Honda Generator

Why take a chance?

Reading back over this thread, here are some possible answers:

a. because my marine diesel generator is too loud.
b. because my marine diesel generator uses too much fuel
c. because everyone at my favorite anchoring spot uses a Honda portable generator.
d. because I have used my Honda for years and haven't killed anyone…….yet.
e. because I failed to consider all the risks of a portable generator and chose to only consider but then ignore the risk of CO poisoning.
 
I never realized the CO dangers when sitting in the back seat. Interesting. I assumed the air/wind would overcome any CO. Learned something new there.
 
Yes, the video makes it very clear....gas boats are dangerous....why take a chance, get rid of them before they kill.

C'mon Woody, that's not the point here. It's about knowledge and taking precautions. There are other, safer ways to make coffee on the hook.
 
1. A CO detector placed over the rising exhaust measured dangerous levels of CO. Pretty obvious.
2. A CO detector on a passenger measured high levels of CO after 18 minutes but we don't know for how long these levels were reached or how often the detector measured these levels.
3. When asked by the anchorman if having one of those personal detectors would help, the reporter stated that "on a boat like this it wouldn't give you such accurate readings".

Great stuff here if you're chicken little.
 
Why take a chance? Sure 99% of the time it works every time. But then 1% of the time people die. There are safer alternatives.
 
There are few things more entertaining than generator threads.

QUESTION FOR THE PROS:

If you take the grounding/bonding argument away for the moment is there a legitimate reason portable generators used with boats on the swim platform should be considered different in terms of risk to the user (boat occupant) than using them with campers, RV's or tents?

Proximity to the boat could be one issue? Though I've seen advertisement photos for some generators that have them placed quite close to a camper. Better ventilation on a camper? It could be argued that the cabin on a boat is more prone to the collection of CO?

I'm not trying to wade into this debate. Really. I'm just curious how folks would describe the difference in risk between campers and boats on the CO side. Since CO is the one risk most discussed with portable generators...
 
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last two times I had the boat out , I was dealing with co alarms going off in the cabin. I usually cruise about 8 kts , so when heading in the direction of the wind where the apparent makes it almost neutral , I do get some "station wagon" effect. I had just put two new battery powered co alarms in the cabin by each sleeping area. co is pretty sneaky. I did fix this by opening one of the smaller hatches to create a flushing breeze through the cabin. I do like to cruise with the cabin open as people are always going up and down.
 
If you take the grounding/bonding argument away for the moment is there a legitimate reason portable generators used with boats on the swim platform should be considered different in terms of risk to the user (boat occupant) than using them with campers, RV's or tents?

Proximity to the boat could be one issue? Though I've seen advertisement photos for some generators that have them placed quite close to a camper. Better ventilation on a camper? It could be argued that the cabin on a boat is more prone to the collection of CO?

No. Any time you use an engine, generator, heater, or grill, the threat is the same on land as it is in a boat. Proximity does play a factor, as movement in general is more limited on a boat, but the overall risk is approximately the same to people the equal distance from the source.

Grills and camp stoves seem to be the primary cause of CO poising while camping. Just as stated in the video posted above, deaths occur when people have no awareness that their activities are creating a CO hazard. My CO detectors have gone off 3 times this season. Twice while running at no wake speed with a tailwind, and once while hovering in place waiting for a spot at the fuel dock. Last year, my Magma grill set them off once while cooking some cheeseburgers. Again, awareness that you are creating a potentially hazardous condition is the key to survival. The video posted above clearly states that most people have no idea that sleeping on a swim platform, or putzing around at slow speed creates a potential CO poisoning situation. So be it cooking, riding slow with an engine running, or running a genny on your swim platform, your survival depends on your level of hazard awareness. If a person owns a boat, a car, a heater, a grill, or a camper and does not understand that all of these situations are equally hazardous, they should stay home in bed with the power turned off.

Rule #1 - Understand what threats are around you.
Rule #2 - Everything is a threat - Be aware. Be careful. Stay alive.
 
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No. Any time you use an engine, generator, heater, or grill, the threat is the same on land as it is in a boat.

...

Very informative post. This is all makes perfect sense but I'm still trying to get my mind around the passion on this board regarding generators. I'm on a handful of other forums where the topic of generators comes up seasonally and only on this forum have I seen folks take the threats so seriously and advocate so passionately for safe operation.

Shoot - every time a storm blows through certain parts of the country I keep up on other forums where folks ask a thousand questions about wiring up a transfer switch to their house so they can tie in their generator without killing the linemen. 99% of the time the safety advice goes no further than "don't run it in your garage".

Perhaps we could conclude that Club Sea Ray has the most safety-minded followership in the land? Seems plausible. Or perhaps boaters are more safety minded than the average non-boater?

I have to confess though....if I spend another summer screwing around with my Westebeke I may be forced into the fray on this topic. Ohhhhh do I long for the reliability of a Honda. I could have a nice inverter generator for what I've put into my Westerbeke "tune up" this year and it's still not running right. So frustrating......
 
Very informative post. This is all makes perfect sense but I'm still trying to get my mind around the passion on this board regarding generators. I'm on a handful of other forums where the topic of generators comes up seasonally and only on this forum have I seen folks take the threats so seriously and advocate so passionately for safe operation.

Shoot - every time a storm blows through certain parts of the country I keep up on other forums where folks ask a thousand questions about wiring up a transfer switch to their house so they can tie in their generator without killing the linemen. 99% of the time the safety advice goes no further than "don't run it in your garage".

Perhaps we could conclude that Club Sea Ray has the most safety-minded followership in the land? Seems plausible. Or perhaps boaters are more safety minded than the average non-boater?

I have to confess though....if I spend another summer screwing around with my Westebeke I may be forced into the fray on this topic. Ohhhhh do I long for the reliability of a Honda. I could have a nice inverter generator for what I've put into my Westerbeke "tune up" this year and it's still not running right. So frustrating......
Does seem odd that the majority are overly concerned about the Honda, but have no problem suggesting to a newbie, to buy his 2nd boat first, and then wonder what's up with all this Sea Ray bashing on other sites.

What's more dangerous....the newb behind the wheel of a boat he has no business driving or the genny on the platform
 
and its not even winter yet......:(.....
 
Very informative post. This is all makes perfect sense but I'm still trying to get my mind around the passion on this board regarding generators. I'm on a handful of other forums where the topic of generators comes up seasonally and only on this forum have I seen folks take the threats so seriously and advocate so passionately for safe operation.

Shoot - every time a storm blows through certain parts of the country I keep up on other forums where folks ask a thousand questions about wiring up a transfer switch to their house so they can tie in their generator without killing the linemen. 99% of the time the safety advice goes no further than "don't run it in your garage".

Perhaps we could conclude that Club Sea Ray has the most safety-minded followership in the land? Seems plausible. Or perhaps boaters are more safety minded than the average non-boater?

I have to confess though....if I spend another summer screwing around with my Westebeke I may be forced into the fray on this topic. Ohhhhh do I long for the reliability of a Honda. I could have a nice inverter generator for what I've put into my Westerbeke "tune up" this year and it's still not running right. So frustrating......
I had a run in with CO once. I wanted to level my mower deck one day. To get on to a flat surface I open the garage door(10 x 9) and pulled in just enough to get on the floor. I left the mower running while doing it, once in a while reaching up to the control to raise or lower the mower deck. It only took a few minutes. When I was done I got up to go up to the house. As I was walking up the driveway I found myself staggering the width of the driveway, felt a bit weak, and I had a headache.

In retrospect, I thought of CO as I was working on the lawnmower, I figured I'd be OK, just inside the door, door open, just going to take a few minutes. I didn't notice a thing while it was happening. The reality was in those few minutes I was working the whole time at floor level with the exhaust pipe only about 2-3' away.

My cousin committed suicide by piping his tailpipe into the car. I've wondered 'how long', 'what is it like'. I'll bet he fell asleep while thinking about changing his mind.

There's lots to read on this subject. Here's one source https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/co/

This topic re-surfacing a couple times a year is really not a bad thing, there are always new folks that haven't had the discussion, it makes them aware of the dangers of CO if they're not.

Would I ever have a portable on the boat? I've actually been thinking of getting one for back up. There's times if my batteries and on board genny were out of commission I could be waiting for days until help motored by. I do think a portable can be used 'on a boat' but you need to know what you're doing.
 
get a portable battery jump starter

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Perhaps we could conclude that Club Sea Ray has the most safety-minded followership in the land? Seems plausible. Or perhaps boaters are more safety minded than the average non-boater?

This board has a fantastic group of intelligent, knowledgeable, concerned, and friendly members. Overall, we're very lucky.

Does seem odd that the majority are overly concerned about the Honda, but have no problem suggesting to a newbie, to buy his 2nd boat first, and then wonder what's up with all this Sea Ray bashing on other sites.

Personally, I'm more concerned about the large volume of CO that my 496 HO puts out 9" below the swim platform than the itty bitty volume of CO that the Honda puts out above it. Still scared of both, though.
 
This board has a fantastic group of intelligent, knowledgeable, concerned, and friendly members. Overall, we're very lucky.

Personally, I'm more concerned about the large volume of CO that my 496 HO puts out 9" below the swim platform than the itty bitty volume of CO that the Honda puts out above it. Still scared of both, though.

It does have some fantastic people here who really care about helping other boaters.

I am very libertarian in my thinking: do what you want but don't make me pay for your negative consequences.

Can a knowledgeable individual use a portable generator on a boat without major consequences? YES Just as betting red all the time can be successful for a time.
Can use of a portable generator on boat have serious consequences? YES

The issue for many CSR members is that we understand that many visitors take the advice offered here seriously. Again do what you want but understand that the CSR members are not telling you what to do but rather creating a record so any who read hopefully get a clear picture of the dangers of portable generator use on a boat.

It would be sickening to me if a visitor suffered a serious consequence using a portable generator from advise offered here.

MM
 
It would be sickening to me if a visitor suffered a serious consequence using a portable generator from advise offered here.

I think that just about sums it up for most of us. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I have reached the end of my willingness to waste my time on the too many who are just looking for validation for their half azzed plans.

Henry
 
Working new(er) CO detectors are a must.

Every time I'm out at night and hear a generator humming away on the deck of a boat I'm hoping I don't read about them being found dead next day. All generators have the possibility of CO issues so be careful.

If you are rafted up with other boaters I would encourage everyone NOT to use their generators especially at night when sleeping.
To dangerous,not worth it
 
I have been reading this blog and I know I'm way down the time line but I thought I would share what my plans are in suppling extra power to my floating money pit. I have purchased a 50 watt solar charger and even though it's not high powered it will keep my battery's topped off and I plan on adding a 4d or 8d battery to the system with a inverter. I will keep this separate from the engine batteries as my 470 charging system is not heavy enough to charge up everything hooked together, I will let the solar charger top off the large battery and if I need to jump the engine batteries I can use the large battery. I don't have a/c unit so I really only need it for the refrig. and maybe the microwave. A fix for the co from the generator is to run a exhaust tube down to the waterline from the generator just like the onboard generators exhaust their fumes, as for the other objections not sure how to figure them out.
 
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I am installing co detectors regardless whether I have a generator on the the swim step. I have thought of running the exhaust down the back of the boat and close to the waterline as on board generators exhaust out that way and they seem to be safe. I would only run it to top off batteries and cool down the fridge. And as you suggested I would have the wind blowing away from the boat.
 

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