Generator - anyone use one while anchored?

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May 4, 2005
4,062
Macgregor 26d Ft Lauderdale, Fl
OK, I'm spoiled.... or at least my admiral is... in Fla, the sailing season pretty much ends June 1st, til late Sept, or early Oct.... (unless you daysail, or like to sweat when you sleep) I already had a 5000 btu window a/c unit, that I used in the companion way, while docked in the keys. (worked fine, in 90+ temps) Sooooo, this year, I got a Honda eu2000i. and it is the bomb! runs my a/c in econo mode, (eer 9.7), and is almost silent, and weighs about 50#. --So, now the problem... how to use it at anchor... (without dieing of fumes!) I'm going to get a CO2 warning unit.. (recommendations on best model?) Any one use a portable gen set on their mac? where did you put it? any problems? (I would need to run it from 10pm to 8am), and there few anchored out not running gen-sets, this time of year. So far, I'm thinking of putting it at the aft end of the cockpit seats(port side), and attach a line to the boom, incase a big wake tries to tip it... Anyone have advise?
 
Jul 11, 2004
160
Macgregor 25 Saint Cloud Florida, City Marina
No advice here

... but I am glad you posted this as I have been toying around with buying an eu2000i My question is how much gas to run a 5K BTU window shaker between the hours you have specified. And then where to store the unit when not being used. ...and oh yes, Bill, Have you ever tried a 'wind scoop' like the ones advertised in the chandlery? Here's hoping there is some experience out there! thanks Tom aka ClownPilot
 
M

Malcolm & Darlene

done it

yes,,, anchor off of the bow only,,dingy off the stern,,,wind drift will keep the exhaust away,, hang the cord high off of the boom.if you are near a beach,,then beach it all...,,
 
C

Chris & Lenore - Mac 26 S - Teliki

I have heard baaaaad things about gas generators

There was quite a thread on another forum about gas generators. Most anchorages are quiet at night - and noise carries over water. The majority of posts were very negative and touched on several "creative" ways of restoring quiet. I have only heard one boat running a small Honda and he only ran it for an hour. It was pretty annoying - I think you may be underestimating the effect on other sailors. Chris
 
May 4, 2005
4,062
Macgregor 26d Ft Lauderdale, Fl
dingy... hmmm...

thats pretty good idea... thanks! I normally tow kayaks, but have an 10' aluminum, I could test it with... that would sure get the fumes away. --And yeah, on a lake I'd be pissed if someone ran even a quiet generator... But in the keys or biscayne bay, there is a lot of room, lots of boats, and not so many sailboats, and I'd rather join them than fight them... (I have a windscoop's but its only good 'til May) FWIW, I've only put 1 tank of gas thru the honda... ran about 5 hours, not sure it was full... but I was impressed with the fuel usage and reserve power... think it will run all night. ran it off and on on economy mode mostly, with the a/c running on the patio, and sometimes a large shop vac, just to vary rpm. and test load. I was able to trip it, by starting in econo mode, but once the a/c was running going down to economy mode was fine. I figured it was as loud as a pool pump, or home ac starting. The most amazing thing is how easy it is to pull start... any woman or teen could start it. light cord feel, little kick back. a pleasure compared to a brigs.. for storage, it will go either in the very front of the v berth, (secured) or under it, and I'll get a smaller cooler. only about 50# about like a full cooler
 
Jul 11, 2004
160
Macgregor 25 Saint Cloud Florida, City Marina
I can envision this.

...and it's better than I hoped for! Mr. Bill, you can buy one of those 12V fans with the mounting clip and easily setup an airflow to help direct (blow) exhaust fumes away from the cabin, while at the same time giving a welcome aid to help cool the generator. Tom
 
Y

YB Normal

onboard generator

There is a discussion about this on the MacGregor Sailors website. The generator was installed at the aft end of the cockpit, under the helm seat. The exhaust was run aft through a hose, down the transom and exited just below the water. There was little backpressure and the water helped quiet the exhaust. YB Normal
 
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