Running with generator on?

[Groucho]

I may have missed this...But is it ok to cruise with the generator running? I've done it @ 6 or 7 mph, but was told by a friend he never runs his while underway.

 

[Luckydogs]

I did it once and my impellar went kaput, may have been a coincidence but I'm not taking any chances.

 

[barryg]

I always run mine down here when I am underway...Never any problems...I check the strainers first; run the blower for about 4-5 minutes and start the genny first, making sure the water outflow is good; then start the engines... Leave the blower on while it is running and usually that means all day when I go out.

Barry

 

[Pseudomind]

I would like to hear any specific comments on this as I always cruise with the generator running. Actually whenever I am disconnection from shore power

Is this generator being off have to do with boat size? I would think a 280 would be large enough to cruise with the generator powered on

:thumbsup:

 

[sbw1]

There are after market genny installs out there that may not be quite to spec in terms of cooling water pick ups. A boat that came off the assembly line with a genny should be safe to run with the genny on. Many boats operate in the South where you need it for air to stay comfortable. Boats now come with helm a/c. We run with our genny on when it's very hot. Did this with our 37 Express and do it with the 32 Open. No problems either way.

 

[Southpaw II]

Start the generator before you get underway. If you crank your generatator while underway, there is a possibility it will not pickup water.

 

[Pseudomind]

Start the generator before you get underway. If you crank your generatator while underway, there is a possibility it will not pickup water.

Now this is a very true statement, and one I believe the manual also states to do so whenever using the generator.. Edit: The manual does state to start before getting underway or else the raw water pickup may not start.

:thumbsup:

 

[fwebster]

That is what the generator is for........use it if you need it. In fact, on some larger boats, some integral equipment, like power steering, has 120VAC or 240VAC pumps. Without the generator, you have no steering.

 

[PMvdb395DA]

I even run the gen at 30 knots speed... never had any problem.

Peter

 

[Mr Salt]

An important thing to remember about the generator is that it should have a load on. I have never heard of anything that gives the generator a problem if you are running the boat. I have a lot of 120/240 volt equipment on my boat and always have the genny on, unless we are going out for a short trip. But I always keep a load on it , like the fridge, freezer and air conditioners.

Mr Salt
2001 540 CPMY
Caterpillar C-12s Westerbeke 20 Kw
Cape May. NJ

 

[Warren]

I agree with everything shared on this thread with one exception - use care when running with the 120v. charger on. We have a high output inverter/charger - if it is running off the generator while under way we would have 2 charging sources and seriously risk battery damage. I am told that even a battery explosion is possible!

Solution: Put a load on the gennie if it's running but don't use alternating current to charge batteries while running.
Warren

 

[wastinaweigh]

I have run mine on a 260 at speeds up to about 28 MPH with no problems. I do not run the A/C converter with the engine running, but do turn on everything else, including the air conditioner.

 

[PMvdb395DA]

I agree with everything shared on this thread with one exception - use care when running with the 120v. charger on. We have a high output inverter/charger - if it is running off the generator while under way we would have 2 charging sources and seriously risk battery damage. I am told that even a battery explosion is possible!

Solution: Put a load on the gennie if it's running but don't use alternating current to charge batteries while running.
Warren

I never heart this....
If your charger and alternator are working OK, nothing can happen.
Your charger can not load more, than your batteries are asking.
The charger has a system that only charges the batteries when they need it.
Also your alternator has a voltage regulator.
As the name implies, it regulates the voltage going to the battery.
It does this by turning current to the field (stator) terminal of the alternator on and off.
If the battery voltage goes below 13.5 volts, the voltage regulator sends current to the field terminal and allows the alternator to start charging.
Current will then flow into the battery and bring it up to full charge. If the voltage goes above 14.5 volts, the voltage regulator shuts off the current to the field terminal and keeps the battery from overcharging and cooking itself.
This is how the voltage regulator controls the alternator output.
Otherwise you also couldn't run your engines, when you are on shore power...
Also it isn't possible that the charger current goes through the alternator.

Peter.

 

[RollerCoastr]

Warren mentioned a high-output inverter/charger, which is not OEM. Perhaps that introduces risk that doesn't exist from the factory?

I've probably logged several hundred hours with the converter on with the engines, but that's with the stock converter.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned re: the original topic:

Depending on the installation of the through-hull and dynamics of the hull, some boats in rough water will allow air to be introduced, which can be enough to stop the flow of water and fry the impeller etc.

 

[tobnpr]

Warren mentioned a high-output inverter/charger, which is not OEM. Perhaps that introduces risk that doesn't exist from the factory?

I wondered about that as well.
Having two charging sources "on" at the same time is commonplace for me- like all the time when underway with the gen running. I specifically asked Xantrex about the need for my new charger to supplement the output from the generator's alternator, and they said that was fine.

 

[sbw1]

Agree that running with the converter on should pose no issues if it's a factory install. There are lots of boat running around out there that have diy mods. Many mods are not properly done.

 

[Jack380AC]

Just a note of caution. Everyone seems to be concerned about the genie itself but the real danger (if any) is to people on board. If carbon monixide is getting into your cabin and people are below the capatain at the helm will never know that they were having a roblem. The noise at the helm may be grater than you can hear from the cabin with the hatch closed. If you run with the genie on, please make sure eveyone knows to get out quickly if the alarm goes off. You do have working co detectors in every cabin, right?

 

[Captain Don]

I am typing from my Searay Owners Manual: " Pre-start generator prior to getting underway as there is a possibility it will not pick up water if starting underway. Make sure the main generator breaker is off and there is no load on the generator before starting it."

I have not had a need to run mine while underway, but I it's nice to know I could if I had to.

 

[Alex D]

I have run many times with the genny running and there are no problems. If this would be an issue, you would read a big fat warning in your boat operators manual, but there are no warnings anywhere.

 

[jrirvine1]

That is what the generator is for........use it if you need it.QUOTE]

My genset saved the day once this summer by allowing us to get back to home port. While out cruising, about 2 hrs from home, one voltage meter began acting wacky and falling below 5-6 volts. I correctly assumed this was an alternator issue and turned around to make the run back home but incorrectly assuming that the engine would run fine with a questionable alternator. Apparently, the engine computer said 5 volts is not enough for me to function, so I am going to shut the engine down, which it did without asking me.

To keep battery charged, I started the genset and engaged the battery charger, which worked to keep the voltage up above the level the engine computer wanted to function. The engine started and ran fine back to port, with the genset on the entire way. A new alternator was installed the next day and all is well.