How best to generate electricity?

[Thepipdoc]

I'm about to take possesion of my first boat - Sea Ray 270, in a week or two and when I do it will be moored on a swinging mooring on the River Dart. We intend to use it as much as possible but being cpmpletely new to the boating world I would appreciate advice regarding generating electricity.
I've been thinking about getting either a Honda 1kw or 2 kw suitcase type generator which seem to be about as good as they get (I'm aware of simmilar genset's....i.e. Kipor but I would rather stick to the Honda) I'm torn between the generator and installing a wind generator and inverter.

What's the general opinion? Which would you go for?

I should add that I intend to run a small 240v - 750 w heater (spring and autumn), a microwave, maybe a laptop, a toaster etc. Obviously I don't intend to run them all at once!
Opinions please?

 

[Whitelighter]

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a toaster etc.

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Ahh, not toatsers again. You;ll be after a coffee machine next!!!

Seriously though, I wouldnt go down the wind generator route. there are unsightly for a start, and if you leave it running for any length of time make a bloody iritating noise.

Is you only worried about 240v leccy while on board, I would go for a suitcase genny as you suggest for topping batteries or using electrics for a prolongued period. However, i would also fit a small inverter, as its a total pain in the ass to haul the genny onto the swim platform and fire it all up if all you want to do is charge your mobile or make a cup of tea.

 

[ccscott49]

2kw suitcase and inverter, best of both worlds. But and its a big but, ensure your battery capacity is big enough to support inverter use. Check out the PBO forums for lots of info on battery bank sizes and inverter, genny use.
Not a good idea to use an inveter for fan heaters, toaters, kettles, knocks hell out of the battery bank in no time flat.
Think of the inverter for running the other stuff.

 

[tinkicker0]

If you do get a genny, do not run it when someone is using the cabin or asleep. Carbon monoxide from the exhaust can get blown over the transom and fill the hull.

Carbon monoxide detectors are very inexpensive and may well save your life.

Also consider running your genset on the foredeck rather than the swim platform, less chance of a high voltage/seawater interface, or make up a well ventilated, splashproof genny box to mount on your swim platform. I have seen them made from old cooler boxes with ventilation louvres.

 

[sarabande]

I suggest that you run heavy 240v (kettle, hairdryer, etc.) stuff directly off a 2kw genny and an extension lead if you don't have any 240v plug set up on the boat already. Any small 240v stuff, such a phone charger and ipods, can run off a small (say 450 w) inverter and the batteries, but your power consumption pattern suggests a fairly heavy battery bank, say total 350 Ahr, split into engine and domestic.

Honda suitcase gennies have a 12v charger, so at the same time as drying your hair, you can put some power back into the batteries. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

For keeping the batts up to scratch when you are not on board, and 50 to 75w solar panel is silent and effective. Windpower is a bit iffy, and anti-social unless you are out at sea or moored away from other boats.

 

[rosssavage]

Agree with above, I use a 2kw suitcase genny and 1kw inverter - inverter for telly, phone / ipod, laptop, genny for water heater, battery charging, microwave toaster etc..

One thing I would say - go for a Kipor!! Less than 1/2 the cost of Honda. I've been using mine (a lot) for 2 years, and it has only been unhappy once. Apparently they don't like 2 stroke petrol (D'oh!), but quick carb clean and new plug and good as new. Very very reliable, starts 2nd pull every time, good clean output.. thoroughly recomended! No connection, just happy punter.

 

[Thepipdoc]

Thanks for all the sound advice...... you've certailnly made me think!
How easy/difficult is it to fit an inverter?
Thanks for your wisdom in advance!

 

[carlton]

Easy. Simply wire it up to the battery using the + and - leads fitted to the inverter. They are approx 1m. long (max.) to minimise voltage drop.

Using an extension cable from the inverter (carrying A.C. as voltage drop will then be minimal) keeps it nice and simple.

 

[hlb]

We're sat in the river in Conwy at the moment, been here two days so batteries are getting low. Little inverter plugged into fag lighter, sorts out stuff like phones and tv. Small honda generator had to be employed as voltage got to low for lappy. Then fag lighter socket packed in. So switched to 240V and generator. Used about a litre of fuel all day. Will start it up again later for the heating maybe. You need a few opptions on a boat, so go to plan A,B or C.

 

[Thepipdoc]

Thanks again.
HLB - can you tell what size genny you're using? Ikw or 2kw? And can you also tell me if the Honda generators are noisy? I'm sort of guessing that it will be simmilar to a Honda small outboroard engine.... would I be right?

 

[rosssavage]

Kipor is v quiet at idle, with noise proportionally increasing with RPM / load - (smart throttle thingy...)

Kipor is rip off of Honda but cheaper materials / labour, so I would guess the Honda is even quieter. Honda.com will have the info some where... My kipor is 54dB - 59dB load dependant I think.. low load amlost inaudible, full load would possibly irritate others close by, but I don't find it intrusive (then again, its my cuppa boiling.. )

 

[AboutK]

Have you considered solar panels? There flexible options that can be stowed easily.