Honda Generator on Swim Platform

[homelite]

Hello,
I have a 25' Four Winns Vista Cruiser with central air in the cabin. I've seen people strap a Honda super quiet generator on the swim platform so they can run the a/c at night. I am seriously considering this as a great option to stay cool in a cove on the water at night. Question is....Is this a normal and safe practice? What is the danger of CO2 entering the cabin? The boat has two CO2 dectectors in the cabin, one in the aft sleeping area and one in the main area. The engine is 2hp or so on the 1000w generator and they are so quiet you wouldn't even know it was running. Just looking for pros and cons from some people that may already have tried this.

Thanks in Advance.
Scott

 

[mphy98]

Re: Honda Generator on Swim Platform

aside from the co2 dnager which unless the wind is just right, would be minimal, i would worry more about losing the generator to a wave of water from any number of sources that would swamp the generator. and if you are in a salt water climate it would be short lived anyway.

 

[abj87]

Re: Honda Generator on Swim Platform

You arn't going to run much of an ac off of that 1000w unit. Your looking at the 2k or 3k units at least.

 

[HDPipes05]

Re: Honda Generator on Swim Platform

You arn't going to run much of an ac off of that 1000w unit. Your looking at the 2k or 3k units at least.

+1
The Honda EU2000 is the way to go. I rent them for raftups just for this purpose. A 1K just won't have the umphhh. The startup of the A/C is generally what kicks then genny's off.

I actually strap mine to the bow during the day while we are on the aft deck or in the cabin however, Here by us I really haven't run the genny at night. We have had enough air flow and fans to keep us cool. Even with Co2 detectors I'm to nervous about that while sleeping. Kipor makes a VERY similar sine wave genny for about $150 less. Supposed to be just as quiet etc etc. Yamaha also makes a comparable size to these but roughly the same price as the Honda

The Honda EU2000 I believe weighs around 50lbs however I think the EU3000 comes in at over 100lbs.

 

[gcboat]

Re: Honda Generator on Swim Platform

The Honda eu200i will produce 13.3 amps. If you have an A/C unit that matches those parameters then you are good to go. You could also think about installing a hard start capacitor in your unit to help with the initial kick in. That is where most of the lower end gensets fail.
The unit is not waterproof or spark resistant so please don't plan on installing this in your engine compartment.
You could make a box to keep any errant water from entering the unit - lots of info on the web.
As far as 02, not C02 entering your cabin if you are on the hook the boat should keep the bow into the wind and disperse any exhaust fumes away.
It is a risky situation at best but with the proper monitors in good working condition you should be able to get a good nights sleep.
I always leave a window or port ajar and sleep with one eye open. It's just me.
Here's where I bought mine from and some additional info if you want :
http://mayberrys.com/honda/generator/models/eu2000i.htm

 

[HDPipes05]

Re: Honda Generator on Swim Platform

The Honda eu200i will produce 13.3 amps. If you have an A/C unit that matches those parameters then you are good to go. You could also think about installing a hard start capacitor in your unit to help with the initial kick in. That is where most of the lower end gensets fail.
The unit is not waterproof or spark resistant so please don't plan on installing this in your engine compartment.
You could make a box to keep any errant water from entering the unit - lots of info on the web.
As far as 02, not C02 entering your cabin if you are on the hook the boat should keep the bow into the wind and disperse any exhaust fumes away.
It is a risky situation at best but with the proper monitors in good working condition you should be able to get a good nights sleep.
I always leave a window or port ajar and sleep with one eye open. It's just me.
Here's where I bought mine from and some additional info if you want :
http://mayberrys.com/honda/generator/models/eu2000i.htm

Excellent points!! I have heard of (Never seen) people using large coolers (w/o the top on) and placing the genny on the swim plat in the to keep the Genny dry. I can't see this being good for the genny though while its running.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Honda Generator on Swim Platform

it is not approved by the coast guard. but as you say many do it. if it caused a fire, you might have problems with the insurance company. i would rather see a stainless box around it. than a flamable, plastic cooler.

 

[cpubud]

Re: Honda Generator on Swim Platform

I have the eu3000 on my swim platform it is in a fiberglass box 6 inchs high to prevent water getting to it and still allows plenty of ventilation for unit does not overheat at all works great. even though it is strapped down we pull it into the boat while underway just to be on the safe side.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Honda Generator on Swim Platform

Not cold enough for you up there yet?

 

[Hitech]

Re: Honda Generator on Swim Platform

BTW, it's CO, carbon monoxide (not O2, oxygen, nor CO2, carbon dioxide). O2 and CO2 are not going to hurt you.

As others have said, a Honda 1000 is not going to start most if any A/C units. A Honda 2000 will start some A/C units up to a 13.5k BTU, but many 13.5k BTU A/Cs will not start with one. The Yamaha 2400 seems to have just enough extra to start many 13.5k BTU A/Cs.

I would certainly worry about DO entering the cabin. Running a gen while sleeping is risky as CO poisoning makes you sleepy. However, people do it all the time.

 

[HDPipes05]

Re: Honda Generator on Swim Platform

BTW, it's CO, carbon monoxide (not O2, oxygen, nor CO2, carbon dioxide). O2 and CO2 are not going to hurt you..

Oooops my bad. You are correct. Fingers working faster then brain.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Honda Generator on Swim Platform

Here in the sub tropics people do this all the time. Have never heard of any problems. Consider putting the generator on shore and using a quality extension cord sized big enough to prevent line voltage loss. Also a cheap old pram on anything that floats, anchored away from the boat with a cord works. FRED

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Honda Generator on Swim Platform

Soft start kits are available for aircons so that they can on 2000w gens

BTW, CO2 may not be poisonous, but it can still cause asphyxiation.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Honda Generator on Swim Platform

I used to keep a small Honda generator on board for use on overnight fishing trips, not to run AC but to run larger lights for fishing and to attract bait. A small suitcase generator was all we needed. It ran super quite and I'd put it out on the bow deck out of the way. It was on the other side of the cabin from where we were fishing and we never had a fume problem but it did give out after about 5 years from all sorts of corrosion issues due to the saltwater environment and I am sure some direct salt spray every now and then. I doubt if putting it on a swim platform would have been doable, especially in rough water. Besides, we'd have had to listen to it and fish over it.