I've read the questions and responses to portable gennis.. My situation is as follows. I am heading to the carribean for a year of fun and sun with my wife. My intentions are to live on the hook for the whole time. I was considering a 1000kw honda portable generator along with a heart 2.0 inverter/charger Will the 1000kw be enough to charge my standard c36 1996 batteries? I would also like advise on expanding my battery bank. WHERE DOES ONE PUT EXTRA BATTERIES, and will I need them for minor ac requirements? Thanks Anton Wilson "simplicity"
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Chris Hyland
Generators
Anton, I was looking to do the same thing as far as a generator. I spent some time with (GJ)erry Douglas at the Catalina booth at Sail Expo. I have a C-36 and told him I was looking at the 2000 watt Honda EU2000i. I asked if it's ok to plug into the shore power. He said go right ahead it'll do a great job. The 1000 watt unit may be a little light, only about 8 amps. I've seen the 2000 watt unit for 875.00 no tax no shipping. Regards, Chris
Anton, I was looking to do the same thing as far as a generator. I spent some time with (GJ)erry Douglas at the Catalina booth at Sail Expo. I have a C-36 and told him I was looking at the 2000 watt Honda EU2000i. I asked if it's ok to plug into the shore power. He said go right ahead it'll do a great job. The 1000 watt unit may be a little light, only about 8 amps. I've seen the 2000 watt unit for 875.00 no tax no shipping. Regards, Chris
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ludo beerman
Anton, We are planning to go south next September (2002) as well. I bought the 1000W Honda at the boat show in Toronto two weeks ago after shopping around for other equivalents. I found the Yamaha comparable but like the looks of the Honda better. The vendor at the show actually started it up and I was impressed how quiet it ran. This is a major advantage when on a quiet anchorage. I found a separate well underneath the floor boards on my C380 for an additional starting battery, I don't know your C36 lay-out but can tell you that for extended cruizing using the hook only, a 3rd battery and wind generator are essential in my view to keep the batteries alive and well. I plan to use the Honda only as emergency back up. Hope this is of some help. Regards, Ludo Beerman
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Dave Emery
Consider a EU2000i
You may want to consider the new Honda EU2000i generator. I currently use one on my Catalina 34 for two things. One to run the water heater (requires 1500 watts) and secondly to run my Heart 1500 Watt Inverter / Battery Charger. I plug it into my shore power outlet and I'm able to have hot water without running the engine. It will also run the 75 amp battery charger with no problems. Good Luck, Dave
You may want to consider the new Honda EU2000i generator. I currently use one on my Catalina 34 for two things. One to run the water heater (requires 1500 watts) and secondly to run my Heart 1500 Watt Inverter / Battery Charger. I plug it into my shore power outlet and I'm able to have hot water without running the engine. It will also run the 75 amp battery charger with no problems. Good Luck, Dave
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Chris Hyland
EU2000i
Dave, I've been looking at doing the exact same thing. Did you have to makeup a shore power to standard plug cable? Thanks, Chris
Dave, I've been looking at doing the exact same thing. Did you have to makeup a shore power to standard plug cable? Thanks, Chris
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John Buckham
EU-1000
I use a Honda EU-1000 on my C-30, I recommend it. It's quiet, fuel efficient and so far has been very reliable. If the 2000 had been available when I bought it, I would have that instead. It’s a little larger, but is twice as powerful. As others do, I just plug it in to the shore power receptacle, it runs the 20 amp charger, a few lights (on 12 volts) the fridge with no problem. No high draw equipment, like water heaters though.
I use a Honda EU-1000 on my C-30, I recommend it. It's quiet, fuel efficient and so far has been very reliable. If the 2000 had been available when I bought it, I would have that instead. It’s a little larger, but is twice as powerful. As others do, I just plug it in to the shore power receptacle, it runs the 20 amp charger, a few lights (on 12 volts) the fridge with no problem. No high draw equipment, like water heaters though.
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Ken Cobb
Kaboom!
The model you guys are talking about is gasoline powered. There are diesel-powered ones out there. Going to a gasoline-powered generator presents a number of potential risks. The generator must be run on deck, and even then there is a chance of gas fumes getting into the cabin. The gas supply must be stored in cans on the deck (not below). If you are going to be "on the hook" for prolonged periods of time you will need to carry a significant supply of gas for the generator. And if you are anchored and sitting downwind of the generator, you will be breathing gas fumes. Finally, I haven't heard a generator yet that is so quiet that it doesn't disturb other boats in an anchorage. Other options: run your motor every day to charge batteries. Or, learn to live without more power than your solar panels and wind generator produce. Refrigeration isn't essential. Really. A lot of long distance cruisers do without it.
The model you guys are talking about is gasoline powered. There are diesel-powered ones out there. Going to a gasoline-powered generator presents a number of potential risks. The generator must be run on deck, and even then there is a chance of gas fumes getting into the cabin. The gas supply must be stored in cans on the deck (not below). If you are going to be "on the hook" for prolonged periods of time you will need to carry a significant supply of gas for the generator. And if you are anchored and sitting downwind of the generator, you will be breathing gas fumes. Finally, I haven't heard a generator yet that is so quiet that it doesn't disturb other boats in an anchorage. Other options: run your motor every day to charge batteries. Or, learn to live without more power than your solar panels and wind generator produce. Refrigeration isn't essential. Really. A lot of long distance cruisers do without it.
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Anton Wilson
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Russ
Adapter for hookup
The Marinco 104A adapter works great for hooking the Honda generator into your shorepower recepticle. I attach this adapter to the shorepower inlet on the boat, then attach a 25 foot heavy-duty extension cord to it - the other end of the extension cord plugs into the generator. Clean, easy hookup. This connector will also work to adapt your 30 amp shorepower cord to a standard 15 amp shoreside outlet. I added a link to the Marinco website below... Russ
The Marinco 104A adapter works great for hooking the Honda generator into your shorepower recepticle. I attach this adapter to the shorepower inlet on the boat, then attach a 25 foot heavy-duty extension cord to it - the other end of the extension cord plugs into the generator. Clean, easy hookup. This connector will also work to adapt your 30 amp shorepower cord to a standard 15 amp shoreside outlet. I added a link to the Marinco website below... Russ
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Phillip
GAS ! !
I agree with Ken , gas is bad news on a cruiseing boat. I too am headed to the Caribbean next fall and my choice for power is solar. After extensive research I have found I can achive my power neeeds at a lower cost thru solar than with a gas powered generator, not to mention the dangers of have to carry gas on board and the inconvenance of always have to get more gas for the thing. Do yourself a favor and do the reserch into solar cells and I think you will be supprised how much quiter safer and less expensive they can be.
I agree with Ken , gas is bad news on a cruiseing boat. I too am headed to the Caribbean next fall and my choice for power is solar. After extensive research I have found I can achive my power neeeds at a lower cost thru solar than with a gas powered generator, not to mention the dangers of have to carry gas on board and the inconvenance of always have to get more gas for the thing. Do yourself a favor and do the reserch into solar cells and I think you will be supprised how much quiter safer and less expensive they can be.
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Tom
Why use a gas generator to charge battery's??
This is not a Knock on using generators at all but there might be some misconceptions of their benefits to charging IF other upgrades to your system are not also done. Take for instance my boat -- a 1999 Cat 36 MKII with 2 4D batteries (total approx 380 AmpHours) and a standard 3 stage 20 amps marine charger. If I ran the gas generator 2 full hours to charge my batteries I *might* get 35 Amphours back into my batteries !!!.... I Typically use closer to 100 AH's a day (Kids, TV, Stereo, Refer, etc). Assuming I charge to 85% of my battery capacity I would have to run that gas generator 5 hours !!!! But with my stock 55 Amp Alternator and a smart regulator I can 85% charge my batteries in 2- 2 1/2 hours (only 1 - 1 1/2 hours with a heavy duty alternator) I know that if I upgraded my Charging system to one of the high Amp Charger/Inverters (which I have to admit is a nice piece of gear..;-) I could cut down the time....But these things are starting at between $1000-$2000 though!! (Anton, Yes I know you have already done this as maybe possibly others) So, now how much more am I putting into my boat beside the $900 Gas generator?...I HAVE to have a high end Charger (Min $1k) and then store and drag out the Gas Generator. And then put it somewhere and Wire it up to my boat
This is not a Knock on using generators at all but there might be some misconceptions of their benefits to charging IF other upgrades to your system are not also done. Take for instance my boat -- a 1999 Cat 36 MKII with 2 4D batteries (total approx 380 AmpHours) and a standard 3 stage 20 amps marine charger. If I ran the gas generator 2 full hours to charge my batteries I *might* get 35 Amphours back into my batteries !!!.... I Typically use closer to 100 AH's a day (Kids, TV, Stereo, Refer, etc). Assuming I charge to 85% of my battery capacity I would have to run that gas generator 5 hours !!!! But with my stock 55 Amp Alternator and a smart regulator I can 85% charge my batteries in 2- 2 1/2 hours (only 1 - 1 1/2 hours with a heavy duty alternator) I know that if I upgraded my Charging system to one of the high Amp Charger/Inverters (which I have to admit is a nice piece of gear..;-) I could cut down the time....But these things are starting at between $1000-$2000 though!! (Anton, Yes I know you have already done this as maybe possibly others) So, now how much more am I putting into my boat beside the $900 Gas generator?...I HAVE to have a high end Charger (Min $1k) and then store and drag out the Gas Generator. And then put it somewhere and Wire it up to my boat
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Russ
Why a generator?
Each situation being different... here's mine... I love my generator and with a 55 amp 3 stage shorepower charger and my Honda EU2000i, I can recharge my 300 ah bank in about 3 hours (50% depleted) burning about a quart of gasoline. Setup time is probably in the <5 minute range including unstowing, fueling, checking oil, hooking into the shorepower inlet and starting it. With my 72 amp "auto" type alternator with internal regulator, my Link 10 indicates that it would take about 8 hours engine run-time to fully recharge from 50% depletion while burning about 4 gallons of diesel. Not to mention the heat generated by the engine and the extra amps required to cool the reefer compartment (heated by the engine). All the while adding wear and tear to my main engine in an unloaded engine run state. In my experience, unloaded, the engine will only generate "warm" potable water. The biggest reason is the air conditioner my wife likes to run at night when we're on the hook. I already carry gasoline for my dinghy, so thats no big deal but it does require the usual vigilance. As I said before, if you choose the generator you should monitor for CO with more than one monitor in the cabin area. The Honda EU20001 is such a quiet unit, you can only hear it for about 100 feet from the boat even on a still night (and you'd have to really strain to hear it at that distance). I do always make sure that my generator could NOT be heard at all by other boats in the anchorage. If in doubt, I dont run it except for mid afternoon. Russ
Each situation being different... here's mine... I love my generator and with a 55 amp 3 stage shorepower charger and my Honda EU2000i, I can recharge my 300 ah bank in about 3 hours (50% depleted) burning about a quart of gasoline. Setup time is probably in the <5 minute range including unstowing, fueling, checking oil, hooking into the shorepower inlet and starting it. With my 72 amp "auto" type alternator with internal regulator, my Link 10 indicates that it would take about 8 hours engine run-time to fully recharge from 50% depletion while burning about 4 gallons of diesel. Not to mention the heat generated by the engine and the extra amps required to cool the reefer compartment (heated by the engine). All the while adding wear and tear to my main engine in an unloaded engine run state. In my experience, unloaded, the engine will only generate "warm" potable water. The biggest reason is the air conditioner my wife likes to run at night when we're on the hook. I already carry gasoline for my dinghy, so thats no big deal but it does require the usual vigilance. As I said before, if you choose the generator you should monitor for CO with more than one monitor in the cabin area. The Honda EU20001 is such a quiet unit, you can only hear it for about 100 feet from the boat even on a still night (and you'd have to really strain to hear it at that distance). I do always make sure that my generator could NOT be heard at all by other boats in the anchorage. If in doubt, I dont run it except for mid afternoon. Russ
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Tom
Russ, yes I agree in some situations there is
nothing wrong with a gas generator....especially if you would like/need AC.. One suggestion though. I would rip out that internal regulator on that 75 amp alternator and replace it with a "smart regulator", like a Balmar unit. It is doing a disservice to the alternator. You probably would have to do some special wiring to disconnect the internal regulator and would probably be best left up to a specialist, but I am sure you will double your output instantly. I have researched this extensively and what you have is a very typical scenario....
nothing wrong with a gas generator....especially if you would like/need AC.. One suggestion though. I would rip out that internal regulator on that 75 amp alternator and replace it with a "smart regulator", like a Balmar unit. It is doing a disservice to the alternator. You probably would have to do some special wiring to disconnect the internal regulator and would probably be best left up to a specialist, but I am sure you will double your output instantly. I have researched this extensively and what you have is a very typical scenario....
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Russ
Alt. suggestion
I have thought about doing what you suggest - adding an external 3-stage "smart" regulator to my alternator. Leece - Neville has a kit to convert the alternator to external regulator type but I'm told also that the alternator will likely burn up by the external regulator requiring to many amps for too long a period of time. Although they call it a 72 amp alternator, the drawing/specs say that output level is at 25 deg. C, not engine compartment temperature which is probably more along the line of 70-90 deg C. Someday I will probably spend the money to put on a better alternator/regulator combo, but for now, the generator works well and powers the air conditioner. Russ
I have thought about doing what you suggest - adding an external 3-stage "smart" regulator to my alternator. Leece - Neville has a kit to convert the alternator to external regulator type but I'm told also that the alternator will likely burn up by the external regulator requiring to many amps for too long a period of time. Although they call it a 72 amp alternator, the drawing/specs say that output level is at 25 deg. C, not engine compartment temperature which is probably more along the line of 70-90 deg C. Someday I will probably spend the money to put on a better alternator/regulator combo, but for now, the generator works well and powers the air conditioner. Russ
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John Buckham
It's a quick fix...
More of my thoughts, Yes, the EU-2000 runs on gas, so does my outboard as well as the auxiliary. I have an 8D battery, a 20 amp charger, a 2KW inverter and a 60 amp Balmar with a smart regulator on the engine. I also have Airrr 10K BTU A/C. It’s not practical to run that on the inverter, run time is only a few hours on the 8D. The generator does the trick. The Balmar gets very warm (okay extremely hot) when recharging the 8D fully. When not in use I can take the generator with me and use it for other purposes.
More of my thoughts, Yes, the EU-2000 runs on gas, so does my outboard as well as the auxiliary. I have an 8D battery, a 20 amp charger, a 2KW inverter and a 60 amp Balmar with a smart regulator on the engine. I also have Airrr 10K BTU A/C. It’s not practical to run that on the inverter, run time is only a few hours on the 8D. The generator does the trick. The Balmar gets very warm (okay extremely hot) when recharging the 8D fully. When not in use I can take the generator with me and use it for other purposes.
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