Using a portable generator to run A/C?

Loose Cannon

Member
Apr 2, 2010
164
Havre de Grace, MD
Boat Info
Between boats
Engines
None
I have a 240DA with no A/C and no generator. This week, I am having a Mermaid M6, 6500 btu air conditioner installed. The advertisement for the unit states that the A/C will run on a Honda EU1000i portable generator.

My plans are to use the A/C while plugged into shore power; however, I am curious how it would work with a generator. The Honda is a small generator and I cannot imagine plugging the shore power cable into it. Any ideas?

I like the idea of being able to use the A/C on the hook once in a while if I can do so safely. Your experiences or advice would be appreciated.
 
I would put on your flame retardant suit right about... now.
 
Use the search feature...please...I'm tired and going to bed.
 
Feels like 3 page minimum, I'm breaking out the big bucket


bigbucket.jpg
 
The old dude expert (Chuck Husick) in BOAT/US magazine says it OK.:grin:
 
Last edited:
Use it on shore power only. The fact is why chance death to stay cool. Expect many sarcastic replies to this question as many on here forget there was a time when they didn't know everything. Some still always knew it all.
Happy boating!
 
Use it on shore power only. The fact is why chance death to stay cool. Expect many sarcastic replies to this question as many on here forget there was a time when they didn't know everything. Some still always knew it all.
Happy boating!

Is this sarcastic ?
 
I've seen it done before. Genny was mounted to bow with straps and cord ran around the side to
Shorepower plug. Exhaust was far away from passangers, more than mine. I'm not sure why its any worse sitting on the bow of your boat as sitting in some dry grass(which I see at the marina all the time) . I know its a huge deal here, but why? Can't imagine you could injest more fumes than minewhen its on the front of a closed bow. They did not carry spare fuel aboard.
 
I've seen it done before. Genny was mounted to bow with straps and cord ran around the side to
Shorepower plug. Exhaust was far away from passangers, more than mine. I'm not sure why its any worse sitting on the bow of your boat as sitting in some dry grass(which I see at the marina all the time) . I know its a huge deal here, but why? Can't imagine you could injest more fumes than minewhen its on the front of a closed bow. They did not carry spare fuel aboard.
 
I've seen it done before. Genny was mounted to bow with straps and cord ran around the side to
Shorepower plug. Exhaust was far away from passangers, more than mine. I'm not sure why its any worse sitting on the bow of your boat as sitting in some dry grass(which I see at the marina all the time) . I know its a huge deal here, but why? Can't imagine you could injest more fumes than minewhen its on the front of a closed bow. They did not carry spare fuel aboard.




+1 you can say that again!

I agree...lots to do about not alot. I guess Honda generators are more dangerous than dynamite.
 
Just out of curiosity, why is a portable generator running on a swim platform any more dangerous than running an onboard generator?

People use both around here all the time on the river? :huh:
 
Everyone knows that portable generators emit much more noxious and poisonous fumes than any marine generator ever could. Also, the fumes from the aft-mounted portable generator have been proven by study after study to have more of a predilection for the human nostril than fumes that come from aft area of a boat with a factory installed seawater cooled generator.
 
Last edited:
<"Everyone knows that portable generators emit much more noxious and poisonous fumes than any marine generator every could....">

Tongue in cheek?
 
Slippery When Wet has a legitimate question, the answer to which was covered before in some of the long discussions on portables we've had. Why are portable generators bad? Here's the short version...........and for those of you who want to suffocate your family or blow your ass off, have at it, but don't bother commenting; I'm not going to debate this one again.


1. CO is released where it can easily enter occupied spaces
2. The fuel lines are not CG approved
3. The fuel system is vented to the atmosphere
4. The portable generator does not use ignition protected electrical components
5. The portable is not grounded to the boat's electrical system..........like having an open neutral in your house.
 
Just out of curiosity, why is a portable generator running on a swim platform any more dangerous than running an onboard generator?

People use both around here all the time on the river? :huh:

Personally, and without scientific evidence to corroborate, I agree.

An onboard genset exhausts just above the waterline, and so would a small gen on the swim platform. If placed to the edge of the platform, where the exhaust would be directed off to the side of the vessel (where it would presumably be carried off by any breeze and most closely mimic the operation of an onboard gen) I can see no substantial difference.

'Course, you've still got the issue of getting waked and your $2000 gen ending up partially underwater if you have a low platform...
 
Last edited:
Sorry to hear that no one else here has a "legitimate" opinion and that your answer on a different thread should end all discussions. After looking at you answer, I don't see where any of them apply more than they would on land. I have seen people on their backs under the boat(unsafe in its own right) for hours next to the generator and their asses never blew off. I would feel better with it on the bow pulpit with the fresh air. Ignition protected, any different on land? Its not mounted in the bilge? I don't believe it's any worse than running it anywhere on land unless you are dumb and set it next to a open hatch, or in the bilge. I guess that's my answer, as illegitimate as it may be.
Slippery When Wet has a legitimate question, the answer to which was covered before in some of the long discussions on potables we've had. Why are portable generators bad? Here's the short version...........and for those of you who want to suffocate your family or blow your ass off, have at it, but don't bother commenting; I'm not going to debate this one again.


1. CO is released where it can easily enter occupied spaces
2. The fuel lines are not CG approved
3. The fuel system is vented to the atmosphere
4. The portable generator does not use ignition protected electrical components
5. The portable is not grounded to the boat's electrical system..........like having an open neutral in your house.
 
EDIT : Wayne has been BANNED from replying to this thread. :thumbsup:



CSR Mod. :smt001
 
After looking at you answer, I don't see where any of them apply more than they would on land. I have seen people on their backs under the boat(unsafe in its own right) for hours next to the generator and their asses never blew off. I would feel better with it on the bow pulpit with the fresh air. Ignition protected, any different on land? Its not mounted in the bilge? I don't believe it's any worse than running it anywhere on land unless you are dumb and set it next to a open hatch, or in the bilge. I guess that's my answer, as illegitimate as it may be.

I agree with this somewhat. Certainly, ignition protection is not that relevant. . .unless you are working on a fuel dock I suppose. Certainly, there is a HUGE difference between operating on a deck vs in a bilge. Operating in a bilge, or next to a deck hatch is definately Darwin award material.

And frankly. . .operating gas engines when you are working under a boat is a bad move. I know when I use my gas powered power washer, I take care to work upwind and as far away from the unit as practical.

Everyone knows that portable generators emit much more noxious and poisonous fumes than any marine generator ever could. Also, the fumes from the aft-mounted portable generator have been proven by study after study to have more of a predilection for the human nostril than fumes that come from aft area of a boat with a factory installed seawater cooled generator.

I think Rondds is making a good point here. Part of the hazard of portable generators relates to how much CO they emit relative to typical Gennies. I am willing to bet that the portables emit far more.

This is not to say that onboard gennies are perfectly safe. They are not.

Funadamentally. . .you are sleeping in poorly ventilated confined spaces with an internal combustion engine operating nearby. That is a recipe for trouble. The incident rate for onboard gennies is lower. . .but it is not zero. CO monitors are FAR from infallible. The CO monitor is only for "when all else fails".

And for goodness sakes. . .don't have *just* one CO monitor.

And remember. . .CO sensor cells do not last forever. These things have a defined replacement interval. Replace them when the manufacturer recommends. The CO monitors I used to use where I work (these were clip-to-shirt units) were replaced annually.

I would opt for shore power every time to run AC.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,874
Members
60,932
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top