced the restructuring of its Marine Sales operation in order to increase its focus on the sales and service of its range on marine generators for various military and homeland security vehicle applications.

The U.S. operation (www.fischerpanda.com), which began in 1995, has strong market ties into marine OEMs and dealers, the specialty commercial vehicle markets and military integrators in North America. As a result of an increase in the public sector contracts, which includes homeland security and military, Fischer Panda Generators U.S. has identified new opportunities for its range of asynchronous and permanent magnet designed Marine generators. The Marine Sales Division will now be responsible for marketing the range of Fischer Panda Marine generators to government and military OEM’s. The Military Sales Department will be headquartered at the company’s main office located at 4345 NE 12 Terrace in Oakland Park, Florida. Chad Godwin will oversee all OEM sales.

Fischer Panda military generators are smaller, lighter and up to four times quieter than the current military Tactical Quiet Generator (TGQ) systems. Current Fischer Panda vehicle/shelter solutions—the 10kW and 18 kW generators [asynchronous] and 25kw [permanent magnet]—are compatible as trailer-mounted systems, which are HMMWV towable and C130 transportable, and built to provide full power in a battlefield condition.

Standard range of commercial vehicle AC generators [trailer mountable] offered by Fischer Panda range from 10kW to 50kW. The company also offers battery charging Military grade DC generators available from 3kW to 10kW.”

Through its standard line of innovative water cooled marine generators– ranging from 4 kW to 20 kW– Fischer Panda Generators U.S. has provided hundreds of solutions for both sail and powerboat manufacturers and owners throughout the Americas. The six traditional Fischer Panda AC generators are the PMS 4200 Plus, PMS 6000, PMS 8 Mini-DP, PMS 12 Mini-DP, PMS15 DP and PMS 20 DP. Fischer Panda also has two standard DC generators—AGT 4000 and AGT 6000 with a variety of DC voltages available.

As the only true 100%, water-cooled asynchronous generators on the market, Fischer Panda stands apart from the competition. No other cooling system is more efficient. The Fischer Panda generator can cool the stator winding with nearly 100-percent efficiency due to the unique design of the asynchronous rotor that has no windings, no brushes or diodes. A conventional synchronous generator, on the other hand, can never achieve this level of efficiency because the rotor windings are cooled with air. That same air is very hot and transfers considerable noise. The air also carries humidity and dirt into the windings, which increases the resistance and thereby reduces electrical output.

The freshwater-cooled Fischer Panda generators provide distinct advantages over air-cooled generators, in size, weight, noise and efficiency.

Fischer Panda Generators
Fischer Panda Generators has played a pioneering role in the design and manufacture of marine and vehicle generators for the past 31 years. In 1978 in Germany, Fischer Generators developed the quietest diesel generator in the world. That trend towards small, quiet and super efficiency was to continue, and in 1988, Fischer Generators added “Panda” to its brand and introduced its proprietary and water-cooled, asynchronous electric plant. Fischer Panda U.S., which began operations in 1995, is located at 4345 NE 12 Terrace in Oakland Park, Florida. For more information, please call 954-462-2800 or access the company’s web site at www.fischerpanda.com

Fischer Panda U.S. Grows Market Share In Specialty Vehicle Generator Sales

OAKLAND PARK, FL”SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 In researching his needs for a hard working, easily installed, super silent and water cooled generator for his line of custom-built self-contained Expedition Vehicles, Mike Van Pelt turned to a familiar name in marine quality generators”Fischer Panda.

Van Pelt, managing director with Missouri-based Global Expedition Vehicles (GXVs), www.globalxvehicles.com, said his company selected the Panda AGT4000/12 DC PVMV-N to be installed in the œSafari Expedition model due to its size and performance record.

Safari-Expedition-with-Pand_post_one
p4000i-pvmv-n_post_one

At the heart of the Safari Expedition’s power system is the Fischer Panda AGT4000/12 DC PVMV-N vehicle diesel generator which is super efficient, utilizing an asynchronous water-cooled generator plant that has an auto-start system to automatically start to charge batteries when their voltage is low. The Fischer Panda PVMV-N diesel generator is small, light and practically has no heat signature. Super quiet, the unit measures 59 dBa at 7 meters.

After reviewing several competitive products, Van Pelt said Fischer Panda proved to best suit the rigorous performance and serviceability requirements for off-road, self-contained expedition vehicles.

˜Our GXVs are built to be world travel vehicles; therefore, worldwide serviceability is a high priority, said Van Pelt. œWe only source the highest quality materials for our 4 X 4 world-class vehicles, and while we do pay a small premium sometimes for some of our components, we believe that buying once and having it last a lifetime is a better purchasing decision than buying lower quality and replacing it several times over the course of a vehicle’s life. We chose Fischer Panda because, just as in the yacht world, our vehicles are out for months at a time in unpredictable conditions where self-reliance and dependability can be key to surviving.

Van Pelt said the GXV will be installing the Fischer Panda AGT5000/12 DC PVMV-N generator on the production of newer, larger platform chassis models, including the Western Star and Freightliner.

œWe believe Fischer Panda is the best generator on the market that meets the needs of our off-road RVs, which are custom-built to be the ultimate self-contained Expedition Vehicle, Van Pelt added.

Chad Godwin, Director of Sales for Fischer Panda U.S., said Fischer Panda generators are ideal for specialty vehicles and coaches that require extreme quiet and reliability.

Godwin said the PVMV-N DC series are designed to provide AC current through batteries and inverters on board the coach or specialty equipment vehicle to power all consumers on board. By using the inverter system when not many heavy consumers on board are needed the battery bank and inverter system can resulting in savings up to 70 percent running time and 70 percent in fuel requirements. In addition, he continued, the Fischer Panda˜s PVMV-N generator ensures that batteries will have a much longer life by minimizing the risk of battery discharge.

Fischer Panda Generators has played a pioneering role in the design and
manufacture of marine and vehicle generators for the past 28 years. In 1978,
Fischer Generators Germany developed the quietest diesel generator in the
world. That trend towards small, quiet and super efficiency was to continue,
and in 1988, Fischer Generators added “Panda” to its brand and introduced
its proprietary and water-cooled asynchronous electric plant.

Fischer Panda U.S., which began operations in 1995, is located at 4345 NE 12 Terrace in Oakland Park, Florida. For more information, please call 954-462-2800 or access the company’s web site at www.fischerpanda.com.

Fischer Panda Generators U.S. to Equip The 290EC Catamaran Manufactured by World Cat

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL”DECEMBER 30, 2008 World Cat, a builder of high quality power catamarans based in North Carolina, has selected Fischer Panda Generators for their new 290 Express Cabin (290EC), the company’s first 2009 model.

World Cat’s 290EC will feature the Panda 4200 Plus as the standard generator.

World Cat’s OEM installation expands Fischer Panda’s growth in the marine market, as well as establishes the capabilities of the company’s generators in the smaller, family fishing boat market, according to Chad Godwin, director of sales for the U.S. operations for Fischer Panda.

œMore OEMs are changing to Fischer Panda, which are rated as the smallest, lightest, quietest and most efficient marine diesel generators in the world, said Godwin.

Special features of the 290EC include a separate, enclosed head with access from the cabin and cockpit, walkthrough Euro transom, ample storage room, and comfortable cabin space for both avid fishermen and their families.

œAfter extensive research and testing of various marine gensets in World Cat power catamarans, Fischer Panda was determined to be the best for our applications based on quality, reliability, power output and physical size, said Chris Brockway VP of Product Development for World Cat. œFeedback from dealers and customers and a history of very few warranty claims has confirmed that we made the right decision to use Fischer Panda. Their product and service are both world class.

For more information on the 290EC or World Cat, please visit www.worldcat.com.

As the only true 100-percent, water-cooled asynchronous generators on the market, Fischer Panda stands apart from the competition. No other cooling system is more efficient. The Fischer Panda generator can cool the stator winding with nearly 100-
percent efficiency due to the unique design of the asynchronous rotor that has no

windings, no brushes or diodes. A conventional synchronous generator, on the other hand, can never achieve this level of efficiency because the rotor windings are cooled with air. That same air is very hot and transfers considerable noise. The air also carries humidity and dirt into the windings, which increases the resistance and thereby reduces electrical output.

The freshwater-cooled Fischer Panda generators provide distinct advantages over air-cooled generators, in size, weight, noise and efficiency.

Fischer Panda Generators has played a pioneering role in the design and
manufacture of marine and vehicle generators for the past 28 years. In 1978,
Fischer Generators Germany developed the quietest diesel generator in the
world. That trend towards small, quiet and super efficiency was to continue,
and in 1988, Fischer Generators added “Panda” to its brand and introduced
its proprietary and water-cooled asynchronous electric plant.

Fischer Panda U.S., which began operations in 1995, is located at 4345 NE 12 Terrace in Oakland Park, Florida. For more information, please call 954-462-2800 or access the company’s web site at www.fischerpanda.com.

Fischer Panda 8 Mini DP Sales up 66% Year-to-Date

AC Diesel Generator is Favorite with Outboard Sportfishing Market

OAKLAND PARK, FL”NOVEMBER 20, 2008 Capable of producing 62 amps at 120 volts, the quiet, diesel-powered Fischer Panda 8 Mini DP AC generator is netting strong sales in the outboard sport fishing market”up by more than 50% year-to-date.

Powered by the reliable freshwater cooled Kubota Z428 twin cylinder diesel with Fischer Panda’s trade mark freshwater-cooled asynchronous electrical end, the 8 Mini provides Fischer Panda North America with a recession-resilient sales leader, a big favorite in the 30 to 38 foot sportfishing power market, according to Chad Godwin, Fischer Panda’s Director of Sales and Marketing.

The newest OEM to select the 8 Mini is Pursuit Boats, a division of Holland, Michigan-based S2 Yachts, Inc. The boat builder has selected the 8 Mini for their OS 345 model to debut in 2009.

œThe Fischer Panda product offers the Pursuit customer with a lightweight and compact size and the reliability, durability and safety that they expect from the Pursuit Brand, said Bruce Thompson, V.P. of Manufacturing.

Brand new from hull to decks to interior, the OS 345 is just the newest Pursuit to carry the Fischer Panda generator. Last year, the company chose Fischer Panda Generator’s to outfit their C 310 Center Console and the OS 375.

Fischer Panda Generators employs the latest in German engineering to manufacture the smallest, lightest, quietest and most efficient marine diesel generators in the world. Many consider Fischer Panda Generators to be the most advanced marine generator systems ever produced.

The six traditional Fischer Panda AC generators are the PMS 4200 Plus, PMS 6000, PMS 8 Mini-DP, PMS 12 Mini-DP, PMS 16 DP and PMS 22 DP. Fischer Panda also has two standard DC generators”AGT 4000 and AGT 6000.

Fischer Panda Generators has played a pioneering role in the design and
manufacture of marine and vehicle generators for the past 28 years. In 1978,
Fischer Generators Germany developed the quietest diesel generator in the
world. That trend towards small, quiet and super efficiency was to continue,
and in 1988, Fischer Generators added “Panda” to its brand and introduced
its proprietary and water-cooled asynchronous electric plant.

Fischer Panda U.S., which began operations in 1995, is located at 4345 NE 12 Terrace in Oakland Park, Florida. For more information, please call 954-462-2800 or access the company’s web site at www.fischerpanda.com.

Picking up right where we left off in 2007

OAKLAND PARK, FL”JUNE 20, 2008 Picking up right where it left off in 2007, Fischer Panda Generators U.S. continues to add to its growing list of boat manufacturers equipping their lines with Fischer Panda marine generators.

Joining the list in 2008 with new assignments are Larson Marine, Scout Boats, Regulator Marine, Cabo Yachts, Boston Whaler, Grady-White, Monterey Boats, Intrepid Boats and Pursuit Boats.

Fischer Panda U.S. sales director Chad Godwin said OEM growth at the South Florida-based company is up 22 percent since the first of the year. OEMs currently represent more than 60 percent of the company’s business.

Godwin said the 2008 OEM business is focusing on the company’s traditional line of marine diesel generators, specifically the Panda 4200 and Panda Mini 8 DP. Some of the models now adding Fischer Panda generators are the Grady-White 290, Monterey 320 and the Larson Cabrio 370.

Fischer Panda Generators has played a pioneering role in the design and
manufacture of marine and vehicle generators for the past 28 years. In 1978,
Fischer Generators Germany developed the quietest diesel generator in the
world. That trend towards small, quiet and super efficiency was to continue,
and in 1988, Fischer Generators added “Panda” to its brand and introduced
its proprietary and water-cooled asynchronous electric plant.

Fischer Panda U.S., which began operations in 1995, is located at 4345 NE 12 Terrace in Oakland Park, Florida. For more information, please call 954-462-2800 or access the company’s web site at www.fischerpanda.com.

Fischer Panda Generators U.S. to Equip The 305 and 345 Conquest Boats Manufactured by Boston Whaler

Oakland Park, FL Boston Whaler®, a business unit of Brunswick®’s Saltwater Boat Group, has selected Fischer Panda generators for their 2008 model year 305 and 345 Conquest boats. Production of Boston Whaler’s 305 and 345 Conquests with the Fischer Panda generators began in June 2007 and July respectively, and as a result, availability to consumers began in July and August respectively.

The Boston Whaler OEM installation will involve the Fischer Panda 4200 Plus and the 8 Mini DP generators, according to Chad Godwin, director of sales for the U.S. operations for Fischer Panda.

Boston Whaler’s order, according to Godwin, is expected to increase the growth for Fischer Panda in the marine market as well as demonstrate the capabilities of the company’s generators in the smaller, family fishing boat market.

œMore OEMs are switching to Fischer Panda, which are rated as the smallest, lightest, quietest and most efficient marine diesel generators in the world, said Godwin.
œIn addition to Boston Whaler, we’ve added a number of new customers in this upcoming model year.

The brand new 345 Conquest model is their flagship cabin boat as well as the largest Unibond® boat in Whaler history. Best-in-class features include an integrated windshield and hardtop, a centerline helm and island berth. The 305 Conquest cabin boat boasts an impressive 58 square feet of cockpit space with an elevated helm deck area and a recessed bow walkaround.

For more information on these models or on Boston Whaler, the Unsinkable Legendâ„¢, please visit www.whaler.com.

As the only true 100%, water-cooled asynchronous generators on the market, Fischer Panda stands apart from the competition. No other cooling system is more efficient. The Fischer Panda generator can cool the stator winding with nearly 100 percent efficiency due to the unique design of the asynchronous rotor that has no windings, no brushes or diodes. A conventional synchronous generator, on the other hand, can never achieve this level of efficiency because the rotor windings are cooled with air. That same air is very hot and transfers considerable noise. The air also carries humidity and dirt into the windings, which increases the resistance and thereby reduces electrical output.

The freshwater-cooled Fischer Panda generators provide distinct advantages over air-cooled generators, in size, weight, noise and efficiency.

Fischer Panda Generators has played a pioneering role in the design and
manufacture of marine and vehicle generators for the past 28 years. In 1978,
Fischer Generators Germany developed the quietest diesel generator in the
world. That trend towards small, quiet and super efficiency was to continue,
and in 1988, Fischer Generators added “Panda” to its brand and introduced
its proprietary and water-cooled asynchronous electric plant.

Fischer Panda U.S., which began operations in 1995, is located at 4345 NE 12 Terrace in Oakland Park, Florida. For more information, please call 954-462-2800 or access the company’s web site at www.fischerpanda.com.

Fischer Panda Generators U.S. to Equip The Canyon 336 Manufactured by Grady-White

Oakland Park, FL Grady-White has selected Fischer Panda Generators for its new 33-foot center console Canyon 336.

The Grady-White OEM installation will involve the Fischer Panda 4200 Plus, according to Chad Godwin, director of sales for the U.S. operations for Fischer Panda.

A favorite of sailboats 36 to 42 feet and small powerboats in the 30 to 36-foot range, the Fischer Panda 4200 Plus AC marine generator is powered by the reliable, fresh water-cooled, Farymann diesel engine and asynchronous water-cooled generator end.
All Fischer Panda generators come standard with 100% fresh water-cooling, superior sound enclosure, bulkhead external connections, remote fuel lift pump and remote control panel.

Godwin said testing conducted by the company has shown the Panda 4200 Plus, for example, to be on average 30-40% more fuel efficient than a comparative sized gas marine generator.

Grady-White’s order, according to Godwin, is expected to increase the growth for Fischer Panda in the marine market as well as demonstrate the capabilities of the company’s generators in the family fishing boat market.

œThe Canyon 336 brings together what customers and dealers have asked for in a big, powerful center console that blends comfort and convenience with first-class fishing features to ensure success on those long offshore trips, said David Neese, vice president of engineering at Grady-White. œThis boat is a stand-out with an innovative helm and seating, super cockpit arrangement, and a lockable console interior filled with great features, including a berth.

Grady-White builds 22 boat models from 18 to 36 feet at its plant in Greenville, N.C. Grady-White is the only company in the coastal fishing boat category to be ranked highest for excellence in customer satisfaction in all of the twelve third-party studies of satisfaction that have been done in the boating industry.

As the only true 100%, water-cooled, asynchronous generators on the market, Fischer Panda stands apart from the competition. No other cooling system is more efficient. The Fischer Panda generator can cool the stator winding with nearly 100% efficiency due to the unique design of the asynchronous rotor that has no windings, no brushes or diodes. A conventional synchronous generator, on the other hand, can never achieve this level of efficiency because the rotor windings are cooled with air. That same air is very hot and transfers considerable noise. The air also carries humidity and dirt into the windings, which increases the resistance and thereby reduces electrical output.

The freshwater-cooled Fischer Panda generators provide distinct advantages over air-cooled generators in size, weight, noise and efficiency.

For more information on the Canyon 336 and other Grady-White models go to www.gradywhite.com.

Fischer Panda Generators has played a pioneering role in the design and
manufacture of marine and vehicle generators for the past 28 years. In 1978,
Fischer Generators Germany developed the quietest diesel generator in the
world. That trend towards small, quiet and super efficiency was to continue,
and in 1988, Fischer Generators added “Panda” to its brand and introduced
its proprietary and water-cooled asynchronous electric plant.

Fischer Panda U.S., which began operations in 1995, is located at 4345 NE 12 Terrace in Oakland Park, Florida. For more information, please call 954-462-2800 or access the company’s web site at www.fischerpanda.com.

Globe Circling Adventurer Never Lacks Power Through Fischer Panda

OAKLAND PARK, FL APRIL 4, 2008 In daredevil Mike Harker’s early days, he flew powerless craft to his near death. Now, the intrepid adventurer circles the globe through Fischer Panda power.

cockpit_post_5A native Californian, Harker, 60, always gravitated toward extreme sports on the water and in the air. He was a national water skiing champion at age 16 and 18. As a young adult, he pioneered early ˜70s hang-gliding development. In 1977, a terrifying glider accident thrust Harker into a 400-foot freefall, leaving him unconscious for a year and paralyzed from the knees down. Through multiple surgeries and arduous physical therapy, he persevered until he could walk again.

Despite his injuries, the bold world traveler learned to sail offshore on the California coast five years ago. Long-range sailing was a perfect fit for Harker’s career as an international sports photographer/cinematographer and sports legend. In no time, he began dreaming of circumnavigating the world alone.

In 2003, he sailed single-handedly across the Atlantic in a trial run for his yearlong expedition circling the globe launched in March 2006. In preparation for the 28,000-mile voyage, Harker sought the best equipment available. He purchased his third and largest Hunter sailboat, Wanderlust III, a 49-foot cruiser. Harker had visited the Hunter factory in Florida and knew from his two previous Hunters that the manufacturer utilized only proven equipment, like Fischer Panda generators.

He had heard about the reputation of Fischer Panda Generators as being the smallest, lightest, quietest and most efficient generator in the market. œThese sailors would point out other boats and ask, ˜Do you realize there’s a generator going?’ It would be purring like a sewing machine. My previous one sounded like a tractor, he said.

dockside2_post_5Harker is dependent on good equipment to go around the world. He said he has confidence in his Panda 12 DP because everything made in Germany is made with precision. œThat’s why I chose a Fischer Panda Generator as an orderable option. I’m living off my generator. It has to perform without flaw.

Harker doesn’t connect to shore power in foreign ports because his boat is wired for 120V American power and the voltages are not compatible. In order to re-supply his systems, Harker moors in a harbor and runs his Fischer Panda generator. œIn three and a half hours and on less than a gallon of gas, I’m able to charge my batteries and fill my water tanks all while I’m watching a movie on my wide-screen TV. It’s vibrationless and noiseless quite a luxury, he remarked.

Don’t look for this over-achiever to take it easy for too long in his cabin. Next, Harker plans to solo sail Wanderlust III around the world in the opposite direction.

Chad Godwin, marine sales and marketing manager for Fischer Panda Generators, said his company is proud to be a part of Mike Harker’s journey. œOver the years, the continuously advancing technology of Fischer Panda Generators has increased our reliability and efficiency. Having the team of Mike Harker and Hunter Marine as a valued customer has been beneficial in learning what we can do to offer the best generator and support worldwide.

Fischer Panda Generators has played a pioneering role in the design and
manufacture of marine and vehicle generators for the past 28 years. In 1978,
Fischer Generators Germany developed the quietest diesel generator in the
world. That trend towards small, quiet and super efficiency was to continue,
and in 1988, Fischer Generators added “Panda” to its brand and introduced
its proprietary and water-cooled asynchronous electric plant.

Fischer Panda U.S., which began operations in 1995, is located at 4345 NE 12 Terrace in Oakland Park, Florida. For more information, please call 954-462-2800 or access the company’s web site at www.fischerpanda.com.