Has any of you sailors yet used the Honda EU2000i gasoline powered portable genset? If so, what equipment has it successfully powered on your boat, and what equipment has it been unable to power ?
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Honda gens
Maxwell; I bought the Honda 2000 last year and so far I love it. Much better than running the diesel to charge batteries and more bang for the buck than bulky solar cells. I put it on the bow, plug it into my battery charger/inverter and run it for about 1.5 hours a day. Charges batteries and heats water thru the power sharing function of the charger. I haven't tried any power tools or anything and only used the microwave once, to test it, but the Honda powered it fine. Get one, you won't regret it.
Maxwell; I bought the Honda 2000 last year and so far I love it. Much better than running the diesel to charge batteries and more bang for the buck than bulky solar cells. I put it on the bow, plug it into my battery charger/inverter and run it for about 1.5 hours a day. Charges batteries and heats water thru the power sharing function of the charger. I haven't tried any power tools or anything and only used the microwave once, to test it, but the Honda powered it fine. Get one, you won't regret it.
Honda Genset
It's a great genset. I use a 12' shorepower cord and plug it straight into ship's systems via the shorepower recepticle on the comming. Works great. You can daisy chain them together and get more Kw out of them so you can actually run an ac unit if you're hanging on the hook someplace.
It's a great genset. I use a 12' shorepower cord and plug it straight into ship's systems via the shorepower recepticle on the comming. Works great. You can daisy chain them together and get more Kw out of them so you can actually run an ac unit if you're hanging on the hook someplace.
EU1000i Works Great!
This is an interesting quote from a very respected surveyor who writes articles for the Northwest magazine "48 North": "No portable generators meet the Coast Guard Electrical and Fuel System Standards. The fuel tank is usually on the top of the generator directly above electrical components that are not ignition-protected, a potentially serious fire hazard on a boat. The exhaust system on a portable generator is usually constructed of non-marine alloys that can rust through after brief exposure to a salt water environment. The carburetors on most portable generators are not intended for marine use." Cite for the above: Tom Averna (surveyor), 48° North, November 2001, p. 44 Having quoted the above, I just bought a EU1000i and it works just fine on our Hunter 35. I connect it to the shorepower connection and it runs the Heart 1000W inverter, 650W hot plate, hot water heater, and so far anything else I've tried to run on it within the wattage range. To offset the problems listed in the quote above I plan to transport it wraped in a heavy duty plastic bag, to help keep salt air away, and store it on deck vice below deck to keep gas fumes out of the inside of the boat. The last generator I had, a Honda 650, was cosmetically nearly ruined after only 5 weeks in the salt air. On my new one I will probably spray some protectant on the metal parts, including the aluminum castings, to help prevent oxidation. So far it's just like new and sits in the garage. So far I've used it to power the forced air furnace in the house, and a few lights, during a couple power outages this winter (this is the Northwest!).
This is an interesting quote from a very respected surveyor who writes articles for the Northwest magazine "48 North": "No portable generators meet the Coast Guard Electrical and Fuel System Standards. The fuel tank is usually on the top of the generator directly above electrical components that are not ignition-protected, a potentially serious fire hazard on a boat. The exhaust system on a portable generator is usually constructed of non-marine alloys that can rust through after brief exposure to a salt water environment. The carburetors on most portable generators are not intended for marine use." Cite for the above: Tom Averna (surveyor), 48° North, November 2001, p. 44 Having quoted the above, I just bought a EU1000i and it works just fine on our Hunter 35. I connect it to the shorepower connection and it runs the Heart 1000W inverter, 650W hot plate, hot water heater, and so far anything else I've tried to run on it within the wattage range. To offset the problems listed in the quote above I plan to transport it wraped in a heavy duty plastic bag, to help keep salt air away, and store it on deck vice below deck to keep gas fumes out of the inside of the boat. The last generator I had, a Honda 650, was cosmetically nearly ruined after only 5 weeks in the salt air. On my new one I will probably spray some protectant on the metal parts, including the aluminum castings, to help prevent oxidation. So far it's just like new and sits in the garage. So far I've used it to power the forced air furnace in the house, and a few lights, during a couple power outages this winter (this is the Northwest!).
Don't store it below decks, John!
Re-read what you just quoted from 48 North: "No portable generators meet the Coast Guard Electrical and Fuel System Standards. The fuel tank is usually on the top of the generator directly above electrical components that are not ignition-protected, a potentially serious fire hazard on a boat." That's not only when they're running...ONLY gas tanks and gas engines designed for "inboard" use should ever be used OR stored in an enclosed area below decks. Gas tanks must be vented to the outside of the boat, and gas engines must be ignition protected AND in compartments fitted with blowers to exhaust gas fumes. Gas fumes are heavier than air...they migrate wherever they can to the lowest point in the boat. And the fumes from just 1 cup of gasoline have the explosive power of 10 sticks of dynamite. So don't even THINK of storing a portable generator below decks, even overnight. We don't want to read your obituary!
Re-read what you just quoted from 48 North: "No portable generators meet the Coast Guard Electrical and Fuel System Standards. The fuel tank is usually on the top of the generator directly above electrical components that are not ignition-protected, a potentially serious fire hazard on a boat." That's not only when they're running...ONLY gas tanks and gas engines designed for "inboard" use should ever be used OR stored in an enclosed area below decks. Gas tanks must be vented to the outside of the boat, and gas engines must be ignition protected AND in compartments fitted with blowers to exhaust gas fumes. Gas fumes are heavier than air...they migrate wherever they can to the lowest point in the boat. And the fumes from just 1 cup of gasoline have the explosive power of 10 sticks of dynamite. So don't even THINK of storing a portable generator below decks, even overnight. We don't want to read your obituary!
I Said "On Deck"
Peggie - I never store it (the generator) below deck, only on deck (as I mentioned). In fact, it is (will be) stored in the walk-through transom under the removable seat. There it can be tied down and is out of the direct rain and has total ventilation.
Peggie - I never store it (the generator) below deck, only on deck (as I mentioned). In fact, it is (will be) stored in the walk-through transom under the removable seat. There it can be tied down and is out of the direct rain and has total ventilation.
Sorry, John,...when you wrote...
"...and store it on deck vice below deck..." I thought you meant below deck.
"...and store it on deck vice below deck..." I thought you meant below deck.
Wondering about Coast Guard Approved
I was looking at a EU1000, but you say it's not Coast Guard approved. What exactly does this mean? Will the Coast Guard charge me with a violation if they find me using a EU1000 on a sailboat?
I was looking at a EU1000, but you say it's not Coast Guard approved. What exactly does this mean? Will the Coast Guard charge me with a violation if they find me using a EU1000 on a sailboat?
How noisy are they?
I've seen the Honda noise specs and they look to be very quiet. I've also been highly annoyed to be woken in the morning by portable generators on decks of neighboring boats in crowded anchorages. As a practical matter how are the Hondas for noise (1) on board your boat, and (2) for your neighbors? Derek
I've seen the Honda noise specs and they look to be very quiet. I've also been highly annoyed to be woken in the morning by portable generators on decks of neighboring boats in crowded anchorages. As a practical matter how are the Hondas for noise (1) on board your boat, and (2) for your neighbors? Derek
Noise is Relative
Noise: To try and answer Derek, noise is relative. According to Honda advertisements the generator “produces “only” 59dB of sound at 7 meters running at full load, which is less than common speech”. When the 1000i was demoed for me on a sidewalk of a busy street the generator sounded very quiet. However, quiet is relative and 7 meters is a fair distance. After I got the generator down to the dock and ran it hooked up to the boat, it made much more noise than I liked and was extremely “audible”. In an anchorage the generator noise would definitely be an “ear sore” and people on boats downwind would be even more affected because sound is carried with the wind and carries easily over still water. My opinion is this generator is too noisy to be run in an anchorage with other boats and I, for one, wouldn’t do it. If you were the only one anchored off Dutch Island, well, that’d be okay. As for on one’s own boat it would be bothersome but not unbearable, and I certainly wouldn’t use it for running an air conditioner because that implies you’re down below in an enclosed cabin where you can’t watch what is going on. Safety: This is a very important issue! I can see it now: 10PM at night, 90 degrees and 100 percent humidity – can’t sleep. Solution: air conditioner! WRONG!!! These things can be very dangerous and dangers such as CO and fire are the top of the list. The surveyor I quoted mentioned about refilling the tank which is above the engine – that’s a real concern. Other places in this forum have talked about the dangers of CO – and that’s a real concern too. A non-marinized generator in a salt air environment will corrode inside. Protection with covers and coatings can slow some of the corrosion. Suggest one read a very informative article about electrical wiring on a boat: “Tips on Electrical System Use and Maintenance” by David Pascoe at http://www.yachtsurvey.com/ElectricalSystems.htm To try and answer Jesse’s question, since a generator is not a required item to have on board I doubt one would be cited if it was not operating and properly stowed. The best electrical generating solutions are solar and wind because they consume no fossil fuels, generate no green house gasses, and are quiet. The attached picture is “Servus”, a Hunter 35, anchored about 50 miles south of Sitka on the west coast of Baranof Island. The trees all showed signs of being wind-swept and storm battered, their branches laid bare of their needles. The shore was eroded down to bare rock and covered with driftwood. The next day as we sailed south and rounded Cape Ommaney we passed flocks of rare Puffins, which have the black and white Penguin-like markings, but coupled with bright red-orange markings they looked striking. A short time later we rounded Cape Ommaney in a wind so light there were practically no ripples on the water and into a fog bank and through a pod of whales. The whales were feeding and ignoring us sometimes passing within a boat length. The snorting when they surfaced in the fog on this undulating (Pacific swells) glassy water was awe-inspiring. We didn’t see another boat for two days.
Noise: To try and answer Derek, noise is relative. According to Honda advertisements the generator “produces “only” 59dB of sound at 7 meters running at full load, which is less than common speech”. When the 1000i was demoed for me on a sidewalk of a busy street the generator sounded very quiet. However, quiet is relative and 7 meters is a fair distance. After I got the generator down to the dock and ran it hooked up to the boat, it made much more noise than I liked and was extremely “audible”. In an anchorage the generator noise would definitely be an “ear sore” and people on boats downwind would be even more affected because sound is carried with the wind and carries easily over still water. My opinion is this generator is too noisy to be run in an anchorage with other boats and I, for one, wouldn’t do it. If you were the only one anchored off Dutch Island, well, that’d be okay. As for on one’s own boat it would be bothersome but not unbearable, and I certainly wouldn’t use it for running an air conditioner because that implies you’re down below in an enclosed cabin where you can’t watch what is going on. Safety: This is a very important issue! I can see it now: 10PM at night, 90 degrees and 100 percent humidity – can’t sleep. Solution: air conditioner! WRONG!!! These things can be very dangerous and dangers such as CO and fire are the top of the list. The surveyor I quoted mentioned about refilling the tank which is above the engine – that’s a real concern. Other places in this forum have talked about the dangers of CO – and that’s a real concern too. A non-marinized generator in a salt air environment will corrode inside. Protection with covers and coatings can slow some of the corrosion. Suggest one read a very informative article about electrical wiring on a boat: “Tips on Electrical System Use and Maintenance” by David Pascoe at http://www.yachtsurvey.com/ElectricalSystems.htm To try and answer Jesse’s question, since a generator is not a required item to have on board I doubt one would be cited if it was not operating and properly stowed. The best electrical generating solutions are solar and wind because they consume no fossil fuels, generate no green house gasses, and are quiet. The attached picture is “Servus”, a Hunter 35, anchored about 50 miles south of Sitka on the west coast of Baranof Island. The trees all showed signs of being wind-swept and storm battered, their branches laid bare of their needles. The shore was eroded down to bare rock and covered with driftwood. The next day as we sailed south and rounded Cape Ommaney we passed flocks of rare Puffins, which have the black and white Penguin-like markings, but coupled with bright red-orange markings they looked striking. A short time later we rounded Cape Ommaney in a wind so light there were practically no ripples on the water and into a fog bank and through a pod of whales. The whales were feeding and ignoring us sometimes passing within a boat length. The snorting when they surfaced in the fog on this undulating (Pacific swells) glassy water was awe-inspiring. We didn’t see another boat for two days.
Attachments
Honda 2000 Noise Level
The noise level is really based on the generator load. The Honda 2000 uses a variable throttle based on the AC load. It's very quiet at idle and becomes considerably louder at full throttle. At idle it’s comparable to an inboard water-cooled generator. At full throttle it’s closer to a four-stroke outboard on a dingy. I only use mine during the day to heat water, charge batteries, etc. I position my generator on the foredeck of my Catalina 34 and the noise is minimal in the cabin and noticeable in the cockpit. It’s becoming more and more common place to see portable generators in an anchorage and when used with common since there a good solution for smaller boats.
The noise level is really based on the generator load. The Honda 2000 uses a variable throttle based on the AC load. It's very quiet at idle and becomes considerably louder at full throttle. At idle it’s comparable to an inboard water-cooled generator. At full throttle it’s closer to a four-stroke outboard on a dingy. I only use mine during the day to heat water, charge batteries, etc. I position my generator on the foredeck of my Catalina 34 and the noise is minimal in the cabin and noticeable in the cockpit. It’s becoming more and more common place to see portable generators in an anchorage and when used with common since there a good solution for smaller boats.
noise of genset
I have been wanting to purchase the 2000i for some time now, I have a 1990 h30 and plan to place it under the removable seat at the transom. The boat next to mine bow to bow, has a 1000i and I can hardly hear it run. I don't know what he is powering, but the noise is nothing. I have seen the 2000i demonstrated, however have not seen one at the marina.
I have been wanting to purchase the 2000i for some time now, I have a 1990 h30 and plan to place it under the removable seat at the transom. The boat next to mine bow to bow, has a 1000i and I can hardly hear it run. I don't know what he is powering, but the noise is nothing. I have seen the 2000i demonstrated, however have not seen one at the marina.
Ice Chest Cooling
Speaking of generators, has anyone had any experience with 12 volt air conditioners that don't need a generator for it's electricity demands? I especialy speaking of the ice chest variety such as seen at koolair.com.
Speaking of generators, has anyone had any experience with 12 volt air conditioners that don't need a generator for it's electricity demands? I especialy speaking of the ice chest variety such as seen at koolair.com.
generator/inverter
Rick; Its a Freedom 2000 by Heart/Interface, and I set the incoming amps at 15A.
Rick; Its a Freedom 2000 by Heart/Interface, and I set the incoming amps at 15A.
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