Generator ideas/best?

Wardy549 said:
my 268 is generatorless..ive been told to just buy a honda e2000. Portable. Id really like to know what you guys suggest and what best fits for my boat. Any pics if you have would be apprectistive as well thank you!
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We occasionally use a Honda EU2000 to charge batteries on the boat and with our camper trailer. As with any motor you just need to use common sense with the exhaust issue and carbon monoxide. The EU2000 is very efficient and quiet, we have recently been using it to run powertools and compressors at our project house that has no electric service right now. Great power producing tool.
 
We'll everyone, I would have never thought I would cause such a thread of arguments that has caused my new family of SeaRay owners to become so bitter with each other.
Between it all I do understand it is one of the top three things of being a captain and boat owner that needs to be completely evaluated and executed using extreme judgement before during and after.
I will decide what to do that best works for me, with the plan of not putting anyone or myself in danger. At this point I'm avoiding this form of power for as long as possible.
thank you all for the advice and please keep the info coming. I am learning a lot and it's very enjoyable.
But don't want to see us arguing! Lol thanks
 
Chris Nowell said:
Guys, please !!! I'm not trying to come across as the big professional here. I'm just trying to help someone who may not have a background in aerodynamics or a degree in chemistry or biology (as my co2 reference shows that I don't) I too occasionally use an eu2000 on my boat but it's definitely not something I would recommend because; if an individual has to ask if it's safe, then that individual is obviously not familiar with some of the more important aspects of how air flows around boats and how certain gases and fumes behave in relationship to gravity, air, and enclosed spaces. Just because we do something ourselves doesn't mean it's safe for everyone to do. I regularly work on live electrical circuits as part of my work duties, but I don't go around bragging about it and I certainly don't encourage unqualified persons to do the same thing. I'm jess tryin' 't make sure no one gits harmed an' gits the most from them's boats :grin:
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This subject is getting far too complicated. Now a degree in fluid mechanics is needed or we won't share info.:smt043
 
qflyer said:
lol, don't waste time arguing with sferg. He knows everything, and would never do anything so stupid and dangerous as having a generator on the platform. He'll do dumb things like drive around in 1/8 mile vis with a stereo blasting, or taking a little CC out in stuff most of us wouldn't consider, but it's okay - he deemed it to be "safe," so it must be. I bet he doesn't ever even idle around with his camper canvas on, because we all know the CO threat that poses as well.


To the OP: be aware of the risks of a portable OR professionally installed OEM generator. They can all kill you if they're not used properly and maintained. I use a honda with no problem, but I also have a few CO detectors positioned throughout the boat. Do the research, like it looks like you already are, and make your own informed decision.


It's not that I don't agree with sferg that there are risks associated with this (or boating in restricted vis, rough seas, etc), it's just that you're not allowed to have a different opinion than his.

If he posted something like, "Never buy a house with a fireplace. They're dangerous. If you don't believe me, I'll google some articles about houses burning down," everyone would laugh at the idiocy of such a statement and move on. He makes an equally broad statement regarding generators on boats, and we're not allowed to disagree? Absurd.
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I find it astounding that a poster with all of 26 posts has so much insight into a follow member. Why must you attack a poster who has no ax to grind with you. Stay on topic and away from personal attacks.

Spare me the rational that you are trying to set the record straight. Your point is meaningless when wrapped in negative personal remarks.

Scott is a moderator on this site and the integrity of the site must be maintained in his comments. Whether you agree or disagree has no bearing on this responsibility. So what if he said go ahead and do it and someone ends up dead. Even the slightest hint that he agreed to using the generator would put this site in a bad light.
If you were from the corporate world you may realize this concept.
 
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What oil is best for my Merc 350s?
 
Anybody wanna discuss the pro and cons of Lawn Darts?
 
I am sorry guys......I swore I would stay out of this one, but I just can't.

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......all of the risks. 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 and the counter-points raised address CO as the only risk.

So, you nay-sayers climb down off your high horse and address the other risks before you criticize others:



Carbon Monoxide
Is simple to grasp, breath it in a confined space and you don’t wake up. Permanently mounted marine generators have their exhausts plumbed to exit at or very near the waterline and away from closed occupied spaces.


Uncontained Fuel System Vents
The fuel systems on Honda and other portable generators are vented to the atmosphere and 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 and an explosive liquid in the compartment with the generator.


Lack of ignition protection on electrical devices
The electrical components on portables are not ignition protected like marine generator electrical components are. This means you could easily have an arc or spark anytime contact opens or closes or whenever something is plugged in to disconnected.


Lack of Continuous Grounding
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.


Here are some other facts worth noting:

The USCG governs only boat manufacturers and the manufacturers voluntarily subscribe to ABYC guidelines, so there is no "law" against using portable generators on boats. However, both the USCG and ABYC say using portable generators on boat is a bad idea and regularly caution boaters against it.

In spite of the fact that Honda’s advertising says that boating is a popular use of their generators, They have not addressed the grounding, gas fume and ignition protection issues and those concerns still exist.



While accidents may be rare, you do substantially increase your risk of becoming a "statistic" when using a portable generator on a boat.......you put your family at unnecessary risk when you do.

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, idiotic, stupid or corny any more than it makes you right.
I am also concerned enough about those risks that I would never agree with their use on a boat because of the potential liability. When we are made technical contributors to the site, I believe we would be remiss in failing to point out the whole picture when the arguments posted only address CO.
 
JVM225 said:
Which Ryobi, and how do you like it? Did it run your AC on the boat?
I've been looking at the Ryobi for a while now. I'm sitting on a couple of Home Depot gift cards that will make a nice dent in the price. I've got a larger portable (200lb.)generator with a Honda motor that I got after Hurricane Sandy, but have been thinking about getting a smallerh my son's Boy Scout Troop every once in a while, and the few times I stay at a dock without electric, I can bring it along and run it on the dock.
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NEVER used it on the boat. Actually bought it to run fridge and some lights should the power go out at home. I chose it over the Honda for price with almost the same specs and ease of paralleling 2 if I wanted to. Very limited use mostly just tests. had it hooked up once ready to go and the power came back on as I started it.
 
Thanx Frank, the grounding issue never even occurred to me. Could have been the last thing to enter my mind, literally.
 
I'm going to import some good Chinese Models. CHONDA. We will have velly good Marine model available, same as normal one except we paint it white and call it marine. How many you guys want?
 
Buy one! I have one but never used it on the boat. Nice geny. If you do use it on the boat, I would get a CO detector and never take a nap with it running!! Some ways it would make it pointless if your goal was to keep cool with the conditioner and get some sleep. I have had mine strapped to the deck before, but still never used it.
 
I'm going to drop the CO issue and go with our sister companies diesel. Just need to beef up my platform supports. New engine comes with the tier 4 final engine after treatment package.
BYW. I'm pulling the 5.0 gasser and replacing it with a high amp electric drive motor.:smt038

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Reliability was there but the cost is a killer. Also the weight factor.
I'm still trying to get Penta to donate a demo power unit for my boat. Being we're family and all. Not much luck with that though.
 
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