genrators vs solarpanels
- Thread starter lee oakley
- Start date
Depends what you looking to run on your boat
and adding solar could be not so easy and $$$$$.
A portable Honda is easy just plug in day or night.
I have solar and built in Gen and love my solar free sun to charge batteries and my gen is my back up and use it to run ac mostly.
Nick
and adding solar could be not so easy and $$$$$.
A portable Honda is easy just plug in day or night.
I have solar and built in Gen and love my solar free sun to charge batteries and my gen is my back up and use it to run ac mostly.
Nick
It might save time if you described what you want to power, how much power you require and what size inverter you have
What is ac? Air conditioning? Or just alternating current from an inverter for short periods of time?
You really need to be more detailed in order for us to help answer your question.
I;m trying to wich would be better for running my air conditioner my water power regular A/C current when I am offshore instead of having to use my batteries and then having those die on me
OK, so you're talking about running air conditioning? You need a generator putting out 115v AC (alternating current) with sufficient power (in watts). For your size boat, you probably have one 12,000 BTU air conditioning unit, or similar, right? If so, a 2000 watt generator should be sufficient. Depends on other loads too. Major ones, albeit for a short term, would be recharging batteries, microwave, hair dryer, etc. Inventory your needs and quantify the required load, then determine what kind and size generator you'll need.
You have another option. mount an auto AC compressor on the engine and use the engine to directly power the AC. Saves having to make Alternating Current and then run an electric motor to turn the compressor. If you embrace the horror of burning diesel you can:
hang all this stuff on your engine and
cool or heat the boat
charge the batteries
fill the fresh water tanks
heat the hot water tank
while you cook your meal (AC electric stove)
all for less than a quart of diesel!!!
hang all this stuff on your engine and
cool or heat the boat
charge the batteries
fill the fresh water tanks
heat the hot water tank
while you cook your meal (AC electric stove)
all for less than a quart of diesel!!!
Bill, have you seen this work? In a car you have air-flow over the coils to dissipate the heat. How would you do that on a slow sailboat? I like Stu's answer, don't do it. Install a 12K unit and use it when plugged in at the dock. I have the Honda and can run mine. Probably did that once in fifteen years. Maybe if I was anchoring a lot in Florida summer heat I would have used it more.
I have both solar & Gen and 4200 built in from factory
Diesel gen and mostly use the Gen when needing AC here
in Florida and my solar keeps the batteries well charged for
other smaller 12 volt things like TV microwave charging
computers and cell phone all the 12 volt.
won't need ac offshore and don'the want to be using portable gen when offshore not good idea.
Diesel gen and mostly use the Gen when needing AC here
in Florida and my solar keeps the batteries well charged for
other smaller 12 volt things like TV microwave charging
computers and cell phone all the 12 volt.
won't need ac offshore and don'the want to be using portable gen when offshore not good idea.
30 ft is not to big,where would you put a gen, and an ac unit. I only use my ac at the dock.and have an inverter for small appliance.when needed on the water. solar keeps the batterys charged. but I see guys run solar and wind on there boat. remember KISS is the best solution. oh and the what about refrigeration. what I would do is keep a small honda 1000 watt just in case the batteries are depleated.and need to start the motor
I have a diesel genset on the boat and rarely run it. Don't need AC when on the hook or out sailing, only need it in a marina and that 'need' is more of a want 
I have 400 watts of solar and a 400 watt wind generator. They produce 95% of all my electrical needs.
I have 400 watts of solar and a 400 watt wind generator. They produce 95% of all my electrical needs.