Onboard generator?

kloudie1 · Feb 19, 2009

Kevin, If the generator you select only has 15 amp plugs, you can make, or have made, or buy an adapter that can have two regular 110V male plugs on one end and a 30 ampere female outlet on the other end. Make it long enough to put the generator wherever you are going to put it. Plug both of the plugs into the generator then plug the 30 ampere female end into the boat inlet fitting. It will power up the boat 110V system just as shore power does. The Honda EU 2000 Companion model has a 30 ampere outlet on it .There are a couple of others that may have 30 amp outlets, but I can't recall them right now. The Honda is a bit pricy, but a fine looking piece of machinery, and would keep you from having to mess with an adapter. I don't have a Honda yet !
Where are you located on the lake, Kevin?

larryw · Feb 19, 2009

Running a small on-deck generator to charge up batteries and heat water, 1.5 hours or so, is one thing. Running that same generator all day to provide AC to keep your butt cool in a hot, humid climate is not going to be appreciated by others in the anchorage.

Chuck Creel · Feb 19, 2009

depends on the size of the A/c system on the boat. If its over 12K BTU then the honda will be struggling to handle the starting surge.
For example, My H-30 has a 16K BTU unit which draws 11.2 APMS running.
How ever the start up current is 1.8 x's that. 11.5x's 1.8=20.7 AMPS.

The Honda 2000EU is only 16.7 AMPS max.

Mike B · Feb 19, 2009

Don't forget to include a CO detector, if you don't already have one, with your generator purchase. It'll keep you from waking up dead

kloudie1 · Feb 19, 2009

Larry, Noise issue.. The new technology stuff is very quiet..
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/...tion=P2GG&modelname=EU2000i&modelid=EU2000IAN
This unit at 59 Db is about the same loudness as the inside of a car travelling at about 70 MPH.. I was amazed at how quiet these things are..
Chuck, you are right.. If he has a big AC unit, he may need a bigger generator. I figured that in his boat, he'd have a 12500 BTU unit or thereabouts, but I didn't have the facts, My Bad..
Kevin, There was a thread on this site a couple of months back that talked about this issue.. I don't have the thread, but if ya search a little, you'll find a lot of conversation about this, including the "hard start" kit that might be necessary on the AC unit.. Best to you..

Ross · Feb 19, 2009

If I were putting such on my boat I would seek a means of directing the exhaust as far as posible from the boat. if you can smell the exhaust stink you are getting some CO also. A flex hose that could be hoist up the back stay might be a possibility.

seadaddler · Feb 19, 2009

16,000 Btu

Just last week or early this week they were talking about using the Honda 2000
for a 16,000 ac unit.
I know Java a 356 with 16,000 AC unit was using the Honda 2000 with a modified unit.
Nick

Bad Obsession · Feb 19, 2009

Java puts his generator on his swim platform too. It is a nice setup that he has.

Ever think that it might be cheaper just to go into a slip for the night and get shore power instead of lugging a big generator and dealing with gas fumes and other things?

Just a thought but I would rater pay $60 a night and get a slip if it is going to be that hot rather than trying to lug around the generator and the hidden problems that come along with that.

RECESS · Feb 19, 2009

Ross said:
If I were putting such on my boat I would seek a means of directing the exhaust as far as posible from the boat. if

I remember seeing on another site someone had set up their Honda 2000 put in their rear fuel tank locker with a exhaust fitting that had a pipe welded to it so it ran through the transom and the took a 90 degree turn towards the water. They had a braided rubber hose that ran under the water so the exhaust was never released into the air. It was a nice looking set up.

Terry in Naples · Feb 19, 2009

I use a Honda 2000 to run my 16000 btu flagship AC. I set it out on deck with some cushioning pads and turn it on at night when it is hot out. I run a line directly into the shorepower outlet. I live in SW florida and it is nice to use when getting to sleep at night on the hook. It will run into the late night then kick off out of fuel. Still nice in the morning all closed up. Never a noise complaint. Terry

Benny · Feb 19, 2009

You can get a " pigtail" or adapter to go from the 15 amp generator outlet plug to the shore power inlet on the boat. A Honda 2000eu is the standart against what other portable generators are measured. It is compact, relatively light, quiet and reliable. They sell for around $1,000. Check out the size of your A/C unit as units larger than 12,000 btu have difficulties getting the compressor started. Getting a CO2 alarm is sound advice as sometimes current and wind flow in opposite directions. You can have A/C in any boat for around $120 by utilizing a 5,000 btu window unit across the companionway. The honda 2000 will run that unit like a champ and you can save the big unit for the dock. The other day I was at COSTCO and seen a 1,500 watt portable generator for $229. It had an overhead valve engine which usually denote fuel efficiency and low noise. It was about 9 pounds heavier than the Honda and it was bulkier but at that price it may be worth a look.

Stu Jackson · Feb 19, 2009

Benny, I don't even have a generator, BUT...

Benny said:
...but at that price it may be worth a look.

...NO way would I ever consider anything BUT a Honda. Everything that has been written by real folks who actually USE the things is that everything else doesn't match up, at all!

There are tow models: 1000 and 2000. AC off the bigger one and HW. Charging only with the smaller one.

Terry's got it right.

Easy choices. Two...

Joe A · Feb 20, 2009

I second the Honda

I love my eu2000i. I believe a lot of the quiet is due to the engineering of the case it's housed in and the muffler. Nice piece! Highly recommended.

Bad Obsession · Feb 20, 2009

Where do you guys store the generator when it is not in use? That seems like a really bulky item.

Cpt. Jon · Feb 20, 2009

my parents have a honda 2000 and it's really not heavy or bulky in my opinion. I am thinking about borrowing it this summer to take out with us to see how we like it prior to considering purchasing one. You could store it below, but I wouldn't when full of gas, I would consider storing it on the deck somewhere secured well, or if you have a decent size locker under your cockpit seats it might fit there. It's a great unit and quiet. I have a 6500 watt generator for the house since we are out on a peninsula and are the last to get power restored, that is a loud unit, but it powers everything we need in the house and have a gen transfers switch, the 2000 wouldn't have been enough for what we needed this for... so I guess we will have 2 at some point.

Don S/V ILLusion · Feb 20, 2009

Bad Obsession said:
Where do you guys store the generator when it is not in use? That seems like a really bulky item.

It takes up less space than 3 life preservers and if properly drained for safety, easily fits in most cockpit lockers or under a helm seat which is where I store ours as it is well ventilated there and out of the way.

Regarding your prior post, not sure where you get a slip for $60/night but around here, it's easily $200/night or more depending on where - kind of tips the economics more in favor of a nice mororing and generator power.

Cpt. Jon · Feb 20, 2009

Don S/V ILLusion said:
Regarding your prior post, not sure where you get a slip for $60/night but around here, it's easily $200/night or more depending on where - kind of tips the economics more in favor of a nice mororing and generator power.

I've been looking at some places, there is a nice looking marina on the eastern shore that is $2/ft - which to me is along the higher sides for around here I think. That would be $60/night for BO. Deltaville has a good looking place that supposedly has great facilities for $1.50/ft which would save him $15. I may consider $60 a night once in a while to live it up, but we've only slept on the hook so far. As the kids get older, we may consider a nice marina once in a while for the pool etc - kinda a minivacation, but they will also learn about camping etc. I don't think I could justify paying $200/night to sleep in my own boat, especially considering I don't want to pay that for a hotel. I sure am happy to live on the Chesapeake!

larryw · Feb 20, 2009

kloudie1;
I have a Honda EU2000i generator that I use on a regular basis. I don't know how it is where you sail and anchor, but here in the west, an anchorage or mooring field (Catalina) can get very crowded. I barely hear the generator in my own cockpit since it's about 35 ft away and on the other side of the dodger, but, the guys on the moorings on both sides may be only 15 feet away and he hears it. It's not loud, but it's there, and it's irritating trying to enjoy a sundowner when your neighbor is running a generator, even a built in water-cooled unit. Noise and smell. No one likes a generator running all day and into the night (even with a 2200hrs turn-off time) for any reason, and just because your neighbor doesn't complain doesn't mean they're not annoyed at you and your selfish disregard for the quality of time aboard for others, as long as you're happy.

kendall · Feb 20, 2009

Permanantly mount the generator, and use an automotive style compressor mounted on the generator. That way the only electrical part you'll be running is the blower.

Far more efficient than running an engine to turn a generator to make electricity to turn a motor. You can get by with a smaller generator, and your total weight for cooling will be reduced.

With automotive style compressors you can still run the generator for charging batteries etc without running the AC.

Personally I hate AC, it's the second thing I rip out of every used truck I buy.

Ken.