Using a portable generator to run A/C?

9 pages, the popcorns gone and I've nothing to say about this issue any more. I packed the turkey fryer, stowed the LP tank and lost the gen set in a 60 footers wake. See ya on another run away thread. :smt043:smt043:smt024
 
Just clicked "unsubscribe to this thread." See ya fellas.
 
SAFETY ALERT
CARBON MONOXIDE - PORTABLE GENERATORS
The following information is provided by the U.S. Coast Guard's Marine Safety Office (MSO) in Mobile, Alabama.
The MSO is currently investigating two deaths aboard a fishing vessel in Bayou la Batre, Alabama. Preliminary findings indicate that the victims were exposed to deadly levels of carbon monoxide (CO). Although the investigation is not complete, important lessons have been learned.
The carbon monoxide came from the exhaust of a portable generator located in the forward part of the engine room. This generator provided power to the vessel's the air conditioning unit and main deck lighting. The generator's exhaust gases vented directly into the engine room.


<text removed>
I don't think you'll find ANYONE here that believes putting a portable generator below deck and venting the exhaust directly into the engine room is a good idea...

The topic has been beat to death (on this thread, on past threads, and I'm sure on future threads). Still, while there are some things people agree on (like a portable generator dumping exhaust into the bilge), there still isn't much real factual data around the dangers of a portable generator used in an "appropriate" manner.

This would have been a great opportunity for the USCG to add in a warning about portable generators in general. But they didn't. Not sure what that tells us.

I still would not do it, and I would still urge others not to do it. But I also agree that there is an overwhelming lack of real evidence to back that up.

For those on the fence, remember there is wrong, and there is dead wrong. Don't be dead wrong.

I'm now joining the others that are leaving this thread. See you all on the next installment in a few weeks!
 
I like this set up:

Cabernet%20Electric%20conv27.jpg


This is good too...

Bella+Gen+FW+Tks.JPG


Or this... dangle it off the rail:

06-15-09-45-Generator.jpg


This is nice... (typical four winns)

2031343900028726238S500x500Q85.jpg
 
I'm so glad all of you guys are experts, as with anything common sense and safety come into play, however portables are safe under the right circumstances.

Not everybody can have a 40' with diesels!
 
Turtle Time,

Every time the portable generator subject comes up someone makes the same accusation you did. The opposite point of view holds as well.........there are also "experts" on using portable generators on boats who will fight to the death that they are safe, yet they invariably cannot seem to read and fully comprehend the subject.

CSR really isn't into the whole big boat vs. little boat thing. Most folks here realize that boating is a lifetime of progression from a small boat that is affordable on spare money up to something large enough to retire with. In most cases, the guys who have moved up the size have learned something along the way. They take their time to post information here only to help others who are moving along the boat progression learn and avoid mistakes. In the case of portable generators, the mistakes don't end up with a boo-boo on your finger, but a lifeflight to the emergency room if you are lucky, or the morgue if you are not.
 
I still have not heard any reasoning as to why a portable generator used on a swim platform is more dangerous (with regard to CO poisoning) than an inboard generator that exhausts in the same general area. :huh:
 
For the love of God, Orville Redenbacher, can't produce enough popcorn to survive this thread. :smt043:smt043

"Just when I thought I was out...they pull me back in." Michael Corleone, God Father 3:smt089:smt089
 
I think all you gas-boat guys should use portable generators... It'll clean the place up around here.
 
Ah yes, more sarcasm with no real answers.

FWIW, I have no genny (portable or inboard) and probably never will have a portable as my next boat will likely have an inboard one. But I would still like to know why a portable is more of a CO poisoning risk than an inboard when used on the rear of the boat. My guess is I have not gotten an answer because there is none.

I do understand there could possibly be a higher risk of electrical hazards IF you use them on a swim platform where waves/wakes are present. But what about on beached boats in a no wake area where there is no possibility of waves getting up onto the swim platform (i.e. the island we stay on on the river is no wake and people use these portables all the time on their swim platforms. I have never heard of any issues yet, and I have been boating on this part of the river for years. I am also assuming these things have a GFI circuit.

Please save the sarcasm and answer my question. I am not biased one way or the other, I am just curious as to the reasoning behind the opposition to them. Also, the MN/WI DNR are VERY anal about safety on this river, especially this particular State Park. I am quite certain if these were a risk, there would be a restriction against using them. The only restriction against them is they (all, not just the portables) must be turned off at 11pm. 11 PM is considered "quiet time", no radios or other noise after 11 pm.
 
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I saw at least 6 portable generators strapped to the swim platforms over the 4th of July weekend. One boat even had 2 separate gensets! It is a good thing there was a nice breeze blowing all weekend!
 
I saw at least 6 portable generators strapped to the swim platforms over the 4th of July weekend. One boat even had 2 separate gensets! It is a good thing there was a nice breeze blowing all weekend!

And how many inboard generators did you see/hear? Good thing the breeze kept those fumes away too, right? or are their fumes somehow less dangerous? :huh:
 
FWIW, the Honda EU2000, which is probably the most popular one you see does NOT have a GFCI outlet.


Then I can definitely see using this near water as an electrical hazard. Thanks!

Now, about the CO hazard? Anyone? :huh:

Their website just says to use it outdoors...well, duh! :lol:
 
Ah yes, more sarcasm with no real answers.

FWIW, I have no genny (portable or inboard) and probably never will have a portable as my next boat will likely have an inboard one. But I would still like to know why a portable is more of a CO poisoning risk than an inboard when used on the rear of the boat. My guess is I have not gotten an answer because there is none.

I do understand there could possibly be a higher risk of electrical hazards IF you use them on a swim platform where waves/wakes are present. But what about on beached boats in a no wake area where there is no possibility of waves getting up onto the swim platform (i.e. the island we stay on on the river is no wake and people use these portables all the time on their swim platforms. I have never heard of any issues yet, and I have been boating on this part of the river for years. I am also assuming these things have a GFI circuit.

Please save the sarcasm and answer my question. I am not biased one way or the other, I am just curious as to the reasoning behind the opposition to them. Also, the MN/WI DNR are VERY anal about safety on this river, especially this particular State Park. I am quite certain if these were a risk, there would be a restriction against using them. The only restriction against them is they (all, not just the portables) must be turned off at 11pm. 11 PM is considered "quiet time", no radios or other noise after 11 pm.

Several seasons ago in my home boating area there were four deaths contributed to CO poisoning from running generators on board.

Three of the deaths were on a new (to owner) Sea Ray with an on-board OEM installed generator. The owner’s family went to the boat on a hot summer day to “fix up” the inside for him. They were at a dock with shore power but did not know how to use it, so they fired up the generator while at the dock. This was an older model Sea Ray and the generator did not have the automatic shut off on CO detection as the newer ones have. The generator ran all day and all night long, and all three victims were found in the cabin seated in their seats, two of them where playing cards when they “went to sleep”. When the fire department went into the boat the next morning all three were dead and the CO detector was going off.

The other accident was the same year right across the river from the above mentioned marina. It was a smaller boat with a portable generator mounted on the swim platform. Three men on board, and anchored out in Middle River, when one of the men felt ill and went to lay down in the cabin. Well he never woke up either. Fumes from the generator made him sick and the CO backed up into the cabin. Boat anchored from the bow and the stern.

In both of the cases the victims were not aware of the dangers of generators and CO poisoning. I have a factory installed generator with several CO detectors for the cabin as well as an automatic cut off on the generator on CO detection. I still can’t sleep at night with it on because of the vision I have in my head of the two people playing cards dead!

Know the dangers and take precautions.
 
Several seasons ago in my home boating area there were four deaths contributed to CO poisoning from running generators on board.

Three of the deaths were on a new (to owner) Sea Ray with an on-board OEM installed generator. The owner’s family went to the boat on a hot summer day to “fix up” the inside for him. They were at a dock with shore power but did not know how to use it, so they fired up the generator while at the dock. This was an older model Sea Ray and the generator did not have the automatic shut off on CO detection as the newer ones have. The generator ran all day and all night long, and all three victims were found in the cabin seated in their seats, two of them where playing cards when they “went to sleep”. When the fire department went into the boat the next morning all three were dead and the CO detector was going off.

The other accident was the same year right across the river from the above mentioned marina. It was a smaller boat with a portable generator mounted on the swim platform. Three men on board, and anchored out in Middle River, when one of the men felt ill and went to lay down in the cabin. Well he never woke up either. Fumes from the generator made him sick and the CO backed up into the cabin. Boat anchored from the bow and the stern.

In both of the cases the victims were not aware of the dangers of generators and CO poisoning. I have a factory installed generator with several CO detectors for the cabin as well as an automatic cut off on the generator on CO detection. I still can’t sleep at night with it on because of the vision I have in my head of the two people playing cards dead!

Know the dangers and take precautions.

Great post, thanks! Sounds to me like ALL generators pose a threat and some have better safety built into them (auto-shutoff).

I too would never go to sleep with ANY generator running unless I was up top with the screen enclosure (NOT Isinglass).

I guess I just don't see the portables as being any worse then the onboard ones, with the exception of the ones with the auto-shutoff feature.
 
Well there you go, the honda does not have an automatic cutoff in case of CO alarm activation. That in itself should be enough to suggest that it is not a good idea to use it. (As well as OEM gennys, if they don't have that feature, they should be retro fitted)

Now I would question if it might be too late if the CO detector detected too much CO and shut off the gen. If there is not proper ventilation, could that existing CO still pose a threat? :huh:
 

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