Details
CCEC Cummins KT38-DM560 Marine Auxiliary Engine
The Cummins KT38-DM560 marine auxiliary engine is a heavy-duty power solution strictly engineered for 50Hz shipboard electrical grids. Operating at a fixed 1500 RPM, this CCEC KT38-DM560 diesel engine produces a continuous prime power output of 560 kW (750 HP), making it a highly precise match for 500kW marine generator sets. Built on the proven KT38 38L V12 diesel engine block, this unit avoids the unnecessary complexities of higher-output models while ensuring absolute reliability for continuous maritime operations.
For fleet operators and shipyards looking for a direct KT38-DM560 replacement engine, verifying the exact configuration is crucial. This specific model is identified by the Cummins KT38-DM560 CPL CQ606 D232018DX02 complete assembly code. Matching this Control Parts List (CPL) ensures seamless integration with your existing marine cooling system, engine mounts, and alternator pairings, guaranteeing that your vessel meets IMO Tier II emissions standards without requiring extensive engine room modifications.
Tech Specs of Cummins KT38-DM560
General Engine Data
Engine Model: Cummins KT38-DM560
Type: 12 Cylinders, V Type, 4 Stroke, Diesel
Displacement: 38 L
Bore * Stroke: 159 * 159
Net Weight (with flywheel & alternator): 3923 Kg
Overall Dimension: 2003mm*1362mm*1661mm
Engine Configuration No.: D232018DX02
Key Performance Data
Rated Power: 560 kW/750HP
Rated Speed: 1500 rpm
Low Idle Speed: 675-775 rpm
Fuel Consumption (Running Speed): 232 g/kW.hr
Torque/Rated Speed: 3565 N.m @ 1500 rpm
More Technical Data
Certification: CCS/IMO Certificates
Aspiration: Turbocharged
Compression Radio: 15.5:1
Fuel System: Cummins Pressure Time (PT Pump)
Starting System: Electrical starting motor (24V)
Cooling Method: Water cooling
Cooling Method: Sea water pump, Heat exchanger, Wet exhaust manifold
Core Engineering for 50Hz Marine Applications
Operating an onboard electrical grid requires an engine that can maintain precise frequency under varying load conditions. The 50Hz 560kW marine generator drive engine Cummins KT38-DM560 is designed exactly for this environment. Unlike propulsion engines that face dynamic RPM requirements, this KT38-DM560 marine generator engine is locked at 1500 RPM. At this speed, the engine generates a massive KT38-DM560 3565 Nm torque, ensuring that sudden electrical load spikes—such as starting heavy deck winches or bow thrusters—do not cause voltage drops or frequency instability.
The foundational architecture features a robust KT38-DM560 159 x 159 mm engine bore and stroke. This square cylinder design provides excellent balancing and reduces piston wear over tens of thousands of operating hours. When sudden overloads occur, the system provides a safety margin, functioning temporarily as a KT38-DM560 616 kW overload engine (or KT38-DM560 825 HP overload marine engine) to prevent blackout conditions during critical vessel maneuvers. The unit utilizes a dependable KT38-DM560 24V electric start engine system, ensuring rapid cranking even in harsh, cold marine environments.
Technical Comparisons: KT38 vs. KTA38 Series (Non-Aftercooled vs. Aftercooled)
When evaluating a Cummins KT38-DM560 560 kW 1500 RPM unit against similar engines in the 38-liter family, the most distinct technical difference is the aspiration and cooling method. Unlike the KTA38 models which utilize an advanced water-to-air aftercooler (intercooler) to achieve higher power density, the KT38-DM560 turbocharged diesel engine relies strictly on exhaust-driven turbocharging without the aftercooling circuit.
This simpler aspiration method results in a KT38-DM560 15.5:1 compression ratio, which is slightly higher than the 14.5:1 ratio typically found on KTA38 models. By removing the aftercooler, the KT38-DM560 marine auxiliary generator engine operates with fewer potential failure points in the cooling loop. There is no risk of intercooler water leaks entering the intake manifold. For shipowners, this means the Cummins KT38-DM560 Engine Assembly offers lower upfront costs, significantly reduced maintenance complexity, and a narrower physical footprint in tight engine rooms.
Furthermore, using a lower-rated, non-aftercooled KT38-DM560 560 kW marine auxiliary engine to drive a 500kW alternator is often superior to derating a 768kW KTA38 engine. Running a high-horsepower engine continuously at light loads leads to low cylinder temperatures and incomplete combustion—a condition known as wet-stacking. The KT38-DM560 750 HP marine diesel engine is perfectly sized to run near its optimal load range when powering a 500kW grid, preventing carbon buildup, preserving cylinder cross-hatching, and ensuring cleaner exhaust emissions.
Real-World Application Scenarios
Commercial Cargo and Transport Vessels
On large container ships and bulk carriers, electrical reliability is just as critical as main propulsion. The KT38-DM560 ship auxiliary power engine serves as the backbone for onboard hotel loads, refrigerated container (reefer) plugging, and navigation systems. Its ability to run continuously for weeks makes the KT38-DM560 cargo ship auxiliary engine a standard choice for deep-sea transport companies that cannot afford electrical blackouts while underway.
Towing and Commercial Fishing
Working vessels face highly variable duty cycles. A KT38-DM560 tug boat auxiliary engine frequently powers heavy-duty hydraulic towing winches. The rapid load acceptance of the 38-liter displacement prevents stalling when the winch suddenly takes on a heavy tow line tension. Similarly, a KT38-DM560 fishing vessel auxiliary engine is heavily relied upon to power massive freezing plants and mechanical nets, where a loss of electrical generation could result in the total loss of a commercial catch.
Marine Cooling Systems: Heat Exchanger vs. Keel Cooling
Proper thermal management is a primary consideration during any KT38-DM560 marine engine installation. HekoPower supplies this engine in multiple cooling configurations. The Cummins KT38-D(M)560 heat exchanger cooling marine engine unit is the most common, utilizing an engine-mounted titanium plate heat exchanger to draw raw seawater, cool the internal jacket water, and immediately discharge the seawater overboard.
Alternatively, vessels operating in highly abrasive, shallow, or ice-filled waters often specify a KT38-DM560 keel cooling engine. This closed-loop system routes the jacket water through grid coolers mounted on the exterior of the ship's hull, completely isolating the engine from corrosive seawater. Understanding KT38-DM560 heat exchanger vs keel cooling is vital; keel cooling requires zero seawater pumps or inboard strainers, dramatically reducing maintenance routines, but it does demand specific structural hull designs. Always verify your specific KT38-DM560 marine generator cooling requirements before finalizing your engine order.
Maintenance, Overhaul, and Replacement Tips
Fuel System Dynamics and Misconceptions
A widespread misconception regarding the KT38-DM560 PT fuel pump engine is that mechanical injection is outdated compared to modern high-pressure common-rail electronic systems. In deep-sea marine environments, the Cummins Pressure-Time (PT) fuel system is highly preferred precisely for its mechanical simplicity and resilience against poor-quality bunker diesel and water contamination. There are no delicate electronic injectors to fail in the middle of the ocean. Maintaining this system is straightforward, and the CCEC KT38-DM560 fuel consumption at 1500 RPM 100% load remains a highly economical 145 L/hr (approximately 38.3 gallons per hour).
Managing Engine Overhauls and Complete Replacements
When a generator engine reaches 20,000 to 30,000 running hours, fleet managers must decide between an in-frame overhaul or purchasing a KT38-DM560 complete engine. While a KT38-DM560 overhaul kit—including new replaceable wet cylinder liners, piston rings, and main bearings—is cost-effective for a well-maintained block, a total Cummins KT38-DM560 complete engine assembly is often the smarter financial choice if the crankshaft is scored or the block has suffered severe cavitation damage.
As an authorized KT38-DM560 wholesale supplier, HekoPower provides exact-match configurations. If you are conducting a Cummins KT38-DM560 engine replacement for 500kW marine genset, matching the KT38-DM560 CPL CQ606 is mandatory. Changing CPLs can alter the exhaust manifold height, flywheel housing dimensions, and mechanical governor response, leading to disastrous physical alignment issues with the existing marine alternator. We supply complete CCEC KT38-DM560 replacement engine units that drop directly into your existing footprint, minimizing vessel downtime in drydock. We also stock a comprehensive inventory of KT38-DM560 replacement parts to support routine lube oil and valve lash servicing.
HekoPower 38L Series Availability
As a leading KT38-DM560 wholesale engine distributor, HekoPower ensures that shipyards and fleet operators receive power solutions perfectly matched to their operational profiles. While the KT38-DM560 marine emergency generator engine and primary auxiliary configurations are ideal for 560kW / 50Hz requirements, varying vessel sizes often dictate different power nodes or 60Hz capabilities. Depending on your specific electrical load and frequency demands, you may require a different iteration of the Cummins 38-liter family.
Cummins K38-DM Series, Marine Auxilliary Diesel Engines for commercial and recreational applications, original products from Chongqing Cummins Engine Plant(CCEC). This series mainly includes KT38-DM560, KT38-DM679, KTA38-DM664, KTA38-DM768, KTA38-DM809, KTA38-DM814, KTA38-DM880, KTA38-DM1007. All engines complete with sea water pump, heat exchanger, CCS/IMO certificates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CCEC stand for, and how does it relate to Cummins?
CCEC stands for Chongqing Cummins Engine Company, a joint venture between Cummins Inc. and Chongqing Machinery & Electronics Co., Ltd. CCEC manufactures heavy-duty Cummins engines, including the K series (K19, K38, K50) and N series, under strict Cummins quality control standards and licensing.
Does this engine meet modern maritime emission standards?
Yes. When evaluating the IMO Tier II certified Cummins KT38-DM560 engine specs and price, operators will find it fully complies with MARPOL Annex VI regulations for NOx emissions. It can also be supplied with complete China Classification Society (CCS) and other major marine class certificates for commercial survey compliance.
Can I run this engine at 1800 RPM for a 60Hz generator?
No. The Cummins KT38-DM560 750 HP Engine is mechanically governed and optimized specifically for 1500 RPM to produce 50 Hz power. If your vessel requires a 60 Hz electrical grid, you must select an 1800 RPM variant, such as the KT38-DM679, to ensure proper synchronization and prevent catastrophic overspeed damage.
Can HekoPower supply replacement parts for older KT38 engines?
Yes, HekoPower supplies a complete range of genuine CCEC replacement parts, including cylinder heads, crankshafts, water pumps, fuel pumps, Holset turbochargers, and complete lower/upper engine overhaul gasket kits.
What is the difference between D232018DX02 and CPL CQ606?
Both refer to the exact same engine build. KT38-DM560 CPL CQ606 is the Control Parts List number used by mechanics to order internal replacement components like injectors, camshafts, and pistons. KT38-DM560 D232018DX02 is the overall factory configuration code that dictates the external arrangement, such as the orientation of the turbochargers and the specific type of flywheel housing.
Are you a direct supplier for this engine?
Yes. HekoPower operates as a primary KT38-DM560 engine supplier, offering direct factory access for both single-unit sales and fleet-wide procurement. If you are looking for a KT38-DM560 engine price quote or a KT38-DM560 engine for sale, our engineering team will verify your vessel's technical requirements, engine mounts, and cooling parameters before shipping.
