portable generator. Which one?

[ST840]

My house batteries will only last a couple of nights with the fridge running, radio playing and lights etc. If i want to go away for more than that but have no access to shore power, im going to need a portable generator. Which one would be recommended, and what strength? Id also like to use my 240v tv if possible. Would the generator plug into my shore power socket and run from that at 240v??

 

[Jim@sea]

I once bought off eBay a 5kva Petrol Generator and it was only £95 delivered. It was a copy of a Honda, well made though.

 

[markc]

I think a Honda engine based suitcase generator will be a good choice. I have one, not sure the make, but was about £300 and about 1200w, just make up a 3 pin 13 amp plug to shore power command socket on the boat. Obviously run it away from the boat, or if on the foredeck or bathing platform make sure the fumes are not blown into the boat. CO detector is a good shout.

 

[Cavalierbond]

Why do people even have expensive genny on the boats ? Air intake /exhaust /water cooled etc ..

 

[fred247]

My house batteries will only last a couple of nights with the fridge running, radio playing and lights etc. If i want to go away for more than that but have no access to shore power, im going to need a portable generator. Which one would be recommended, and what strength? Id also like to use my 240v tv if possible. Would the generator plug into my shore power socket and run from that at 240v??

I would suggest getting a 2/3kw genny I have an Hyundai 1kw and never used it on board its too small. with a bigger output you'll find it far more useful !

 

[ST840]

So I need to look for a 2-3kw version. What makes are the best in terms of reliability and quietness?? Or is it the same situation as diesel air heaters, as in the market leading expensive ones are the same as a Chinese version but with a major player sticker??

 

[limecc]

Kipor used to manufacture Honda generators under license. Guess where they got their own designs from when they lost the contract. We've seen this before with outboards and diesel heaters of course..

I seem to have formed a Bigplumbs-like collection, except of suitcase generators over the years. Sold a Kipor 5Kw diesel to some nice people who like to tarmac driveways but still have the 3Kw Hyundai and 2.6Kw Briggs & Stratton gennys, also a 700w Clarke that can power a 900w Microwave which I think is pretty amazing considering the startup current might be +50% and that's the peak rating. It's also the quietest of the three, similar to a baby Honda I think. Non-sinewave though.

Boy is that Hyundai loud. It's also big and heavy. Choose the smallest generator you need to power your stuff, you will only be using one high power item at a time, get a 2Kw kettle instead of a quick boil one. That's probably the highest draw along with a hair dryer. Tv's, fridge use next to nothing.

 

[fred247]

I have an old 900w Honda and the Hyundai is far quieter, also as the eco switch which means only runs at full revs when under load, Honda flat out all the time.
did look at one of the Chinese- Honda knock offs seemed to be OK and very quiet.

 

[john_morris_uk]

We just sold an IG2600 Kippor generator because it was so noisy!

I’ll be fitting a built in diesel gen set when I’ve saved up. Then the only petrol we’ll carry is for the outboard and with a proper enclosure and water separator exhaust, the diesel generators can be very quiet.

 

[Seastoke]

Be careful they can cause problems for electronics , but if you do Honda engine , they are 10 times better than the Honda 2.3 outboard

 

[ST840]

Be careful they can cause problems for electronics

Can you expand on that please?

 

[limecc]

Can you expand on that please?

He must mean it's best to get a sinewave generator, they are better for sensitive equipment that doesn't like square waves. They don't produce voltage spikes either, generally properly regulated like shore power..

 

[ST840]

He must mean it's best to get a sinewave generator, they are better for sensitive equipment that doesn't like square waves. They don't produce voltage spikes either, generally properly regulated like shore power..

Ok thanks.

 

[Greg2]

We inherited a Honda suitcase genny with our Hardy and have been impressed with it. We plug it into the shore power socket and it powers the battery charger nicely. Only issue is that it is fine if the charger goes straight to charge on start up but if it goes to conditioning (it is a smart charger) the genny trips out. I guess the power draw much spike above it’s maximum output.

 

[ST840]

We inherited a Honda suitcase genny with our Hardy and have been impressed with it. We plug it into the shore power socket and it powers the battery charger nicely. Only issue is that it is fine if the charger goes straight to charge on start up but if it goes to conditioning (it is a smart charger) the genny trips out. I guess the power draw much spike above it’s maximum output.

My batteries are permanently on a smart charger so are always nicely conditioned. I need the gene to power a coffee machine and tv whilst mid river with no 240v supply.

 

[Seastoke]

One problem is when you have finished with it , where do you put it as it stays hot.

 

[dunedin]

My house batteries will only last a couple of nights with the fridge running, radio playing and lights etc. If i want to go away for more than that but have no access to shore power, im going to need a portable generator. Which one would be recommended, and what strength? Id also like to use my 240v tv if possible. Would the generator plug into my shore power socket and run from that at 240v??

That doesn’t seem a very demanding power load. Have you fitted all LED lighting bulbs and some solar panels, as that would probably do the job and give silent power - without annoying everybody else in the anchorage.

 

[ST840]

That doesn’t seem a very demanding power load. Have you fitted all LED lighting bulbs and some solar panels, as that would probably do the job and give silent power - without annoying everybody else in the anchorage.

That doesn't power a 240v TV or coffee machine though!

 

[dunedin]

That doesn't power a 240v TV or coffee machine though!

Personally I would rather not have a TV when on a boat, but plenty of of decent 12V TVs - and coffee cafetière?

 

[ST840]

Personally I would rather not have a TV when on a boat, but plenty of of decent 12V TVs - and coffee cafetière?

Neither would I, but it's not all about me. I have a 10 yr old.