Honda Generator

:smt009 :smt017 Frank, wonder why they say that? I have given up on the argument :smt014 The offer about being listed on the life insurance policy still stands for you risk takers :grin:
 
fwebster said:
Honda's manual says that use on land or a nearby dock with a cord run to the boat is ok, but they specifically say that use on or in a boat is not permitted.
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There are a few things I will try once. Putting a generator on the ground on shore and running a power cord out to a boat is not one of them. You could not pay me enough to do that. During my last 20+ years of employment I worked in and around electrical substations where 250,000 and 500,000 volts was the norm. I survived to see retirement, and some generator on land with a cord strung out to a boat on the water is not going to get me now.

Putting the generator on a dock that I knew was non-conductive, next to a boat tied to the dock, with the power cord restrained so it could not fall in the water, I might do in an emergency. But I can't imagine what the scenario would be.

If you can't tell, I feel as strongly about this as Frank does about putting the generator on the boat. I have seen the real life videos of people caught on tape getting killed with seemingly innocent use of water and 120 V AC. Death comes without warning. Please don't let it happen to you.

Sorry for the rant, but I have to say it, I can't let it go.
 
Wesley,

I've decided to not argue this one any more. I'll make one post to point out the problems with portables, but I'm done being called a zealot for trying to keep people from getting hurt, or worse.

Dave,

I just repeated what Honda says.........The real safety concern for me is that the use of a portable generator introduces ungrounded AC to the boat's system. If you use the portable to power the boat's A/C, microwave, waterheater, etc, you have in effect disconnected the green wire from the AC circuit.

I have nothing against the Honda generator, in fact I own and use one....just no where near my boat.
 
Hi all,

Though I typically stay out of "emotionally charged" threads on any of the forums I visit I can't help but chime in on this one. I own a Honda EU2000 generator that we bought for the boat because we thought we needed it. It does run my AC just fine (and believe me, it gets VERY hot here in the Sacramento Delta during the summer). But after using it for that purpose only once and being annoyed by the noise every time the load increased (note: the Honda is only "quiet" under no or very light loads - and much less so when you are anchored in an otherwise absolutely quiet anchorage for the evening). I then installed an inverter for all the light loads I use such as a coffee maker or tv. That was the last time I bothered with the generator on the boat. It now goes camping with me to re-charge my trailer batteries for a couple of hours during the day when I need it. I have to admit that I did run my house battery down on a couple of occasions either using the inverter and/or playing music for too many hours on end. :smt021 But that's what the backup battery is for after all. :grin: It is much easier and more convenient to use the inverter.

Last season there was only one time where I wish I had been able to run my AC during the night. But alas, a midnight skinny dip solved the heat issue. :wink:
 
gengiant said:
Hi all,

Though I typically stay out of "emotionally charged" threads on any of the forums I visit I can't help but chime in on this one. . :wink:
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Huh?? "Emotionally charged" :smt013 :smt013 Why would you say that?? :smt021 I said my piece, took a hot soaky bath, a small handful of Xan*x that I found on a special internet deal they e-mailed me, and a laxative or two just in case. :smt101 I don't feel ANY kind of charge. :smt015

Hope all is well with you guys. I see most of you are enjoying unusually warm weather today, while I gotta deal with some frozen outdoor faucets.
 
Dave M. said:
Huh?? "Emotionally charged" :smt013 :smt013 Why would you say that?? :smt021
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People have very strong opinions about this particular issue. As such, I was simply trying to relate my experience and personal practices rather than pick a side. There is much to be learned from the collective experience and knowledge represented on this forum. You, for instance, have to date provided great advice and help to me in dealing with my boat's electrical issues. :thumbsup:

Re this portable generator issue I have learned from many others that their use on a boat is extremely dangerous. But I also believe that they can be used relatively safely - "relatively" being one of those very subjective terms. What is sufficiently safe for one person is outright foolish and dangerous to another. My personal belief is that if one is educated and knowledgeable about the dangers and possible consequences of their use, as adults we should be able to decide for ourselves if we are willing to take the risk. And there are hundreds of variables to consider that can change the risk level and decision for any given situation.

My own practices with my portable generator have changed as much due to convenience (or inconvenience) as they have because of my increased knowledge re their inherent danger. I appreciate a healthy discussion and the fact that everyone on this forum seems to be mature enough to be able to wheigh in constructively in both agreement and disagreement without starting a rant or flame war. :smt038

Sooooo, how cold was it in Oregon last night anyway? :wink:
 
gengiant said:
I appreciate a healthy discussion and the fact that everyone on this forum seems to be mature enough to be able to wheigh in constructively in both agreement and disagreement without starting a rant or flame war. :smt038

Sooooo, how cold was it in Oregon last night anyway? :wink:
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I too appreciate the discussion. I have learned much from Frank and many others on the board. When you have a disagreement about something, they say a good solution is to query the other person about their position until you can state it as well as they can. And this may lead you to where you both ought to be on that position. But especially on a written board like this, getting the back and forth flow of information is sometimes seen as just being argumentative, hardheaded, or maybe just not smart enough to understand.

Granted, the third or fourth time you have to do it, it can get old.

I have been trying to remember a name for weeks now, and it has finally come to me. I am fairly sure it was Richard Collins that had a series in either Flying or AOPA magazine called "I learned about flying from that". It was always an account of a bad situation someone got themselves into, and what they learned from it.

Four Suns posted a topic about life jackets and why he required them on his boat. He tells his story about what happened to him when he was young. Its the kind of thing you learn a life long lesson from, and it others can learn it too, then so much the better. I have wished we had such a category here.

It only got down to about 15 last night, but I have some outside 'freeze proof' faucets that I apparently don't have buried deep enough. It is up to 24 now.
 
Charlie.... sir... I believe that the 260 is offered with a gen set option which usually means that it can be installed aftermarket by your dealer or other marine professional as well. It seems it would make more sense to have the appropriate marine generator installed. I believe it was Thunderbird who had a low co Westerbeke installed in his 06 260.... he seemed to be pretty happy with it during an earlier post. This would get you the generator you need/want while taking ensuring that all appropriate precautions are taken into consideration.

The only reason I can see not to get a proper generator installed on a boat which can support it is cost and time the boat would be out of service for the install. I understand that $10-13K (guessing at the installed prices of genset here) to have a proper generator installed is a bunch of $$$... and so is a properly installed inverter with extra batteries to support the additional load.... but if someone were to ask me to put a price on the safety of my family and fellow boaters I think spending the money for the proper setup or sacrificing a bit (going without a genset) while on the hook would be worth far more than the monetary cost.
 
[quote="Dave M]
It only got down to about 15 last night, but I have some outside 'freeze proof' faucets that I apparently don't have buried deep enough. It is up to 24 now.[/quote]


Brrrrrr......!! It got down to "only" 32 here in Sac last night and I still haven't been able to warm up! But your story is a good reminder - I need to protect a couple of faucets for the next few nights as it is supposed to get to 30 or so.

Cheers!
 
Thanks for all the replies,

You have certainly given me a lot to think about.

Frank, I have the Honda EU2000i manual and I find no mention of marine use whatsoever.

280 Sundancer, If I had an extra $25,000 I would have bought a new 260 with a generator. (You must be a republican ;-)

BTW, the friend that I mentioned in my first post (who recommended using the generator) is an engineer who has worked in a 670 MW nuclear power plant for 20+ years.

Thanks again,
Charlie
 
Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should do something. Will it work? You bet. Is it inexpensive-Yes! Is it dangerous? In my opinion-yes. The fact that Honda tells you not to do it is enough for me. I see people using these all the time even several boats in a raft-up with these things strung out on the swim platform, usually secured with a bungee cord or two, an accident waiting to happen. Like others here, I'd advise against it, but in the end it's your call.
 
:smt015 :smt015 :smt015 :smt015

I think that (more than once) everything is said about this topic

Everybody made his point, and warnings so that is all we can do.

Peter
 
Thanks,

I appreciate all your replies.

Just about everything you do on a boat has an element of danger ... we make choices every time we go out ... is it too rough? are there thunderstorms coming? ... etc. A friend's father is a dredger captain and he thinks that anyone who sets foot on a boat is crazy because boating itself is inherently dangerous.

Before I do anything I want to gather as much info as I can so that I can try to stay as safe as reasonably possible.

-Charlie
 
sfergson727 said:
I know, I had too much hot chocolate, and now I can't sleep. I remember that someone, I think it may have wingless was making nasty notations disguised in his posts by making the font white, so I thought I would try a not so nasty hidden message and revive a controversial thread all at the same time. But it appears I have been foiled, as the print does not show up in the quote like I thought it would.

I guess I'll have to hatch a different evil plan for web domination. Have a good night.
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I guess this means it is going to be a long winter
 
If you use a Honda, Obama will put an IRS lien on your boat.
 
i used to do this every weekend for 2 years on my maxum 2900 and had no problem with the 2000. the only thing is you cant run the air and microwave at the same time. i put mine on the bow when in a cove and at night put it on the swimdeck for vibration reasons.
 
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