Petrol Generator

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masseyj

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Does anybody feel it is worth me investing in a small cheap petrol generator instead of relying on running the engine to keep batteries charged? We shall have no access to marinas for several weeks in the summer and are disinclined to instal wind gens or solar panels if we can help it. If so how many Watts do I need for a domestic bank of 3 times 100Ah batteries and a separate 100 Ah engine battery? Presumably I could fit the relevant plug and stick it straight into the shorepower socket on the boat?
 
masseyj said:
Does anybody feel it is worth me investing in a small cheap petrol generator instead of relying on running the engine to keep batteries charged? We shall have no access to marinas for several weeks in the summer and are disinclined to instal wind gens or solar panels if we can help it. If so how many Watts do I need for a domestic bank of 3 times 100Ah batteries and a separate 100 Ah engine battery? Presumably I could fit the relevant plug and stick it straight into the shorepower socket on the boat?
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That's exactly what we do. And yes just plug it into shore socket. We have 660Ah bank.
We have a small 750W genny and a back up. More than enough power for keeping them charged as well as 240v lights TV radio and all low power consumption.
Of more concern is how much petrol do you carry & where do you stow it.
 
masseyj said:
If so how many Watts do I need for a domestic bank of 3 times 100Ah batteries and a separate 100 Ah engine battery?
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Hardly any at all if you don't turn anything on, lots and lots if you completely drain that bank twice a day.

What matters isn't how big your bucket is, but how quickly you're emptying it. Also how long you want to spend filling it up (running a noisy generator).

Pete
 
I don't know anything about generators but surely a diesel generator would be a better option as you all already carrying plenty of fuel (and possibly even some in cans) and it's safer than petrol?

Also, would you not get a higher current and therefore a much faster charge from using a 12v DC generator connected through a regulator straight to the battery bank?

Richard
 
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I had one of those and it was superb, but beware it is 2Kva and that is nothing like 2kw; constant load on the Kipor is about 1.3kw which isn't a lot more than your calorifier
 
masseyj said:
Thanks. Is it likely to be more fuel efficient than running 50 hp diesel main engine to charge batteries?
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In my experience running a Kipor 3000ti (ig 2600) - YES
The IG 2600 will give 2KW peak assuming a pf of 0.8 and will happily run any two out of immersion heater / 80A charger / microwave Kettle / coffee maker and at the same time powering the ice maker, fridge and TV.
 
Far more efficient and much kinder on your main engine. Diesel engines need to be worked under load. It is also important to get the engine to running temperature. Not likely when running a small alternator 2hp max.

We are off next year and will definitely invest in a small generator as well as Solar panels.

Why not get a couple of the semi-flexible panels on the deck? Will help to keep the bank topped up during the day. (Fridge)
 
You definitely wont need anything more that 2kw for batteries and califorier.

Before you choose, check the weights out. I didnt go got the 2.6kw simply because I have to lift it out of a deep locker.

My 2kw is ok for charging batteries and heating water at the same time.

I borrowed a 1kw honda and that struggled to run the battery charger alone, especially when just starting the charge cycle
 
cliffdale said:
You definitely wont need anything more that 2kw for batteries and califorier.

Before you choose, check the weights out. I didnt go got the 2.6kw simply because I have to lift it out of a deep locker.

My 2kw is ok for charging batteries and heating water at the same time.

I borrowed a 1kw honda and that struggled to run the battery charger alone, especially when just starting the charge cycle
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Good point about the weight - IG2600 - 26kg - 2kw, IG2000 - 24kg - 1.6kw, IG1000 - 14kg - 720W.
I would rule out the IG1000 as being too small (720w), the IG2000 borderline power wise (1.6kw) and the IG2600 as adequate (2kw). Considering the relatively small weight difference between the IG2000 and the IG2600 I would go for the IG2600 (apparently it is also more fuel efficient (g/kwh) than the IG2000).

I run a 3000ti (old version of the IG2600) which lives in a (deepish) cockpit locker when onboard and while I can lift it out to run it relatively easily I rigged a small 8:1 block which I can sling off the boom to lift it out when I am not "feeling my best" ;)
 
I'm looking at this as well. Don't like the idea of a wind generator due to the blades and mounting paraphernalia. Certainly the weight and noise are the main criteria with this Kipor one looking very comparible to the Honda EU10i, only a wee bit noiser (could I tell the difference between 52dB and 54dB) and heavier, 13kg to 14kg. The honda whilst more than twice the price uses by the looks of it half the fuel and has a 5yr warranty (can't see what's with the Kipor). Does anyone have any info on the reliability of the Kipor?


On the noise, it is VERY important how quiet it is. In the same way that Eberspachers are the bane of a quiet anchorage, so too would be the incessant running of a generator.


cliffdale said:
You definitely wont need anything more that 2kw for batteries and califorier.

Before you choose, check the weights out. I didnt go got the 2.6kw simply because I have to lift it out of a deep locker.

My 2kw is ok for charging batteries and heating water at the same time.

I borrowed a 1kw honda and that struggled to run the battery charger alone, especially when just starting the charge cycle
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I'm interested in your comment as to the power needed. I've got a Sterling 20A charger that will use approx 350w and power the calorifier at 500w if needed from a 900w generator. I take it your charger is a lot bigger?
 
ctva said:
Does anyone have any info on the reliability of the Kipor?
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I have not had any problems with my 3000Ti and with somewhere in the region of 1500 hrs running on it now I would tend to say it has been (and still is) very reliable.
ctva said:
On the noise, it is VERY important how quiet it is. In the same way that Eberspachers are the bane of a quiet anchorage, so too would be the incessant running of a generator.
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I use a 3' length of Eber exhaust on my Kipor to divert the exhaust over the stern. This really quietens the noise of the genny which while quite to begin with was mostly exhaust noise. I would say the Eber makes more of a noise than the genny with the extended exhaust atached.

As for you comment "incessant running of a generator" what is "incessant" about a couple of hours in the morning while either having breakfast or the "hair of the dog"?

If you are anchored next to me and can hear my genny running to the point it is annoying you then you are anchored too close.
 
Everything depends on your battery charger. Let's say you have a 30A charger like mine. You might calculate 30A x 12V = 360W but remember that charging voltage is higher and with a 3-stage charger it will rack the voltage up to keep the 30A going in so at full input it is putting out around 30A x 18V = 540W. Because of losses it will take in around 50% more than that i.e. over 800W. That means your cheapo 650W suitcase generator isn't going to be up to the job. It could even knacker an electronic charger.
 
ctva said:
I'm looking at this as well. Don't like the idea of a wind generator due to the blades and mounting paraphernalia. Certainly the weight and noise are the main criteria with this Kipor one looking very comparible to the Honda EU10i, only a wee bit noiser (could I tell the difference between 52dB and 54dB) and heavier, 13kg to 14kg. The honda whilst more than twice the price uses by the looks of it half the fuel and has a 5yr warranty (can't see what's with the Kipor). Does anyone have any info on the reliability of the Kipor?
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Before buying, think what else you may want to use it for such as water heating or microwave - those need the 2kw. Although the Hondas are expensive they're very reliable but, if you do have problems, spares and service are available worldwide, which isn't the case for many others.
 
rickym said:
We are off next year and will definitely invest in a small generator as well as Solar panels.

Why not get a couple of the semi-flexible panels on the deck? Will help to keep the bank topped up during the day. (Fridge)
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If you're heading for warm climates and living aboard, "a couple of flexible panels on deck" won't be sufficient. With fridge running 24/7 and other loads, you need to be looking around 200W of panels, preferably on a gantry. In addition, replace all interior tungsten lights with LED's.
 
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