Cruising Boat Generator (small)
 

"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.

Cruising Boat Generator (small)
 

On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:06:18 -0400, "Gregory Hall"
wrote:

Even if I can't hear the exhaust, I can smell the
fumes. So what diesel boats need to do is anchor downwind of
EVERYBODY! Unfortunately you rarely see it. They know that
downwind from everybody exposes them to assholes who anchor upwind
of everybody and run generators.

There are plenty of cruising sailboats running the diesel aux at night
to charge batteries. It's not just generators. Frankly I've never
found fumes to be a big problem. The noise from on deck Hondas is
the real issue.

Cruising Boat Generator (small)
 

On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:06:18 -0400, "Gregory Hall"
wrote:


"Richard Casady" wrote in message
. ..
| On Tue, 23 Oct 2007 07:56:30 -0600, Paul Cassel
| wrote:
|
| Also even though these are very quiet by generator standards,
they are,
| IMO, disruptive in a completely silent anchorage, but YMMV.
|
| Just as is done with smoking, you could have segregation.
Generators
| here quiet over there. The generator crowd will invite those less
| endowed, electricity wise, over for very cold drinks with lots of
ice,
| and adequate or better air conditioning. Perhaps a voluntary
curfew on
| unnecessary noise. Pigs might fly.
|
| Casady

Pie in the sky. It'll never happen. Portable generator users don't
wanna listen to a bunch of portables grinding away all night long
any more than the rest of us. When they turn off their noise they
expect it to be quiet. That's how these people are. It's me, myself
and I. That's their mentality.

Built-in generators with water lift mufflers are an acceptable
alternative as far as noise goes. If there's any wind at all they
can't even be heard because their exhaust sounds pretty much like
waves lapping on a hull. But, most of them are diesel. And we all
know diesel stinks. I sure don't wanna be breathing diesel fumes
all night long. Even if I can't hear the exhaust, I can smell the
fumes. So what diesel boats need to do is anchor downwind of
EVERYBODY! Unfortunately you rarely see it. They know that
downwind from everybody exposes them to assholes who anchor upwind
of everybody and run generators.

The only civilized alternative is anchored boats should all contain
considerate people who care about their fellow boater and who all
agree that once the sun sets any and all generators are to be
turned off. (Ever hear of storage batteries? Try fans instead of
air conditioning!) This includes those obnoxious wind generators,
too. The noise they make is particularly bothersome. How has it
come about that a few selfish people are ruining cruising for all
concerned?

Greg


On the other hand one can simply anchor somewhere away from the common
herd. I for one go sailing to get away from people. Then you can do as
you damned please.


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

Cruising Boat Generator (small)
 

On 2007-10-23 21:55:45 -0400, Wayne.B said:

On Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:49:03 +0000 (UTC), Harald Hannelius
wrote:

That size sailboat usually has such a relatively small engine anyway,
I've often wondered why someone doesn't market a combination primary
propulsion/genset. IOW, one engine that drives both the prop and the
generator. Seems it would help with the space problem as well as
weight distribution.

Oh, like the new Yanmar-set?

http://www.yanmarmarine.com/press/ar...ist=100&id=420

That's an interesting product but you can get almost as much power
using a big alternator and an inverter. Add a large battery bank of
400 to 800 Amp Hours and you have a great deal of flexibility. It's
important to get the alternator mounted correctly: Solid mount,
properly aligned, and the right belt(s).

3 or 6 kWH would be a SUPER big alternator, and this thing's only 4"
thick and connects between the engine and transmission.... Sounds like
direct-drive off of the crankshaft, industrial strength components and
a lot of reserve power for a boat. Heck, I think I could run my house
off of that if it weren't 50 Hz. Also suspect their power measurements
are more conservative than the Honda's.

I like the idea better than two engines, one only for the generator,
particularly since I see more problems for generators than primary
engines -- probably due to their low usage.

If I ever have a boat that needs 40 or 55 hp, I believe this might be
on the list of things to consider.

--
Jere Lull
Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI trips & tips: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

Cruising Boat Generator (small)
 

On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:34:34 GMT, "Glenn \(s/v Seawing\)"
wrote:

Summer in FL &
the Bahamas might be harder to deal with though.

Rig lots of awnings and wind scoops; go swimming a lot.

The Bahamas are generally more tolerable than Florida in the summer.

Cruising Boat Generator (small)
 

Bruce in Bangkok wrote:
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.

PhantMan wrote:
That size sailboat usually has such a relatively small engine anyway,
I've often wondered why someone doesn't market a combination primary
propulsion/genset. IOW, one engine that drives both the prop and the
generator. Seems it would help with the space problem as well as
weight distribution.

Harald Hannelius wrote:
Oh, like the new Yanmar-set?
http://www.yanmarmarine.com/press/ar...ist=100&id=420

Exactly! ... I think.
Without a picture.... well, the description is less than a thousand
words. But it sounds about like what I was thinking. Smallish engine,
generator lined up behind and on the centerline for balance, spins the
prop or the generator or both, yeah... like that :-)
Nice find :-)

Rick

Cruising Boat Generator (small)
 

Bruce in Bangkok wrote:
On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:06:18 -0400, "Gregory Hall"

On the other hand one can simply anchor somewhere away from the common
herd. I for one go sailing to get away from people. Then you can do as
you damned please.

Maybe in the magic land of far far away but anyplace I've ever been,
anchorages are designated areas or only a few areas are suitable. During
my singlehanding the entire eastern coast, I'd say I only anchored alone
maybe half a dozen times over many months. Someone else always showed up
or was there.

The only discourteous boat was a power boat who played music loudly.
Someone (not me) cut his anchor rope & he got the message I suppose and
left.

-paul

Cruising Boat Generator (small)
 

On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 22:19:24 -0500, lid wrote:

Bruce in Bangkok wrote:
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.

PhantMan wrote:
That size sailboat usually has such a relatively small engine anyway,
I've often wondered why someone doesn't market a combination primary
propulsion/genset. IOW, one engine that drives both the prop and the
generator. Seems it would help with the space problem as well as
weight distribution.

Harald Hannelius wrote:
Oh, like the new Yanmar-set?
http://www.yanmarmarine.com/press/ar...ist=100&id=420

Exactly! ... I think.
Without a picture.... well, the description is less than a thousand
words. But it sounds about like what I was thinking. Smallish engine,
generator lined up behind and on the centerline for balance, spins the
prop or the generator or both, yeah... like that :-)
Nice find :-)

Rick


I suspect that this is what Larry was talking about - a DC generator
which can run at varying speeds coupled to an inverter to give stable
AC.

If this gizmo is as efficient as Larry says the Honda units are I
expect that within a few years this will be THE system used on, at
least the smaller, cruising sailboats.


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

Cruising Boat Generator (small)
 

On 2007-10-24 09:14:47 -0400, Paul Cassel
said:

Glenn (s/v Seawing) wrote:
Summer in FL & the Bahamas might be harder to deal with though.


It all depends on breeze. If you on anchor, it's ok. If you are tied up
at the dock, especially in Aug and Sep, then it's tough, but then you
have shore power.

We've rarely wanted more than wind scoops at night. During the day, a
quick swim does the trick...

It's so sad to see folks in an anchorage on even moderate days, all
buttoned up with the generator running to keep the a/c going. Doubt
they even look out the windows, yet they're "out on the water".

--
Jere Lull
Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI trips & tips: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

Cruising Boat Generator (small)
 

lid wrote:
Bruce in Bangkok wrote:
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.

PhantMan wrote:
That size sailboat usually has such a relatively small engine anyway,
I've often wondered why someone doesn't market a combination primary
propulsion/genset. IOW, one engine that drives both the prop and the
generator. Seems it would help with the space problem as well as
weight distribution.

Harald Hannelius wrote:
Oh, like the new Yanmar-set?
http://www.yanmarmarine.com/press/ar...ist=100&id=420

Exactly! ... I think.
Without a picture.... well, the description is less than a thousand
words. But it sounds about like what I was thinking. Smallish engine,
generator lined up behind and on the centerline for balance, spins the
prop or the generator or both, yeah... like that :-)
Nice find :-)

Google on "KMG65E" and you'll find pictures too;

http://www.boatingoz.com.au/default....ws%2F13034%2F0

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