Generator usage??

[Liquid Pleasure II]

We were recently struck by a micro burst at our marina. Our finger was torn off it's moorings and snapped the power pole and broke the water connection to all 35 slips.

Good news is our boat was out for bottom painting and service work....prop damage!

We splashed yesterday and are headed out for the weekend. I have not run the gen much since getting the boat in Sept. of last year.

Can I run it all weekend, when needed, without worrying much about the strain on it?? I was told yesterday that NOT running a gen is worse on it than running it.

I am in a VERY open covered slip at the end of the finger so carbon monoxide build up is not an issue at all.

 

[MAKC]

Being tied up where the bow isnt facing into the wind would be cause for concern in my book. Even though you are in an open area, if the wind is blowing from the stern, the CO will go into the cockpit and find its way into the cabin. If you were to run the generator tied up at the dock, i'd only do it when you and your dock mates are awake, and tell your dockmates that you are running it so they can be on the lookout for CO alarms or rising CO levels.

And i run my genny without worry about how much im using it. I know that the Kohler 5E likes to be run and having it sit idle for long periods of time means it runs rough and fouls plugs.

 

[sbw1]

Gennys are designed to be run at 75% loading. Figure out how many amps that is and don't worry about extended use at that level or less. It's not a good idea to run a genny when you are tied to a dock as the prior poster suggested. CO infiltration to the cockpit and cabin is a real possibility. Make sure your CO detectors are functioning properly.

 

[skolbe]

Your generator needs to be run. But at the dock may be troublesome for fumes and CO

 

[JerryS]

A CO detector in the cockpit as well as the cabin. IMHO.
Keep that blower running.
Keep a load on the jenny. Radios, lights, whatever.

 

[dpmulvey]

I stressed my gennie twice weekly when I had it at a marina that was on the way home from work. (Any excuse to go the boat is a good excuse!)

Now that I am ~40 minutes away. It only gets used when I am at the boat. It definitely was less problematic when I ran it twice weekly.

 

[Alex F]

I am in a VERY open covered slip at the end of the finger so carbon monoxide build up is not an issue at all.

Please don't under estimate the danger which is not always noticeble. If the wind is from your stern there will always be some CO coming in. Don't run the genny in your slip, especially gas genny.

As for how much to use it, aside from good suggestions above, keep in mind that some larger (I know bridge boats) designed to have genny on as soon as they leave their slips. One of the reasons is that they have 110AC or 220AC large fridges that don't run on 12v. In additon, some people just like to have A/C running all the time to cool the cabin (and/or bridge on bridge boats). So, running generators for several days non-stop is a comon thing, including while underway. That's what they're designed to do. Proper load is important item to be managed.

 

[hack4alivin]

Please don't under estimate the danger which is not always noticeble. If the wind is from your stern there will always be some CO coming in. Don't run the genny in your slip, especially gas genny.

One hundred percent agreement here! Several years ago three people died here in our area, Parkside Marina in Middle River to be exact. OEM installed generator running at the dock. BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL!

 

[chumbley]

I've run my generator for more than 24 hours straight before. Keep the blowers on to help keep it cooler in the bilge.

And please be aware of where the exhaust is blowing - and be sure your CO monitors are working. Most of us with CO concerns (which should be all of us - but isn't) have more than just the factory CO monitor in our cabins.

 

[searay40dad]

all good advice above. as a matter of practice, i just wouldnt run it for very long in a covered slip. you're just asking for trouble. especially if others on your dock are doing it too. if my dock neighbor ran his gas gen in the slip for an extended period of time, I'd probably say something to him as CO fumes have to go somewhere.

now, away from the dock, run it all day/night long if you want...as long as your not tied up with a bunch of folks with multiple bow anchors and/or stern anchors in use that are preventing you from swinging with a fore-to-aft wind. if you anchor properly & know your CO detectors are functioning, you'll be fine. I'd also recommend you keep the boat closed up at night if you or others are running gas gens. one more thing, watch out for pigpen too...that guy who hasnt maintained his gen and manages to set everybodies detector alarms off...

 

[jamesgang]

"watch out for pigpen too...that guy who hasnt maintained his gen and manages to set everybodies detector alarms off... "

"Pigpen" occupies the slip next to mine.

 

[Panchita]

Never run in a slip if you are going to stay for any period of time.

Always run all systems on the boat every time you use it,,, keeps moisture out of systems and keeps things running well,,,
I had a 2003 sundancer just sold it this year,, had original batteries when I sold it,,, why did they last so long?

I always ran the gennie and used the boat frequently,,

 

[Havana Shamrock]

is the little green light on my detector the only way to test it? and how and what detector can i add as insurance? any suggestions? you guys are scaring the %#@% out of me i run mine every time we go out

 

[Hellman Huddle]

I've run my generator for more than 24 hours straight before. Keep the blowers on to help keep it cooler in the bilge.

And please be aware of where the exhaust is blowing - and be sure your CO monitors are working. Most of us with CO concerns (which should be all of us - but isn't) have more than just the factory CO monitor in our cabins.

Go to Walmart or Lowes and get a couple battery operated CO Detectors. I have one in my mid-berth and V-Berth and the factory installed one. July 4th Weekend my impeller went out at 3:00 am and the CO monitor in the Mid-Berth went off first. Boy it was hot. Luckily I had a spare and fixed it in the morning. Also, we raft up all the time with up to five boats (only one anchor) and everybody runs their generator, and we have no problems. Be safe and get more than one.

 

[tdschafer]

I run my genny every time I run the boat. I start it before the engines and shut it off last. The PO of my boat did the same thing. My mechanic says most of the generators that need servicing are from non-use. As far as wind direction goes; I was at the marina and started my generator as I always do while breaking down my lines etc as I was heading back to my home port on sunday, 8/1/10. The wind was directly from my bow with my vent window open and eisenglass unzipped and my CO detector went off in the cabin. This is the first time this ever happened. I believe they call it " The station wagon effect". So the wind direction is not necessarily going to help. As for back-up CO detectors, I got some nice , relatively small battery ones @ Home Depot.
Todd

 

[Alex F]

is the little green light on my detector the only way to test it? and how and what detector can i add as insurance? any suggestions? you guys are scaring the %#@% out of me i run mine every time we go out

Joe,
The CO detector has a test button on the side. You press the button and detector should sound the alarm for a moment. There might be some kinds test sprays, but I never used them. The problem with CO is that it’s a silent killer. When people are a sleep they can’t notice it. You can google it to get all the details. The best way to protect yourself (besides making sure that all genny components are in working order and position the boat properly with the wind to allow exhaust to blown from the stern away from the boat) is by having good and reliable CO detectors. I have total of 4 CO detectors and 1 smoke alarm.
In the cabin:
1- SR detector
1- 120ac with 9v battery backup digital detector
2- AAA battery operated digital detectors
1- 9v battery operated Smoke detector

In the cockpit:
1- AAA battery operated digital detector

I wouldn't trust only a single SR CO detector with my life or my family's life. It had failed more than once even though when tested it showed signs of being in working condition.

 

[tdschafer]

Joe,
The CO detector has a test button on the side. You press the button and detector should sound the alarm for a moment. There might be some kinds test sprays, but I never used them. The problem with CO is that it’s a silent killer. When people are a sleep they can’t notice it. You can google it to get all the details. The best way to protect yourself (besides making sure that all genny components are in working order and position the boat properly with the wind to allow exhaust to blown from the stern away from the boat) is by having good and reliable CO detectors. I have total of 4 CO detectors and 1 smoke alarm.
In the cabin:
1- SR detector
1- 120ac with 9v battery backup digital detector
2- AAA battery operated digital detectors
1- 9v battery operated Smoke detector

In the cockpit:
1- AAA battery operated digital detector

I wouldn't trust only a single SR CO detector with my life or my family's life. It had failed more than once even though when tested it showed signs of being in working condition.

That is very sound advice Alex!
:thumbsup:+1
Todd

 

[Liquid Pleasure II]

HOLY BAT@#*&!! I left the house and forgot to check the replies to my initial ?

Sitting here Monday morning....I guess by luck b/c we ran the gen all night on Friday and Saturday night in the slip with only the SR CO2 detector for safety. We did have a South wind and my slip faces South so the stern is down wind.

Heading to Lowe's TODAY and buying 3 battery operated detectors as suggested by multiple posts.

Thanks to all!!

Guess we got lucky but now will change my habits. Good news is we should have power by Tuesday!! Water may be another issue>

Thanks again!