Gas Gen suggestion?

[alexr254]

I am thinking about putting in a gas gen into my 26 ft cruiser. I read through a bunch of posts here, but i was hopin for something a bit more personalized for my application.

I want to do this so i can use all of my galley electronics while on the water, currently its all shore power hookups.

Will need to power the fridge, electric stove, water heater, AC, interior lights, low power TV, Game console, various other small stuff...

I have room in the dog house for a good size gen, and would extend the gas tank to my boats main (gravity fed). I am also looking for an electric start gen, so i can wire a key to the front console.

My boat is a 26 ft family cruiser with a 10ft beam, full galley.

Any suggestions on the gens wattage, model, etc...?

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Gas Gen suggestion?

I would imagine a 3-4kW genset would be sufficient, with the main issue being the load of your A/C unit and maybe the fridge/stove. I would make sure you rig it all in accordance with USCG regs and get a marine genset which is raw water cooled and spark/flame arrested.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Gas Gen suggestion?

I would imagine a 3-4kW genset would be sufficient, with the main issue being the load of your A/C unit and maybe the fridge/stove. I would make sure you rig it all in accordance with USCG regs and get a marine genset which is raw water cooled and spark/flame arrested.

Wait untill he see's the cost of one of these not counting instalation.Might be cheaper in the long run to buy another boat already equipped.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Gas Gen suggestion?

I am thinking about putting in a gas gen into my 26 ft cruiser. I read through a bunch of posts here, but i was hopin for something a bit more personalized for my application.

I'm guessing you are looking for an easier answer, as all the threads go into detail about what you need... In summary, the cheap option is potentially illegal, dangerous, and deadly. The correct way is $$$$, and as someone else mentioned, might be cheaper to find a boat with it already.

To give you an example, here is a typical 3k watt marine watercooled genset. $7,000. That doesn't include installation, wiring, CO detectors, flammable gas detector, etc...

http://www.norwall.com/products/Wes...V23267_a_7c1096_a_7c3327_a_7c3.0 BPMG_d_612FW

With all that said, there are plenty of people that strap a honda generator on a swim platform or bow, but you need to be VERY careful doing that. You absolutely need CO detectors, and limit its usage to good conditions. (some breeze, but not too windy)

 

[Bondo]

Re: Gas Gen suggestion?

I'm guessing you are looking for an easier answer, as all the threads go into detail about what you need... In summary, the cheap option is potentially illegal, dangerous, and deadly. The correct way is $$$$, and as someone else mentioned, might be cheaper to find a boat with it already.

To give you an example, here is a typical 3k watt marine watercooled genset. $7,000. That doesn't include installation, wiring, CO detectors, flammable gas detector, etc...

http://www.norwall.com/products/Wes...V23267_a_7c1096_a_7c3327_a_7c3.0 BPMG_d_612FW

Ayuh,..... 'n 3000 watts won't power a burner on the stove, if the water heater turns on....

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Gas Gen suggestion?

Your boat has the same options as most others in your size range and those usually come equipped with a 5K watt genset. As was mentioned in the other posts and other threads, a marine genset is the optimum and the potential for problems exist with a portable.

NMMA specs allow the gennie to be contained under the deck or other structure as long as it is equipped with a constant source of fresh air (i.e. intrinsic blower) and a water cooled, baffled, permanantly plumbed exhaust. A portable genset does NOT meet these requirement and, at best, is a huge safety concern. This is another reason why a portable 5K genset is $700 and a marine mounted unit is $7000. Of course, look around marine sites for quality, warrantied used ones. I've seen 5K units for as low as $2000.

After you have decided which route to take, PLEASE, PLEASE install a CO detector in any portion of the boat where someone may potentially sleep (every where, with the exception of the head). Make sure they are the dual voltage type (110v/12v) and come with a battery backup. Every year there are stories about people who wake up dead because of a genset running with a hatch left ajar and no CO detectors.

If you go with the portable genset on the swim platform or bow, you should be able to power your boat with a standard 30A cord. I know Bond-o stated that you couldn't run the stove/AC together, but that would depend on the draw at start up as well as operating amperage. In any case, a 3K unit would be more than underpowered for your boat. A 5K would be more to your needs. You also have fridge, water heater, stove, battery charger, etc. The tv and game consoles don't draw squat.

Please, just be aware of what position you are putting yourself in by retrofitting a genset if you don't use the correct equipment.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Gas Gen suggestion?

You might check with some of the places that work on boats. Many times boats are abandon to them. I have bought two that way and both ran good. The price was a lot cheaper than advertised prices.

 

[alexr254]

Re: Gas Gen suggestion?

Thanks guys. I definately will not be getting a $$$$ unit. Its for maybe 5-6 hours a month, if even that.

I had my eye on a portable 6k unit from Harbour Freight, it has electric start and can easily extent the gas tank. I would run a dedicated blower for it and possibly make some sort of water cooling system with my seacock...

The boat does come equipted with the CO detector, but ill add in another for safety.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Gas Gen suggestion?

I had my eye on a portable 6k unit from Harbour Freight, it has electric start and can easily extent the gas tank. I would run a dedicated blower for it and possibly make some sort of water cooling system with my seacock...

The boat does come equipted with the CO detector, but ill add in another for safety.

You absolutely need a flammable gas detector also... Non-marine generators will potentially make sparks. The alternator/generator portion isn't protected, and if there is flammable gas, KABOOM!

 

[rbh]

Re: Gas Gen suggestion?

Your having the same dilema I am going through right now.

After you add up how many watts you will "need/would like" at one time IE the battery charger, fridge, stove, lights coffee maker toaster, hot water heater, wifes hair drier, you figure out there is no way in heck that your going to pull around a 10.000 watt gen set, so you pare back your excpectations to what you really need.

For us, fridge, battery charger and hopefully about 1200 watts left over for misc appliances IE-the coffee pot/toaster (if used one at a time), convert AC stove top to propane burners and if I need hot water run the motor.

So 3000 watts (thats 2500 watts full time- 3000 watts for short draws) should "just" about be enough for us, we will just have to keep a running check on whats plugged in and whats it drawing.


And yes it will be a portable genset to be used on the swim grid or packed to shore.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Gas Gen suggestion?

Thanks guys. I definately will not be getting a $$$$ unit. Its for maybe 5-6 hours a month, if even that.

I had my eye on a portable 6k unit from Harbour Freight, it has electric start and can easily extent the gas tank. I would run a dedicated blower for it and possibly make some sort of water cooling system with my seacock...

The boat does come equipted with the CO detector, but ill add in another for safety.

if your running the air cooled unit from HF above deck, no need to tie into the fuel system. if your planning on running it below deck or in the bilge area - dont. you will make the news when it explodes.

 

[calvinator]

Re: Gas Gen suggestion?

Been down this road before.... Pick two of these three:
Price
Watts
Quietness

There is an excellent install write up of someone installing a Honda 2000 generator on a Macgregor sailboat (google it). The guy extended the exhaust over the side and everything. Also gave some real-world uses.

If you don't go with a 4000 watt quiet marine generator ($$$$$$), the $1200 Honda setup fits nicely. And the Hondas can now be teamed together to produce 4000 watts.

 

[shrew]

Re: Gas Gen suggestion?

Thanks guys. I definately will not be getting a $$$$ unit. Its for maybe 5-6 hours a month, if even that.

I had my eye on a portable 6k unit from Harbour Freight, it has electric start and can easily extent the gas tank. I would run a dedicated blower for it and possibly make some sort of water cooling system with my seacock...

The boat does come equipted with the CO detector, but ill add in another for safety.

A portable air cooled Genny can't be run below deck. A marine A/C includes a few things; ignition protection, water cooled block and exhaust, outboard exahaust and cooling discharge, ties into the main fuel system. Portables are non of these things.

You'r either talking about a portable above deck, or a marine genny. There are no do it yourself conversions.