Petrol Generator?

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FiftySix

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Does anyone use a petrol genny to keep their batteries topped up on a cruise? If so, any pros or cons? I was thinking about getting a Honda 2000i as I've heard that they are bulletproof, but I was wondering whether it would actually charge the batteries. Any help welcome :)
 
FiftySix said:
Does anyone use a petrol genny to keep their batteries topped up on a cruise? If so, any pros or cons? I was thinking about getting a Honda 2000i as I've heard that they are bulletproof, but I was wondering whether it would actually charge the batteries. Any help welcome :)
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I am not going to attempt to look up the generator spec using this silly tablet thing

BUT I expect you will find that the output, even if it is suitable for battery charging (it is not unless specified as a battery charging output) is not very great and the best bet will be to run a decent multistage charger from the 230volt output.
 
FiftySix said:
Does anyone use a petrol genny to keep their batteries topped up on a cruise? If so, any pros or cons? I was thinking about getting a Honda 2000i as I've heard that they are bulletproof, but I was wondering whether it would actually charge the batteries. Any help welcome :)
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I use a Honda Eu20i providing a 230V supply to a Sterling 80A inverter charger. Keeps the batteries topped up nicely. Using the 12V output would be a waste of time.
 
We have the Hond 2.0i, runs quietly when charging batteries via 60A chargers but irritating, particularly for neighbours, if run for long periods or evenings. Solar is best or maybe wind genny if UK based.
 
I use a kipor 1000 petrol gen on extended trips (about 3 mths), but try not to annoy neighbours. None of them are that quiet, but probably not worse than running the main engine at a distance. Its a lot cheaper than The nearest Honda, the eu10i It's significantly lighter than the 2kw version, and of course more economical. It powers the onboard charger with no problems and my laptop. It just about powers the electric toaster. If I'd had the 2 kw version, it would enable hot water heating, which would have been great, but it wasn't worth the potential back damage from lifting it in and out of a deep locker.

I got the relatively cheap generator as I wasn't sure I'd use it. Looking back, I don't use it a lot, but find it very useful when I do. It has certainly allowed me more anchor time and less marina time.
 
We have the Honda Eu10i after trying a Kippor. Both work well but the Honda is without doubt quieter than than the Kippor by a significant factor. Battery chargers use a very high current to kick in then drop down, Sterling chargers use double the amps on start up that they do for charging, this means a few seconds on high revs then much lower revs, once the Honda has dropped back down it is effectively almost silent, you can barely hear it. It's also lighter. With a 25amp charger and charging sessions morning and afternoon for an hour we can spend days at the same anchorage. I also changed the immersion heater element for a 750w one, it means much slower heating but the genny can run that and the battery charger together. Plugged into marina mains the heating time is irrelevant as its always on. I did the math on getting 50amps into the battery bank any other way and it would have required masses of solar and a wind genny doesn't guarantee charging.
 
We have the Honda 1000 and we wish we had bought the bigger model as it will not run the microwave. But it is very quiet we can sit at anchor with it running in the cockpit whilst watching a DVD and charging the batteries not even notice it and more importantly I suppose, not disturbing the neighbours. Had it since 2007 never a problem.


PS your dad is right.
 
nigelmercier said:
Without a doubt.

As an alternative, buy a Kipor. If it breaks (no reason why it should), buy another one, or even two, and you are still in pocket.
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I have a kipor or for that very reason, but I have not used it in anger yet as although neat looking etc it is considerably noisier than the Honda and I haven't had the nerve.
I would spend the extra and get something that you can use, unless you have a very thick skin!
 
Got one - a Yanmar petrol genny bought second hand a few years ago. Also got a solar panel and a windmill. Of the three, solar is much the best bet if you have enough area free of shadow. Its cheaper, costs nothing to run, is silent and requires no maintenance. The wind genny works well in 20kn of wind but you normally anchor and moor in sheltered areas - with 5 to 8 kn of wind its useless. And its noisy unless you like a whooshing sound. Requires some maintenance and isnt cheap either. The petrol genny is the least attractive to me - its heavy, smelly, requires servicing and is noisy. And it requires petrol which I dont like on a boat and isnt cheap either. No real advantage over running the main engine.

So this summer as last I will use the windmill and solar but leave the petrol genny at home.
 
Bosun Higgs said:
Also got a solar panel and a windmill. Of the three, solar is much the best bet if you have enough area free of shadow. Its cheaper, costs nothing to run, is silent and requires no maintenance.
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You must have a lot of solar 300-400W? or not use much power. I have a 100W panel, and it doesn't touch a 50Ah daily usage.

I guess if I used the boat a couple of days a week, and left the solar to top up for 4 or 5 days, it might just work.
 
Richard10002 said:
You must have a lot of solar 300-400W? or not use much power. I have a 100W panel, and it doesn't touch a 50Ah daily usage.

I guess if I used the boat a couple of days a week, and left the solar to top up for 4 or 5 days, it might just work.
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We liveaboard 9/12 and 200w solar + aerogen4 cope well with fridge 24/7 + TV, computer etc. Only need genny if overcast and no wind for 2-3 days, which is unusual.
 
Kipor 3000Ti - 50% more power than the EU2.0i honda and power for power no noticeable difference in noise level - can comfortably sit below watching a movie, talking etc with the genny running in the cockpit - can hardly hear the bugger . Once producing 2.5~3.0 kVA yes it it noisier than the honda but there again the honda EU2.0 is only actually 1.6 kw - cunning the way they number these things to make one think one is getting a more powerful unit.
I agree with Nigel - go for the Kipor and if it goes tits up so what - they are less than ½ the price of the honda. BTW I have had my Kipor for 7 or8 years now and no problems with it at all - estimate around 1200 hours on it - change spark plug when needed (annually?) and oil (twice a year?) and that is it - oh yes, the WORKSHOP manual for the Kipor is very good with clear instructions on how to strip it down and repair it if needed.
 
I have a Honda Eu2.0i and disagree with some of the previous comments. It is more than capable of charging a battery from it's 12v O/L, however it does need to be set to it's higher speed setting, making it more noisy, so via a battery charger would probably be slightly quieter. I use it for other things away from the boat and don't think I could put up with the noise if it was running on the boat on a mooring or at anchor. I go sailing for the peace and quiet and find generators anti-social.

If I wanted something for charging batteries, I think I would go for a 600W fuel Cell 600W fuel cell . They are almost silent and I think less money than Eu2.0i. Used with a decent sized inverter, I would think most items on a boat could be kept running.
 
FulmarJeddo said:
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If I wanted something for charging batteries, I think I would go for a 600W fuel Cell 600W fuel cell . They are almost silent and I think less money than Eu2.0i. Used with a decent sized inverter, I would think most items on a boat could be kept running.
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I like the concept, so elegant, but £1800 (price only shown on checkout page) for a 2A 12v output makes it quite a specialist product still.

N
 
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NickRobinson said:
I like the concept, so elegant, but £1800 (price only shown on checkout page) for a 2A 12v output makes it quite a specialist product still.

N
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Not to mention the cost of the high purity methanol and the limited lifetime of the membranes. There have been previous threads on them, and it worked out as VERY expensive electricity.
 
I hadn't looked into running costs, a good point. I first saw one being demo'd at the Southampton Boat show. I was impressed how it was almost impossible to detect when it was running. It monitors the battery level and only runs when needed unlike a generator running continuously. Also from what I remember the only waste product being water.
 
FulmarJeddo said:
I hadn't looked into running costs, a good point. I first saw one being demo'd at the Southampton Boat show. I was impressed how it was almost impossible to detect when it was running. It monitors the battery level and only runs when needed unlike a generator running continuously. Also from what I remember the only waste product being water.
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Try doing a Google search "fuel cells site:ybw.com", there's several threads. Basically, you'll find that they have a life-span of 4-5 years (from an agent of a company that markets them), that they can provide about 6-8 amps output, that the methanol is VERY expensive and the initial cost is in the several thousand pound mark. You are right about the advantages, but the cost is substantial.

I'm fairly sure the lifetime was for "typical" use as well - not daily operation.

They will be a good thing when the cost and problems with lifespan can be addressed, but right now they are only for those who prize silence at a very high premium.
 
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Richard10002 said:
You must have a lot of solar 300-400W? or not use much power. I have a 100W panel, and it doesn't touch a 50Ah daily usage.

I guess if I used the boat a couple of days a week, and left the solar to top up for 4 or 5 days, it might just work.
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Never said I had enough area - in fact I dont which is why I have a windmill. And my suspicion ( the whirlygig is newish) is that wont be sufficient together with the solar panel.

Having said that a pal has a 39 footer with 2 x 100w panels and when I sail with him we only use the diesel genny for hot water for the shower. The solar panels run everything else
 
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