Powering A/C at anchor

sea_casper · Jul 25, 2013

GeorgiaBII said:
I've got a 5000 btu window A/C unit installed in my cabin into the lazerette. I'm thinking a 800/900 watt portable generator will power it. Has anybody tried something along these lines?

I just picked up a generator and am looking for ways to mount it maybe on the transom to power the boats A/C when we are at anchor and trying to sleep on these hot nights.

Thoughts and Idea's?

A 5000w unit draws an average of 5.1 and 5.5 amps when running more on start up. Start up load will be the issue with generators.

Spend the money and go with a Honda 1000 or even 2000, quieter than the competition, and can handle the surge with their inverter technology. As a bonus it will come in handy at home for those electrical outages that seem to happen more and more these days. I am happy with our H2000.

Deadhead · Jul 25, 2013

This weekend I will complete installation of a Yamaha EF3000iSEB in the transom locker. I have designed an aluminum rack and frame with a slide out aluminum tray into which the unit sits. The 3000 comes with a 3o amp outlet and powers one of my 18,000 btu reverse cycle units. It can't handle both. 53 db makes it as quiet as the Honda, but it is 5" narrower that the Honda 2000.

KD3PC · Jul 26, 2013

spend a few dollars on a CO alarm/detector as sleeping whilst these run, unattended can be fatal

Or two

On a nearby kentucky lake just a few weeks ago, two folks were killed while asleep and the gennie running....CO poisoning.

Transom may not be the best place to have it, as the surface wind will carry fumes up and over the boat.

YMMV

Maine Sail · Jul 26, 2013

KD3PC said:
spend a few dollars on a CO alarm/detector as sleeping whilst these run, unattended can be fatal

Or two

On a nearby kentucky lake just a few weeks ago, two folks were killed while asleep and the gennie running....CO poisoning.

Transom may not be the best place to have it, as the surface wind will carry fumes up and over the boat.

YMMV

+100!!

There have been a number of CO poisonings due to the use of portable generators..

sea_casper · Jul 26, 2013

Deadhead said:
it is 5" narrower that the Honda 2000.

I'm Confused;

The Honda EU2000i is 11" wide actually (20.1 x 11.4 x 16.7)
The Yamaha EF3000iSE/B is (26.8 x 17.5 x 21.9)

With electric start, higher capacity, and Boost technology, the Yamaha is better suited to your application, it is also significantly heavier. It is however not smaller in any dimension.

If you had a wet exhaust, you could compare it to a Panda.

Benny17441 · Jul 26, 2013

Even though a 700W generator may run a 5K compressor unit, in instances it may not be able to provide the start up power required. It may also have to operate at maximum RPM to produce the required power thus increasing fuel consumption and shortening running time per fuel tank capacity. Getting up every 3 hours to refuel a generator is not fun. Cut yourself a rubber pad in which to seat the generator, it will collect oil and spilled fuel plus avoid the black marks the rubber legs may leave on your gelcoat. I like to place a generator where the wind coming from the bow as the boat swings at anchor will blow the exhaust fumes away. Tie it up with a safety line to avoid dropping it overboard and run a short heavy gauge extension cord adapter to the boat's shore power inlet. Keep the gas can away in a place where any fumes can flow overboard. Place a pan under the A/C unit to collect condensation and open the lazaratte to improve compressor cooling. Another consideration for the generator is weather. Find out how your will fare under rain and if possible devise some kind of canvas protection. Some of the units have cowlings that will allow them to run under a storm but others just quit. Go enjoy that cold A/C.

Bill Roosa · Jul 26, 2013

I'm almost afraid to ask but does a 23' sail boat typically have a head and galley? Kinda scratching my head as to why you would want to consume the very limited space with an AC and Genset.
Quite frankly I'd be investing in some sunscreens for the forward deck and 12 volt fans but then I like it hotter than most.

Deadhead · Jul 26, 2013

KD3PC said:
spend a few dollars on a CO alarm/detector as sleeping whilst these run, unattended can be fatal

Or two

YMMV

That was/is a concern with the air cooled generator. I already have one CO alarm, putting in another two so I will have a CO detector in each cabin. The plan is to run the A/C before bed to cool the cabin down. Then shut down the generator & go to bed.

And I was confused - I actually meant the Honda 3000 (with the 30 amp plug), and it is only an inch wider than the Yamaha. But it has been a busy summer at work and I compared the sizes way back in June.

kloudie1 · Jul 26, 2013

The extended run thing is easy with a sealed gasoline cap so that the outboard tank syphons into the generator tank as the generator tank is consumed. A cap like this fitted with an outboard connector will do the trick.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-Eu200...975?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2325224bc7

Chris Patterson · Jul 27, 2013

I'm curious, and not to be contentious one iota, but with onboard generators why not pipe the exhaust overboard? What with fuel tank vents, black tank vents, engine exhausts, air conditioner water out, bilge pump drain, cockpit drains, ALL piped outdoors, surely this cannot be terribly difficult.
Can it?

KD3PC · Jul 27, 2013

Chris Patterson said:
I'm curious, and not to be contentious one iota, but with onboard generators why not pipe the exhaust overboard? What with fuel tank vents, black tank vents, engine exhausts, air conditioner water out, bilge pump drain, cockpit drains, ALL piped outdoors, surely this cannot be terribly difficult.
Can it?

Although the gennie in the OP is "onboard", it is a portable and will not be running below decks. Some sailors have installed portable gennies as permanent and have done exactly what you suggested...pipe the exhaust out a convenient lazzarette and added a fuel can to extend the run time.

The rub comes in while running that setup, as it has not been "marinized" and is usually "air cooled" and they open the hatch or a door or somesuch. Chafe and heat can work against common safety windows.

The big item for me is CO poisoning....even venting the exhaust "away" does not guarantee that the bad stuff is not going to blow back on you or what happens when the wind changes. CO is odorless, tasteless, quick and while one sleeps it can kill. Many are killed on lakes, where the wind is not enough to move it away from the boat, and they are just hanging out around the boat.

YMMV

thinwater · Jul 27, 2013

There is also the matter of exhaust temperature. Without water mixed in, it will be extremely hot and melt any rubber or plastic. A whole different set of problems.

LANCE ON CLOUD NINE · Jul 27, 2013

it would be cool if an outboard engine maker would design a model with a generator head that could be clamped on top of the engine cowling.
It could be small, easily stored and brought out while at anchor.
could just have a pass through power take off on top of cowling.
Would be water cooled and run quiet.

sea_casper · Jul 27, 2013

LANCE ON CLOUD NINE said:
it would be cool if an outboard engine maker would design a model with a generator head that could be clamped on top of the engine cowling.
It could be small, easily stored and brought out while at anchor.
could just have a pass through power take off on top of cowling.
Would be water cooled and run quiet.

Our Honda 2hp outboard is aircooled but its exhaust is underwater and is quiet, watercooled is definately quieter, that is a great idea for a marine generator!

Honda has the technology, they just have to mix and match.