I am planning to take my boat from SF to Maine via the Canal and am exploring charging options. I probably will add some solar, but really do not want to run the engine--even with my high output generator and stepped regulator. I have a 40 amp AC TruCharge shoreside charger. Could I use a Honda generator to run this charger?
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One step up
Ray For a few bucks more, you can pick up a Honda EU2000. This model will give you twice the output of the EU1000, and does not weigh that much more. I use one and it handles everything on my boat, though not all at once. The water heater is a big load by itrself.
Ray For a few bucks more, you can pick up a Honda EU2000. This model will give you twice the output of the EU1000, and does not weigh that much more. I use one and it handles everything on my boat, though not all at once. The water heater is a big load by itrself.
Noisy
So there I was at a beautiful, quiet, tranquil anchorage. It was 6:30am and I was in the cockpit enjoying a good cup of coffee and a fabulous sunrise. There were several other boats. One was a 40 Jeaneau. The shipper of the Jeaneau comes up on deck carrying a Honda Generator. He puts it on the foredeck, hooks up a power cord, starts it up and goes below deck (probably to watch TV). Then he lets it run from 6:30am until 11:am. It was loud, it was inconsiderate, it was a total bummer for everyone else in the anchorage. I guess my point is, if you really need one of these things... please be aware how loud they are, how sound travels over water, and consider why the other people on their boats are sailors.
So there I was at a beautiful, quiet, tranquil anchorage. It was 6:30am and I was in the cockpit enjoying a good cup of coffee and a fabulous sunrise. There were several other boats. One was a 40 Jeaneau. The shipper of the Jeaneau comes up on deck carrying a Honda Generator. He puts it on the foredeck, hooks up a power cord, starts it up and goes below deck (probably to watch TV). Then he lets it run from 6:30am until 11:am. It was loud, it was inconsiderate, it was a total bummer for everyone else in the anchorage. I guess my point is, if you really need one of these things... please be aware how loud they are, how sound travels over water, and consider why the other people on their boats are sailors.
You are right!
Liam, you are absolutely right. I do run mine to recharge my batteries, but never that early in the morning. If I'm in a anchorage I always wait until afternoon, when there is plenty of other engine noise going on. After all, we all want some peace and quiet out there. And the Honda is known for its quiet operation. One of the reasons I picked it.
Liam, you are absolutely right. I do run mine to recharge my batteries, but never that early in the morning. If I'm in a anchorage I always wait until afternoon, when there is plenty of other engine noise going on. After all, we all want some peace and quiet out there. And the Honda is known for its quiet operation. One of the reasons I picked it.
Liam Makes A Good Point
And courtesy is certainly important. The Honda is quieter than most others, but running it in the afternoon is probably less annoying to others. A 2000 will run a 75-amp charger when set at 20 amps input. So, one hour per day should be plenty for most needs unless you want to run it another 15 minutes for warm water. I can't figure what Liam's neighbor's needs were to run it from 6:30-11:00! Rick D.
And courtesy is certainly important. The Honda is quieter than most others, but running it in the afternoon is probably less annoying to others. A 2000 will run a 75-amp charger when set at 20 amps input. So, one hour per day should be plenty for most needs unless you want to run it another 15 minutes for warm water. I can't figure what Liam's neighbor's needs were to run it from 6:30-11:00! Rick D.
down below?
Is it possible to install these down below? Either splice into the inboard's exhaust, or with it's own exhaust plumbing? They look pretty small, like they don't take up a lot of space.
Is it possible to install these down below? Either splice into the inboard's exhaust, or with it's own exhaust plumbing? They look pretty small, like they don't take up a lot of space.
Portable genset
Search the archives. This topic has come several times and there is a lot of great info in those articles. We use the 2KW honda. For a few extra dollars you have higher output. Many cruisers we know have the 1 KW and find there are power tools they can't use. The honda gens are not really for marine use. The salt air does a job on the componets. We have been using our for 2 years and it is almost impossible to get apart to repair. IT has been a great gen, but the sea does damage. As to installing below, it would not be recommended. Care must be taken for CO, both install below and when being used above. We own a cat and we set it on the dive platform between the hulls. There is almost always air moving through to keep the CO away. Also they are gasoline powered and would require the installation of a bilge blowe, etc, etc. It is a great alternative power source, but we depend on our solar panels for the priamry source, but it the honda has been a great tool for the boat. We still hope to replace it with a dedicated deisel genset sometime in the future.
Search the archives. This topic has come several times and there is a lot of great info in those articles. We use the 2KW honda. For a few extra dollars you have higher output. Many cruisers we know have the 1 KW and find there are power tools they can't use. The honda gens are not really for marine use. The salt air does a job on the componets. We have been using our for 2 years and it is almost impossible to get apart to repair. IT has been a great gen, but the sea does damage. As to installing below, it would not be recommended. Care must be taken for CO, both install below and when being used above. We own a cat and we set it on the dive platform between the hulls. There is almost always air moving through to keep the CO away. Also they are gasoline powered and would require the installation of a bilge blowe, etc, etc. It is a great alternative power source, but we depend on our solar panels for the priamry source, but it the honda has been a great tool for the boat. We still hope to replace it with a dedicated deisel genset sometime in the future.
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