portable generator

[gwhite]

Has anybody built a portable generator that might fit under the cockpit seat, thinking of turning a 10-15 amp alternator with a 2 1/2 hp gas engine,
as an emergency generator if you have a dead battery, & can't crank that diesel engine up, might work if I can find a cheep alternator with a low amp ratting, doubt if the engine would turn a 65-100 amp alternator, and too much for the battery, 10 amps should work. Any ideas ??

 

[Rick D]

If that's all you want it for, I doubt if you could make one yourself for the price of this (see link). These are throw away deals, but I have seen them running for days in third world flea markets (powering TV's with the latest soccer, novelas, and huge boom boxes). They are noisy, so it isn't something you would want to run as a habit in a nice anchorage, but as a cheap back up, I'm sure it would work fine (as long as you have a battery charger to plug it into). http://www.harborfreight.com/800-rated-watts-900-max-watts-portable-generator-66619.html

 

[kloudie1]

Someone on the site had posted a rig that was mounted on the stern rail .. Two horsepower should be able to push a 35 ampere alternator ..
Take some pictures when ya get it built.. !!
Be cautious about storing gasoline in a closed space..

 

[JoeWhite]

Rick D's equipment will produce 800Wats of 110VAC. I think Gwhite is looking for 15AMP of 12VDC. How about a 12V battery with switch that is reserved to just start the engine in case the main batteries can not. Si you normally place the switch to both before staring the engine so that the alternator can charge both batteries. Then switch to house batteries when sailing. So if the house batteries can not start the engine then switch to reserv and start the engine. This is how most larger boats are set-up as.
I saw a photo that some one had used a lawn mower engine to turn an alternator for this same purpose and it was mounted to the stern rail.

 

[Benny17441]

I have seen them but for land based installations to recharge batteries providing power to a cabin or barn. In a boat where space is at a premium I don't think such an installation would be convenient. Rick is correct you could not probaly build one yourself for the cost of a cheap portable generator. I have seen them for as low as $99 but I would suggest you spend a little more like $130 and get one with a 4 stroke engine with 1500 to 2000 watts. Them 2 stroke units can vibrate your teeth out of their sockets.

 

[gfrazzle]

I carry a battery booster. Compact so easy to store and no fuel to worry about. Put it on the trickle charger every now and then to keep it fully charged and you will always have a backup battery.

 

[Steve Dion]

Your boat probably has a 2 or 3gm engine. If you open the de-compression levers you can start it with very little power from nearly dead batteries. Get the engine spinning and then close each lever one at a time.

Otherwise one of the Battery Boosters should do the job.

 

[Rick Sylvester]

I have that Harbor Freight gen

I bought it for $89 on sale.

It's loud as hell (2 stroke) so I'd NEVER use it on the boat but for what he's looking for it'd be fine. It would probably run a small shore charger.

It runs fine on (2 stroke) dinghy gas.