Using a generator on board

I

Ianj68

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What's the general consensus with regard to using a portable genny whilst afloat, in particular with regard to Carbon Monoxide poisoning and earthing.

I ask because as an owner of a Searay I partake in the US Searay Owners forum based out of the US. On a number of occasions people have asked this very same question and have been bombarded with replies saying how dangerous it is, and how there have been loads of fatalities etc etc.

I haven't owned up to it on the US forum, but I have a small Honda genny which I use for charging my batteries after an evening without shorepower. It seems to me that if you're sensible then there needn't be too much of a risk.

Any comments?

Ian
 
I used to use a petrol genny on my last boat. I used to put it on the bathing platform when at anchor or on the jetty or pontoon when alongside. It was a quiet genny but I was always aware of anyone else around me, so I didn't have it on for more time than necessary and only during the day or early evening.

I had no problems with it and used the same fuel container that I keep onboard for the outboard.

I kept it covered with a rubber mat to keep the rain off and it served me well until I sold the boat which included the genny.

I have just fitted an internal diesel genset to my boat, but I wouldn't hesitate to use a portable. Just need to use common sense and you'll have no problems!

Garry
 
That's my attitude.

As a rule, I never leave the thing un-supervised. I run it on the Swim platform, and always make sure there's nobody behind me, and don't allow the children in the sea anywhere near the genny when it's running. And if we were rafted up would aske permission of our neighbours to run it.

I wonder if the US forum thing is a case of the Yanks being Yanks.
 
Quite likely!

My last boat was a Sealine Statesman 310 with twin Volvo 205 petrols and many people have a thing about petrol powered boats!

My experience was a totally positive one and the purchase of the petrol version allowed me to buy a boat that in diesel form would have been well out of my budget!

Boating can be dangerous in any guise in the wrong hands just like a gun, but common sense must always prevail!

Garry
 
Ian

I have the same boat and engine as you and have been considering buying a small petrol generator for the same reasons as you.

Although I have had an extra battery fitted and a three way isolator (engine start / domestic / both) when away from shore power my Nr1 shipmate (3.5 year old) can give the batteries a good bashing with the TV/DVD ( which really needs full battery charge to run) and all the lights etc etc etc .

My plan is to use it on the swim platform sat on a rubber mat to damp out virbration and secure it with a ratchet strap or similar.

When not in use I plan to store it in the engine compartment which seems to have plenty of room on the port side or on the shelf either side of the water tank. I was going to store the spare fuel in the lazerete/boot which has good ventelation.

I think that by using it outside as GarryT has said and being considerate to those around you there is no likelyhood of a problem. The only risk I could foresee is if the wind was directly on the stern it might blow the exhaust fumes into the boat but a) you would smell the exhaust and b) being a SeaRay they have a carbonmonoxide alarm anyway.

Where do you store your geni?

What make and size is it?

Will it run the reverse cycle heat & A/C unit?

Oh, where do you keep/use your boat?

Any actual in use feed back much appreciated.

Mike
 
I have used a 2.3 Kw genny on my Teal 22. I sit it up front on four old PVC cushions to prevent vibration and secure it to the pulpit rail with two plastic covered wire bicycle locks.
 
I have a little 1500 watt portable chinese knock off that I plug my boats shore power into....For either emergency power on the dock if Hydro go out in the winter or just for a few amenities while on a remote hook while cruising somewhere
I have a 70's Express cruiser design in which the back deck is covered with canvas when I run the genset I will either open up all the windows or stick the gen in a wooden crate that is lashed to the swim deck.Its much quieter on the swimdeck in the crate.
I wish I had gotton a 2500 watt instead ....but that will be my next one.1500 is adequate tho.It powers the inverters which charge my batteries and generates about 15 amps of AC which I then can turn back into 12v or 110.
I also have a smaller 400 watt inverter for the laptop
As long as I dont overload stuff Im ok.

I can run my radiator heater/refrigeration and a laptop/with a small 50 watt soundsystem/DVD/CD.
BUT...When I turn on the Hot water tank ... " pop " goes the breaker on the gen set"
My shore power will handle 30 amps....technically I need bit bigger gen set.

So I run the hot water off a bus system that uses a circulator off the starboard engine and it heats up my 50 gallon hot water tank nicely without drawing electricity.
kj10.jpg
 
I used a small honda whilst in the ballearics, when my inboard genny failed, ran it on the foredeck, no problems. I carry petrol aboard, for outboards, so what difference does it make, holding petrol for a genny? Just make sure you dont spill any when filling the genny, I ran mine in a cat litter tray, on a rubber mat, couldnt hear it more than 10' from the boat! or inside the boat.
 
Mike,

I store it in the locker beneath the Wetbar. It fits in there quite nicely. I use it mainly for recharging my batteries or heating the water. My Aircon never runs long enough to use the genny to run it.

We're based out of Cobbs in Poole, but we're often in the solent area of a weekend.

I take it you have the aircon option? From new mine has been useless. After ruinning the boat and then attempting to run the aircon it trips out after about 10 mins with a Hi/PS alert. M,Marbella are still to sort it out after nearly 3 years of trying!
 
Honda EU20i (2kw) plugged into shore power worked a dream and ultra quite. Not a problem for neighbouring boats as it was quite enough, but generally ran it during daylight hours only and never early in the morning. There is a switch that allows it to run on tick over and only increases RPM when you draw current off it. Great for charging batteries during extended stays at locations without 220v (ie fridge running 24x7, etc)
 
My Kipor has a switchy thing so that it only runs on tick over until current is needed.

I was surprised that MBM did not feature any of the Kipors in its 'exhaustive' test of generators, seeing as it features on this forum so often.

A search for 'Kipor' over 1 year produce 173 results, but not one mention in the tests.
 
Ian, good idea to store it under the wet bar, I hadn't htought of that!

We have the AirCon / Heater fitted and have had a few air locks in the water intake type problems but it works more than it doesn't. When it fails to work I get the same fault code which I am told is due to lack of water flow (often due to an airlock). So I think I might fit some sort of bleed value or extra pump to the system if we planned to use it more often (global warming or extending the season and using heat cycle more).

We usually use the MDL outlook nights for a couple of weeks stay at Cobbs in the summer, like wise our boating is mainly around the Solent and South Coast due to the limited range of Shipmate Nr1. So we might see you around the Solent over the summer.

Do you have a link to the SeaRay forum in the USA?

All the advise here seems to be to get on and get a geni and use it consideratly. I think as the supply of cheapo yellow cased imports from China seem to have dried up (pending a legal bun fight with Honda so I hear) I think I might have a look at the Honda EU20i that which seems to be well liked on the forum.

I just need to see if the 2Kw will be enough for the hot water and A/C (obviosuly not together).

Thanks to all for some good advise.
 
My guess was that Kipor suitcase/inverter types are basically no longer available (I am told) due to legal action by Honda on Design/patent infringements.

For those talking about air con. I have a 3500 Btu system, my Kipor 3000ti just about runs it. But when the compressor cuts in it really struggles to start it, and only really works with 'smart throttle' switched off, ie engine running at full revs.
 
[ QUOTE ]

My guess was that Kipor suitcase/inverter types are basically no longer available (I am told) due to legal action by Honda on Design/patent infringements.

[/ QUOTE ]

A good answer...thanks!

I'm glad I got one when I could.
 
[ QUOTE ]
My guess was that Kipor suitcase/inverter types are basically no longer available (I am told) due to legal action by Honda on Design/patent infringements.

[/ QUOTE ]They are still available. There are a number of places still selling them.
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