Portable Generator as a Backup Power Source

[dkinzer]

I'm considering a portable dual-fuel inverter-type generator as a backup power generation source - a smaller one in the 2500W range. I'm thinking of equipping the boat with propane hoses and wiring to allow the generator to recharge the house batteries in the event of an engine or alternator failure. Even though the capacity of the propane tanks on our Hunter 41AC is relatively small (compared to, for example, an RV) I'm thinking that it might serve the purpose well.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has considered and rejected or implemented this strategy. Further, if anyone has actually implemented this strategy, I'd be interested in the details of where the generator is located, how it is secured and connected to the boat's systems.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

Make sure you have a CO detector in your living spaces. Many carbon monoxide poisoning accidents occur. The CO can back-draft even if the generator is on the transom.
Please be considerate of nearby boaters, and run it during limited daylight hours. The sound can carry quite a distance over water especially when the wind is calm.

 

[Tally Ho]

I'm considering a portable dual-fuel inverter-type generator as a backup power generation source - a smaller one in the 2500W range. I'm thinking of equipping the boat with propane hoses and wiring to allow the generator to recharge the house batteries in the event of an engine or alternator failure. Even though the capacity of the propane tanks on our Hunter 41AC is relatively small (compared to, for example, an RV) I'm thinking that it might serve the purpose well.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has considered and rejected or implemented this strategy. Further, if anyone has actually implemented this strategy, I'd be interested in the details of where the generator is located, how it is secured and connected to the boat's systems.

Do you know how long the generator would run in your boat propane tanks? That would be my worry. I think I would vote for gasoline genny and a jerry can or two of gas on deck.

Greg

 

[garymalmgren]

Most people hoist the generator out into the cockpit and go for a trip into town so they don't have to listen to the annoying hum.
Unfortunately, as Greg has pointed out, someone else has to bear it.

RE: in the event of an engine or alternator failure.
Maintain your engine, alternator, belt and charging system to eliminate this.
Install a system that doesn't allow your start battery to draw down too low. ( Battery Management System, B.M.S.)
Minimize the load on your house batteries. All LED. Switch off anything that you are not using. ETC
Fit solar panels that can keep up with your load.

 

[dlochner]

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Portable generators on boats is a poor idea. They are noisy, yes even the Hondas, heavy, require carrying extra highly explosive fuel, and are really annoying to other boaters nearby.

Put the money into 300 watts of good quality solar panels, a good controller, and a good battery monitoring system. Take good care of your engine and batteries, carry spare belts for the alternator. Alternator failure is largely preventable and the most common failure is easy to fix, replacing a broken or worn belt. The next common failure point is turning the main battery switch off while the engine is running and finally is frying the alternator due to a mismatch between the battery chemistry and alternator. These are preventable failures.

If your engine fails you have bigger problems than keeping the beer cold in the refrigerator and a generator won't do much to fix the situation. Unlimited towing would be high on the list of things to have.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Nothing wrong with prudent use of a portable generator as long as you use common sense. Most use the same fuel as any dinghy motor and no one gets apoplectic over the danger of that. Whether converting to propane fuel is viable varies directly with your propane storage capacity.
Wind or solar panels only work when there is ……

 

[Leeward Rail]

Unfortunately, as Greg has pointed out, someone else has to bear it.

(RANT)

Easy fix... Sneak aboard and disconnect the carb spring when they leave the boat... Or faster... throw overboard.

Friggin portable generators are the worst thing to happen to camping. Not quite as bad yet with boats, but ugh.
(/Rant)

They make solar and wind systems for a reason. If you can run a house year-round with them...

 

[kloudie1]

I wouldn't bother with dual fuel.. The little Honda inverter generators are still the quietest ones and the EU2200I Companion model even has a 30 ampere outlet so you can use a regular shore power cord .. It can't produce 30 amperes; it maxes out at about 16 but that is plenty to charge a battery bank.. charging at 80 amperes into a 12V bank would require a bit over half capacity of that generator.. .. it could run one water heater but not at the same time as charging the battery. The Hondas can be found with some discount, but they are a bit more expensive than most others of that size.... It can be pretty easily converted to dual fuel but they use so little gasoline that the conversion is mostly not necessary, especially if you are carrying gasoline for a dink, as previously noted..

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Please be considerate of nearby boaters, and run it during limited daylight hours. The sound can carry quite a distance over water especially when the wind is calm.

I cannot express the level of my annoyance in that I can only give you one Like.
Your statement should be on a brass plate and mounted on the front of every generator sold. Sort of like the stickers you see for not dumping waste oil into waterways.

 

[BigEasy]

I wouldn't leave a gas generator (or any generator) running in my abscence. Honda issued a recall a couple years ago about a malfunctioning carb / fuel cutoff valve that caused fuel leaks and fires. Of course, for those of you offended by the generator noise, that would resolve the noise problem!

 

[BigEasy]

Adding a bit of gas to the flame here! Just got an email advertisement that Honda has a new portable generator available now.. 3200Watt inverter generator with blue tooth & onboard CO monitoring. 59 lbs. $2900.00. Nice, but expensive; a Honda 2200 can be had for $1200 or less.

 

[TheBigDeal]

In our boat we bought a used dual fuel generator and got it for a great price. Online they are on sale right now also, This is the one we currently own. One of the cheapest and portable ones we have found. We are planning to put it into our engine compartment and only run it in emergencies.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Adding a bit of gas to the flame here! Just got an email advertisement that Honda has a new portable generator available now.. 3200Watt inverter generator with blue tooth & onboard CO monitoring. 59 lbs. $2900.00. Nice, but expensive; a Honda 2200 can be had for $1200 or less.

That is pretty nice. Makes running even a larger AC unit a possibility without a big bulky package. The CO detector seems like more of a false sense of security than anything else though. Unless you’re unwise enough to run the generator in your living space it won’t do anything for you. The generator could be sitting outside in the fresh air running happily while the CO is drafting into the cabin with the wind.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

snip
Minimize the load on your house batteries. All LED. Switch off anything that you are not using. ETC
Fit solar panels that can keep up with your load.

When it comes to solar and battery capacity, the cost of load reduction more than offsets the cost of equivalent power generation/storage.

 

[Leeward Rail]

The generator could be sitting outside in the fresh air running happily while the CO is drafting into the cabin with the wind.

There is that risk.

In calm conditions it could linger on the boat and build up.

Contrary to popular belief, CO is more or less the same molecular weight as air, so it doesn't just sit in the hull like propane or CO2

 

[Leeward Rail]

Makes running even a larger AC unit a possibility without a big bulky package.

Larry and Lin are crying right now.

 

[Alan Gomes]

Friggin portable generators are the worst thing to happen to camping. Not quite as bad yet with boats, but ugh.

You've obviously never been to Catalina Island.

 

[Leeward Rail]

You've obviously never been to Catalina Island.

Based on that I have no interest in going. There are places with too many people who like making noise worldwide.
Sounds like a John Belushi movie.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

You've obviously never been to Catalina Island.

Or Block Island.

 

[Terry Cox]

Our 1991 boat came with an integrated 8KW diesel generator that does a fine job of heating water, cooking meals and topping off our battery banks. While out on our extended cruises we usually run it for about two hours every other day. It is very well muffled to those outside, but a bit noisy inside even with the sound deadening material; more of a rumble than loud noise.