Using a portable generator to run A/C?

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:

Of course there are CO hazards with onboard generators as well. The difference is they are connected to the vessel's grounding system, they utilize the ground fault receptacles within the boat's electrical system, they are required to have the bilge blowers running whenever in use, they do not require cords being strung close to the water or even on the boat's exterior, the fuel system is integral with the boat providing extra safety and no need for filling from a can or carrying an external fuel source, etc., etc.

That being said, an onboard gas generator can kill you or cause CO poisoning if not operated in a safe manner. Portable generators are not ever operated in a safe manner, IMHO, when strapped to the bow or SP. Why temp fate?
 
I think all you gas-boat guys should use portable generators... It'll clean the place up around here.



I always find the humor in all of your posts, and rarely ever get offended by what anyone says...BUT this one is offensive. As a gas boat owner, AND someone who has made the decision long ago not to take the risks of using a portable generator for anything...I don't think this comment is fair to wish disaster to all gas boaters, sarcastic or not. I respect and value all of the wisdom and good advise you provide to this forum, but I think this one was a bit uncalled for. Don' want to start a pissing match with you, just saying I thought it is a bit rude.
 
I always find the humor in all of your posts, and rarely ever get offended by what anyone says...BUT this one is offensive. As a gas boat owner, AND someone who has made the decision long ago not to take the risks of using a portable generator for anything...I don't think this comment is fair to wish disaster to all gas boaters, sarcastic or not. I respect and value all of the wisdom and good advise you provide to this forum, but I think this one was a bit uncalled for. Don' want to start a pissing match with you, just saying I thought it is a bit rude.

francis.jpg


He's just a typical rich arrogant SOB that thinks us lowly gas powered peasants are inferior to him. :grin: (yes, I am kidding....sorta :lol:).
 
francis.jpg


He's just a typical rich arrogant SOB that thinks us lowly gas powered peasants are inferior to him. :grin: (yes, I am kidding....sorta :lol:).


Lol, I hear ya. By the way, love the "Stripes" quote!!
 
Great post, thanks!
I too would never go to sleep with ANY generator running unless I was up top with the screen enclosure (NOT Isinglass).

To me, this is missing out on one of the best things about having a cruiser . . . sleeping on the hook in the comforts of air conditioning. Not to mention knowing your batteries are charged, refrigerators are cold, lights on are working etc. It is not something I would forego. I take risks every day in my life including using a furnance in my home. I sure as hell am not going to lose a good night sleep or freeze my ass off because of what could happen if there was a malfunction.

I use precaution by having 3 CO detectors on board and making sure my generator and systems are well maintained. I also run my blowers when I go to bed to help make sure any accumulation of CO from a leak is drawn out instead of leaked into the cabin.
 
<snip>

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

<snip>

That's an easy thing to say for northern boaters. It's a different thing down south, where it sometimes cools off to the high 80's at night in the summer.

We sleep on board with the generator on frequently. We use multiple CO detectors. The only time I get concerned is when there is no breeze or if we are rafted with others and the wind shifts (the boats don't rotate when rafted, and the wind blows the gasses back toward the boat).

Is it safe? Well, if I didn't think so I wouldn't do it. Would I ever consider a portable generator? I'd say no, but that's easy to say when I have one built-in. If I had an AC but no generator, I probably still wouldn't do it (probably more for electrical safety concerns than for CO concerns).

But I do agree with you that there is a lot of opinion and not a lot of fact in this thread...
 
To me, this is missing out on one of the best things about having a cruiser . . . sleeping on the hook in the comforts of air conditioning. Not to mention knowing your batteries are charged, refrigerators are cold, lights on are working etc. It is not something I would forego. I take risks every day in my life including using a furnance in my home. I sure as hell am not going to lose a good night sleep or freeze my ass off because of what could happen if there was a malfunction.

I use precaution by having 3 CO detectors on board and making sure my generator and systems are well maintained. I also run my blowers when I go to bed to help make sure any accumulation of CO from a leak is drawn out instead of leaked into the cabin.

Good points! But I would for sure leave some vents open too. So a little AC gets wasted, cheap insurance. :thumbsup:
 
I think all you gas-boat guys should use portable generators... It'll clean the place up around here.

Sorry, I can't see your post to clearly nor hear you what with all this wind in my face and noise of my V8 screaming at 5000rpm. :smt043:smt043:smt043

I don't see any mast on your canoe, are you using fossil fuel too? LOL. LOL.

Seriously, I would be concerned about the electrical hazard of a portable. First, I would never mount it on the swim platform, isn't there a lot of water around there? Second, I would need to have it grounded to the boats grounded circuit and GFI protected.
 
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Can you use the generator to power a windlass? I like having the portable generator on the bow - makes it more prominent.

I watched a guy leaving this weekend with his Honda generator on the swim platform running as he got on plane - when you come off plane wouldn't the thing get wet?
 
Can you use the generator to power a windlass? I like having the portable generator on the bow - makes it more prominent.

I watched a guy leaving this weekend with his Honda generator on the swim platform running as he got on plane - when you come off plane wouldn't the thing get wet?

See, to me, that's the bottom line. You can't put the thing on the bow, because the CO is going to flow back over the whole boat (cabin, cockpit, etc). And you can't put the thing on the swim platform because as I recall electricity and water don't get along well.

Perhaps the radar arch is the only real option here... <kidding>
 
You see! You guys never take me seriously here, but sometimes I get a good idea every once in a while. Just make sure you use a sturdy line. I didn't, and chose bungy cords. When it fell, it bounced up and down like a yo yo, and now I have divits on the inside of my arch.

I know, I know. We should listen better!

A little bondo and some Krylon and you'll never know those divits were there. Or perhaps some well-placed color changing LED disco lights would cover the spots...
 
Maybe we should resurrect a few more of the old Portable Generator threads. That way we could get more of these really meaningfull comments going in multiple threads at the same time.:smt101:smt101:smt101
 
Portable generators are a convenience, with a risk. A few people die per year taking this risk (at most).

Not wearing lifejackets while boating is a convenience, with a risk. MANY people die per year taking this risk.

Do YOU wear a lifejacket at all times while boating?


Just sayin' :smt001
 
Portable generators are a convenience, with a risk. A few people die per year taking this risk (at most).

Not wearing lifejackets while boating is a convenience, with a risk. MANY people die per year taking this risk.

Do YOU wear a lifejacket at all times while boating?


Just sayin' :smt001

Every once in awhile for one of these threads a pretty good analogy is made. This is one of them. I always look forward to the clever response.

This tells me that there is something more to this generator issue than pure safety or lack there of. Almost as if its an "image" sort of thing for lack of a better word. I'm sure most will deny it but is there a stigma that comes along with a portable generator on the bow of a boat? Dr. Phil, are you out there?

I've never heard of anyone brow beating the lack of safety concern for not wearing a life jacket (unless its on kids) but this generator thing gets the blood pumping. Hmm . . .:huh:
 
So does it really all come down to wanting an unsightly red box hanging off your bow or stern? Is it all about "I can afford the optional OEM gen and you can't"? Have we reduced this to image instead of safety? :huh:
Surely not. :grin:
 

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