I am thinking about putting a gasoline generator, the new Honda IU 2000 in the starboard side lazarette and permanently exhausting it out through the hull of the boat. I wish someone would give me some ideas on whether it will have enough ventilation.These generators are very quiet but can it be run in this enclosed space? Also; give me some ideas on how you heat water. The engine is too small to use a water circulating water heater so I am told. The engine is a 15 hp Yanmar.
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Gas Goes BOOM!
Although you're in Ontario I'm sure the Canadian Coast Guard has similar requirements at the US Coast Guard when it comes to puting gas stuff below decks. With gas engines on a power boat there has to be positive ventilation, electric fans, probably explosion/vapor proof rated, which have to be run prior to starting the engine. Probably the only way do to do this is to provide a fully enclosed space separated from the rest of the boat. This could be done but at an expense. Then there is the fuel storage and difficulties in refueling. Either one uses the built-in fuel tank or has a separate one with a CG approved fuel line running to it. The exhaust on the Honda generator sticks out just a fraction of an inch so there is a very small stub to attach an extension to. There would need to be a fan to force air through the genset then outside for cooling. When you say the generator is "quiet", that's relative. When a dealer demo-ed a EU1000i out on the sidewalk it sounded quiet. When I had it on the dock next to the boat it was NOISY! On the sidewalk there were cars going by and so by comparison one could say it was quiet. Solar panels and wind generators are the only way to go - easy for me to say because I don't need air conditioning. Running air conditioners and refrigeration units take more power and the EU2000i will probably not handle it! What I'd really recommend is something like the Entec diesel generator with a waterlift muffler. Entec generator details: http://www.entecwest.com/(also see same link below) Waterlift muffler available from Gallery Marine: http://www.gallerymarine.com/ Now this is QUIET but at a "cost": $$$, weight, and space. A great little unit. For the Honda generator: 1. Recommend having it OUTSIDE the boat so as not to deal with the myriad of installation problems, and, 2. Refuel it after it has cooled off! 3. Anchor away from other boaters (at least those without generators). 4. Will CORRODE easily because it isn't marinized. Aluminum will turn white and the iron stuff will rust. If you're on the great lakes maybe it won't corrode as quickly. 5. Cheap. But you (might) get what you pay for. Hope this helps - suspicions confirmed?
Although you're in Ontario I'm sure the Canadian Coast Guard has similar requirements at the US Coast Guard when it comes to puting gas stuff below decks. With gas engines on a power boat there has to be positive ventilation, electric fans, probably explosion/vapor proof rated, which have to be run prior to starting the engine. Probably the only way do to do this is to provide a fully enclosed space separated from the rest of the boat. This could be done but at an expense. Then there is the fuel storage and difficulties in refueling. Either one uses the built-in fuel tank or has a separate one with a CG approved fuel line running to it. The exhaust on the Honda generator sticks out just a fraction of an inch so there is a very small stub to attach an extension to. There would need to be a fan to force air through the genset then outside for cooling. When you say the generator is "quiet", that's relative. When a dealer demo-ed a EU1000i out on the sidewalk it sounded quiet. When I had it on the dock next to the boat it was NOISY! On the sidewalk there were cars going by and so by comparison one could say it was quiet. Solar panels and wind generators are the only way to go - easy for me to say because I don't need air conditioning. Running air conditioners and refrigeration units take more power and the EU2000i will probably not handle it! What I'd really recommend is something like the Entec diesel generator with a waterlift muffler. Entec generator details: http://www.entecwest.com/(also see same link below) Waterlift muffler available from Gallery Marine: http://www.gallerymarine.com/ Now this is QUIET but at a "cost": $$$, weight, and space. A great little unit. For the Honda generator: 1. Recommend having it OUTSIDE the boat so as not to deal with the myriad of installation problems, and, 2. Refuel it after it has cooled off! 3. Anchor away from other boaters (at least those without generators). 4. Will CORRODE easily because it isn't marinized. Aluminum will turn white and the iron stuff will rust. If you're on the great lakes maybe it won't corrode as quickly. 5. Cheap. But you (might) get what you pay for. Hope this helps - suspicions confirmed?
Don't even consider it!
In addition to everything John said in his excellent reply, marine diesel inboard engines are not spark protected. There's no way to safely install a gas generator below decks on a diesel powered boat, or vice versa. There's also the the issue of CO emissions from gas engines and generators...it's suicidal to run one overnight to power air conditioning, especially on a hot still night--which is when AC is most desirable--because the exhaust fumes hang around the boat to be pulled into the cabin by the AC system...and even the best CO detector is NOT reliable enough to bet your life on one. If you absolutely have to have a portable generator, set it on the swim platform and only run it while you're awake. I've never owned anything BUT gas powered boats, and they all had gas generators. Installed, operated and maintained properly (which does require some knowledge and an attention span), they're as safe as diesel. But there's no way to install a portable gas generator in an enclosed space on boat. As for your question about how to heat water, if you can 't use a heat exchanger your only choices are 115v/ac only or propane.
In addition to everything John said in his excellent reply, marine diesel inboard engines are not spark protected. There's no way to safely install a gas generator below decks on a diesel powered boat, or vice versa. There's also the the issue of CO emissions from gas engines and generators...it's suicidal to run one overnight to power air conditioning, especially on a hot still night--which is when AC is most desirable--because the exhaust fumes hang around the boat to be pulled into the cabin by the AC system...and even the best CO detector is NOT reliable enough to bet your life on one. If you absolutely have to have a portable generator, set it on the swim platform and only run it while you're awake. I've never owned anything BUT gas powered boats, and they all had gas generators. Installed, operated and maintained properly (which does require some knowledge and an attention span), they're as safe as diesel. But there's no way to install a portable gas generator in an enclosed space on boat. As for your question about how to heat water, if you can 't use a heat exchanger your only choices are 115v/ac only or propane.
It's not worth the danger!
A tiny leak in the exhaust on a gas powered generator can be fatal. Using a gas powered generator to power the AC at night can have fatal consequences. A retired couple with a cabin cruiser was using a gas powered generator to operate their AC. They died in their sleep when the gas powered generator developed a leak last August. It was a week before other boaters notified the county police about an apparently abandon boat anchored in cove near Fishhook park. Here is the news story in the local paper. "Boaters' relatives located This story was published 8/6/02 By Vicki Adame Tri-City Herald staff writer Relatives of a Richland couple who were found dead aboard their cabin cruiser on the Snake River last week were located Monday. Conrad and Charlotte Tobin apparently died of accidental asphyxiation due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Franklin County coroner Dan Blasdel said Charlotte Tobin had a sister in Pendleton and another in Anacortes. Conrad Tobin had a first cousin in Bend, Ore., he said. Blasdel and Richland police officers went into the Tobins' home Monday to search for information on next of kin. Blasdel logged on to Conrad Tobin's computer and found e-mail about a family reunion in Bend on Thursday. An address book also was found that helped locate relatives, he said. Coroner's officials were unable to locate relatives last week after the couple were found. Blasdel said his office sees one or two cases a year where relatives cannot be found, although those usually involve transients. Meanwhile, the cause of the couple's deaths appears to have been an exhaust leak in the boat's electrical generator, said Kevin Carle, Franklin County undersheriff. The Tobins had gone out on their cabin cruiser July 24. They apparently died July 27 or after. The boat was found Thursday anchored in a cove on the Franklin County side of the river approximately one mile south of Fishhook Park." If you need a gas powered generator, never operate it when you are sleeping. Remember CO is odorless and colorless gas that can kill. Fair Winds. Clyde
A tiny leak in the exhaust on a gas powered generator can be fatal. Using a gas powered generator to power the AC at night can have fatal consequences. A retired couple with a cabin cruiser was using a gas powered generator to operate their AC. They died in their sleep when the gas powered generator developed a leak last August. It was a week before other boaters notified the county police about an apparently abandon boat anchored in cove near Fishhook park. Here is the news story in the local paper. "Boaters' relatives located This story was published 8/6/02 By Vicki Adame Tri-City Herald staff writer Relatives of a Richland couple who were found dead aboard their cabin cruiser on the Snake River last week were located Monday. Conrad and Charlotte Tobin apparently died of accidental asphyxiation due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Franklin County coroner Dan Blasdel said Charlotte Tobin had a sister in Pendleton and another in Anacortes. Conrad Tobin had a first cousin in Bend, Ore., he said. Blasdel and Richland police officers went into the Tobins' home Monday to search for information on next of kin. Blasdel logged on to Conrad Tobin's computer and found e-mail about a family reunion in Bend on Thursday. An address book also was found that helped locate relatives, he said. Coroner's officials were unable to locate relatives last week after the couple were found. Blasdel said his office sees one or two cases a year where relatives cannot be found, although those usually involve transients. Meanwhile, the cause of the couple's deaths appears to have been an exhaust leak in the boat's electrical generator, said Kevin Carle, Franklin County undersheriff. The Tobins had gone out on their cabin cruiser July 24. They apparently died July 27 or after. The boat was found Thursday anchored in a cove on the Franklin County side of the river approximately one mile south of Fishhook Park." If you need a gas powered generator, never operate it when you are sleeping. Remember CO is odorless and colorless gas that can kill. Fair Winds. Clyde
I gotta agree here
I have a 33, I have a new Honda EU 2000i generator. There is no way that I would try to jury rig the Honda into a compartment on my 33 and run it. 1 Exhaust system is not water cooled and gets too hot for an enclosed compartment. 2 Muffler stub is too small to connect to. Modifying a Honda exhaust system is the best way I know of to get it to run really badly. 3 The self contained fuel tank is not set up (vented) for below deck installation/operation. 4 Air cooling simply is not appropriate for an under deck installation. Gasoline engines aboard a boat? I have no problem with that. There are literally millions of gas powered boats out there, both sail and power, and properly engineered, installed and operated they hardly ever blow up. I bought the Honda for use at my slip where there is no power. I enjoy Honda's precision and quiet. I have used it there and with the generator on the ground I can't hear it inside the boat. If and or when I use it ON the boat at anchor I'll find someplace to set it on deck where it and I will both be happy.
I have a 33, I have a new Honda EU 2000i generator. There is no way that I would try to jury rig the Honda into a compartment on my 33 and run it. 1 Exhaust system is not water cooled and gets too hot for an enclosed compartment. 2 Muffler stub is too small to connect to. Modifying a Honda exhaust system is the best way I know of to get it to run really badly. 3 The self contained fuel tank is not set up (vented) for below deck installation/operation. 4 Air cooling simply is not appropriate for an under deck installation. Gasoline engines aboard a boat? I have no problem with that. There are literally millions of gas powered boats out there, both sail and power, and properly engineered, installed and operated they hardly ever blow up. I bought the Honda for use at my slip where there is no power. I enjoy Honda's precision and quiet. I have used it there and with the generator on the ground I can't hear it inside the boat. If and or when I use it ON the boat at anchor I'll find someplace to set it on deck where it and I will both be happy.
I have one.
I have a new boat (not a Hunter) that has an enclosed compartment sealed from the cabin that is ventilated at the waterline. Some folks have installed Honda generators in here with positive ventilation and plumbed the exhaust out through the hull. Seems to work, but I'm still not entirely comfortable with the idea. I can't imagine a safe way to do this on my Hunter. I run mine on deck, at anchor, daytime only, with a breeze. Some folks, in calm anchorages, drop it in the dinghy and let it run downwind from the boat. My use is to run it for an hour in the morning to make hot water for showers and drop 45Ah into the batteries. It's less annoying than the main diesel but everyone knows its running. Its a great product, but hardly silent. If you join the discussion group here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Gemini_Cats/ you can find some discussion of this topic.
I have a new boat (not a Hunter) that has an enclosed compartment sealed from the cabin that is ventilated at the waterline. Some folks have installed Honda generators in here with positive ventilation and plumbed the exhaust out through the hull. Seems to work, but I'm still not entirely comfortable with the idea. I can't imagine a safe way to do this on my Hunter. I run mine on deck, at anchor, daytime only, with a breeze. Some folks, in calm anchorages, drop it in the dinghy and let it run downwind from the boat. My use is to run it for an hour in the morning to make hot water for showers and drop 45Ah into the batteries. It's less annoying than the main diesel but everyone knows its running. Its a great product, but hardly silent. If you join the discussion group here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Gemini_Cats/ you can find some discussion of this topic.
Oh, here's a cheap route to hot water
A 15hp Yanmar is plenty big enough to make hot water but its an expensive retrofit.
A 15hp Yanmar is plenty big enough to make hot water but its an expensive retrofit.
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