Portable Generators Can Kill

[MartinF]

Any sailor who runs a portable generator on his yacht should read this scary report.

https://www.propublica.org/article/c...ontent=feature

In summary, a generator can kill you even thru a slightly open hatch.

[Dogscout]

So Carbon Monoxide will kill you. Does this apply to fixed generators and other internal combustion engines?

Seems to me I recall a situation a few years ago where CO from a installed generator built up under a catamaran where children were swimming and there was a fatality. Those catamarans are scary too.

[MicHughV]

a lot of things can kill you on a boat....a lot of things under the water can kill you..a lot of things coming from the sky can kill you.....other people can kill you.....old age can kill you.....what's a little carbon monoxide ???

[rslifkin]

Same issue applies with a built in generator, etc. With any engine running on a stationary boat (especially gasoline powered) you need to be aware of wind direction, exhaust port location, what windows / hatches / ports are open, etc. And have CO detectors on board.

[Tayana42]

I think this a good reminder. We all need to be thoughtful and careful about CO in our boats. We all know this and we know the precautions to take. We just need to stay careful. Thank you, MartinF, for the reminder.

[MartinF]

If you had managed to kill your wife and children, like the guy in this story, you might not feel so light-hearted about CO.

I only ask that you read the article. Before I read it I might have said "the generator is outside, I'm safe"
M

[MartinF]

My post number 6 is really directed at the first 2 responses.

[MicHughV]

leaking propane gas inside your boat.....forgot about that one......

not being light hearted all ...merely pointing out to you that there are a number of things aboard a boat that can do you in if you're not careful...

[grantmc]

There's a similar risk with a stove. Burning propane produces CO2 and CO.

[captstu]

Three years ago my wife and I stopped at a dock temper early so I can run a short errand. I turned on our Honda generator out on the back deck and turned on the air conditioning so she could be comfortable.

Just before I returned about 20 minutes later all three carbon monoxide detectors that I put in the boat when I installed the portable generator began alarming.

While she was figuring out if it was a bilge warning, and overheat warning, or one of the other miscellaneous warnings that the boat issues from time to time I returned home .

I opened the door to the alarms, escorted her off the boat, turned off the portable generator, and open all the hatches.

The next day I trash all three carbon monoxide detector detectors for a detector that speaks to you and explains the problem.

We sold the boat for a travel trailer a bit later, unrelated to this problem.

My first aftermarket purchase in the travel trailer was add two additional speaking carbon monoxide detectors.

Running a portable generator can be dangerous, however you can mitigate some of that in a danger with more than one carbon monoxide detector that speaks to you when the carbon monoxide is detected.

Don’t get the kind that have interchangeable batteries. They fail under heavy vibration or moisture and don’t give you any warning.

Buy the newer sealed units they have a 10 year sensor and a 10 year battery.

If you were an occasional boater push the test button when you board to ensure that your sensors are working.

Finally, in your practice drills, make sure everyone that routinely operates the boat or travels on the boat is aware of what to do in the event of an alarm.

A standing water, if such a thing exists between a husband and a wife, is if the boat is the dock and the alarm goes off leave the boat for the dock and call for help.

[bjp447]

Point is well taken
Every portable I have seen is plastered with warning s.
It is paying attention to the warnings. Even on a boat, with it
it on the swim platform your taking a chance sleeping with it running.
Portable Generators have their place, we have two and use them
for a number of reasons but always with the danger in mind.
This could have been shortened to - you can't fix stupid. CM poisoning
thru the back door, where was the generator - on the back porch.
Probable cause (just guessing) extension cords too short. Use common sense

[tilostahl]

I recently installed a CO detector on my boat. Of course it's just a regular detector for residential use, with a 10 year battery. Does anyone know how long they will function in a marine environment? I'm not sure I should trust it.

[sv_pelagia]

Originally Posted by tilostahl

I recently installed a CO detector on my boat. Of course it's just a regular detector for residential use, with a 10 year battery. Does anyone know how long they will function in a marine environment? I'm not sure I should trust it.

Most new/recent CO detectors with 10-yr battey I've seen now have ANSI/UL2034 approval, which includes "boats" indoor spaces

[Cheechako]

Many people don't realize that there can be a backdraft from the stern of the boat forward, especially when not moving. A gen sitting on the lazarrette could be deadly if this goes into the cabin. My state requires a sticker about C0 on new craft, although I seldom see them. They don't provide enough info anyway.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by tilostahl

I recently installed a CO detector on my boat. Of course it's just a regular detector for residential use, with a 10 year battery. Does anyone know how long they will function in a marine environment? I'm not sure I should trust it.

I don't know if I trust them to make the full 10 years, but I figure I'll run mine for at least 5 before replacement.