Generator for 2007 240 Sundancer

Daddyboggs

New Member
Aug 30, 2017
6
Boat Info
2007 sea ray Sundancer pulled with F250
Engines
Mercruiser 350 mag MPI
IMG_4282.JPG
Where can I find information on adding stock generator to my 240 Sundancer
 
240 never came stock with one.....that said, a couple of members added them back in the day.....they used a westerbeke 3.0 bpmg and i believe the install involved relocating an or downsizing the vacuflush tank (if so equipped) its a big job that involves cutting two holes in your boat, tapping into the fuel supply and adding a transfer switch.....10-12k if you use all new parts and have someone do it for you....
 
Honda 2000 on the swim platform is your best bet.
 
Upsize the battery bank and install an inverter.
 
Besides for my recommendation on the Honda here is some information to get you started.

Most small boats come with a Kohler 5K generator, you will want the sound shield with it but with that said being such a small boat I don't know how much of a difference it will make controlling the noise. The generator is going to set you back $8-$12K depending on if it's used or new. For the install the engine may need to come out to get the generator in, it will require a hole be cut for the through hull for the cooling water. The generator will be connected to a CO sensor and it will also be wired to a bilge blower so its running when the generator is on. It will also need to be wired into the main panel and you will need a dedicated starting battery for it added into your charging system.

What specific questions do you have?
 
Most small boats come with a Kohler 5K generator, you will want the sound shield with it but with that said being such a small boat I don't know how much of a difference it will make controlling the noise. The generator is going to set you back $8-$12K depending on if it's used or new. For the install the engine may need to come out to get the generator in, it will require a hole be cut for the through hull for the cooling water. The generator will be connected to a CO sensor and it will also be wired to a bilge blower so its running when the generator is on. It will also need to be wired into the main panel and you will need a dedicated starting battery for it added into your charging system.
What do you consider a small boat? A 5K gen sounds kinda large for what there is to power on a 2007 240: microwave, fridge, head, sound system, battery recharge....? Unless the current owner or a PO did some major upgrades, there's no heat/AC, no water heater, no stovetop....

In comparison, my 300 DA came with a 4K gen and does have heat/air, water heater, and stove. When the gen was in good running condition, we could power multiple systems simultaneously with no issues: for example, fridge, heat, water heater, stove. While researching replacement, I've pondered upgrading to a 5K model for good measure, but today's 4Ks appear to be quite sufficient so I won't be lacking if I stick with the smaller unit.

I ask because of the potential price and footprint differences, especially in light of rearranging the ER. Ididntdoit mentioned using a 3K, and I would think that would do the job while being a little kinder to the bank account.
 
my 4.5kW Westerbeke genny will run everything on my boat well.....I have tested it more than once by turning on the hot water heater, the AC, the stove, the microwave, the cabin frig, and just about all lights on the boat at the same time and it had no issues keeping up with the demand....

cliff
 
I have a 240 Sundancer and have never had a need for a generator. I have 2 deep cycle house batteries and a designated start battery. I've ran my refrigerator, lights and radio for more than 24 hours and never had a problem.
 
This is a previous post from the most knowledgeable member of CSR, please read this to understand all the dangers of portables on a boat. This is really getting old, there must be 30 of these threads rehashing the same talking points that must have the record set straight.

I posted this a couple of times in the past, but can’t seem to find it. These posts were in threads asking about portables and comparing them to permanent mount marine generators. I just don’t want to argue with folks who don’t seem grasp the total risk in using portables on boats. For me, its about understanding the risk, then making a smart decision, not about arguing ad infinitum on an internet forum. So here are the comments I posted but happened to save. Maybe they will answer your questions: (hope the formatting works)

Post #1: about portable generator risks-

1.Carbon Monoxide (CO) is present with all generators, but on portables, the exhaust is discharged at the generator, within an inch or so of the exhaust port on the cylinder. The exhaust system on a portable generator is usually constructed of non-marine alloys that can rust through after brief exposure to a salt water environment.ﰀ There is no engineered system to remove the exhaust from near occupied spaces. When placed on a swim platform, normal air flow can cause a station wagon effect and suck CO into the cockpit or cabin. While the same problem may exist with marine generators, the exhaust is mixed with cooling water and is discharged well away from occupied space at or near the waterline and is usually cleared by wind or sea breezes.


2. Fuel Systems on Honda's and other portables are vented to the atmosphere, not internally as with marine generator installations. That means explosive gasoline vapor is released at the generator, usually through a vent in the fuel fill cap. There is also the risk of a fuel spill if the generator is upset or you encounter rough seas or a large wake when the generator is close to full.

Their carburetors have a bowl drain that releases fuel inside the generator case. That means where you run it, store it or put it under way will have gasoline fumes released in the area and if the bowl drain leaks, you have raw fuel spilled.

Portable generators has simple fuel fittings and single ply fuel lines attached with hose clamps, both are substantial risks to fuel leakage if the generator isn’t new and has been around a while. Marine generators have USCG approved double ply braided fuel lines with swaged on end fittings that thread into the generator fuel pump.

3. Ignition Protection – None of the electrical components on portables are ignition protected. Marine generator electrical components are.

4. Shock Hazard Exposure –Portable generators pose an additional shock hazard since the portable is not grounded to the boat or to a shore side ground. Likely not a problem with a drill or power tool, but if you connect it to your boat's AC system, you have essentially disconnected the green wire. Yes, most portables sold today have 3-wire systems. Where the problem lies is that the portable generator is not part of the global ground when you plug in. When you plug into shore power you are also plugging into the ground for the entire local power system. When using a stationary mounted marine generator away from the dock, your boat is its own ground system. Even if the portable has GFI circuitry, they won’t work if there isn’t a continuous ground system. I think real risk here is that while the boat owner may understand grounding, not everyone on the boat….kids, wives, girl friends, helpful (?)guests…..usually don’t.

Additionally, most portable generators now use invertors. An inverter drives both line and neutral so it is possible to have voltage between neutral and ground. With ground bonded to the boat's bonding system, which mean to the water, this means a shock hazard may exist that normally should not.





Post #2: Its not about whose right or wrong, but about understanding the risks.

For me this whole discussion is not about who does what, how they try to suffocate themselves or blow themselves up, but it is about our responsibility as knowledgeable boaters to help others, who are not as experienced, learn from what is posted on CSR. Almost anything we do in life has some risk associated with it. Just because my car has 180 on the speedometer doesn't mean I drive that fast. Safe boating is all about fully understanding risk and avoiding all the risky behavior that you can.

When we advocate taking unnecessary risks, what kind of example are we setting for those who are new to the sport or who are non-technical and just want take their family boating?

However, I do get weary of these discussions turning into World War III when some of the more experienced CSR members take the time to answer an innocent question about using portable generators on boats with irrefutable facts. Because some of you have used portable generators and have not yet blown your ass off or asphyxiated your families does not make me wrong, elitist, stupid or corny, any more than it makes you right.

Honestly, I think part of the check and balance on the accuracy of the information contained on CSR is when the pros and cons on subjects like this are discussed. Those of us who feel that portable generators are inappropriate on boats would be negligent if we did not highlight the risks. I am also concerned enough about those risks that I would never agree with their use on a boat because of the potential liability.

And, for the record, I do own and regularly use a Honda EU series generator.......but the last place you will ever see it is on my boat.


Here is some interesting reading on this subject:







USCG warning Re: CO poisoning

http://www.doubleangel.org/documents...thFigures_.pdf


USCG circular 80

http://www.uscgboating.org/recalls/pdfs/BSC80.pdf


USCG circular 68

http://www.uscgboating.org/recalls/pdfs/bscscan68a.pdf


USCG Alert on CO from generator exhaust

http://www.uscgboating.org/alerts/alertsview.aspx?id=8


Data on CO deaths:

http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/portgen.pdf


http://www.uscgboating.org/recalls/pdfs/BSC74.pdf

Shows design and performance issues causing CO problems
 
Thanks to everyone that replied. I don't want to add a portable - safety reasons - plus not enough room anyway :)
I honestly thought there was a factory option. I have a 5th wheel toy hauler and use my generator a lot to recharge and run lights and everything else for up to 5 days. I don't think I will ever be on the boat for 5 days in a row but when I do go out I like the peace of mind to run the radio and lights as much as I want. I will most likely add more batteries and an inverter to run the microwave.
Thanks again for the replies.

So far three times out on the boat - some issues including

had the water bucket /pump for the bathroom sing quit and ended up with water in the galley. Previous owner had lid off and found hair in the pump. Fixed

One of the batteries went low and only putting out 6volts - changed.

Over filled the gear lube container and once operating the out drive tilt caused gear oil to get on motor which then caused bad smell through the boat. Cleaned and washed and corrected.

Last trip out to San Fran Bay - fishing for Stergeon - boat ran great but now need to figure out good place for rod holders where I don't have to drill into the boat.

I am finding I already need a bigger Sundancer :)
 
Adjusting or expanding your battery setup will be much more cost effective, for sure.

Also, if you haven't already, you'll get a lot of mileage from converting to LED bulbs in every fixture possible. MarineBeam.com has awesome customer service and offers a CSR discount (load your cart, then call before finishing checkout), though several members have had good experiences with vendors on Amazon and other places. There are tons of threads about LED conversions, possibly one with specific bulb recommendations for your year/model boat.
 
the 240 is fairly sensitive to weight offset keel centerline and when adding batteries look carefully for balance otherwise you may end up having a boat sitting pretty uneven at the pier. further its out of factory pretty ass heavy so think twice if you want to install heavy additional batteries in the back .

my experience with the boat is that the stock batteries are pretty sufficient to easily hang out on anchor for several hours with stereo / fridge / dvd running - staying outside a marina overnight is also possible when you use electrical power only when and where needed ( e.g switch off vhf/ chartplotter etc ). of course no heat / aircondition then . i switch to one battery only to make sure i have the other for starting next morning.

being overnight in a marina with shorepower solves any problem .

i have the stock 100 amp/h batteries .
 

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