I've been hemming and hawing about which way to go for electrical power on my H290. I considered the inverter/battery charger method, but, as I added it all up, my two batteries just don't seem practical for significant AC use and more batteries take up too much of the coveted locker space. I'm now considering a dual battery charger, and a Honda portable generator. The cost of the charger and generator is about the same as the charger/inverter route (w/o generator) and brings a full 1000W of AC power wherever I am. Opinions? Palmer King
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Do you want to light up Clearwater?
Palmer: Do you want to light up Clearwater or what? What do you want to power with a 1000W inverter? You can add 2 - 12v or 4 - 6v batteries and run most anything in a quite environment. If you need a generator you will need gasoline aboard and a lot of noise. This is not to mention that you need to worry about carbon monoxide too. A small inverter is not very expensive.
Palmer: Do you want to light up Clearwater or what? What do you want to power with a 1000W inverter? You can add 2 - 12v or 4 - 6v batteries and run most anything in a quite environment. If you need a generator you will need gasoline aboard and a lot of noise. This is not to mention that you need to worry about carbon monoxide too. A small inverter is not very expensive.
Energy Budget Needs
It would be good to know what your energy budget needs are. How many Ah do you need? want? Do you have refrigeration? - it's the killer. If you sail in Florida one would think that solar would be more pleasant than a gas generator. No noise, no gas required. Does the 290 have a good place to store a gas generator? Don't want a gas generator below decks. What about the extra weight? If you don't stay on the hook for very long then a good alternator/regulator (multistep) setup would help. Some more information would be very helpful.
It would be good to know what your energy budget needs are. How many Ah do you need? want? Do you have refrigeration? - it's the killer. If you sail in Florida one would think that solar would be more pleasant than a gas generator. No noise, no gas required. Does the 290 have a good place to store a gas generator? Don't want a gas generator below decks. What about the extra weight? If you don't stay on the hook for very long then a good alternator/regulator (multistep) setup would help. Some more information would be very helpful.
Generator storage
I am also considering the Gas Honda generator. But storage is an issue. This summer in the great south bay I saw a neat canvas bag hanging from the stern rail of a boat where the generator was stored. The owner said he just keeps the unit in the bag with gas and lifts it out to use it on occasion. Extra gas for his outboard and the generator are stored in a 1 gallon tank which he keeps in the LPG lazarette. Anyone else do it this way? Ed
I am also considering the Gas Honda generator. But storage is an issue. This summer in the great south bay I saw a neat canvas bag hanging from the stern rail of a boat where the generator was stored. The owner said he just keeps the unit in the bag with gas and lifts it out to use it on occasion. Extra gas for his outboard and the generator are stored in a 1 gallon tank which he keeps in the LPG lazarette. Anyone else do it this way? Ed
More details
First, not a 1000W inverter, a 1000W Honda Generator. I have a pretty basic setup with two batteries that rate at 16ah@5w each, but roll off the hours dramatically as the wattage increases. I'd like to add both a refrigerator, a television (SAMSUNG 150MP), and, eventually, a watermaker. It seems that this sort of current draw, if going the inverter/charger route, would require a second generator on the engine, an external regulator, and quite a few engine hours recharging. And, adds up to quite a chunk of change. On the other hand, a good two battery charger is less than $300 and the Honda EU1000Ia2 portable generator (< $700) provides the same possibilities. The generator is only 17.7" x 9.4" x 15.0", weighs 29lbs, less than 60db noise, and produces a clean sine wave. But, I don't totally understand the inverter/charger route, and what I gain/lose with it.
First, not a 1000W inverter, a 1000W Honda Generator. I have a pretty basic setup with two batteries that rate at 16ah@5w each, but roll off the hours dramatically as the wattage increases. I'd like to add both a refrigerator, a television (SAMSUNG 150MP), and, eventually, a watermaker. It seems that this sort of current draw, if going the inverter/charger route, would require a second generator on the engine, an external regulator, and quite a few engine hours recharging. And, adds up to quite a chunk of change. On the other hand, a good two battery charger is less than $300 and the Honda EU1000Ia2 portable generator (< $700) provides the same possibilities. The generator is only 17.7" x 9.4" x 15.0", weighs 29lbs, less than 60db noise, and produces a clean sine wave. But, I don't totally understand the inverter/charger route, and what I gain/lose with it.
AGM and a smart charger....
Palmer: I would suggest that you look into AGM batteries, a high quality smart charger and an upgraded alternator. You can build a powerful battery bank out of 6V AGM batteries for your house keeping bank. The AGM batteries will charge very quickly with a good regulator and the proper regulator. I have almost no idea of how a Honda generator is going to hold up in a marine environment (but would guess, no well). If you are going to go to a refrigeration system, you need to look at more insulation first and then pick a system. Where do you think you are going to store this generator and operate it?
Palmer: I would suggest that you look into AGM batteries, a high quality smart charger and an upgraded alternator. You can build a powerful battery bank out of 6V AGM batteries for your house keeping bank. The AGM batteries will charge very quickly with a good regulator and the proper regulator. I have almost no idea of how a Honda generator is going to hold up in a marine environment (but would guess, no well). If you are going to go to a refrigeration system, you need to look at more insulation first and then pick a system. Where do you think you are going to store this generator and operate it?
Honda generator
I have been using a honda 1000W generator on Cabaret 88Hunter30 for two years now and have been very pleased with its operation. I use it when cruising to top off my two group 27 batteries so they can keep up with my refrigeration. The honda also does a good job of running a small george foreman grill. It lives quite happily on a small platform on my stern rail with a canvas cover, It also comes in quite handy for those odd jobs around the yard or at the airfield where you need portable power for a drill or to keep the beer cold for the work crew. I have a honda outboard for my dingy so I use the same fuel. So far no ill effects from the marine environment, honda builds good stuff. Randy Williams S/Y Cabaret
I have been using a honda 1000W generator on Cabaret 88Hunter30 for two years now and have been very pleased with its operation. I use it when cruising to top off my two group 27 batteries so they can keep up with my refrigeration. The honda also does a good job of running a small george foreman grill. It lives quite happily on a small platform on my stern rail with a canvas cover, It also comes in quite handy for those odd jobs around the yard or at the airfield where you need portable power for a drill or to keep the beer cold for the work crew. I have a honda outboard for my dingy so I use the same fuel. So far no ill effects from the marine environment, honda builds good stuff. Randy Williams S/Y Cabaret
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