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Author Topic:   Installing a generator

27 Black Dog posted 08-27-2009 09:05 AM ET (US)
I have a 1991 27' Walkaround that I would like to install a generator on. Does anybody have any ideas as to:
1- Where on the boat would be the best location?
2- Which generator would you recommend?
HAPPYJIM posted 08-27-2009 01:00 PM ET (US)
First you need to figure what the load(current needed )to power all of the equipment one time, if needed. You may be better suited to use a portable generator if the equipment used is not needed all of the time. A friend of mine decided on a portable generator after not finding a proper place to mount a permanent generator. He ended up buying a Yamaha 600 watt generator for around $1000. It is extremely quiet and he runs it on deck while anchored and places it on the dock when tied up.
He has the extra benefit of an emergency generator at home when there is a power loss or hurricane damage.
kwik_wurk posted 08-27-2009 01:27 PM ET (US)
I guess it would be better to know what you are trying run (spreader lights, hydraulic pump, -amperage); and what the engine use profile is (trolling, short high speed runs, etc).
You may be better off with an extra set of deep cycle batteries and a high efficiency inverter/charger.
I have diesel gen set on one of my bigger boats, and I never use it. (200 hrs in 10 years) I spend way too much time servicing it than using it.
Peter posted 08-27-2009 01:30 PM ET (US)
I don't think there is any room on the classic 27 hull to install a permanent generator.
westcoastwhaler posted 08-27-2009 02:06 PM ET (US)
Once you know the load you can determine your needs.
The new generation of portable generators are awesome compared to the models 20 years ago. 1KW and 2KW for reasonable prices and they are very quite. I would look at Honda and Yamaha portable if it was my boat.
Contender25 posted 08-28-2009 11:09 AM ET (US)
I have a portable Honda, the E2000ia, unit that works well on my Offshore 27 for overnight tuna trips. You do not mention in your post what you want to power but if you want a simple unit that powers up the boats electronics and a TV or the linke the Honda unit is a nice option. As it is portable its nice to have around the house while not on the boat.
Scott Grey posted 08-28-2009 04:58 PM ET (US)
I second the Honda EU2000i. Nice little machine, I use it to run my refridgerator and window AC unit during power out from hurricanes in florida. Super quiet and runs at full load for around 4 hours on a gallon of gas. 20 gallons lasts along time. It also has an eco setting which keeps the rpm's lower depending on the draw and that saves gas.
cdnwhaler posted 08-28-2009 05:13 PM ET (US)
I'll third the Honda EU32000.
I've been carrying the Honda EU1000 for 3 years now on a 22 Outrage and it's been great. But, I sincrely regret not buying the the EU2000. There are a number of handy appliances I'm unable to power. Like a small microwave to feed my 2 6ft tall teenage boys who eat non-stop 24 -7 it seems.
Anything that produces heat, even a small toaster, uses a lot of power.
Two Honda EU1000's can be hooked together to make the 2000 limit though. Some Honda EU2000s made for the USA market can be hooked to another EU2000 to make a 4000.
Peter
pglein posted 08-29-2009 10:03 AM ET (US)
The Honda 2000 is a very popular generator among boaters. However, it is worth noting that it is NOT designed for use aboard a boat. There are several key issues. First, obviously, is that it's not built to withstand a saltwater environment. I haven't heard too many complaints about this, but it's worth considering. However, of greater concern is the fact that, when used on the deck of a fiberglass vessel, and not incorporated into a ship-board electrical system, it does not provide a path to ground. jimh, the electrical engineer (apparently), could probably speak to this in more detail, but it certainly, to me, seems to be a major motivator to avoid the use of such a device in this fashion.
And for what it's worth, if I was staying at a dock on my boat and that little hamster cage was sitting next to your boat on the dock, running all evening, I'd kick that little POS in the water. Very rude. If you don't want the noise in your cockpit, what the hell makes you think the other people at the dock want to hear it?
HAPPYJIM posted 08-29-2009 03:42 PM ET (US)
As far as running the generator on the dock, It didn't run it all night. We were cooking the fresh striper that we caught that day and politely asked the boaters on either side of us if it would bother them. We invited them for cocktails and a plate of fresh fish. Now I ask you, if invited for drinks and a meal, how could you kick my generator over the side? Not very neighborly and shows what your true colors are.
rtk posted 08-29-2009 06:23 PM ET (US)
Picking a generator to fit your electrical demands is important. But the most important thing to consider is carbon monoxide from the generator exhaust.
The first thing they showed us when I was at the Onan generator factory training facility was the grisly results of carbon monoxide poisoning from exposure to carbon monoxide while a generator is running.
Most deaths happended while the people were sleeping and the generator was left to run. Poor souls. Some causes were carelessness, some improper installation (exhaust) and some just bad luck.
Good friends uncle died from carbon monoxide poisoning while sleeping on a boat. He owned a marina. Poor luck with a slight shift of wind on a calm night at anchor from what I understand.
I was out at the canyons fishing last year on a 28 Grady White. We were running a portable generator to power the halogen fishing lights at night. Even though we had a slight breeze the exhaust fume were terrible. It was a relatively new Honda.
Rich
Tollyfamily posted 08-30-2009 05:22 PM ET (US)
The smallest marine gas generator Kohler makes is 5K, way overkill for you. I think Westerbeke makes a 4k for twice as much money.
Dan

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Author	Topic: Installing a generator
27 Black Dog	posted 08-27-2009 09:05 AM ET (US) I have a 1991 27' Walkaround that I would like to install a generator on. Does anybody have any ideas as to: 1- Where on the boat would be the best location? 2- Which generator would you recommend?
HAPPYJIM	posted 08-27-2009 01:00 PM ET (US) First you need to figure what the load(current needed )to power all of the equipment one time, if needed. You may be better suited to use a portable generator if the equipment used is not needed all of the time. A friend of mine decided on a portable generator after not finding a proper place to mount a permanent generator. He ended up buying a Yamaha 600 watt generator for around $1000. It is extremely quiet and he runs it on deck while anchored and places it on the dock when tied up. He has the extra benefit of an emergency generator at home when there is a power loss or hurricane damage.
kwik_wurk	posted 08-27-2009 01:27 PM ET (US) I guess it would be better to know what you are trying run (spreader lights, hydraulic pump, -amperage); and what the engine use profile is (trolling, short high speed runs, etc). You may be better off with an extra set of deep cycle batteries and a high efficiency inverter/charger. I have diesel gen set on one of my bigger boats, and I never use it. (200 hrs in 10 years) I spend way too much time servicing it than using it.
Peter	posted 08-27-2009 01:30 PM ET (US) I don't think there is any room on the classic 27 hull to install a permanent generator.
westcoastwhaler	posted 08-27-2009 02:06 PM ET (US) Once you know the load you can determine your needs. The new generation of portable generators are awesome compared to the models 20 years ago. 1KW and 2KW for reasonable prices and they are very quite. I would look at Honda and Yamaha portable if it was my boat.
Contender25	posted 08-28-2009 11:09 AM ET (US) I have a portable Honda, the E2000ia, unit that works well on my Offshore 27 for overnight tuna trips. You do not mention in your post what you want to power but if you want a simple unit that powers up the boats electronics and a TV or the linke the Honda unit is a nice option. As it is portable its nice to have around the house while not on the boat.
Scott Grey	posted 08-28-2009 04:58 PM ET (US) I second the Honda EU2000i. Nice little machine, I use it to run my refridgerator and window AC unit during power out from hurricanes in florida. Super quiet and runs at full load for around 4 hours on a gallon of gas. 20 gallons lasts along time. It also has an eco setting which keeps the rpm's lower depending on the draw and that saves gas.
cdnwhaler	posted 08-28-2009 05:13 PM ET (US) I'll third the Honda EU32000. I've been carrying the Honda EU1000 for 3 years now on a 22 Outrage and it's been great. But, I sincrely regret not buying the the EU2000. There are a number of handy appliances I'm unable to power. Like a small microwave to feed my 2 6ft tall teenage boys who eat non-stop 24 -7 it seems. Anything that produces heat, even a small toaster, uses a lot of power. Two Honda EU1000's can be hooked together to make the 2000 limit though. Some Honda EU2000s made for the USA market can be hooked to another EU2000 to make a 4000. Peter
pglein	posted 08-29-2009 10:03 AM ET (US) The Honda 2000 is a very popular generator among boaters. However, it is worth noting that it is NOT designed for use aboard a boat. There are several key issues. First, obviously, is that it's not built to withstand a saltwater environment. I haven't heard too many complaints about this, but it's worth considering. However, of greater concern is the fact that, when used on the deck of a fiberglass vessel, and not incorporated into a ship-board electrical system, it does not provide a path to ground. jimh, the electrical engineer (apparently), could probably speak to this in more detail, but it certainly, to me, seems to be a major motivator to avoid the use of such a device in this fashion. And for what it's worth, if I was staying at a dock on my boat and that little hamster cage was sitting next to your boat on the dock, running all evening, I'd kick that little POS in the water. Very rude. If you don't want the noise in your cockpit, what the hell makes you think the other people at the dock want to hear it?
HAPPYJIM	posted 08-29-2009 03:42 PM ET (US) As far as running the generator on the dock, It didn't run it all night. We were cooking the fresh striper that we caught that day and politely asked the boaters on either side of us if it would bother them. We invited them for cocktails and a plate of fresh fish. Now I ask you, if invited for drinks and a meal, how could you kick my generator over the side? Not very neighborly and shows what your true colors are.
rtk	posted 08-29-2009 06:23 PM ET (US) Picking a generator to fit your electrical demands is important. But the most important thing to consider is carbon monoxide from the generator exhaust. The first thing they showed us when I was at the Onan generator factory training facility was the grisly results of carbon monoxide poisoning from exposure to carbon monoxide while a generator is running. Most deaths happended while the people were sleeping and the generator was left to run. Poor souls. Some causes were carelessness, some improper installation (exhaust) and some just bad luck. Good friends uncle died from carbon monoxide poisoning while sleeping on a boat. He owned a marina. Poor luck with a slight shift of wind on a calm night at anchor from what I understand. I was out at the canyons fishing last year on a 28 Grady White. We were running a portable generator to power the halogen fishing lights at night. Even though we had a slight breeze the exhaust fume were terrible. It was a relatively new Honda. Rich
Tollyfamily	posted 08-30-2009 05:22 PM ET (US) The smallest marine gas generator Kohler makes is 5K, way overkill for you. I think Westerbeke makes a 4k for twice as much money. Dan