Which petrol generator?

[LadyInBed]

The one in post 4 looks to be a metal tank, prown to rust on a boat.
Go for one with a plastic molded case.
I have a 2kva but they are quite heavy to move around and quite big to store. Mine is similar to this:
http://www.kipor.com/product/xiangxi.aspx?classid=144679241835872256&id=203
If you have mains emersion heater in water tank, fan heaters, kettle, battery charger, check their wattage, as at some stage you might want to power them from the generator!
If you go for a smaller gen, look for its 'continious output load' the gen might be marketed as 1kw but is somewhat less for continious load.
The Honda eu10i and Kipor ig1000 are like that, 1kv but 900 watts continious.

PS When I bought mine the first thing I did was to take the cover off and coat all metal bits with a smear of waterproof grease.

 

[rosewood]

The one in post 4 looks to be a metal tank, prown to rust on a boat.
Go for one with a plastic molded case.
I have a 2kva but they are quite heavy to move around and quite big to store. Mine is similar to this:
http://www.kipor.com/product/xiangxi.aspx?classid=144679241835872256&id=203
If you have mains emersion heater in water tank, fan heaters, kettle, battery charger, check their wattage, as at some stage you might want to power them from the generator!
If you go for a smaller gen, look for its 'continious output load' the gen might be marketed as 1kw but is somewhat less for continious load.
The Honda eu10i and Kipor ig1000 are like that, 1kv but 900 watts continious.

PS When I bought mine the first thing I did was to take the cover off and coat all metal bits with a smear of waterproof grease.

Good idea. Just got to make my mind up. Mostly it will be cooling the fridge and charging the batteries. With a bit of diy thrown in

 

[nigelmercier]

I've got a Kipor IG1000 (1000VA) on the boat: http://amzn.to/QQenXG
and an IG2600 at home: http://amzn.to/QQeMtl

Neither have ever let me down, although I was a bit concerned at first.

Both are True Sine Wave Inverter generators, don't even consider a Modified Sine Wave one if you are going to run any electronics from it.

 

[LadyInBed]

Mostly it will be cooling the fridge and charging the batteries. With a bit of diy thrown in

cooling the fridge wont be the most economic use of a gen as fridge motor does a lot of stop start.
The only effective way would be to turn the fridge thermostat to max cold to get the compressor working flat out, then when at temp, turn up the stat and turn off the gen.

 

[TradewindSailor]

Variable speed tools may not work well with a 'modified sine wave' generator or inverter ..... you should make sure before you invest.

I have little experience with generators so treat the following with more than a regular pinch of salt:

There is another potential problem with generators ... Honda generators have a controlled output. The response time of the generator controller to suddenly increasing load is very important. My circular saw is rated at 1800W but generally will be drawing 500W or so. If I start cutting a heavy piece of timber it needs to draw a large current quickly without a voltage drop. I don't think the Hondas would have a problem ..... but the cheaper ones may well do.

EBay ...... I've just been shopping for a 2kw inverter. Some of the ones on EBay seem to be small units masquerading as large : even the photos have been badly touched up.

 

[Mistroma]

cooling the fridge wont be the most economic use of a gen as fridge motor does a lot of stop start.
The only effective way would be to turn the fridge thermostat to max cold to get the compressor working flat out, then when at temp, turn up the stat and turn off the gen.

I suspect that most 12V fridges only use under 80W when the compressor is running, so not likely to get a generator above tick over. Size, state and type of battery bank plus charger size will usually have a much larger impact on generator speed.

 

[cliff]

I have little experience with generators so treat the following with more than a regular pinch of salt:

There is another potential problem with generators ... Honda generators have a controlled output. The response time of the generator controller to suddenly increasing load is very important. My circular saw is rated at 1800W but generally will be drawing 500W or so. If I start cutting a heavy piece of timber it needs to draw a large current quickly without a voltage drop. I don't think the Hondas would have a problem ..... but the cheaper ones may well do.

Bucket of salt taken! a big bucket of salt! Honda are NOT the be all and end all of toy generators much to some folks total disbelief. They ARE overpriced for what they are.
ANY small (toy) genset will "stutter" if suddenly loaded. I have stalled 500kva generators when bringing them back on load. TGF load rejection.
Anyway back to the little toy generators we all love to hate. One solution to the sudden load problem is not to suddenly throw a heavy load onto them, if that is not possible (circular saw etc) hook up a couple of 100w "heat bulbs" and leave these running in parallel with the working load. Another solution is to switch off the "smart throttle" and leave the engine running at max rpm.
I second LiB's comment "When I bought mine the first thing I did was to take the cover off and coat all metal bits with a smear of waterproof grease" - I gave mine a spray of ACF 50 over the internal metal work - still looks like new

 

[coopec]

Yes I agree. Two stroke smells like my youth but now I'm old 4 stroke is just easier

View attachment 41321

 

[rosewood]

Thanks for all the advice. Made my mind up on a 1.2 from screwfix

 

[markhomer]

How did you get on

 

[markhomer]

I've got a Kipor IG1000 (1000VA) on the boat: http://amzn.to/QQenXG
and an IG2600 at home: http://amzn.to/QQeMtl

Neither have ever let me down, although I was a bit concerned at first.

Both are True Sine Wave Inverter generators, don't even consider a Modified Sine Wave one if you are going to run any electronics from it.

Can you just plug generator into shore power socket and charge batteries that way and run 240 v circuit , ive a b38 with victron 30 amp charger

 

[rotrax]

Can you just plug generator into shore power socket and charge batteries that way and run 240 v circuit , ive a b38 with victron 30 amp charger

Yes-we sometimes do that with our Kipor 2600.

We have a 30 amp charger-it works fine.

First mate gets to use the vacuum cleaner, electric kettle and toaster while its on too.

Unless she has already got her glass of rouge and her book out..................................

 

[cliff]

If you want something that is quiet and reliable the Kipor IG2600 is the way to go. Yes it costs much less than a Honda and it truly is the energiser bunny of suitcase generators.

There, fixed that for you :biggrin-new:
see: http://www.kiporuk.co.uk/ then shop around - there are many suppliers in the UK and spares (if needed) are readily available from http://www.kiporuk.co.uk/

 

[cliff]

Thanks for all the advice. Made my mind up on a 1.2 from screwfix

This one? http://www.screwfix.com/p/impax-imdy1500lbi-1200w-inverter-generator-230v/15761 - 93dBA - noisy MF - better not run that any where near me - see here for comparative noise levels - http://www.industrialnoisecontrol.com/comparative-noise-examples.htm

 

[Ripster]

Ive had kipor 2000 for a few years now, reliable and not tooo noisy. Very easy to service, not too heavy - watch the weight if you are humping it about the boat! For the money, they are the best around IMO. If you want quiter, then the honda is the best there is, but you pay. I have a pipe adaptor that I made to stick on the end of the exhaust stinger. It goes in the drink when every thing is running and cuts the noise down a bit more. If you try this, make sure its only immersed when the genny is running.

 

[cliff]

I have a pipe adaptor that I made to stick on the end of the exhaust stinger. It goes in the drink when every thing is running and cuts the noise down a bit more. If you try this, make sure its only immersed when the genny is running.

I've had a Kipor 3000Ti for many years - easy to service, reliable and as quiet as a honda load for load. As for the exhaust I couple on a length of eber exhaust and stick the end over the stern - deadens the noise level even more.

 

[BSSOffice]

I've had a Kipor 3000Ti for many years - easy to service, reliable and as quiet as a honda load for load. As for the exhaust I couple on a length of eber exhaust and stick the end over the stern - deadens the noise level even more.

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but that description has some similarities to this one www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/SB2_13.pdf

I was also sent this link yesterday. It may be of interest for petrol generator owners 'carbon monoxide on houseboats that use gasoline-powered generators'

I was sent the link because of our interest in the subject. Generators are proving to be one the main causes of fatal carbon monoxide incidents on boats. Of the 28 fatal CO incidents (32 fatalities) on UK boats we are aware of in the past 20 years, nine have been caused by portable generators and three by outboards being run to charge batteries accounting for 14 deaths.

It seems that the US experience with generators is not dissimilar. Of course both sides of the pond are also seeing generators causing land based incidents especially when the weather/flooding/winds causes power-cuts.

Which is one of the reasons why the CPSC carried out test research and now advises that gennys should be run at least 20 feet away from windows and doors www.cpsc.gov/onsafety/category/safety-blogs/carbon-monoxide-safety-blogs/

Food for thought

We have further CO safety tips and advice for boaters at www.boatsafetyscheme.org/co

Regards

 

[DownWest]

Just to add: Most power tools are brushed motors, so start up amps are more or less what it says on the label. Other stuff might be more like condenser start motors, compressors, pumps etc. These use much higher start up amps, 3X or more than the rated load. Prabably stop a light weight genny dead. Decent flywheels and overload ratings can get over this, but you can't carry such gennys around.

 

[cliff]

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but that description has some similarities to this one http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/SB2_13.pdf

You are wrong, absolutely no similarity. 1) my genny sits on top of the lazarette (stern cockpit locker) when in use with the exhaust piped over the stern. 2) At anchor or on a buoy the stern lies down wind. Tied up along side - no need for the genny so no issue with wind direction and CO.

I was also sent this link yesterday. It may be of interest for petrol generator owners 'https://www.aiha.org/about-aiha/Pre...s-Carbon-Monoxide-Hazards-on-Houseboats-.aspx'

Why would we on this side of the pond be interested in anything coming out of the states particularly from a bunch of Industrial Hygienists?

I was sent the link because of our interest in the subject.

Who is "we" - the BSS? - another bunch on interfering *******s

Generators are proving to be one the main causes of fatal carbon monoxide incidents on boats. Of the 28 fatal CO incidents (32 fatalities) on UK boats we are aware of in the past 20 years, nine have been caused by portable generators and three by outboards being run to charge batteries accounting for 14 deaths.

9 over 20 years Hmmm...½ a death per year oh god we must have draconian regulations to prevent this terrible loss of life - get a life - more people die from slipping on the soap in the shower or bath - better ban showers, baths and soap as well

It seems that the US experience with generators is not dissimilar. Of course both sides of the pond are also seeing generators causing land based incidents especially when the weather/flooding/winds causes power-cuts.

Well yanks are not the brightest of folk so what else would one expect = anyway there are plenty more of them to replace the morons who cannot think for themselves - Darwinism at work

Which is one of the reasons why the CPSC carried out test research and now advises that gennys should be run at least 20 feet away from windows and doors http://www.cpsc.gov/onsafety/category/safety-blogs/carbon-monoxide-safety-blogs/

Why would we be interested in anything the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has to say, we are not part of the good ol' US of A, well we weren't last time I looked.

Food for thought

We have further CO safety tips and advice for boaters at http://www.boatsafetyscheme.org/co

Ah, that answers my earlier question. Well I don't think I need to tell you what to do with your little rules and regulations. I for one do not use the inland waterways so have nothing to do with the BSS or their "enforcers". I have been "messing about in boats" for over 50 years and do not need some trumped up little git telling me what is safe and what is not. It is high time all these little groups were disbanded and people left to get on with their lives. Wrapping people up in cotton wool and regulations is not the answer. We now have a generation who think nothing can happen to them - they are 100% safe because of all the rules and regulations in place and still accidents happen.
People need to be allowed to think for themselves and look out for their own safety and not be spoon fed. If anyone was moronic enough to run a petrol genny below decks or in a locker then they deserve to be removed from the gene pool and not allowed to breed.

 

[robertj]

+1

You are wrong, absolutely no similarity. 1) my genny sits on top of the lazarette (stern cockpit locker) when in use with the exhaust piped over the stern. 2) At anchor or on a buoy the stern lies down wind. Tied up along side - no need for the genny so no issue with wind direction and CO.Why would we on this side of the pond be interested in anything coming out of the states particularly from a bunch of Industrial Hygienists?Who is "we" - the BSS? - another bunch on interfering *******s9 over 20 years Hmmm...½ a death per year oh god we must have draconian regulations to prevent this terrible loss of life - get a life - more people die from slipping on the soap in the shower or bath - better ban showers, baths and soap as well Well yanks are not the brightest of folk so what else would one expect = anyway there are plenty more of them to rere[lace the morons who cannot think for themselves - Darwinism at workWhy would we be interested in anything the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has to say, we are not part of the good ol' US of A, well we weren't last time I looked.Ah, that answers my earlier question. Well I don't think I need to tell you what to do with your little rules and regulations. I for one do not use the inland water ways so have nothing to do with the BSS or their "enforcers". I have been "messing about in boats" for over 50 years and do not need some trumped up little git telling me what is safe and what is not. It is high time all these little groups were disbanded and people left to get on with their lives. Wrapping people up in cotton wool and regulations is not the answer. We now have a generation who think nothing can happen to them - they are 100% safe because of all the rules and regulations in place and still accidents happen.
People need to be allowed to think for themselves and look out for their own safety and not be spoon fed. If anyone was moronic enough to run a petrol genny below decks or in a locker then they deserve to be removed from the gene pool and not allowed to breed.