Generator question

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Sundowner 39

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Hi All
I want to get a generator as a back up to charge engine start (110 ah Varta) and or house batteries 3x135 (Banner Energy Bull) whats best to run 240 through the shore charge socket utilising built in battery charger or direct 12v to batteries?
I have twin alternators plus towed generation but no solar or wind power, the generator is a half way house to be used if all else fails or could I make regular use of it?
Cheers.
 
A gen is a fair size chunk of kit and requires petrol and maintenance.
If you just want it for backup charging then I would say it's the wrong bit of kit, go for solar, it's getting cheaper, fit and forget (almost).
But if you carry power tools, want to use mains lighting, boat and water heating, charge batteries when out on hook, then a gen is a good idea.
 
if you go for a 12v genny, you will need lots of thickish wiring to take the current.


Assuming your charger is fine and can take ahalf decent load, then a 240 genny is

cheaper
more flexible
more makers.


Any idea of your average daily load ? It sounds as if a 1KW genny might be OK, but if you want to run some domestic appliances at some stage then a bigger one, e.g. 2KW will be needed.


Makes ?

Honda at the top - definitely.

The rest - value roughly equals price


Specification
If you want run some domestic kit, then a pure sine wave is a must, probably through an inverter



here's something worth reading on generators, though I am not a Yamaha fan.


http://www.yamahaef2000is.com/conventional_generator_vs_inverter_generator.html
 
We got a Honda 10EUi (small one) several years ago for the same reason.

If you already have a 240v shore power system, just plug it in to that to run your normal charger as that is the simple and best way (no additional wiring / regulators / switches. At 1kw output, it will run everything that I have on board (not at the same time though) including 20A charger, 500w immersion heater, power tools, vacumn on low power etc.. The Honda one is small enough to move about with one hand and stores easily in a cockpit locker. It can also be used away from the boat for a multitude of things.
 
Another vote for the 1kVA Honda. Odd that the same engine works well as a generator, but it's rubbish as a outboard.
 
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Ive got a Honda EU20i...... Bought second hand and had it 3 years... use it a lot to charge domestic batteries. If it failed, I might try a Kippor.... If SWMBO had to haul one about, Id probably get the 1Kw version, (but it wouldnt run the 80A charger then).

If you want to charge batteries fairly quickly, and reliably, and power 240V things, solar wont do it!!
 
Richard10002 said:
If you want to charge batteries fairly quickly, and reliably, and power 240V things, solar wont do it!!
Click to expand...
Quite true, solar won't power 240V things and won't charge batteries fairly quickly, but that's not what it does, it's a long term slow to moderate rate charge. I would suggest that power consumption should be managed so that the batteries don't get into the state you imply.
If you want to do as you suggest then a gen is undoubtedly the best option.
I don't have access to shore power so have wind gen, 2 x 80w solar and a 2kw (continues running) gen. I don't get flat batteries :)
 
nigelmercier said:
Although possibly not quite as efficient, this way is best. Here is some info I gave on another thread ...

I've got two:

Kipor IG1000 on boat: http://amzn.to/QQenXG
Kipor IG2600 at home: http://amzn.to/QQeMtl

They also do a 2000W: Kipor IG2000 http://amzn.to/1xhLt24

Note that Honda tried to prevent Kipor from selling these, they claimed they infringed a patent.
Click to expand...

Also got a Kipor IG2600.
£460.00 from an agent in Thame.
He keeps spares too-I checked before buying.
Just winterised it and drained the carb float bowl.
Fantastic value for money and very reliable.
We have a 30amp Charles battery charger and its like plugging into shorepower -even the aircon.
The Honda's are a tad quieter but foUr times the cost.
 
I have a Kipor 2000. Efficient but a little noisy. Never plugged into the 220v onboard system. Is it really possible without risks as in #4?
 
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