carry on generators

I had lunch with a nice couple this past weekend and the generator subject came up. They were completly unaware of co and the need to have detectors. They had no idea that sleeping with ac running on a genset (factory installed) had any risk for them or their children. They also had an older child sleep in the cockpit canvas area while running it.

It is amazing that we do not have more horrible stories to discuss than we do.

Is it me or do houseboats seem to have a higher rate of co issues?

MM
 
MM,
I love to pull out the digital readout detector and educate passengers as we cruise along of the station wagon effect. You can see the light go on as the talk progresses to generators.
 
MonacoMike said:
I had lunch with a nice couple this past weekend and the generator subject came up. They were completly unaware of co and the need to have detectors. They had no idea that sleeping with ac running on a genset (factory installed) had any risk for them or their children. They also had an older child sleep in the cockpit canvas area while running it.

It is amazing that we do not have more horrible stories to discuss than we do.

MM
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Yikes.....but not surprising. I have an onboard genny but would consider a portable if I didn't. Bottom line is, both onboard and portable gennys CAN be dangerous if not used with caution along with a good CO monitor. I would never consider running it all night though.....just too paranoid.
 
It is simply amazing just how much attention this topic receives every time that it rears its ugly head. I guess that it just goes to show you how many people there are still out there that are not aware of the potential of co entering their cabin and/or cockpit space and the deadly results that can occur.

As a previous poster suggested, perhaps there should be a unique section (with a sticky of some sort) devoted to this subject for the uninitiated. IMHO, it will save lives. :smt024
 
I've had carry-ons on my boats before. They were for the xmas sail-pasts at a local waterfront town. We... and everyone else decorate our boats in lights a do a slow cruise along shore. It sometimes lasts for the whole night.
I haven't done this with my 290 'cuz it has a transom door but I did strap it to the swim grid on my Tollycraft. It still set off the alarm when everything was open because of the station wagon effect but with the front deck hatch and cabin windows open (and cockpit door closed) it was ok.
My detector was/is a BW multi-gas monitor from work... these are proven units for confined space entries and we bump test them daily.
People are passionate about this topic because of an obvious concern about safety... and it's warranted but a carry-on genset can be used on a boat safely.
 
Ok, I’m chiming in with a stupid question myself :smt001 … talking about inboard gensets, why boats with gasoline generators have a CO detector as standard and diesel equipped ones not??? Isn’t a diesel engine producing (although mixed in smellier fumes) CO as well????
 
A lift from Wikipaedia:


"In diesel engines, conditions in the engine differ from the spark-ignition engine, since power is directly controlled by the fuel supply, rather than by controlling the air supply. Thus when the engine runs at low power, there is enough oxygen present to burn the fuel, and diesel engines only make significant amounts of carbon monoxide when running under a load. Diesel exhaust is well known for its characteristic smell; but in Britain this smell in recent years has become much less (while diesel fuel getting more expensive) because the sulfur is now removed from the fuel in the oil refinery."


Terry
 
Well it's obvious that some of you are too stupid to get anything to work unless you have a dealer option to select when buying. I've worked at a marina for 18yrs. and it's amazing the amount of boaters that can't even check their own oil I think I just found a few. Thanks to the ones of you that actually had some real input. I was actually going to put the generator on the beach when we were at the island we go to. I've got a 100' shore power cord to keep it away from the boat. I couldn't imagine the noise and vibration from a portable running on a boat. I was just curious if there was another brand as good as a Honda.:smt021
 
sjmorton said:
Well it's obvious that some of you are too stupid I've worked at a marina for 18yrs. I was actually going to put the generator on the beach when we were at the island we go to. I've got a 100' shore power cord to keep it away from the boat. :smt021
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This might work...:grin:

power-cord-pool.jpg
 
I have concerns with portable generators, interesting in Boatus Magazine, someone did write in about the portable generator article and Boatus did defend the article and say that they didn't have concerns with them, my summary of the article.
 
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Uh oh... Where is that "power cords hanging in the water" thread? I'll give that one a bump so ya'll can keep the popcorn and beer flowing...

I was at Fairlee Creek last Saturday and I lost count of the Hondas. I saw at least 3 boats with them strapped on the bow and 5 or 6 boats with them on swim platforms.
 
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skibum said:
Uh oh... Where is that "power cords hanging in the water" thread? I'll give that one a bump so ya'll can keep the popcorn and beer flowing...

I was at Fairlee Creek last Saturday and I lost count of the Hondas. I saw at least 3 boats with them strapped on the bow and 5 or 6 boats with them on swim platforms.
Click to expand...


Wow...how many died? :wow:
 
sjmorton said:
Well it's obvious that some of you are too stupid to get anything to work unless you have a dealer option to select when buying. I've worked at a marina for 18yrs.
Click to expand...

Well, well. Thank God that we finally have been blessed, oh so very blessed, with the one smart guy who can instruct us stupid people in the Right Way. Hallelujah!
 
sjmorton said:
Well it's obvious that some of you are too stupid to get anything to work unless you have a dealer option to select when buying. I've worked at a marina for 18yrs. and it's amazing the amount of boaters that can't even check their own oil I think I just found a few. Thanks to the ones of you that actually had some real input. I was actually going to put the generator on the beach when we were at the island we go to. I've got a 100' shore power cord to keep it away from the boat. I couldn't imagine the noise and vibration from a portable running on a boat. I was just curious if there was another brand as good as a Honda.:smt021
Click to expand...

fc3 said:
Well, well. Thank God that we finally have been blessed, oh so very blessed, with the one smart guy who can instruct us stupid people in the Right Way. Hallelujah!
Click to expand...

sfergson727 said:
Hey SJ, we may be stupid, but at least we aren't dicks.
Click to expand...


5 posts and already making new friends..... must be some kind of record! I agree with Frank and feel very "blessed" as well!
 
sjmorton said:
Well it's obvious that some of you are too stupid to get anything to work unless you have a dealer option to select when buying. I've worked at a marina for 18yrs. and it's amazing the amount of boaters that can't even check their own oil I think I just found a few. Thanks to the ones of you that actually had some real input. I was actually going to put the generator on the beach when we were at the island we go to. I've got a 100' shore power cord to keep it away from the boat. I couldn't imagine the noise and vibration from a portable running on a boat. I was just curious if there was another brand as good as a Honda.:smt021
Click to expand...
Better yet - why not borrow all your friends (if you have any) beat up cracked power cables, string them together and run them from the shore power at your marina to the anchorage - then you would not have to worry about Co, the noise, or who makes the best generator - Douchebag
 
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