Will a 2000i gen fit in the 280DA Stern storage?

Presentation

Presentation

Well-Known Member
TECHNICAL Contributor
Oct 3, 2006
4,404
Wisconsin - Winnebago Pool chain of lakes
Boat Info
280 Sundancer, Westerbeke MPV generator
Engines
twin 5.0's w/BIII drives
280DA Sundancer owners, will a Honda 2000i portable generator fit in the Stern storage area? I think the critical dimension here is the units width. This is 11.4†at its widest point.

Thank you in advance for your help.
 
Well, I don't have a 280 but I know it will fit in the cooler storage compartment on a 240 DA.
 
Presentation said:
280DA Sundancer owners, will a Honda 2000i portable generator fit in the Stern storage area? I think the critical dimension here is the units width. This is 11.4†at its widest point.

Thank you in advance for your help.
Click to expand...
Funny Doug, I was just thinking the same thing for the 260DA we're eyeing. Were you going to leave it there while running. I would think the exhaust would be an issue.
 
What are your plans for the gen? Will it have enough juice to run the A/C? On my 240 it will along with the frig. But with the bigger A/C units on the 260 & 280???
 
Nehalennia II said:
Presentation said:
280DA Sundancer owners, will a Honda 2000i portable generator fit in the Stern storage area? I think the critical dimension here is the units width. This is 11.4†at its widest point.

Thank you in advance for your help.
Click to expand...
Funny Doug, I was just thinking the same thing for the 260DA we're eyeing. Were you going to leave it there while running. I would think the exhaust would be an issue.
Click to expand...

First, my goal is a traditional generator.

I just got back from a local marine service center. $10,900 to install a marine unit. OUTCH!!!

If I cant find a boat with the generator then I would consider using a 2000i. The reason I would pick the 2000i is its reputation for being quieter then other portable generators.

If I go the way of the 2000i, and have 2 CO2 detectors in the cabin and I can make it fit, I would consider storing AND RUNNING the generator in the stern storage compartment.

From what I have read, the 2000i would have enough power to run the A/C or the Microwave but not both at the same time.

I do already have a Marinco adapter that allows me to plug a standard receptacle into a marine 30A plug. The internal circuit protection should function incase of a overload.

OK, final thing. Would I consider running the generator in the stern storage compartment? If I can figure out a way that would allow me to do this with a reasonable amount of safety, yes. I would need to cut some vents in the fiberglass for ventilation, make sure I would be able to pull the manual recoil starter since these things do not have electric start.

I hope this thread does not turn around to I become a ‘bashing the idea due to risk’ thread instead of a ‘how you can do it thread.
 
Let's see if I understand this correctly.......

1. You plan to store and run a portable generator in a closed compartment on the back of your boat....violations of ABYC and USCG reg's.
2.That generator's fuel system and drain lines are open to the atmomsphere and vented to the space inside the generator case.
3. That generator's electrical system contains no ignition protection.
4. You figure you have your exposure to risk covered becasue you have 2 CO detectors.....what about shock, fire and explosion hazards?
5.You do not wish to hear about the risks of using portable generators on boats but are interested in "a how to do it thread".

Well, thanks. That lets me out of the discussion and saves the liability created by participating because there is just no safe way to do what you want to do.
 
Hi Frank,

Thank you for your comments.

Given your above comments, are you also anti-portable generator running on the hook via the swim platform?

Again, my goal is to find a used 280DA-T with a generator and the 4.3L / Aplha’s circa 2001-2003.

I have found many that fit the bill save the generator option. This has me exploring adding a generator or using a portable.

I did contact one marine service center and got a estimate of $10,900 to add a gen. Possibly by shopping around I could find a better deal but its unlikely even the best deal would cut the price in half.

So I am in the exploration stage of the portable generator option.
 
Doug,

The price you were quoted was from someone who obviously didn't want to install one or who has never done it and is covering himself. Here in the south, boat like a 280DA just don't sell without a generator and air, so adding one to OEM specs is done regularly and the cost is usually in the $6500-$7000 area.

My problems with portable generators are:

1.The fuel system is not designed for the marine enviornment. The fuel hoses are all just plastic ones like you find on lawnmowers or weedeaters. For use on a boat they should be braided reinforced hoses so they cannot crack and split. The fuel system is also vented to the atomosphere which means you get gas fumes coming from the fuel fill cap and carburetor all the time.

2. None of the electrical components on a portable generator are ignition protected or sealed so they can be an ignition source.

3. CO is a concern.

4.. But the biggest risk of all is the shock hazzard. The portable is separate from and not connected to the boats ground system. Running a portable to power the microwave , coffee maker or a hair dryer isn't too risky but to power the boats onboard 120V circuits for outlets or a/c is like disconnecting the green or ground wire from your home circuits.

Can a portable be run on the swim platform? Other people do it but it is not safe and I wouldn't put my family at risk over the $5000 savings ( a Honda will cost $1000-$1200). Aside from the risk, it will be a hassle to drag the generator out and set it up and, even though the Honda is as smooth and quiet as they come, you will feel the vibration. A regular marine generator is a matter of pressing a switch to get it running and powering up the boat........and they vibrate and make noise too.

You may be a live on the edge type, but I am conservative and don't take risks I can avoid. This one is easy to avoid.........

Here is a view on this whole thing that you may not have considered. The 280DA you find without a generator is going to sell cheap compared to those with gensets. That will occur when you buy the boat and will re-occur when you sell or trade it. The generator equipped boats will sell quicker and for more money than those without. So, find a well equipped boat with a generator and your investment will beslightly more, but you will get that money back on the other end when you sell or trade.
 
Now here's a link for Frank that covers all 3 of his hot-buttons

1. Portable generators
2. Pontoon boats
3. Cummins

http://www.cumminsonan.com/marine/products/pontoon/

"Cummins Onan Pontoon Boat Generators"

I bet Cat doesn't make something like that!

Got the link from the "Brotherhood-of-catfishing" website from backwoods GA. Their mechanic on the site knows portable generators and boats!

HA HA HA

Off to the boat!
 
Well Gary, you almost got it right...........

I don't have a problem with Cummins (I own 2 that are bullet proof) and you forgot "jetskis in anchorages". But 2 out of 3 ain't bad.

But you are correct, Caterpillar probably doesn't make a pontoon boat generator. It they did it would weigh too much and cost more than the pontoon boat!

Have a good holiday...............
 
Doug,
I think you are a victim of the market. As Frank said. In the south we have to have a gen and AC. I've put 3kw gens in boats as small as 24'
Usually the cost is as he said between 6-7500 for an independent 8-9k for a Searay dealer.
Might think of taking a winter trip to FL and having the gen installed then.

Pat
 
This thread reminds me of this boat!!!! (not mine)

1579129_2.jpg



Funny how he lists "generator" in the listing. Now you non-Texans hold those redneck comments. :smt043 :smt043

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...g=en&slim=broker&&hosturl=xtreme&&ywo=xtreme&
 
fwebster said:
Let's see if I understand this correctly.......

1. You plan to store and run a portable generator in a closed compartment on the back of your boat....violations of ABYC and USCG reg's.


Frank,
Correct me if I'm wrong but if Doug and Lisa go the portable route and get stopped and inspected by the Coast Guard, they're in big trouble.
:smt018

Chazaroo

PS: Their insurance company might have a point of view about this as well.
Click to expand...
 
chazaroo or anyone else, can you please point me to the USCG rule on this?

I have read thru my WI DNR book and do not find this.

Specifically, I’d am asking for a USCG rule prohibiting STORING a portable generator on a boat in a enclosed compartment WITH ventilation.

ABS (and NMMA) has NO LAWS, only recomendations.
 
Doug & Lisa,

Not sure about exact regs. I was going by what Frank wrote and also previous threads on the subject. My advice would be to contact the Coast Guard and ask. Bottom line, if it is really dangerous, you don't want to risk your family. And I kind of go along with the idea that you can probably find a boat with a genset installed and just avoid the whole issue. Also, slow as boats are selling right now, you can probably deal the price down to where you are comfortable. Just a thought.

-Chazaroo
 
How much would the extra 7 or $8K dollars affect your monthly payment? If you are deducting interest on the loan(mortgage) it should be easy to justify. Or just wait for a nice out of state boat to show up for sale that has the gen set.
Take your time shopping as you still have a good usable boat.
Eddie
 
I've been involved in several lengthly discussion on the use of portables on SRO and on the Boat/US forum. Enough that I did a little research so I was at least close to being knowledgable on the subject. All the USCG and ABYC regs or guidelines I found apply to only the manufacturers of boats, not the end user.

However, that isn't the end of the subject. The USCG or marine patrol officer who stops and examines your boat can apply the negligent operation rule which takes this to the subjective since it depends upon his idea of what negligent is. The times I've heard of the CG becomming involved in the portable generator subject, they cautioned the owners about all the risks and told them to move the generators off the boats and onto the dock or beach.

While you may not technically be violating a CG regulation, I've always figured it not very smart to agrue with single minded people who carry side arms.

There are perhaps some ways to do this that are safer than others, but, because I don't want to incur any personal liability, I have made the decision to not discuss the how to's and just point out the risks and recommend againt it.
 
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