I’m looking to purchase a portable generator that I can sit on the dock to send power to my 2002 Beneteau 411 Oceanis limited edition, while there is not electricity at my dock during the construction of a new building, so I can charge the batteries and keep the refrigerator running. Any recommendations on which model I should get?
Portable Generator
- Thread starter natep
- Start date
If you don't need AC a Honda 2200 should do fine. If you want one that will last get a name brand like a Honda or a Yamaha.
Honda 2200 watt portable generator is the standard when it comes to portability(45lbs), reliability, & quiet operation. Unfortunately, when you go to Honda’s next level @ 3000 watts, the weight increases substantially. If you need more than 2200 watts, you can purchase two 2200 watt units and run them with a Honda parallel cord to increase the output to 4400 watts.
I use the Honda EU22i to power my onboard 12000BTU aircon. My friend uses the Honda EU20i for his onboard 16000BTU aircon.
To manage surging load better I fitted the Micro Air EasyStart.
To manage surging load better I fitted the Micro Air EasyStart.
I purchased this Genkins 2300 watt inverter generator when I owned a Hunter 38. It has a NEMA L5-30 outlet right on the front panel so a 30A shore power cable plugs right in without adapters. It is selling on AMZN right now for $389. The comparable Honda EU2200i is $1200.
My 38 had two 30A shore power inlets for two separate buses. One bus powered the house loads and battery charger. The second bus powered a 16K BTU Dometic marine air condition for the salon plus vberth and a second 8k BTU Dometic marine air for the aft stateroom.
I used a y-adapter when I needed both inlets energized.
There are some CAVEATS:
I did baby it a little to break it in expecting the overseas manufacturing process to be less rigorous than products coming from Honda. For the first start, I ran it under light load for 30 mins then changed the oil. I then ran it under near full load for 30 mins and changed the oil again. I was looking for aluminum bits in the oil drained out of the sump. There were a few shiny flecks, so I ran it under heavy load for another 30 mins. Changed the oil and saw no shiny flecks. Change the oil every 50 hours of operation now. I added this inexpensive hour meter to help me keep track. It uses about a 1/3 of a quart of oil per change.
My 38 had two 30A shore power inlets for two separate buses. One bus powered the house loads and battery charger. The second bus powered a 16K BTU Dometic marine air condition for the salon plus vberth and a second 8k BTU Dometic marine air for the aft stateroom.
I used a y-adapter when I needed both inlets energized.
There are some CAVEATS:
- 1900W running load is enough to power house loads, battery charger, A/C cooling pump and only one A/C compressor. I could not run both A/C units at the same time. Nor could I run microwave, coffee maker, vacuum, etc. all at the same time.
- To run the A/C I had to turn off the ESC function which runs the generator at a slower idle under light loads. With the ESC on, the generator could not get up to speed quick enough for the compressor load.
- Under full load, the generator's tank held enough fuel for 4 hours of operation. Not quite enough to get through a hot night without an early morning fuel top off.
- You said you wanted it dockside, but I used the generator at anchor too. Make sure you have good ventilation so CO2 doesn't build up below.
- The generator is reasonably quiet, but it will transmit vibration to the hull. I had fairly good results suspending the generator off the deck from a halyard and then using lines to stop side to side, forward to aft motion.
I did baby it a little to break it in expecting the overseas manufacturing process to be less rigorous than products coming from Honda. For the first start, I ran it under light load for 30 mins then changed the oil. I then ran it under near full load for 30 mins and changed the oil again. I was looking for aluminum bits in the oil drained out of the sump. There were a few shiny flecks, so I ran it under heavy load for another 30 mins. Changed the oil and saw no shiny flecks. Change the oil every 50 hours of operation now. I added this inexpensive hour meter to help me keep track. It uses about a 1/3 of a quart of oil per change.
