Portable Generator on Boat

[Stumble]

We have successfully started a 16,000btu AC with our 2kw Honda. The trick is you have to soft start it, meaning start the fan, get it to full speed then kick the compressor on. Alternatively some inverters can add boost power to get an appliance running, then switch and use the excess power from the generator to recharge the batteries. If you are designing a system this is the route I would go.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by WizardsPM

Has anyone converted a Yanmar 5500 Diesel generator in the builge of a boat?

Clarification and a new thread are your only hope with this.


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[Thorne]

Under the heading of "Cheap but effective"
1. I have a deck mounted box that "was" used to store 2 propane tanks. Converted it by using cheap house vent covers on all sides and painting the whole thing white.
2. I found a spark plug fits the exhaust pipe on the honda EU2000 if you find the right size tap. ( just tap it and screw it in )
3. I drilled out the inside of an old spark plug after breaking out the ceramics.
4. I use an extended dryer hose to vent the exhaust with high temp tape to form a good seal.

5. Use the ground the Honda has on the front if you are going to use it for extended periods. ( If you don't ground your gen. the "back" current will eat your drive shaft after it eats your zincs )

I was concerned about:
1. Fresh air for the carb and cooling ( solved )
2. Exhaust fumes close to the boat ( solved )
3. Noise from the exhaust. ( pretty much solved as the dryer hose seems to get rid of most of the rest of the noise )
4. Back pressure from restricting the exhaust ( solved as the dryer hose seems to provide plenty of flow )
5. Starting air conditioners ( something like this

https://www.amazon.com/Compressor-Sa...ner+soft+start

might work, I haven't had to use one yet )

If there is plenty of wind like to run the dryer hose up the mizzen mast to get the fumes away from everything, if not I dangle it in the water.

[Obi Wan]

Originally Posted by Stumble

We have successfully started a 16,000btu AC with our 2kw Honda. The trick is you have to soft start it...

I was unable to run my Cruisair 16k BTU AC with the 2kw Honda (or other similars) even with a soft start capacitor and had to install a Victron 3kw boosting inverter to do it.

[jbinbi]

How do you solve the reverse polarity issue when connecting the Honda to the shore power input? My rp light keeps coming on. I know if I can ground the generator to something it should solve the problem, but don't know how to do this. Any input would be appreciated.

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[RonRicco]

Originally Posted by Obi Wan

I was unable to run my Cruisair 16k BTU AC with the 2kw Honda (or other similars) even with a soft start capacitor and had to install a Victron 3kw boosting inverter to do it.

Obi,

Did you use a capacitor or the "Smart Start" by Dometic? All the reports I have heard have said that using the Smart Start module solved the problem.


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[Thorne]

Originally Posted by jbinbi

How do you solve the reverse polarity issue when connecting the Honda to the shore power input? My rp light keeps coming on. I know if I can ground the generator to something it should solve the problem, but don't know how to do this. Any input would be appreciated.

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The effect is called electrolysis. Same thing they use to silver plate things. My understanding is that is what your zincs do, they are more easily displaced into salt water than your other expensive iron boat parts.

I use a wire connected thru the grounding plug on the front of the Honda , "I think", to the ground my inverter is connected to for the same purpose.

Please have an electrician verify "YOU'RE" grounding connection on your boat like I did, to make sure you aren't causing a greater problem than your solving.

That having been said........

When he's done, keep track of your zincs to make sure they aren't being dissolved at a high rate. ( trust, but verify )

It's a pretty good idea to do watch them pretty closely even when attached to shore power since the boat next to you can cause a problem on your boat if they don't have their system grounded properly.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by RonRicco

Obi,

Did you use a capacitor or the "Smart Start" by Dometic? All the reports I have heard have said that using the Smart Start module solved the problem.


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The Smart Start module is way more effective than just a start cap, it is therefore of course far more expensive, but it does do what it claims.


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[zeehag]

older than dirt thread but still appropriate.
i miss my honda 2k. it finally grew old and had to be retired after a long and useful life.
dbuetell, no laws governing kinds of generators you use,it is YOUR CHOICE, if they are aggro because of noise--it is their problem. oops sorry but facts is facts. dont let them bully you.

[Obi Wan]

Originally Posted by RonRicco

Obi,

Did you use a capacitor or the "Smart Start" by Dometic? All the reports I have heard have said that using the Smart Start module solved the problem.

I considered the Dometic Smart Start but since they are $450, I figured I would put that towards the Victron boosting inverter since that can be used for more than just the air conditioning. I think it was the right choice.

[a64pilot]

I couldn't cough up the $450 myself


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[model 10]

Originally Posted by zeehag

YOUR CHOICE, if they are aggro because of noise--it is their problem. oops sorry but facts is facts. dont let them bully you.

I'm glad you've made it no further than you have with your attitude on noise pollution. We don't need to be listening to stupid generators

[sstuller]

Maybe I sail in a different world but in tidal waters boats don't lie to the wind. They lie to the current. If the generator is at the stern and you have wind against current it will blow the exhaust back into the boat. You better have a CO detector. Thanks

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by zeehag

. . . dbuetell, no laws governing kinds of generators you use,it is YOUR CHOICE, if they are aggro because of noise--it is their problem. oops sorry but facts is facts. dont let them bully you.

Is your advice that the only thing which matters is whether it is legal or not? So courtesy and considering other people, are not factors in deciding where to run your generator, only laws? Hmmm . . .

[Group9]

Originally Posted by Thorne

Under the heading of "Cheap but effective"
1. I have a deck mounted box that "was" used to store 2 propane tanks. Converted it by using cheap house vent covers on all sides and painting the whole thing white.
2. I found a spark plug fits the exhaust pipe on the honda EU2000 if you find the right size tap. ( just tap it and screw it in )
3. I drilled out the inside of an old spark plug after breaking out the ceramics.
4. I use an extended dryer hose to vent the exhaust with high temp tape to form a good seal.

5. Use the ground the Honda has on the front if you are going to use it for extended periods. ( If you don't ground your gen. the "back" current will eat your drive shaft after it eats your zincs )

I was concerned about:
1. Fresh air for the carb and cooling ( solved )
2. Exhaust fumes close to the boat ( solved )
3. Noise from the exhaust. ( pretty much solved as the dryer hose seems to get rid of most of the rest of the noise )
4. Back pressure from restricting the exhaust ( solved as the dryer hose seems to provide plenty of flow )
5. Starting air conditioners ( something like this

https://www.amazon.com/Compressor-Sa...ner+soft+start

might work, I haven't had to use one yet )

If there is plenty of wind like to run the dryer hose up the mizzen mast to get the fumes away from everything, if not I dangle it in the water.

Funny, my slip neighbor has a propane locker of the size you describe, and I have looked at it a lot of times, thinking of doing just what you did.