Honda EU3000i Handi

[Kings Gambit]

That little ($89 on sale) 800W two stroke is a straight generator. it is governed to 3600 rpm to produce about 60 hz. Those aren't as bad as it seems they might be. lots of "how-to" on youtube for a couple of small changes to make em work pretty well. LOUD .. yes.. not as bad as a weedeater but close
EDIT: It can push a good 40 ampere battery charger and would be fine if you were stuck somewhere with dead batteries.. Loud and a two stroke requiring oil/gasoline mix..

I bought one a couple of years ago, plugged it into the boat's AC shorepower receptacle for battery charging using the 40-amp Smart Charger of Xantrex. As you said, it worked fine but I don't do it anymore. I opted for a solar panel (80 W) to charge at anchor with some diesel support at night. (I don't have large power needs at anchor--mostly just refrigeration.) Now (I as said earlier) if I use the generator for any AC appliance, I plug the appliance directly into the generator; do not run it through the boat's AC circuitry. BUT--long way around here-- I carry it on the boat principally for emergency use as a battery charger for a dead starting battery; all else failing!

BTW--- I don't see the safety issue here w/ a gas powered generator used as described. After all, we already carry gasoline for the outboards. When the generator is running, I'm watching it and have an A/B/C extinguisher within arm's reach while it is running.

 

[Chief RA]

The toxic exhaust is the biggest danger! Chief

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

The toxic exhaust is the biggest danger! Chief

More chance of dropping it on your foot.

 

[Chief RA]

Don: with a 3k you are probably right! I have 2 of the 2k units. at least I can carry them one at a time. I don't use them on my boat though as I have it set up with solar and motor charge to sustain the boat, reefer, cold beer and all! Chief

 

[Benny17441]

Pleasure boating can be said is a compromise between safety and enjoyment and I consider myself to be fairly well informed to set my own threshold for safety that will allow me to get maximum enjoyment. I do not appreciate when anyone tries to make me accept something that does not make sense or is based in exaggerated fears. I do fear the day will come when Big Brother will tell us that if our boat is too small for a marine generator that we need to get a bigger boat and if we cannot afford it to forego A/C or get out of boating. It will likely be us here in the hot and humid Gulf Coast to go first. Maine is right about the existing ramifications with insurance and surveyors and it is what it is but until then I'll emulate Sinatra, I'll continue to do it My Way.

 

[Dunlookin]

I See Chicken Little ALL the time...

If I am on my Harley, everyone wants to know why I have a "murdercycle" and remind me how quickly I could die in an accident.

When I go to the range I have neighbors who feel the need to proclaim that guns should be outlawed. I have lost count of the people who firmly beleive the key to our personal safety is to disarm everyone.

Telling anyone I am going scuba diving opens the door for lectures about sharks, losing sight of my boat, or the dangers of the "bends."

My doctor tells me to be careful having sex as I age.

My friends tell me I definately should not "load" my motorcycle into my toy hauler and go camping. They have heard stories about campers getting caught in floods, tornados, or simply being robbed.

If I listen closely I can hear the condemnation from everyone around me for almost everything I do. I am suprised I have managed to survive this long.

Speaking to them, as if they were children, I say:

I was a paratrooper before I was old enough to have a legal drink in the US. I rode into Iraq in a Blackhawk helicopter with men I was prepared to die for...or with. I served twenty years in the Army. Hell, I have probably been on borrowed time since 1991.

I did not survive my youth, war, and military service just so I could live the rest of my life in fear.

Death will have to come for me on the terms I dictate...and he better come better armed than I am.

"There are worse ways of dying than losing your life."

 

[Chief RA]

Dunlookin: From one soldier to another; I salute you and your attitude for life! I share your enthusiasm for, motorcycles, sailing, diving, Army career,weapons,sex, RV's, and joy of life!
Yes, we are on subject, as this all relates to whether or not YOU decide to use a generator on board and how you want to deal with it!
Chief

 

[Terry in Naples]

If I am on my Harley, everyone wants to know why I have a "murdercycle" and remind me how quickly I could die in an accident. When I go to the range I have neighbors who feel the need to proclaim that guns should be outlawed. I have lost count of the people who firmly beleive the key to our personal safety is to disarm everyone. Telling anyone I am going scuba diving opens the door for lectures about sharks, losing sight of my boat, or the dangers of the "bends." My doctor tells me to be careful having sex as I age. My friends tell me I definately should not "load" my motorcycle into my toy hauler and go camping. They have heard stories about campers getting caught in floods, tornados, or simply being robbed. If I listen closely I can hear the condemnation from everyone around me for almost everything I do. I am suprised I have managed to survive this long. Speaking to them, as if they were children, I say: I was a paratrooper before I was old enough to have a legal drink in the US. I rode into Iraq in a Blackhawk helicopter with men I was prepared to die for...or with. I served twenty years in the Army. Hell, I have probably been on borrowed time since 1991. I did not survive my youth, war, and military service just so I could live the rest of my life in fear. Death will have to come for me on the terms I dictate...and he better come better armed than I am. "There are worse ways of dying than losing your life."

I think you should change doctors right away!

 

[seadaddler]

Gen

I don't see anything wrong running a gas gen up on deck of any kind of a boat,
I go sailing all the time and go cruising with PGSC and many of them use gas
Honda Gen and use them many times for charging batteries and running 110 things with out any problems and yes things do go wrong when people do stupid things but I don't see that here.
I am very lucky to have a built in diesel Gen and also have 3 carbon monoxide
detectors on my boat for safety and also smoke alarms.
But most just use common sense and would not use at night when sleeping.
Nick