| Page 1 of 2 | 1 | 2 |
|
|
Portable Generators
The used boat I am in the process of buying (34 Sabreliner Fast Trawler) is
not equipped with a genset. It is diesel powered. I really don't need a genset for most of my boating activities as I usually stay on a slip when doing my limited cruising, but once in a while it's fun to spend a night or two swinging on a mooring or anchored. I've searched around looking for information on the safety issues of carrying a small, portable, gasoline generator on board for making morning coffee or whatever. I have a little Honda EU-2000 Inverter type generator that is small, light, quiet and completely self-contained. For my needs, I could fuel it on the dock, and it would have enough gas to serve the minimal morning coffee making needs for a week or more. No need to carry any more gas containers. The references I've found are conflicting. Many do this and seem to think it's fine as long as it is stored and operated above deck (cockpit area). Other references state it should only be operated sitting on the dock and never aboard the boat. The only disasters I've read about is when people have tried to "permanently" install a portable generator by modifying it's enclosure, fuel supply system or trying to tie the generator output into the boat's electrical panel. Does anyone have any knowledge, experience or input? I can't really see anything wrong with it as long as it is stored properly and obviously operated in the open, so it is well vented and ventilated. I would not tie it's power into the boat's electrical system. I'd just use an appropriately sized power cord (extension cord) and plug the coffee maker directly into the generator. Thanks, Eisboch |
Portable Generators
There are many cruising sailboats that use the Honda and love them.
Many plug them directly into the dockside power port and backfeed the boats AC panel. This enables them to charge the house batteries using the onboard charger. They always run them on deck (fore or aft). Not sure how or where the store them. |
Portable Generators
|
Portable Generators
On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 06:29:15 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:
Does anyone have any knowledge, experience or input? I can't really see anything wrong with it as long as it is stored properly and obviously operated in the open, so it is well vented and ventilated. I would not tie it's power into the boat's electrical system. I'd just use an appropriately sized power cord (extension cord) and plug the coffee maker directly into the generator. The first thing I'd do is check with your insurance company and with your marina. If they're OK with it, and if you take all suitable precautions with the gasoline and its containers, have a CO2 monitor and use it, then you've got most of the safety issues covered. I carry my gasoline for the dinghy on deck, stored near a scupper drain. That said, the EU-2000 makes a bad neighbor even though it is one of the quietest generators available. In the long run I think you'd be a lot happier with a permanent installation which is tied into the boats electrical system. |
Portable Generators
On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 06:29:15 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:
I've searched around looking for information on the safety issues of carrying a small, portable, gasoline generator on board for making morning coffee or whatever. I have a little Honda EU-2000 Inverter type generator that is small, light, quiet and completely self-contained. For my needs, I could fuel it on the dock, and it would have enough gas to serve the minimal morning coffee making needs for a week or more. No need to carry any more gas containers. The hazards of gasoline, while real, are overrated by some. The vapor is heavier than air, and a leak with a powerboat, with a clear shot from tank to bilge, is one thing. I presume your cockpit has drainage over the side. If there is any wind the hazard wlll be even less. Get the right fuel can and leave it in the cockpit, as well. A cigarette does not burn hot enough to ignite gas. If you drop a burning cig into gas, it will just go out. Matches or a lighter are a different story. I don't panic if I walk into a cloud of gas fumes, with a burning cig in my mouth, but I sure as hell leave the lighter in my pocket. There is no bogus, spark producing, wiring in the cockpit,?I would be more concerned about the noise. A twelve hundred watt do-dad operated for six minutes would take 10AH at 12 volts. Get an inverter/charger and a serious battery. With a hundred AH deep cycle battery you should be good for a week. Get a big enough array of solar cells, the inverter, and a big battery and you would be all set with none of the drawbacks of noisy gas power, no need to run the main engine just to charge the coffee batteries. I don't know how the cost of an inverter, battery, and solar array, compares to the generator. I presume you already have an adequate charger for the starting battery. I don't know what any of the stuff costs and wouldn't mind a bit if someone cares to comment on that.. Casady |
Portable Generators
"Eisboch" wrote in
: Does anyone have any knowledge, experience or input? I can't really see anything wrong with it as long as it is stored properly and obviously operated in the open, so it is well vented and ventilated. I would not tie it's power into the boat's electrical system. I'd just use an appropriately sized power cord (extension cord) and plug the coffee maker directly into the generator. Thanks, Eisboch I have the little sister to the 2000, the Honda EU1000i. It powered my stepvan shop for a couple of years before I got a sweet deal on the EU3000is, a much quieter, slower-turning, more powerful unit that runs both 8000 Btu A/C units all summer, now. The problem with portable generators on boats is Carbon Monoxide poisoning from the heavier-than-air, hard-to-detect exhaust fumes filling the hull and killing the stupid Darwin Award winners in their sleep. If you keep the genset DOWNWIND with its exhaust outlet to lee over the stern it should be fine....lots of them are used this way. I use my EU1000 as a shop heater, running it INSIDE the truck in winter to recover nearly 100% of the waste heat to warm the truck while powering the shop. To do this, I welded a pipe nipple over the little exhaust tube that sticks out where the warm cooling air exits the cabinet. A coil of 1/2" copper tubing is attached to the pipe nipple and snakes around behind some cabinets heating the air even more before going through the deck plates to exhaust gas and condensate water out under the truck. A similar system of using a welded on pipe nipple and some lawn furniture tubing could make a gas stack to easily pipe the exhaust fumes away from the cockpit on a yacht. Skip uses an EU2000i to supplement his wind and solar power on Flying Pig very successfully. These little Hondas run a LONG time on a little fuel. Works great! Be informed, however, that Honda parts and service rival Rolls Royce and Maybach cars in price and labor costs. I have a Honda Reflex 250cc plastic motor scooter, 1 cylinder, 1 throat carb. It died on me from some dirt in its fuel clogging the jets, so the dealer says. To clean the carb out and replace its V-belt variable speed drive...a simple V- belt that looks like the power steering pump belt in an old car...is $US649! Rolls Royce doesn't charge that much for V-belts! Honda Generator parts and service are all similarly priced to my Honda Scooter......VERY expensive. The worry about the EU2000i in a boat is unfounded. When you shut down the EU2000 by turning the "switch" off, it closes the fuel valve automatically. If you then simply close the vent by moving the lever to the closed position in the fuel filler cap, the entire fuel system is now sealed for safe storage about anywhere....including the boat. |
Portable Generators
|
Portable Generators
"Eisboch" wrote in message ... Does anyone have any knowledge, experience or input? I can't really see anything wrong with it as long as it is stored properly and obviously operated in the open, That's where I see a big problem - operating it in the open. This usually involves putting the thing high up where it broadcasts noise to everybody within half a mile. Just because you want to run a coffeemaker? Why not use a quite cookstove and spare all concerned the noise in an anchorage where quiet it called for? Or do you wish to be viewed as just another inconsiderate cheapskate asshole who ruins cruising for everybody else? Wilbur Hubbard |
Portable Generators
"Wayne.B" wrote in message ... On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 06:29:15 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote: That said, the EU-2000 makes a bad neighbor even though it is one of the quietest generators available. In the long run I think you'd be a lot happier with a permanent installation which is tied into the boats electrical system. Thank you , thank you, thank you. It's so sad that some people don't realize how rude they are running these portables. Get a clue people. Wilbur Hubbard |
Portable Generators
"Larry" wrote in message ... Skip uses an EU2000i to supplement his wind and solar power on Flying Pig very successfully. These little Hondas run a LONG time on a little fuel. Works great! And Skip is a proven inconsiderate jerk in many other areas as well. He needs to get a clue and so do you. Portables are too noisy and it takes an inconsiderate jerk to prop one up on the back of his boat where it broadcasts noise for half a mile and bothers everybody within earshot. How has it come to the point where people are so selfish that they don't even consider how rude they are being with their noise? All for the sake of being too cheap to put a real, quiet built-in generator in the hull. "I'm a freaking cheapskate. I wish to save a few dollars. In doing so I will be bothering lots of folks who enjoy peace and quiet. Well, **** them. **** them all. I'm the important one in this world. My fun and convenience supercedes a bunch of folks right to peace and quiet." That's Skip and that's you, too apparently. Grow up and act like a responsible considerate man why don't you? Wilbur Hubbard |
Portable Generators
On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:05:04 +0000, Larry wrote:
The problem with portable generators on boats is Carbon Monoxide poisoning from the heavier-than-air, hard-to-detect exhaust fumes Carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air. Carbon dioxide, which is harmless, is appreciably heavier than air. Casady |
Portable Generators
Wilbur Hubbard wrote:
"Eisboch" wrote in message ... Does anyone have any knowledge, experience or input? I can't really see anything wrong with it as long as it is stored properly and obviously operated in the open, That's where I see a big problem - operating it in the open. This usually involves putting the thing high up where it broadcasts noise to everybody within half a mile. Just because you want to run a coffeemaker? Why not use a quite cookstove and spare all concerned the noise in an anchorage where quiet it called for? Or do you wish to be viewed as just another inconsiderate cheapskate asshole who ruins cruising for everybody else? Wilbur Hubbard Agreed. In forty-odd years of racing and cruising I have never seen coffee made in an electric percolator. O.K., for convenience we use instant coffee, but there must be lots of ways to make real coffee without a percolator. Those Italian aluminum percs you sit on the stove top would surely make a good cuppa? Dennis. |
Portable Generators
"Dennis Pogson" wrote in message ... Wilbur Hubbard wrote: "Eisboch" wrote in message ... Does anyone have any knowledge, experience or input? I can't really see anything wrong with it as long as it is stored properly and obviously operated in the open, That's where I see a big problem - operating it in the open. This usually involves putting the thing high up where it broadcasts noise to everybody within half a mile. Just because you want to run a coffeemaker? Why not use a quite cookstove and spare all concerned the noise in an anchorage where quiet it called for? Or do you wish to be viewed as just another inconsiderate cheapskate asshole who ruins cruising for everybody else? Wilbur Hubbard Agreed. In forty-odd years of racing and cruising I have never seen coffee made in an electric percolator. O.K., for convenience we use instant coffee, but there must be lots of ways to make real coffee without a percolator. Those Italian aluminum percs you sit on the stove top would surely make a good cuppa? Dennis. http://about.pricegrabber.com/search...skd=1/st=query If you aren't using something like these you ain't drinking coffee, IMHO! They make fine espresso on your typical quiet boat stove. Wilbur Hubbard |
Portable Generators
"Larry" wrote in message ... The worry about the EU2000i in a boat is unfounded. When you shut down the EU2000 by turning the "switch" off, it closes the fuel valve automatically. If you then simply close the vent by moving the lever to the closed position in the fuel filler cap, the entire fuel system is now sealed for safe storage about anywhere....including the boat. That was really my question. I already have the Honda EU-2000i, so it's not an additional investment. Furthermore, contrary to certain complaints/comments, it makes less noise than the exhaust from the permanently mounted, diesel powered gensets that I had on my last two boats. In terms of courteous use, it's a matter of common sense. If you think it will be heard or possibly bother someone, don't run it. I was really after the safety issue, not a philosophical discussion of the appropriate use of a generator. It can also be used to recharge batteries in an emergency and other requirements for temporary power when you don't have any. I certainly am not talking about it running all day, powering an AC unit. Anyway, I think I have found my answer elsewhere. Thanks to all that replied, even with the coffee brand suggestions. Eisboch |
Portable Generators
"Eisboch" wrote in message ... "Larry" wrote in message ... The worry about the EU2000i in a boat is unfounded. When you shut down the EU2000 by turning the "switch" off, it closes the fuel valve automatically. If you then simply close the vent by moving the lever to the closed position in the fuel filler cap, the entire fuel system is now sealed for safe storage about anywhere....including the boat. That was really my question. I already have the Honda EU-2000i, so it's not an additional investment. Furthermore, contrary to certain complaints/comments, it makes less noise than the exhaust from the permanently mounted, diesel powered gensets that I had on my last two boats. In terms of courteous use, it's a matter of common sense. If you think it will be heard or possibly bother someone, don't run it. I was really after the safety issue, not a philosophical discussion of the appropriate use of a generator. It can also be used to recharge batteries in an emergency and other requirements for temporary power when you don't have any. I certainly am not talking about it running all day, powering an AC unit. Anyway, I think I have found my answer elsewhere. Thanks to all that replied, even with the coffee brand suggestions. Eisboch I run a Honda 10i which I plug into the shore power outlet and find most usefull. It has saved a lot of main engine running which gets expensive and is not good for the diesel when run at low load. I am very happy with the Honda. Bill |
Portable Generators
Wayne,
I think you want to monitor carbom monoxide. I'm guessing CO2 was a typo. I don't really follow the OP. His boat has a diesel engine. I wonder how he starts it. Perhaps it has a battery or two. Anyway a small camp stove will heat coffee, fry eggs, make oatmeal, et c. The genset seems silly. Dave M. |
Portable Generators
On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:29:22 -0400, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote: Here we go again! Another jerk who'd rather make unnecessary noise in an anchorage than be considerate and make coffee that doesn't bother everybody within earshot. I am a jerk for suggesting solar cells to charge a battery to make engine free coffee? My other suggestion was to use a non electric coffee maker. Learn to read and you might not be such an asshole. Casady |
Portable Generators
|
Portable Generators
"Richard Casady" wrote in message ... On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:29:22 -0400, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: Here we go again! Another jerk who'd rather make unnecessary noise in an anchorage than be considerate and make coffee that doesn't bother everybody within earshot. I am a jerk for suggesting solar cells to charge a battery to make engine free coffee? My other suggestion was to use a non electric coffee maker. Learn to read and you might not be such an asshole. Casady I beg your pardon. I replied to your post by mistake while fuming at the idiocy of the portable generator jerks. My bad. I'll try to be more careful in the future. I'm sorry. Wilbur Hubbard |
Portable Generators
On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:04:46 -0400, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote: "Richard Casady" wrote in message .. . On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:29:22 -0400, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: Here we go again! Another jerk who'd rather make unnecessary noise in an anchorage than be considerate and make coffee that doesn't bother everybody within earshot. I am a jerk for suggesting solar cells to charge a battery to make engine free coffee? My other suggestion was to use a non electric coffee maker. Learn to read and you might not be such an asshole. Casady I beg your pardon. I replied to your post by mistake while fuming at the idiocy of the portable generator jerks. My bad. I'll try to be more careful in the future. I'm sorry. Wilbur Hubbard I won't hold a grudge. As for generator use I discussed the hazards of gas, and told him to be more concerned about the noise. So you see, I don't favor noise, unless there are no neighbors. Casady |
Portable Generators
On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:57:43 GMT, wrote:
On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:06:20 GMT, (Richard Casady) wrote: On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:33:20 -0400, wrote: A non-electric (or any) percolator makes about the worst coffee possible. I'd forego the coffee entirely if that was my alternative. Percolaters _are_ somewhat difficult to clean. You need a special brush to clean the stem. A dirty coffee pot will cause bad coffee. You can make decent coffee with a percolater, its not impossible by any means. All you really have to do is clean the pot and don't let it perk too long. Percolators make terrible coffee. There is nothing you can do to change that. The method they use is fatally flawed. There are also non electric drip coffee makers, if you don't like percolators. The ones where you boil the water first and then pour it in can make a pretty good cup of coffee. Much better than the automatic ones. I remember the first automatic drip coffee makers, in 1970 or so. People did drink the stuff before that. They must make better coffee than perk or they wouldn't have taken over so much of the market. I think there is a coffee newsgroup which I might look for. Saying they make better coffee than a percolator isn't saying much. Don't bother with the coffee newsgroup. They argue about which end of each bean MUST be aligned to face south while being roasted over the burning body of a virgin. :') They also take moon phase into account when grinding coffee. I grind eight buck beans from the supermarket and brew them in a Mr Coffee. I use a generous ammount of the bean and make it really strong. I put it in Thermos bottles immediately to protect it from the air. Casady |
Portable Generators
On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:23:40 -0700, Alan Gomes wrote:
What I do on the boat is boil the water in a kettle on the stove and then use one of those Melita paper cone filters that sits in a plastic holder, and just brew right into the cup. Then it's very easy to dispose of the paper and grounds directly into the trash bag. The plastic holder that holds the paper cone is easily rinsed off for next time. I will have to look into it. Sounds ideal for camping. Casady |
Portable Generators
On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:33:20 -0400, wrote:
To run a "coffee maker" you need electricity. Eisboch is conntemplating carrying a fairly hefty and cumbersome gasoline powered generator just to make coffee with an automatic coffee maker. To use a Bodum, you heat the water on the stove, which on most boats is not electric. A non-electric (or any) percolator makes about the worst coffee possible. I'd forego the coffee entirely if that was my alternative. Was surprised to find this. Drip using propane. http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product... e=&lang=en-US Here's a couple reviews. http://www.rei.com/product/736980 Everybody's got their own coffee preferences. I prefer drip through a paper filter. The paper must absorb some taste element I don't care for that is left in other processes, including gold filters. About the only thing I haven't tried is the French Press, so I'll probably give one a try just because. --Vic |
Portable Generators
Vic Smith wrote:
On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:33:20 -0400, wrote: To run a "coffee maker" you need electricity. Eisboch is conntemplating carrying a fairly hefty and cumbersome gasoline powered generator just to make coffee with an automatic coffee maker. To use a Bodum, you heat the water on the stove, which on most boats is not electric. A non-electric (or any) percolator makes about the worst coffee possible. I'd forego the coffee entirely if that was my alternative. Was surprised to find this. Drip using propane. http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product... e=&lang=en-US Here's a couple reviews. http://www.rei.com/product/736980 Everybody's got their own coffee preferences. I prefer drip through a paper filter. The paper must absorb some taste element I don't care for that is left in other processes, including gold filters. About the only thing I haven't tried is the French Press, so I'll probably give one a try just because. --Vic Now I'll bet that works pretty well Vic, but you should try a French press, simple the coffee is superb. The most important thing is to get the coffee properly ground, you need it coarse for a French Press. A lot of grinders produce not just coarse grounds when set to "coarse" but a lot of other fine stuff, this will not do, get a good grinder. Cheers Marty |
Portable Generators
wrote in :
To run a "coffee maker" you need electricity. Eisboch is conntemplating carrying a fairly hefty and cumbersome gasoline powered generator just to make coffee with an automatic coffee maker. To use a Bodum, you heat the water on the stove, which on most boats is not electric. A non-electric (or any) percolator makes about the worst coffee possible. I'd forego the coffee entirely if that was my alternative. http://www.blackanddeckerappliances.com/product-45.html My favorite coffeemaker, ashore or afloat. Uses 600 watts off the inverter for about 2 minutes per cup. Uses NO FILTER PAPER, but has a gold plated ultrafine metal filter that's permanent and washes very easy using little water. Just dump it over the side for the crabs and shrimp...only spent grounds. Everyone gets a fresh cup of coffee, no matter when their watch starts with NO WASTE. Very small footprint, too, on limited counter space. about $12 on several websites Google finds....even the nice thermal cup comes with it, but any cup will fit under it. Zero Propane, very little house battery AH load, no genset necessary. If you want to make 5 cups, use 2 tablespoons drip coffee for the first cup and simply add one teaspoon for each additional cup until the little filter is half full of grounds, then dump it and start over. It uses NO POWER to store heated coffee as it's unnecessary making every cup fresh..... AND NO GLASS TO BREAK FROM GODDAMNED FRENCH PRESSES! |
Portable Generators
Alan Gomes wrote in news:4813d594$0$31744
: What I do on the boat is boil the water in a kettle on the stove I can tell you don't live in the South. It's hot enough at 6AM as it is on the hook! |
Portable Generators
"Richard Casady" wrote in message ... I grind eight buck beans from the supermarket and brew them in a Mr Coffee. I use a generous ammount of the bean and make it really strong. I put it in Thermos bottles immediately to protect it from the air. Casady We've become somewhat addicted to the K-Kup brewing machines and the wide assortment of coffee types, tea types and even hot chocolate that are available for them. We order our favorites and usually a box of something different to try once a month from Coffeecow.com. It might seem a bit pricey, but you have to consider there is no coffee wasted or filters to buy. But .... it only runs on electricity. The good part though: From cold start to a cup of hot coffee only takes about 45 seconds. Eisboch |
Portable Generators
Vic Smith wrote:
On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:33:20 -0400, wrote: To run a "coffee maker" you need electricity. Eisboch is conntemplating carrying a fairly hefty and cumbersome gasoline powered generator just to make coffee with an automatic coffee maker. To use a Bodum, you heat the water on the stove, which on most boats is not electric. A non-electric (or any) percolator makes about the worst coffee possible. I'd forego the coffee entirely if that was my alternative. Was surprised to find this. Drip using propane. http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product... e=&lang=en-US Here's a couple reviews. http://www.rei.com/product/736980 Everybody's got their own coffee preferences. I prefer drip through a paper filter. The paper must absorb some taste element I don't care for that is left in other processes, including gold filters. About the only thing I haven't tried is the French Press, so I'll probably give one a try just because. --Vic And Boiled(?) water??? -- (remove the X to email) Now just why the HELL do I have to press 1 for English? John Wayne |
Portable Generators
On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:06:39 -0400, Marty wrote:
Now I'll bet that works pretty well Vic, but you should try a French press, simple the coffee is superb. The most important thing is to get the coffee properly ground, you need it coarse for a French Press. A lot of grinders produce not just coarse grounds when set to "coarse" but a lot of other fine stuff, this will not do, get a good grinder. I'll pay attention to grind size when I try it. Thanks for the heads up. --Vic |
Portable Generators
On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:11:24 -0500, cavelamb himself
wrote: And Boiled(?) water??? What are you getting at? --Vic |
Portable Generators
Vic Smith wrote:
On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:11:24 -0500, cavelamb himself wrote: And Boiled(?) water??? What are you getting at? --Vic Coffee! -- (remove the X to email) Now just why the HELL do I have to press 1 for English? John Wayne |
Portable Generators
"Alan Gomes" wrote in message ... What I do on the boat is boil the water in a kettle on the stove and then use one of those Melita paper cone filters that sits in a plastic holder, and just brew right into the cup. Then it's very easy to dispose of the paper and grounds directly into the trash bag. The plastic holder that holds the paper cone is easily rinsed off for next time. From an old coffee machine that died on me I retained a conical plastic mesh filter that is exactly the size and shape of a folded filter paper. It fits my new machine and only needs to be rinsed under the tap to be ready for further service. Beats putting soggy filter papers into the trash bin. |
Portable Generators
On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:23:40 -0700, Alan Gomes wrote:
What I do on the boat is boil the water in a kettle on the stove and then use one of those Melita paper cone filters that sits in a plastic holder, and just brew right into the cup. Then it's very easy to dispose of the paper and grounds directly into the trash bag. The plastic holder that holds the paper cone is easily rinsed off for next time. Yes, we do the same thing, very good coffee. |
Portable Generators
Eisboch wrote:
.... I've searched around looking for information on the safety issues of carrying a small, portable, gasoline generator on board for making morning coffee or whatever. I have a little Honda EU-2000 Inverter type generator that is small, light, quiet and completely self-contained. For my needs, I could fuel it on the dock, and it would have enough gas to serve the minimal morning coffee making needs for a week or more. No need to carry any more gas containers. .... Most everything has been said, but I can't resist putting in my two bits. First, There is really no problem with the Honda as long as its stashed in a place where any fuel leak will go overboard, instead of the bilge. I carry one in a cockpit locker that drains out the stern, and the spare gas stays in the dinghy hanging on davits. When its run, usually as a backup charging system, the exhaust is pointed out the stern. However, I must say that I find its too noisy to use in a crowded anchorage, especially if there is a boat directly behind. And running it first thing in the morning just to make coffee is decidedly anti-social. As for making coffee, a home style electric brewer is not needed, you can much better coffee with manual methods. Many prefer a French Press, but my favorite is a simple manual drip through a paper filter into a Thermos. I have a slight preference for a "gold filter" at home, but paper filters are much easier to clean on a boat. There are several other methods, but they are all just variations on the same theme: mix near boiling water with good coffee, that's all it takes. This of course leaves the question of how to produce boiling water - I'm assuming the you don't have a non-electric stove on board. (But then, how do you stay out more than a day? Do you intend to run a portable genset for every meal???) You could always get a small propane camp stove; the risks associated are probably less than carrying gasoline. There are some BBQ's (like the new Magma) that can easily heat a pot of water. Also, a microwave can boil a quart of water reasonably quick. Probably the best electric heater is a Bodum Ibis (or Mini Ibis), which can boil 1.7 liters in 4 minutes. Its total load for a Thermos of coffee would be about 10 Amp-hours, though of course a fair sized inverter is needed. Far most civilized than firing up a generator! |
Portable Generators
"jeff" wrote in message . .. Eisboch wrote: ... I've searched around looking for information on the safety issues of carrying a small, portable, gasoline generator on board for making morning coffee or whatever. I have a little Honda EU-2000 Inverter type generator that is small, light, quiet and completely self-contained. For my needs, I could fuel it on the dock, and it would have enough gas to serve the minimal morning coffee making needs for a week or more. No need to carry any more gas containers. ... Most everything has been said, but I can't resist putting in my two bits. First, There is really no problem with the Honda as long as its stashed in a place where any fuel leak will go overboard, instead of the bilge. I carry one in a cockpit locker that drains out the stern, and the spare gas stays in the dinghy hanging on davits. When its run, usually as a backup charging system, the exhaust is pointed out the stern. However, I must say that I find its too noisy to use in a crowded anchorage, especially if there is a boat directly behind. And running it first thing in the morning just to make coffee is decidedly anti-social. As for making coffee, a home style electric brewer is not needed, you can much better coffee with manual methods. Many prefer a French Press, but my favorite is a simple manual drip through a paper filter into a Thermos. I have a slight preference for a "gold filter" at home, but paper filters are much easier to clean on a boat. There are several other methods, but they are all just variations on the same theme: mix near boiling water with good coffee, that's all it takes. This of course leaves the question of how to produce boiling water - I'm assuming the you don't have a non-electric stove on board. (But then, how do you stay out more than a day? Do you intend to run a portable genset for every meal???) You could always get a small propane camp stove; the risks associated are probably less than carrying gasoline. There are some BBQ's (like the new Magma) that can easily heat a pot of water. Also, a microwave can boil a quart of water reasonably quick. Probably the best electric heater is a Bodum Ibis (or Mini Ibis), which can boil 1.7 liters in 4 minutes. Its total load for a Thermos of coffee would be about 10 Amp-hours, though of course a fair sized inverter is needed. Far most civilized than firing up a generator! I guess my question was poorly specified. The boat in question has a propane system and stove, so there are other ways to quietly heat water. My question was related to simply the safety issues involved in carrying and occasionally operating a Honda EU-2000i portable generator in the cockpit area of a boat. I used "making coffee or whatever" as an example of it's purpose since the boat I was contemplating does not have a permanent genset or inverter. I didn't realize my safety related question was so controversial. I am not exactly new to boating and am well aware of the courtesies that should be extended and shared. Eisboch |
Portable Generators
On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:04:01 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:
"jeff" wrote in message ... Eisboch wrote: ... I've searched around looking for information on the safety issues of carrying a small, portable, gasoline generator on board for making morning coffee or whatever. I have a little Honda EU-2000 Inverter type generator that is small, light, quiet and completely self-contained. For my needs, I could fuel it on the dock, and it would have enough gas to serve the minimal morning coffee making needs for a week or more. No need to carry any more gas containers. ... Most everything has been said, but I can't resist putting in my two bits. First, There is really no problem with the Honda as long as its stashed in a place where any fuel leak will go overboard, instead of the bilge. I carry one in a cockpit locker that drains out the stern, and the spare gas stays in the dinghy hanging on davits. When its run, usually as a backup charging system, the exhaust is pointed out the stern. However, I must say that I find its too noisy to use in a crowded anchorage, especially if there is a boat directly behind. And running it first thing in the morning just to make coffee is decidedly anti-social. As for making coffee, a home style electric brewer is not needed, you can much better coffee with manual methods. Many prefer a French Press, but my favorite is a simple manual drip through a paper filter into a Thermos. I have a slight preference for a "gold filter" at home, but paper filters are much easier to clean on a boat. There are several other methods, but they are all just variations on the same theme: mix near boiling water with good coffee, that's all it takes. This of course leaves the question of how to produce boiling water - I'm assuming the you don't have a non-electric stove on board. (But then, how do you stay out more than a day? Do you intend to run a portable genset for every meal???) You could always get a small propane camp stove; the risks associated are probably less than carrying gasoline. There are some BBQ's (like the new Magma) that can easily heat a pot of water. Also, a microwave can boil a quart of water reasonably quick. Probably the best electric heater is a Bodum Ibis (or Mini Ibis), which can boil 1.7 liters in 4 minutes. Its total load for a Thermos of coffee would be about 10 Amp-hours, though of course a fair sized inverter is needed. Far most civilized than firing up a generator! I guess my question was poorly specified. The boat in question has a propane system and stove, so there are other ways to quietly heat water. My question was related to simply the safety issues involved in carrying and occasionally operating a Honda EU-2000i portable generator in the cockpit area of a boat. I used "making coffee or whatever" as an example of it's purpose since the boat I was contemplating does not have a permanent genset or inverter. I didn't realize my safety related question was so controversial. I am not exactly new to boating and am well aware of the courtesies that should be extended and shared. Eisboch I suppose the question is "do you have an outboard motor?". Keeping a generator aboard would present about the same safety aspects as the outboard. Bruce-in-Bangkok (correct email address for reply) |
Portable Generators
Eisboch wrote:
.... I didn't realize my safety related question was so controversial. You should know that the two most controversial issues are gensets and coffee. I am not exactly new to boating and am well aware of the courtesies that should be extended and shared. Yes, I was baffled by that. But lack of understanding didn't stop me from responding. |
Portable Generators
Wayne.B wrote:
On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:23:40 -0700, Alan Gomes wrote: What I do on the boat is boil the water in a kettle on the stove and then use one of those Melita paper cone filters that sits in a plastic holder, and just brew right into the cup. Then it's very easy to dispose of the paper and grounds directly into the trash bag. The plastic holder that holds the paper cone is easily rinsed off for next time. Yes, we do the same thing, very good coffee. I like the Aeropress. Gordon |
Portable Generators
On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:04:01 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:
You could always get a small propane camp stove; the risks associated are probably less than carrying gasoline. There are some I would like to point out thhat propane is considerably heavier than air, about the same density as carbon dioxide. Given a chance, it will settle into the bilge. The explosion possible with a pound of the stuff is equal to several sticks of dynamite, and can easily demolish a boat. It does also mix with air to the point that the mixture is too fuel poor to burn. It will do that, given a chance. This is why you see boats with a 20 lb bottle mounted over the side, outside and attached to, the stern railing. Gasoline main engines are probably more dangerous, slightly. I have been boating on an Iowa lake for fifty years. Never heard of a boat fire. Nearly all the boats are open runabouts, or in the case of the 5hp fishing boats, crawlabouts, and carrying a fire extinguisher is required by law. Casady |
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:55 AM. |
|
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004 - 2014 BoatBanter.com