Generator Exhaust Cooling

[SS MAYFLOAT]

I'm planning on building a dock box that will house my portable generator, batteries, and fresh water supply. If I can do this, it should reduce the weight on the boat by 350 pounds or more.<br /><br />I want to be able to open panels in the locker box to allow adequate ventilation which will be easy to configure. But the exhaust is another problem. I was thinking about using a small copper line (about 1/4 OD copper) and having it siphon lake water into the exhaust. Then the exhaust would be dumped into the lake water several inches deep to reduce the exhaust noise.<br /><br />I'm just curious if a couple of these siphon tubes would siphon up enough lake water to cool the exhaust so that it won't set fire to the dock and or the locker box.<br /><br />I've heard of others hooking up a pump to pump water into the exhaust, but I don't have the extra watts to run the pump. Do you think this (siphon) may be enough to do the job. The lift on the siphon would only be 2.5' at the most.<br /><br />Thanks......SS

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Generator Exhaust Cooling

A good muffler system will beat the water idea hands down. Stick a straw in a drink and blow. Not a happy sound. Not only that, it will cause back pressure on the exhaust system and the generator may not be able to overcome it and run properly. Just make sure there is enough air circulating around the unit and install a good muffler.