auto demand generator

[beau]

I moved on board a 40 ft trimaran over one year ago with my partner Christine and I love the life.
However having ice in our drinks (sundowners) and a decent size fridge and freezer are necessarities at this time in our lives.
We are at a marina (with shore power) for the time being but want to set off cruising for long periods.

I have set the boat up with 600 amp hr AGM batteries and a 13 hp Honda driving a 200 amp 12 volt alternator for battery charging and an Inverter (which recently failed) etc.

I am not completly happy with the arrangement.

I recenly borrowed a Yamaha 1kva 240 volt generator (when my Inverter failed)
It was much quieter than my Honda system but had to be run for very long periods of time but was only really "working' when the fridge or freezer cut in.

I realised that an electric start auto demand small generator would be the perfect answer to power requirements on a small boat.
No large battery bank, No inverter, with less things to go wrong.

Does anyone make such a thing as a electric start auto demand small generator or would it be possible to make such a system.

[Chief Engineer]

They make on demand gensets...I have seen a couple but cannot recall the make.

[LtBrett]

I think it is possible, but your premise of less things to go wrong may go out the window. A dead circuit doesn't relay any information, other than the fact it is dead. In other words, you can't throw a switch on a de-energized circuit and expect anything to happen. However, if you have a house battery hooked to an inverter, you will have a/c power. Hook a voltage sensing relay into the DC side and set it to close at 11.8v or somewhere close to that. Run your generator start circuit to the voltage sensing relay. Then decide whether to put in an auto transfer switch to change you over from inverter to generator power or run the generator to the battery charger only.

Alternatively, if your fridge is the only load you care about, you can set up a thermostatic relay to close the generator start circuit when the fridge gets too warm.

So it is possible, but it certainly doesn't eliminate complexity. Anyone know of a canned solution?

Brett

[senormechanico]

A very efficient and well insulated fridge and lots of solar panels.
Worked for us. We never needed to run the engine for power...ever, and we had a VCR, TV, HAM radio, watermaker, Radar, etc.

Steve B.

[beau]

Thank you Lt Brett
"Alternatively, if your fridge is the only load you care about, you can set up a thermostatic relay to close the generator start circuit when the fridge gets too warm."

I found a remote electric start 2kva generator on ebay.
Now I will hook up an themostatic relay as suggested.
Thank You.
I will let you know how it works out

[LtBrett]

You've got balls allowing a gasoline generator to start unattended. Good luck, Beau.

[johnpair]

Hi all,
I am seriously interested in a Lord Nelson 41, 1981, that I have looked at a few times. The boat is (seems to be) in good shape. I need an opinion better than my subjective own, or the one of the "guy" who wants to sell me his boat.
The diesel engine is a BMW 3 cyl., 50 HP, model D 50-2-F-45-150, with a rebuilt trans. The original engine has been serviced, and has four and a half to five thousand hours on it. I am told by the owner that a cared for diesel will accumulate ten thousand and beyond hours.
I don't want to sound skeptical, but I'm not sure I want to believe this.
I know asking this question is kind of shooting in a dark alley, but has anyone here experienced this long a reliable service with a (cared for) diesel engine without a major rebuild or overhaul?
Thanks in advance,
J.P.

[jimking100]

What is your solar panel configuration?
Jim

[gosstyla]

Check

Ample Power Company Home Page

also

Victron Energy - Inverter/chargers - Inverters - Battery Chargers - and more