Well, I actually use a Honda iu2000 onboard to charge batteries & run the
water heater when at anchor. It's very affordable, but a bit noisy.
Charging, it runs slow and makes very little noise away from the boat but
it's vibration is pretty loud below decks. This thing is portable, simple
and incredibly reliable.

I was thinking of something more fuel efficient and quieter...and not
gasoline.

Glenn.

"Leanne" wrote in message
...
"Bruce in Bangkok" wrote in message
news
On Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:39:17 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:22:17 GMT, "Glenn \(s/v Seawing\)"
wrote:

I was planning to add a K.I.S.S. wind generator & a couple larger solar
panels but am considering taking that money and putting toward a used
generator.

Two questions:

1) Any advise in choosing a generator?

2) Where to look for good used generator (Florida based boat)?

If I were planning on putting a generator in a boat I'd "ping" Larry
as he recently described a new model Honda that apparently is a DC
generator and an inverter combined. Larry says that he uses one and it
is quite and efficient.

I have used the Honda EU2000i which is a DC generator with an inverter for
2000W for close to 5 years now. Very quiet under light load and with the
eco throttle it speeds up a bit when the hot water heater comes on. I have
used it on the boat as well as in the RV when I didn't want to crank up
the big coach generator. I just went to the Mayberry site (mayberrys.com)
and saw that Yamaha has a line of the inverter type gennys matching the
Honda line. No interest in the company, but just a satisfied user.

Leanne

On Tue, 23 Oct 2007 07:46:59 +0700, Bruce in Bangkok
wrote:

If I were planning on putting a generator in a boat I'd "ping" Larry
as he recently described a new model Honda that apparently is a DC
generator and an inverter combined. Larry says that he uses one and it
is quite and efficient.

Unfortunately that is not a marine generator that can be installed
below decks, nor it is a diesel.

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 23 Oct 2007 07:46:59 +0700, Bruce in Bangkok
wrote:

If I were planning on putting a generator in a boat I'd "ping" Larry
as he recently described a new model Honda that apparently is a DC
generator and an inverter combined. Larry says that he uses one and it
is quite and efficient.

Unfortunately that is not a marine generator that can be installed
below decks, nor it is a diesel.

Right, besides the noise, I don't like that this think can never be below
deck (gasoline). The generator and it's fuel supply always sit at the stern
rail. Don't get me wrong, we're used to it & live with it pretty well. A
similar sized diesel system would be welcome.

Glenn.

On Tue, 23 Oct 2007 03:27:33 GMT, "Glenn \(s/v Seawing\)"
wrote:


"Wayne.B" wrote in message
.. .
On Tue, 23 Oct 2007 07:46:59 +0700, Bruce in Bangkok
wrote:

If I were planning on putting a generator in a boat I'd "ping" Larry
as he recently described a new model Honda that apparently is a DC
generator and an inverter combined. Larry says that he uses one and it
is quite and efficient.

Unfortunately that is not a marine generator that can be installed
below decks, nor it is a diesel.

Right, besides the noise, I don't like that this think can never be below
deck (gasoline). The generator and it's fuel supply always sit at the stern
rail. Don't get me wrong, we're used to it & live with it pretty well. A
similar sized diesel system would be welcome.

Glenn.

Well, I can say from experience that you probably do not want an air
cooled diesel generator either. The previous owner of a power boat I
am rebuilding installed one. Noisy, vibrates and makes a nice heater
for the cabin when it is cold. Plus, no emergency shutdowns installed.

The problem with a fixed gen set in a 35 foot boat (I think the OP
said that) is where do you put it? I've seen them installed but
generally it turns out to be a compromise.

Bruce-in-Bangkok
(Note:displayed e-mail
address is a spam trap)

Wayne.B wrote:
On Tue, 23 Oct 2007 07:46:59 +0700, Bruce in Bangkok
wrote:

If I were planning on putting a generator in a boat I'd "ping" Larry
as he recently described a new model Honda that apparently is a DC
generator and an inverter combined. Larry says that he uses one and it
is quite and efficient.

Unfortunately that is not a marine generator that can be installed
below decks, nor it is a diesel.
Technically untrue. You can create an isolated compartment and vent
overboard.

I don't think Glenn's goal can be achieved on a small boat without silly
compromises. Frex, I could create the compartment, sound proof it, etc,
but then he'd lose his fuel tank, etc.

"Paul Cassel" wrote in message
. ..
Wayne.B wrote:
On Tue, 23 Oct 2007 07:46:59 +0700, Bruce in Bangkok
wrote:

If I were planning on putting a generator in a boat I'd "ping" Larry
as he recently described a new model Honda that apparently is a DC
generator and an inverter combined. Larry says that he uses one and it
is quite and efficient.

Unfortunately that is not a marine generator that can be installed
below decks, nor it is a diesel.
Technically untrue. You can create an isolated compartment and vent
overboard.

I don't think Glenn's goal can be achieved on a small boat without silly
compromises. Frex, I could create the compartment, sound proof it, etc,
but then he'd lose his fuel tank, etc.

The more I think this over & read the responses (thanks all) & think I've
come to an interm conclusion. I think that I will put off the aquisition of
another generator & go ahead with the installation of the wind generator &
solar panels to charge batteries. This year I added a 90A alternator so
battery charging should be handled pretty well by these two means. Small
amounts of AC power can supplied by an upgraded inverter, while larger AC
power requirements are most often for shorter periods of time & can be
supplied by the trusty Honda iu2000.

Noise & the Honda. When this think is running slow on eco-throttle, it's
very fuel efficient & very quiet anywhere away from the boat. When loaded
up it does make more noise, but this is usually durring the day and for
short periods of time. Running the AC has me scratching my head a bit
though. Certainly don't want to be the noisy one in the anchorage, though
that 'honor' is usually claimed by someone pretty shameless about it. The
AC is the one fly in the ointment. We usually don't use it, but usually
cruise durring the winter months & aren't interested in it. Summer in FL &
the Bahamas might be harder to deal with though.

Hmmm.

Glenn.

Wow, this post sure generated a s***storm of comments.

For what you want to do, I would install a small diesel genset. I
particularly like the 3.5 KW NextGen. It operates at a more reasonable 2800
rpm and is much cheaper than the bigger, heavier 1800 rpm gensets. It won't
last as long as the big 1800 rpm units, but it will do the job. And with its
integral sound enclosure, it won't be any louder.

For this application, I think diesel is essential. The gas Honda 2000i will
work but it is noisy and it will burn a lot of gas for AC cooling in the
middle of the summer. It is definitely much, much cheaper than a permanently
installed diesel genset. But most complaints about noise go away with the
permanently installed diesel genset.

The NexGen will cost about $5,000 with soundshield, about another $500 for
muffler, hoses, etc and about $2,000-$5000 to have it professionally
installed, nothing for the DIY.

David

On Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:10:57 -0700, "David&Joan"
wrote:

Wow, this post sure generated a s***storm of comments.

For what you want to do, I would install a small diesel genset. I
particularly like the 3.5 KW NextGen. It operates at a more reasonable 2800
rpm and is much cheaper than the bigger, heavier 1800 rpm gensets. It won't
last as long as the big 1800 rpm units, but it will do the job. And with its
integral sound enclosure, it won't be any louder.

For this application, I think diesel is essential. The gas Honda 2000i will
work but it is noisy and it will burn a lot of gas for AC cooling in the
middle of the summer. It is definitely much, much cheaper than a permanently
installed diesel genset. But most complaints about noise go away with the
permanently installed diesel genset.

The NexGen will cost about $5,000 with soundshield, about another $500 for
muffler, hoses, etc and about $2,000-$5000 to have it professionally
installed, nothing for the DIY.

David


Good advice.

Deck mounted gas generators really have no place on a boat except for
emergencies.

Thanks David for the reply. I found NextGen on the web and will look into
them.

Glenn.

"David&Joan" wrote in message
...
Wow, this post sure generated a s***storm of comments.

For what you want to do, I would install a small diesel genset. I
particularly like the 3.5 KW NextGen. It operates at a more reasonable
2800 rpm and is much cheaper than the bigger, heavier 1800 rpm gensets. It
won't last as long as the big 1800 rpm units, but it will do the job. And
with its integral sound enclosure, it won't be any louder.

For this application, I think diesel is essential. The gas Honda 2000i
will work but it is noisy and it will burn a lot of gas for AC cooling in
the middle of the summer. It is definitely much, much cheaper than a
permanently installed diesel genset. But most complaints about noise go
away with the permanently installed diesel genset.

The NexGen will cost about $5,000 with soundshield, about another $500 for
muffler, hoses, etc and about $2,000-$5000 to have it professionally
installed, nothing for the DIY.

David

I have installed a Northern Lights diesel genset on our sailboat.
This leads me to a couple of thoughts which I did not have when I
bought it.

Consider buying one which is the same manufacture as your pirmary
engine if possible. This might allow you to use the same filters and
repair kits.

Weight. A diesel genset has weight. Where are you going to put it.
Probably not on the center line. Thus you need to have an off-setting
weight to counter ballance or you will have a list. (mine has one to
port)

regarding noise. Mine is in a sound enclosure. It is remarkable
quiet for me and my neighbors..

fumes. if you have a small portable gasoline unit on your bow or
stern, how are you going to keep the deadly fumes from "falling" back
into your cabin and killing you while you sleep. I would argue that
there is much less risk of this with a diesel "wet exhaust" setup.

-Mark
http://GoReads.com