Never have for that long. How’s the fuel consumption overnight?

 

We have 3 CO detectors on board... I have never left ours running overnight, but the few times on the hook the weather has been pretty fair.

 

Yes we run the generator at night. We have three CO detectors - one that is OEM hard wired and two battery units.

 

We routinely run our generator overnight. We have the OEM detectors (hard wired) and 2 battery units. We also run one of the bilge blowers on low speed as added measure of safety to ensure no CO accumulation could occur in the event of an exhaust leak.

Lastly, the 2009+ Kohlers are "low-CO" units that produce 99% less Co than the previous model years. As a result of this improvement, there is a CO sensor module internal to the unit that can result in shutdown if CO is detected (though I'm not certain where it's sensing).

 

The boat here on Lanier where the couple died had a portable gen on the swim platform and no CO detector. On our 260DA, we ran it from about 5pm til 8am every night we spent on it. As above, we had 3-CO detectors and never had an issue. Now with the diesel, we have 4 detectors.

Bennett

 

We are fair weather hookers? now that doesn't sound right. Anyway, i want to anchor for the peace and quiet and only go when we can open up the windows and relax. We'll run it until we all get showers and the kids are ready for bed, then we shut her down until morning coffee. I love having the generator but love the silence from shutting it off more. That said, I wouldn't have an issue running it overnight if needed. Just be smart about it.

 

We are fair weather hookers? not that doesn't sound right. Anyway, i want to anchor for the peace and quiet and only go when we can open up the windows and relax. We'll run it until we all get showers and the kids are ready for bed, then we shut her down until morning coffee. I love having the generator but love the silence from shutting it off more. That said, I wouldn't have an issue running it overnight if needed. Just be smart about it.

I agree.

 

Thanks guys.... I do have the 1 CO hardwired in the cabin. I might add anther one if i spend it on the hook and leave Gen running.

 

I like the quiet so I only run the generator for food prep/coffee/cool down/heat up the cabin.

If it's really hot/humid at night I normally don't stay out and just putt back to the marina and plug in.

 

My generator turns on before I even leave the dock and doesn’t turn off until I get plugged back in at the dock.

I have three CO detectors and the generator is a diesel generator.

Like was mentioned earlier, I also leave the bilge blowers running.

 

I have been on houseboat vacations every year in Tennessee for the last 20 years, and we run the gas generators non-stop for 5 days, and there are hardwired CO detectors in every room (6 bedrooms, 2 bath, 1 great room, 80'x18' houseboats). The alarms used to go off quite a bit, but we discovered this was caused by allowing a boat (or large floats, etc) to tie up next to the rear of the houseboat, that created just enough of a pocket to capture CO and get it sucked into the cabin. Now, it seems as long as we keep the windows closed and don't let anything near the rear side of the boat, we are good to go.
On my 320, I have yet to spend the night on the hook, but that day is coming soon, I will feel pretty comfortable leaving the gas generator on all night, I have 2 hard wired CO detectors, and one battery operated. I might purchase another battery operated just to provide some peace of mind to my wife.
My advice would be if you run your generator at night, be sure the side where the exhaust is, ensure it is clear and free to allow the CO to dissipate, and then ensure you have nothing open in the cabin, no windows, doors, etc, which might allow the CO to get into the cabin, triggering the alarm. I am not sure if this is valid advice, but that has worked for me so far. I believe CO is about the same density as air, so it will neither rise nor fall, so putting the CO detector anywhere in the cabin is valid, just don't cover it with anything.

 

Siboatguy, We ran ours on the 300DA overnight with the blowers on. We also had 2 battery CO units in addition to the hard wired unit. Both had digital displays and it was a real eye opener to see the levels change in the cockpit while running with the camper top on. Think "station wagon effect" You need a battery backup unit ( or 2) and should change out your 13 year old hard wired unit if it hasn't been done yet. Be safe and have fun, Brian

 

In Texas you have to run your AC at night if you don't want to sweat through the sheets by the morning.

As others have stated you can never have enough protection.I have the 3 that are hardwired into the boat and an additional 3 battery units that also display the particle count. I change out the hardwire units every 5 years or so and the battery units about every 3 years. We used to tie up with other boats overnight but that definitely created issues. We now only run it when nothing is next to us.

With the protection we have I feel very comfortable that we'll be protected is CO is present.

 

My blower is specifically not rated for continuous use, I can only use it for pre engine crank. Not sure why.

 

We have never had the need to run the generators overnight however we do run it late into the night until we go to bed. Similar to most we have 2 battery backup units (one at the forward berth and one at the aft cabin area). We went with the digital read out as i can keep an eye on it while laying in bed watching tv. I'm actually going to get a third for the cockpit as last season I fell asleep watching tv in the cockpit with the back canvas open. I brought up one of the units just because it was a pretty calm night. Thankfully the unit went off in the cockpit which woke me up.

 

if anyone that has camper canvas installed on their boat and does not have a CO detector in the cockpit I 'STRONGLY' suggest you get one......you may be surprised just how high the CO levels can get to by being trapped inside the canvas...please do not make the mistake of thinking by cracking open a window or two that will be enough air flow to significantly reduce the CO level....I conducted several test with a digital CO detector by opening and closing various windows in the canvas....at least on my boat I have to create considerable openings in the canvas to give sufficient air flow to keep CO levels at bay....I suggest you do the same test under varying conditions on your boats as well....

I have said this on other threads about this subject, but if I go cruising on another boat that has camper canvas installed and the owner does not have a CO detector in the cockpit I will bring one of my battery powered CO detectors with me on the cruise....this may sound silly to some but after I saw how high the CO levels can climb inside the camper canvas on my boat I am extra careful now when it comes to CO.....

let's all be safe out there....

cliff

 

We shut down the genny before going to bed. On a calm night the A/C can draw CO into the cabin from the exhaust of the genny.

 

have 2 new CO detectors here in front of me that i am putting in the boat this weekend, i have no genny but still can't be too safe

 

I do the same as K9.....generator starts at the dock, and turns off when we return to the dock. I have an upgraded Westerbeke 7.5 MCGA low CO gas genset, and love it. Runs a constant 1800 rpms and is nice and quiet.

It's an EFI, but anytime I'm stopped - I still run the blower. Three CO monitors down below, 2 battery 1 hard-wired - all new this season.

 

My blower is specifically not rated for continuous use, I can only use it for pre engine crank. Not sure why.

The inline exhaust blowers that come standard on most Sea Rays are not intended for continuous use. I switched mine out for squirrel cage blowers. Much quieter and they are designed to run full time.

 

Jim,
do you have a link to the squirrel cage blowers you used?....

thanks....
cliff

 

Thanks guys.... I do have the 1 CO hardwired in the cabin. I might add anther one if i spend it on the hook and leave Gen running.

if that is the original detector it is no longer serviceable.. C/O monitors are only good for about 5 to 7 years

 

Exactly what i am experiencing, all 3 of my detectos are i assume shot as they go off constantly! Does anyone have a replacement part number - the OEM hardwired ones.
chris

 

HAve 7 on the boat as well as a Canary.

 

You have to ask yourself , is it worth dying for ? You people think these things are cruise ships or your home when there not.
Some do everything wrong and die, some do everything right and die.
Some just live to enjoy the day

 

One thing I have seen, especially in a raft up, some have gensts and some have the hatches open. Everyone needs a CO detector, especially in a raft up. The CO doesn't have to come from your boat.

As for keeping the genset on all night, When the boat gets unplugged it's on until it gets plugged back in. I get the silence thing, but I like all the convinces of home. So it stays on for days sometimes.

 

One thing I have seen, especially in a raft up, some have gensts and some have the hatches open. Everyone needs a CO detector, especially in a raft up. The CO doesn't have to come from your boat.

As for keeping the genset on all night, When the boat gets unplugged it's on until it gets plugged back in. I get the silence thing, but I like all the convinces of home. So it stays on for days sometimes.

Another tip for rafting up: know where everyone’s gen exhausts are and raft accordingly. Many boats exhaust starboard, but mine is port. Last raft we had face to face exhausts. My CO detector went off in the night. We ventilated and turned them all off. Come to find out, humidity can also set off a CO detector erroneously. Which is why we had the gens running. The next night was less humid and we ran the gens again. No detectors went off. No problems. Oh, and I have two: hard wired and battery.

 

In my 450 Sundancer, I have a diesel genny and it's running from the time i unplug at the dock until i return (usually a couple days later).

 

Gas generator question. With those that run them for a long time do you have any idea how much they use an hour. I track run time on mine and when I fill up, the tank used for the generator takes more fuel. Based on fuel used and generator run time I think mine uses about 3/4 to 1 GPH.

 

My Westerbeke 5kw uses 3/4 gallons per hour.