Woodward Marine Governors, Actuators & Control Parts
Woodward governors, actuators and electronic controls are used in marine propulsion, auxiliary engine and generator applications where accurate engine-speed and fuel control are required.
Depending on the engine and installation, marine governing systems may use mechanical-hydraulic governors, electronically controlled governor/actuators, electric actuators or digital speed and load controls.
Alfa Marine Spare Parts supplies Woodward governors, actuators, controls and related marine engine parts, subject to availability.
For accurate identification, provide the complete Woodward part number, model, engine model, engine serial number and clear photographs of the existing unit when requesting a quotation.
Woodward Governors for Marine Engines
A governor regulates engine speed as operating load changes.
On a propulsion engine, load changes with vessel operation and propeller demand. On an auxiliary generator engine, the governing system must respond as electrical loads are added or removed.
Woodward product families encountered across marine and other engine applications include:
- UG governors
- UG-25+ governors
- PG governors
- 3161 governors
- 3161-EGB and EGB governor/actuators
- ProAct actuators
- 2301 and 2301A controls
- 2300E digital controls
- 2301E Load Sharing and Speed Controls
The exact Woodward configuration should always be identified before replacement because products within the same family can have different specifications and applications.
Woodward UG & UG-25+ Governors
Woodward UG governors are mechanical-hydraulic governors for controlling diesel, gas and dual-fuel engines or steam turbines.
The UG design has been used for many years across engine and turbine applications, including marine installations.
The Woodward UG-25+ is a microprocessor-controlled mechanical-hydraulic governor for controlling diesel, gas or dual-fuel engines, or steam turbines.
It provides configurable speed-control, fuel-limiting and operating functions while retaining a mechanical-hydraulic governor architecture.
When replacing a UG or UG-25+, confirm the complete governor identification and configuration rather than selecting a replacement from appearance alone.
Woodward PG Governors
The Woodward PG family consists of pressure-compensated governors designed for large engines and turbines.
Woodward's PG range provides comparatively high work capacity, making it suitable for large prime-mover applications.
On older marine installations, identification from the actual governor is especially important because the engine or governing system may have been modified during previous repairs or overhauls.
Woodward 3161 Governors
The Woodward 3161 is a hydro-mechanical governor platform used with reciprocating engines and other prime movers.
Different 3161 configurations exist, so the model designation alone should not be used to determine interchangeability.
For a replacement inquiry, provide the complete Woodward identification together with the engine manufacturer, engine model and serial number whenever available.
Woodward 3161-EGB & EGB Governor/Actuators
The 3161-EGB combines the Woodward 3161 hydro-mechanical governor with electrically controlled actuation.
An electronic speed control normally provides the governing signal.
If the electronic governor signal is lost, the 3161-EGB is designed so that the mechanical ballhead can assume control of engine speed.
Woodward's 3161-EGB documentation also includes specific recommendations for marine installations.
The broader EGB governor/actuator family provides electronic actuation together with mechanical governor backup for applicable diesel, dual-fuel, gas-engine and turbine applications.
Because configurations vary, replacement should be based on the complete Woodward identification rather than the EGB family name alone.
Woodward ProAct Actuators & Marine Part Numbers
The Woodward ProAct family includes electronic actuators used to position an engine's fuel-control mechanism.
One particularly well-documented marine application is found on certain Wärtsilä/WinGD two-stroke engines, where Woodward identifies ProAct units as fuel-pump actuators.
For these applications, Woodward documents Model 2 actuators on smaller engines and Model 4 actuators on larger engines.
Verified Woodward ProAct Part Numbers
| Woodward Part NumberDescription | |
| 8404-207 | ProAct Model 2 Analog — Generation 1 |
| 8404-114 | ProAct Model 2 Digital Plus — Generation 2 |
| 8404-039 | ProAct Model 4 Digital Plus — Generation 2 |
| 8404-317 | ProAct Model 2 FLEX — Generation 3 |
| 8404-336 | ProAct Model 4 FLEX — Generation 3 |
Woodward documents these references specifically in connection with Wärtsilä/WinGD two-stroke engine applications.
The Analog, Digital Plus and FLEX versions represent different generations. Woodward provides defined procedures for upgrading applicable older installations to ProAct Gen3 FLEX actuators.
These part numbers should not be treated as universally interchangeable. Always verify the existing actuator part number, engine application and applicable Woodward replacement procedure before ordering.
Woodward 2301 & 2301A Controls
Woodward 2301 and 2301A controls are associated with engine speed and load-control applications.
Depending on the configuration, these controls can work with an actuator as part of an electronic governing system.
Such systems are particularly relevant to generator applications where engine speed must remain stable as electrical load changes.
For an older installation, identify the exact control from its nameplate before requesting a replacement.
Woodward 2300E Digital Control
The Woodward 2300E is a programmable digital control designed to perform speed and load-control functions for applicable prime movers.
Two verified Woodward references are:
| Part NumberDescription | |
| 8273-1017 | 2300E Load Sharing and Speed Control, 24 VDC, Ordinary Locations |
| 8273-1018 | 2300E Load Sharing and Speed Control, 24 VDC, Hazardous Locations |
The distinction between these references demonstrates why the complete Woodward part number matters.
A control should not be selected simply because another unit carries the same 2300E family designation.
Woodward 2301E Load Sharing & Speed Control
The Woodward 2301E is a Load Sharing and Speed Control for applicable prime-mover and generator-control applications.
Woodward provides service tools for configuring, adjusting, monitoring and troubleshooting applicable 2301E controls.
8273-1017 and 8273-1018 are 2300E references, not 2301E part numbers.
Woodward Controls on Marine Generator Sets
Accurate engine-speed control is particularly important on marine generator sets.
When electrical demand increases, the governing system must respond to the increased engine load. When demand decreases, the required fuel command is reduced accordingly.
On applicable parallel-generator installations, load-sharing controls can also help distribute electrical load between operating generator sets.
Problems elsewhere in the governing system can produce symptoms similar to a failed governor or control. Possible symptoms include:
- Unstable engine speed
- Hunting
- Slow response to load changes
- Difficulty maintaining commanded speed
- Poor load sharing
- Generator frequency instability
These symptoms do not automatically prove that the Woodward governor, actuator or electronic control is defective. The complete governing system should be inspected before an expensive unit is replaced.
Other Woodward Engine Actuator Families
Woodward also produces other electronic actuator families, including L-Series, F-Series and R-Series products.
These families are used across various engine-control applications.
A Woodward actuator family name alone does not establish its suitability for a particular marine engine. Always verify the exact part number, configuration and engine application.
How to Find the Correct Woodward Part
For accurate Woodward parts identification, please provide:
- Woodward part number
- Woodward model or family
- Engine manufacturer and model
- Engine serial number
- Required quantity
- Clear photo of the Woodward identification plate
- Clear photos of the existing governor, actuator or control
Products within the same Woodward family can have different configurations, electrical requirements and applications.
If the part number or product information is unknown, send a clear photograph of the complete Woodward nameplate together with the engine information.
Older & Superseded Woodward Parts
Commercial vessels can remain in operation for decades, so older Woodward governors and controls are still encountered regularly.
Some original references may remain available, while others may have been superseded or replaced by later products.
A newer Woodward product should not automatically be considered a direct replacement for an older unit.
Depending on the product, replacement can involve differences in electrical supply, signals, configuration, mounting, torque, linkage or control settings.
The original Woodward number and application should therefore be verified before an alternative or superseding unit is ordered.
Buy Woodward Marine Governors & Parts
Alfa Marine Spare Parts supplies Woodward governor and engine-control products for marine and commercial vessel applications, subject to availability.
Typical inquiries include:
- Woodward UG governors
- Woodward UG-25+ governors
- Woodward PG governors
- Woodward 3161 governors
- Woodward 3161-EGB governor/actuators
- Woodward ProAct actuators
- Woodward 2301 and 2301A controls
- Woodward 2300E controls
- Woodward 2301E controls
- Woodward governor parts
- Woodward actuator and control parts
Exact part-number inquiries are welcome, including 8404-207, 8404-114, 8404-039, 8404-317, 8404-336, 8273-1017 and 8273-1018.
Request a Quote for Woodward Marine Parts
Looking for a Woodward governor, actuator or electronic control?
Send Alfa Marine Spare Parts the Woodward part number, model, engine model, engine serial number, required quantity and clear photographs of the identification plate.
We supply Woodward parts for commercial marine applications, subject to availability, with worldwide shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I identify a Woodward governor using only the engine model?
The engine model is useful, but the Woodward identification plate should also be checked. Different governor or actuator configurations can be fitted to the same engine family, particularly where an installation has been modified during its service life.
Can a newer Woodward ProAct actuator replace an older version?
Woodward documents specific upgrade procedures for certain ProAct actuators used on Wärtsilä/WinGD two-stroke engines. The existing part number and applicable replacement procedure should be verified before ordering because ProAct references are not universally interchangeable.
What should I send when requesting a Woodward marine part?
Send the complete Woodward part number, product model, engine manufacturer and model, engine serial number if available, required quantity and clear photographs of the identification plate and existing unit.