My father in law just bought us a small gas powered generator for our small Hunter H240. It's a very nice gift but I am somewhat worried about the safety of using one on a boat this size. I had him on the boat recently and he thought we needed something to power a big fan or small Keurig coffee maker. My two biggest safety concerns are #1 carbon monoxide poisoning and #2 storage below deck. I bought a CO detector to prevent the first problem but I am scared to death of taking something containing gasoline below deck since I have no way to get rid of any fumes. My wife thinks its a great gift and it is but my worries are getting the best of me. Am I just being paranoid or is there some safe way around this. I haven't taken it to the boat yet and am trying to think of a way to work this out safely.
How safe is it to use a generator?
- Thread starter Caribbeanknight1
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You are correct in being cautious. As most of our sailboats are diesel, we can get a little careless about generators. That being said they can be a great thing to have around, even on a small boat.
If you are confident that the generator will not leak, nor off gas from the tank (my Honda EU 2000 has an on/off tab on the fuel cap that prevents it from "leaking") you can stow it below, after it has cooled from running. Any other brand you will need to make sure that it does not leak, etc.
As to the fuel can. Must be stored top sides and never refuel the generator while running or hot. Let it cool to refuel.
CO, when the generator is running topside, while you are below can be an issue in when the wind is dead. Otherwise position the gennie downwind from where you are. I suggest never leaving it run, unattended or while sleeping.
Others will chime in, I am sure. But these are my thoughts.
If you are confident that the generator will not leak, nor off gas from the tank (my Honda EU 2000 has an on/off tab on the fuel cap that prevents it from "leaking") you can stow it below, after it has cooled from running. Any other brand you will need to make sure that it does not leak, etc.
As to the fuel can. Must be stored top sides and never refuel the generator while running or hot. Let it cool to refuel.
CO, when the generator is running topside, while you are below can be an issue in when the wind is dead. Otherwise position the gennie downwind from where you are. I suggest never leaving it run, unattended or while sleeping.
Others will chime in, I am sure. But these are my thoughts.
Gen
Well if you need the power to cool off with fans than use it but no below deck storage of gas and running the gen it needs to be up on deck.
You need to store the Gen and gas outside some place where you can tie it and secure it maybe with a cover for the Gen,a 240 kind of small but hey give it a shot and see if it is too much trouble or not and thank him and show your wife if it is OK to use.
Many boaters carry portable Gen and Gas but usually bigger and more room and use them when anchored not while sailing.
Nick
Well if you need the power to cool off with fans than use it but no below deck storage of gas and running the gen it needs to be up on deck.
You need to store the Gen and gas outside some place where you can tie it and secure it maybe with a cover for the Gen,a 240 kind of small but hey give it a shot and see if it is too much trouble or not and thank him and show your wife if it is OK to use.
Many boaters carry portable Gen and Gas but usually bigger and more room and use them when anchored not while sailing.
Nick
Out of curiosity, what make and wattage is it?
As already stated, put it downwind when running, which is easy at anchor but can be more challenging when using two anchors, or otherwise when the boat can't swing.
If you need fans for sleeping, there are plenty of battery powered fans available that can run off the boat's batteries, or as stand-alones with D-cells, including rechargeables. Coffee makers can certainly be run off the generator, and you won't be sleeping when you do that. Battery charging may also be easy, depending on the charger and how it's connected (cord and plug vs. hard-wired).
I've gotten boat gifts from my FIL on a regular basis (with 50+ years of boating experience), and even if I don't really need it, or want it, a bunch of thank-you's are warranted, and some effort to find a way to make use of it is the order of the day. Being the admiral's dad, it's just part of the package.
As already stated, put it downwind when running, which is easy at anchor but can be more challenging when using two anchors, or otherwise when the boat can't swing.
If you need fans for sleeping, there are plenty of battery powered fans available that can run off the boat's batteries, or as stand-alones with D-cells, including rechargeables. Coffee makers can certainly be run off the generator, and you won't be sleeping when you do that. Battery charging may also be easy, depending on the charger and how it's connected (cord and plug vs. hard-wired).
I've gotten boat gifts from my FIL on a regular basis (with 50+ years of boating experience), and even if I don't really need it, or want it, a bunch of thank-you's are warranted, and some effort to find a way to make use of it is the order of the day. Being the admiral's dad, it's just part of the package.
We have a Honda 2000 It is wonderful when you need it. I run mine dry before storing even with the cap shut off. stoe empty in cockpit locker. Have not yet run it it flat calm conditions. With a breeze, gen can be run down wind of occupants. I have seen shelves on the transom and even generators in the dingy behind the boat, but you need to be careful that the cord doesn't fall into the water.
"Out of curiosity, what make and wattage is it?"
I know he got it from Harbor Freight. It says "Storm Cat" on the box and has a 63cc motor rated at 800 watts/900 max watts with 7 amp output.
I know he got it from Harbor Freight. It says "Storm Cat" on the box and has a 63cc motor rated at 800 watts/900 max watts with 7 amp output.
Plus
A Gen could be a big Plus on the boat and keeping the Admiral happy have found out is a big plus for everyone to enjoy boating many times over and just let me say if my wife is Happy I sure get to enjoy so much more boating.
As mentioned just use caution when using it and every thing will be fine and you will fine out what works best for you and your family for many great boating times to come.
Use it to charge up your batteries and running any extra things to make things better for sure.
I love my Gen and the wife loves it even more and Men tend to ruff it more but our family likes comfort more.
Nick
A Gen could be a big Plus on the boat and keeping the Admiral happy have found out is a big plus for everyone to enjoy boating many times over and just let me say if my wife is Happy I sure get to enjoy so much more boating.
As mentioned just use caution when using it and every thing will be fine and you will fine out what works best for you and your family for many great boating times to come.
Use it to charge up your batteries and running any extra things to make things better for sure.
I love my Gen and the wife loves it even more and Men tend to ruff it more but our family likes comfort more.
Nick
That little guy is an OK generator for "standby" service.. It will run a fan and charge batteries but it is LOUD.. I think you'll find it too annoying to have running for any extended time.. OK for charging the boat's house batteries to power 12Volt fans.. and other 12V appliances.
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog/product/view/id/9057/category/429/
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog/product/view/id/9057/category/429/
"I know he got it from Harbor Freight. It says "Storm Cat" on the box and has a 63cc motor rated at 800 watts/900 max watts with 7 amp output."
This small generator isn't likely to power your coffee maker (or any other heat producing device) which typically draw 1000 to 1500 watts. Depending on the size of your battery bank you might be able to power a big enough inverter and then recharge with the generator. Do the math on inputs and outputs and you will see the problems. My small Keurig is rated at 1000 Watts and draws less than most coffee makers. It doesn't have a reservoir so it avoids the power drain most Keurigs have trying to keep your next cup of coffee hot before you brew it.
Good luck with your project...
This small generator isn't likely to power your coffee maker (or any other heat producing device) which typically draw 1000 to 1500 watts. Depending on the size of your battery bank you might be able to power a big enough inverter and then recharge with the generator. Do the math on inputs and outputs and you will see the problems. My small Keurig is rated at 1000 Watts and draws less than most coffee makers. It doesn't have a reservoir so it avoids the power drain most Keurigs have trying to keep your next cup of coffee hot before you brew it.
Good luck with your project...
+10 on that Alan
Here's my little dig. How many of you who advocate a small gas generator for reasons of cost and convenience are the same ones who deride us lowly Atomic 4 owners?
"You turn the key and BOOM!"
+1,000,000
People are very often concerned with their own safety while completely ignoring and destroying the peace and quiet EVERYONE ELSE was enjoying beore the egg beater/blender/weed whacker was fired up...
I can assure you that the proliferation of these obnoxious hunks of metal are destroying the tranquility of Maine coastal cruising... Coming to Maine? Please leave the generator behind...
Please take others into account and use generators politely...
There is a company that produces a range of fans called O2 Cool. They have a 12vdc/110ac box fan that is about 10" square, which we bought from Kmart. They use considerably less energy on 12v than any "boat" fan I have ever found and are quieter. I tried one and liked it so much, we now have 5 of them (I had no idea how long they would last and wanted spares since they are hard to find in the Caribbean) and they have lasted over 2 years now, with no failures and almost constant use. They can be opened and cleaned easily, a huge plus.
No need to have 110vac fans on a boat, now.
There are also 12vdc coffee makers available, so keep the gene for emergency battery charging and get a solar panel or 2 to keep your batteries up and you can run run 12vdc appliances whenever you wish.
No need to have 110vac fans on a boat, now.
There are also 12vdc coffee makers available, so keep the gene for emergency battery charging and get a solar panel or 2 to keep your batteries up and you can run run 12vdc appliances whenever you wish.
That generator is actually a gem. It'll power a small window A/C unit of about 5000 btu's or most appliances of reasonable size. Over in the survival forums of Ar15.com there is a huge discussion on these harbor freight generators. I've got one to run the A/C on my O'day. Works pretty dang good I must say.
a 800watt generator powering a 5000watt A/C unit?... must be a typo....
I have a 900watt generator that i bought from harbor freight to charge the batts in my atv trailer, and it wont run my 700watt microwave unless i use a line conditioner with it....
the output of the cheaper generators is over stated right out of the box because the power it creates is very unstable, but when using a line conditioner it will allow you to gather and use everything it will put out. and its so much better for the appliance or tool, as unstable power can destroy any device thats using it... its only a matter of time
but its also true that as long as the device is drawing less than 50% of the stated output of the generator, the unstable power source is not so damaging to the device.
I meant to type BTU not watt.... Unless you are powering a computer or tv the dirty signal from a cheap genset isn't an issue. You should look at what comes into your home.... very dirty on average. Even with computers and tv's they usually have a power brick that takes the dirty A/C and convert it into DC anyways.
Not a good idea (my opinions):
1. A generator on a boat should be designed for marine use, and installed according to good practice. A portable gas generator is a huge safety problem, in my view.
2. Consider how the insurance company might react if you have a claim due to this generator.
3. Harbor Freight, cheap Chinese generator? Really?
4. Noise. Your mooring/anchorage neighbors will not appreciate this at all. I know I don't. I don't even like the noise from folks' wind generator/bird grinders.
5. Storing gasoline on a boat, not in a fuel tank designed for boat usage - not a good idea.
6. Refueling a hot gas generator on a boat - not a good idea.
7. 800 Watts is not very useful. Won't power a hair dryer or toaster, of reasonable microwave. Don't know about a Keurig coffee maker.
1. A generator on a boat should be designed for marine use, and installed according to good practice. A portable gas generator is a huge safety problem, in my view.
2. Consider how the insurance company might react if you have a claim due to this generator.
3. Harbor Freight, cheap Chinese generator? Really?
4. Noise. Your mooring/anchorage neighbors will not appreciate this at all. I know I don't. I don't even like the noise from folks' wind generator/bird grinders.
5. Storing gasoline on a boat, not in a fuel tank designed for boat usage - not a good idea.
6. Refueling a hot gas generator on a boat - not a good idea.
7. 800 Watts is not very useful. Won't power a hair dryer or toaster, of reasonable microwave. Don't know about a Keurig coffee maker.
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