Generators::

C

chandalen

New Member
Aug 7, 2011
367
Alexandra Bay,NY
Boat Info
'83 Sundancer 270, Humminbird 593c
Engines
Twin merc 305, with new SEI 106 drives
Im looking at a Honda eu1000 (900w) or a generac 1600 (1600w)
I know the Honda is lighter, a bit quieter, and uses less fuel, but gives 1/2 the output power.
Used, the Honda is about 60 cheaper than a new generac.

My wife claims we need a generator, I’m on the fence as we have a 30' camper as well and the gene could be useful there as well.

Anyone have experience with either generator?

EDITED >>
Is there a safe way to install one in an engine compartment, assuming there is enough room

thanks!
 
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It won't get enough fresh air for cooling in the engine room, and would still be a risk for pooling CO
 
chandalen said:
Im looking at a Honda eu1000 (900w) or a generac 1600 (1600w)
I know the Honda is lighter, a bit quieter, and uses less fuel, but gives 1/2 the output power.
Used, the Honda is about 60 cheaper than a new generac.

My wife claims we need a generator, I’m on the fence as we have a 30' camper as well and the gene could be useful there as well.

Anyone have experience with either generator?

This is probably a really stupid idea, so send the flame bombs my way if needed (no pun intended)
If one of the above was mounted in my engine 'room' and exhaust vents outside, anyone foresee a problem? (plenty of room)

thanks!
Click to expand...


Oh no he didn't!!!!
Let the games begin!!!
images
 
Agreed on the engine compartment, so anyone have experiance with either genny?

thx
 
If you do a quick search on this board about portable generators you will find some incredibly passionate arguements for and against. I lean against- as possible CO poisoning, storing gas on your boat, ignition protection (or lack there of), and a few others that I am aure many will chime in with.

Why does your wife think you need it?

An extra bank of larger batteries can do just about everything a genny can do with the exception of A/C.
 
I'm out.
 
I use a Honda 2000 for my travel trailer, and even with it down wind on a 30' long power cord I still am careful about it. Unless you tie it to a raft and let it drift well away from the boat, I would not do it.
 
Let me rephrase... I was aiming more for ideas on HOW to install a generator safely in the engine area (if possible). /guilty of poor word selection

'Why does your wife think you need it? ' because she is a woman. (no offence to the ladies) and would like a cup of coffee and a charged laptop every day. (Forget the fact that most times we will be on shore power...
We dont have an AC, and I have a very good inverter for 120v.

thanks,
 
SSG Hendrix,
Don't take offense to some of the responses you will get. If you do a search for portable genny's, you will see the pages and pages of advice against it for incredibly valid reasons. I would heed the advice: portable genny's are unsafe as any sort of install in a boat. Air circulation, ignition protection, and CO fumes are the big reasons to NOT do it. Even with a correctly installed genny, CO is still a major concern, and most of us have multiple CO detectors for redundancy. We just want you to be safe! Thanks for your service!!
 
Portable generators on boats (thanks to Fwebster)

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. 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 swagged 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 inverters. 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.
 
Perfect thanks for the advice! Im usually pretty good at searching too lol.

thanks!
 
If you decide to go with a permanently installed generator at considerably more dollars you can read about my install below. Inside the below thread is a link to another thread about an afterfactory install of a generator. Since I have installed mine I have changed the muffler to a different model that has an extra chamber that knocked off about 5 db of noise. I do not regret the install in any way. I did however get a great price deal on the generator in the first place.

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/15547-What-options-are-need-to-install-a-new-generator

John
 
Where's the beer? Wayne did you see my beer?:smt089

I would have to admit I see a lot of folks on the Columbia River with portable gennies, but they put them on the dock with a big chain and lock......
 
Really? Again! Every year we go through the same discussion.
James, as stated, there are previous threads that beat this to death. I suggest you read them before you get a whole Sh$tstorm stirred up all over again.
I'm not sure if there was an original option for a genny on this model, but if there was I would research doing the same install (by someone qualified to install it).
A watercooled, properly vented marine model.
Here's a few links to illustrate how hotly debated this issue is:

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/47320-honda-generator?highlight=portable+generator

This link is for a install on a similar size

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.ph...-a-genny-install?highlight=portable+generator

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.ph...rator-to-run-A-C?highlight=portable+generator

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/33628-carry-on-generators?highlight=portable+generator

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.ph...-Honda-generator?highlight=portable+generator
http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/11618-honda-generator?highlight=portable+generator
 
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