Honda Generators - running on boat

[Rob19574]

hi all - I have a Catalina 30 ('78) with an aft locker that I don't really use. I'm curious to learn from those out there with generators (particularly a Honda 1000 or 2000) and where / how you run them? My aft locker is large enough to store the generator while underway (Honda 2000). Where do you normally run these types of generators when on the hook? On deck I suppose? Do you think there is any chance of running the generator in an aft locker if the locker is altered to allow a more permanent installation with an exhaust system and blower? I would ensure the locker is completely sealed. Or should I just plan on running the generator on deck to be safe.

Thanks and appreciate the insight.

- Rob

 

[RECESS]

This is the most logical location for me for a couple of reasons. The boat keeps the nose into the wind usually while at anchor. With the AC unit in the front hatch it means there is very little chance that exhaust can get to the intake of the AC unit.

You can also really muffle the generator by adding a small pipe tapped into the muffler and then running an exhaust hose under the surface of the water.

 

[Ross]

There are two needs : first you must ensure that the exhaust gases leave the boat, and second there must be enough air to cool the engine AND the generator. So running it in an open locker could be a problem.

 

[Hermit Scott]

I have put a little thought into the exact thing you are proposing. IF you do this, the locker will require an intake and exhaust for cooling the air cooled engine, some fireproof lining and a safe exhaust. The safe exhaust will be the hardest part. You will need to pipe it out of the transom and make sure it can not catch anything on fire.
I would not do this for two reasons. It seems inherently unsafe. The noise and the vibration will be louder with the generator in the locker.
The best solution to me is to mount it on the stern rail somehow. As recess says, since this is an on the hook accessory, you probably want it in the stern so the natural air flow takes the exhaust away.
I like his idea of piping the exhaust into the water to better silence it and to get the exhaust away from the living space. If I motor long down wind I start to get headaches from the exhaust blowing up into the cockpit so I would be very conscious about getting the exhaust away from you.

 

[Irishguy]

Why not build something similar to a swim platform, but up higher on the opposite side of the transom from where the outboard motor mounts? Perhaps there is some reason why that wouldn't work... At least that is what I am thinking.

 

[Ross]

Why not build something similar to a swim platform, but up higher on the opposite side of the transom from where the outboard motor mounts? Perhaps there is some reason why that wouldn't work... At least that is what I am thinking.

As long as you had a secure means of keeping it from leaving home I see no objection to the idea.

 

[flynfol]

I remember somebody mentioning in the past they hung it from the pulpit with rubber straps. Less vibes transmitted to the deck. I don't need air, but charging the battery via my Iota charger would be great on extended trips. The EU1000i only weighs 29 lbs.

 

[Rob19574]

yeah - perhaps storing in the locker then mounting if off the stern somehow would be my safest bet. Honda should make a generator that looks like an outboard motor - mounts and is weatherproof like an outboard motor that is. I would imagine a Honda 1000 or 2000 would be the equivalent of a 10 HP outboard (size) hanging permanently off your stern.

OK - well thanks for the feedback everyone.

- Rob

 

[Sumner]

yeah - perhaps storing in the locker then mounting if off the stern somehow would be my safest bet. Honda should make a generator that looks like an outboard motor - mounts and is weatherproof like an outboard motor that is. I would imagine a Honda 1000 or 2000 would be the equivalent of a 10 HP outboard (size) hanging permanently off your stern.

OK - well thanks for the feedback everyone.

- Rob

My Honda generator......

....well at least the 5 HP is Honda the rest is.......

..... GM and.....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor/outside-13.html

...it is always handy to get to, yet.......

........ out of the way (Ruth gets credit for the cover). It also charges the batteries fast. We have the boat setup for 12 volt, so don't need 110,

Sum

Ruth's Canvas Mods

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

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[kenn]

Sumner,

This...

... is very interesting.

The inevitable questions...
- what's the maximum output (amps) of this rig?
- is the alternator internally regulated or do you have an external charging regulator?

Has this been engineered for efficiency, or is it something whose awesomeness derives from merely functioning? Cos it is awesome!

More on-topic, something like this could be a better candidate for mounting in a locker because it lends itself better to the addition of mechanically or electrically-driven cooling fans.

 

[Ross]

Sumner, First class! you will never have to worry about dead batteries again. 5 Hp will loaf along on a 100 amp alternator.

 

[Sumner]

Sumner,

This...

... is very interesting.

The inevitable questions...
- what's the maximum output (amps) of this rig?
- is the alternator internally regulated or do you have an external charging regulator?

Has this been engineered for efficiency, or is it something whose awesomeness derives from merely functioning? Cos it is awesome! ...

The Alternator is internally regulated stock GM 63-65 amp. As Ross stated is does just loaf (about 1/2 throttle) with this alternator, so you could run a much larger one and changing to a larger GM would just be a bolt on deal and would mount exactly the same. Not much point in our case thought as I don't even think it has gotten close the the 60 amp output. I have bought a digital (to the tenth) amp meter and will be able to see what it is doing better when I wire that in.

I use a CPAP machine at night that draws between 36 to 45 amp hours depending on how long I sleep . We run the depth finder during the day some. We were running it 30-45 minutes a day to recharge two 12 volt batteries that run in parallel. Then for the last 18 day trip on Powell we also had a 40 watt panel and that cut running time down to more like about 15 minutes a day or every other day.

Over the winter we have added a.....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/inside-22.html

.... 63 quart EdgeStar FP-630, so our electrical needs are going up so we also bought a 80 watt and 60 watt panel to go along with the 40 watt (still have to mount these). I'm also building a 12 volt 30-40 watt computer....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor-navigation/Compter-Nav-index.html

.... chartplotter that I expect to use quite a bit in the shallow water off Florida this fall. Hopefully the panels will supply most of the juice for the frig and computer, but the generator will always be there if we need more. It uses very little gas to run. 18 days out in the fall and we didn't have to re-fill the tank.

It is pretty quiet in the cockpit. The vibration makes some noise down in our small drum like cabin. If I have time I'm going to try some rubber mounts. Exhaust noise is low and down by the water. I've yet to try it in the water. A little worried about if the engine is designed for any back pressure on the exhaust side. Might also try adding a small secondary muffler, but it is still pretty quite. Slightly louder than the the Honda generators in this post. We usually run it while sailing so as to not be running it on anchor although where we have been sailing there never has been another boat on anchor by us.

I'm very happy with it as is and have no plans to change it other than maybe the exhaust. If I had a larger boat like some of you guys with larger battery banks I'd build a more efficient regulator for those needs. There is a link to one in my build pages. For us there is no need as our charging time is so short. It is a Honda, so starts first pull every time. We had considered a cheaper motor, but after reading how long the Hondas last we spent more and we are real happy we did.

c ya,

Sum

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

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[Rob19574]

Sum - rather impressive system you've built. You are very good with metal fabrication.

Thanks for the insight and ideas.

- Rob

 

[Snotter]

Put the generator in a dinghy. Float it down buy your neighbor.

 

[druid]

I tried running a genset in a locker and it just didnt' work. First, you need a LOT of air for intake and cooling - at least one high-output blower, interlocked to the engine so the engine will stop if the blower fails. Then you need exhaust hose, and 1. this is HOT, and 2. the extra restriction it puts on the exhaust makes the engine run very poorly.

I'd store it in the locker and strap it to the stern rail to run it.

druid

 

[Hermit Scott]

Sumner-great job on that generator. I bought that exact same engine with what you did in mind. Someone bought a pressure washer and ran it with out water running to it, so I got the almost new engine and dead pump for $75. I did have plans to put it in the stern cockpit locker, but reconsidered after seeing what it would take to make it safe. I think at a glance you can run two of those alternators at the same time on the 5 hp. Someone here that's good can run the numbers, but you seem to be happy with your design and how much juice you get from it. It is very nice. I thought of installing a water pump and pumping it into the exhaust so I didn't have to worry about catching the boat on fire with the exhaust but the impeller type pumps are crazy expensive. After looking at that engine for a few months in my shop I decided to go a different route with it. I am a big fan of honda engines too.

 

[Ross]

A bilge pump would work fine for supplying exhaust cooling water.

 

[Sumner]

........ I think at a glance you can run two of those alternators at the same time on the 5 hp.........

Glad you liked the build. You can buy a single alternator that will put out over 100 amps, so there wouldn't be the need for the complexity of the second alternator and more than 100 amps and you would need more than the 5 HP.

If you had a bigger battery bank than I do and/or run it down further I'd take a good look at this article.....

http://homepower.com/files/webextras/mark8.pdf

....and think about building the electronic field controller in it. Without something like that going larger on the alternator size wouldn't help us at all as the batteries now don't load the alternator down to the point where it puts out its 60 amps while charging.

c ya,

Sum

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

Our Mac Pages

Mac-Venture Links

 

[Ross]

The Honda 160 is rated at 4.8 hp or 3.6 kw or 3600 watts, divide that by 14.2 volts and you get just over 250 amps.

 

[Hermit Scott]

The Honda 160 is rated at 4.8 hp or 3.6 kw or 3600 watts, divide that by 14.2 volts and you get just over 250 amps.

The Honda2000 is something like 5 hp and it is putting out 2000 watts. That's why I thought you could run 2 100 amp alternators. But that comes out to 2400 watts at 12V. Anyway the 5hp is only at some rated RPM. but it still seems to work jsut by comparing it to the H2000.
That is a great article. I book marked it.