I've had 5 generators over the past years. Still have 2 of them.
None have built-in GFCIs. The genset I have on my boat does
not even have a provision for an earth ground. The manual
does mention that an option is to connect neutral to ground but
I believe that may be in violation of ABYC guidelines.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Rick & Linda Bernard" wrote in message
...
They should be grounded.

In a typical generator. The user would run a cord to say a power tool.
If
the tool shorts out to the case you want the easiest path to ground
through
the ground wire back to the generator's GFI. The GFI would sense the
short
and open. Without the ground the user may provide the path bypassing the
GFI. The GFI would not sense the short and this could be a shocking
experience.

In a boat with the generator connected as shore power you run through the
boats distribution panel and that panel provides the protection. In the
strictest electrical terms the generator should be grounded and if you
want
to do this I would use a zinc "Guppy" overboard. However, if your AC
system
is grounded to the boats motor or the through hulls then due to stray
currents I would not ground. Electrolysis may cause damage to the
underwater metal parts of your boat. If the boat's AC system is not
grounded then the "Guppy" is a reasonable approach.

"Doug Dotson" wrote in message
...
Every portable generator I have seen has this situation. I have
2 portable generators and never setup the ground as they say.
Just visit a construction site and see haw many generators
are grounded. I've also seen many portable generators on
boats. None have an earth ground. Just plug it in and go.

Doug
s/v Callista

wrote in message
...
Please help me understand. MyYamaha manual says" be sure to ground (
earth) the generator" and the picture is showing a wire connected to
the
generator and the other end is a nail burried to the earth ground.
How
to I do that on a boat?
I have a 26 foot Monterey with shore power.I purchased a boat shore
power adapter to regular household plug ( 3 prong) and I was thingking
of pluging that to the generator. I am confuse about grounding of the
generator to the earth ground ( the nailing to ground thing) ????

The 3000eu Honda . . . at 134 pounds? Climbing over the back transom onto a
narrow "swim platform" . . . . lugging 134 pounds? I don't think so. (How
many muscular young crewpersons do you have on YOUR boat?)

The 3000eu Honda . . . at 134 pounds? Climbing over the back transom onto a
narrow "swim platform" . . . . lugging 134 pounds? I don't think so. (How
many muscular young crewpersons do you have on YOUR boat?)

Where was it sugggested that the 3000eu be used as a portable
generator on a boat?

Doug
s/v Callista

"Drumm Law" wrote in message
...
The 3000eu Honda . . . at 134 pounds? Climbing over the back transom onto
a
narrow "swim platform" . . . . lugging 134 pounds? I don't think so.
(How
many muscular young crewpersons do you have on YOUR boat?)

Where was it sugggested that the 3000eu be used as a portable
generator on a boat?

Doug
s/v Callista

"Drumm Law" wrote in message
...
The 3000eu Honda . . . at 134 pounds? Climbing over the back transom onto
a
narrow "swim platform" . . . . lugging 134 pounds? I don't think so.
(How
many muscular young crewpersons do you have on YOUR boat?)

"Drumm Law" wrote in message
...
The 3000eu Honda . . . at 134 pounds? Climbing over the back transom onto
a
narrow "swim platform" . . . . lugging 134 pounds? I don't think so.
(How
many muscular young crewpersons do you have on YOUR boat?)

I know people who have bigger generators than that sitting on the swim step.
They just leave them there. Bolt them down so they don't fall or walk off,
throw a cover over them so they aren't exposed to the elements.

Rod

"Drumm Law" wrote in message
...
The 3000eu Honda . . . at 134 pounds? Climbing over the back transom onto
a
narrow "swim platform" . . . . lugging 134 pounds? I don't think so.
(How
many muscular young crewpersons do you have on YOUR boat?)

I know people who have bigger generators than that sitting on the swim step.
They just leave them there. Bolt them down so they don't fall or walk off,
throw a cover over them so they aren't exposed to the elements.

Rod

If you had a large generator sitting on the swim deck all the time . . . it
might work if you never left the slip, and your moorage is calm and protected.
I can't imagine running in salt water in Pacific Northwest and not ruining the
generator in one season . . . or less.

If you had a large generator sitting on the swim deck all the time . . . it
might work if you never left the slip, and your moorage is calm and protected.
I can't imagine running in salt water in Pacific Northwest and not ruining the
generator in one season . . . or less.

I guess there must be something especially bad about Pacific Northwest
salt water vs other sal****er. Is suspect it would depend upon
the generator, the swim platform, and the cover. Also, maintenence
might have an impact.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Drumm Law" wrote in message
...
If you had a large generator sitting on the swim deck all the time . . .
it
might work if you never left the slip, and your moorage is calm and
protected.
I can't imagine running in salt water in Pacific Northwest and not ruining
the
generator in one season . . . or less.