Portable Generators
 

I would like to have some recommendations on portable generators. I need 115 volt and 30 amps.

Basically I want to store the generator in my "dock box" and only use it when I want A/C on the lake. What does everyone use?

Re: Portable Generators
 

HONDA......period. :D

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Which one?

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No question Honda.

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Honda, Honda, Honda pick one with 30 amps capacity...

30 amps will require at least 3 600 watts

Re: Portable Generators
 

I am a Honda Dealer and have sold quite a few to OSO'ers. Go to the following website and decide what you want. Use the following zip code 33765 and it will give you the selling price from our store. Then PM me or call 813-310-4987
www.hondapowerequipment.com

Keith

Re: Portable Generators
 

WOW! To get 125V and 30A, I'm gonna need the EU3000is. At 134 pounds, that's one heavy generator! :eek:

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/i...3000-large.jpg

Re: Portable Generators
 

someone will chime in with the A/c that runs on a 1000 Honda

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Correct me if I'm wrong, but If it's only for your A/C, I don't think you need 30 AMPs at 125 Volts. The A/C unit you were looking at consumes only about 4 amps continuous. It might surge to 30 at startup, but not continuous.

125V at 30 amps continuous is 3750 Watts.

Re: Portable Generators
 

True, but... Without at 30 amp generator, the A/C unit won't start up, correct? :(

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Re: Portable Generators
 

Hey, I had a thought... (I know... dangerous! ;) )

If I "started" the A/C with shore power and "ran" the A/C with a generator, I could get by with a Honda EU1000i, correct?

Re: Portable Generators
 

Here it is !
http://www.mmair.com/marine_division...ir_conditioner

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Yes... I know about that 12v A/C. But, it is $2400 or twice the price of the 125v systems. :(

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Surge is pretty instantaneous. A simple capacitor with enough farrads will handle the surge load no problem. Your home A/C works the same way.

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You have a start up surge. That can be many times more that the static running amps. I can run a 5,000 btu a/c on 2000 amps. Try different gennys before you buy. You might be able to get 2 eu2000i's and use the parallel system to run you a/c. Check that option out also.


PS, Honda is the best choice for a portable.

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Did you price the other one i posted ?...Mermaid

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Look around here to...
http://www.flagshipmarine.com/inverters.html

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OK, birdog... What are you running? A/C? Gen set? Inverters? :cool:

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CLAY....I have been shopping to do the exact same thing. I just ordered the cruisair 5Z and am getting the Honda EU 2000. It will run that unit easy. Several fellow boaters have the Honda and it turns 5K, and 7K units. One person has a 10K and needed an attachment for the AC and it now runs on the Honda 2000 also. The BIG plus with the Honda is it can be strapped to the swim platform for overnighting and not be heard while in the cabin.

Re: Portable Generators
 

t500hps,

I am seriously considering the Cruisair Zephyr ZF5 (5000 BTU). I can get a complete unit for $1200 in Houston. My best friend owns/operates a HVAC business and he also owns a 29-foot Fountain. I think that he and I could install the A/C unit over a weekend. :cool:

My biggest problem is power. My Bullet has two deep cycle batteries, and 30amp battery charger, and Shore Power. I don't think I want a "permanent" generator, and I don't want a huge, bulky "portable" generator. :(

Right now I am leaning towards two more batteries and replace the 30amp charger with a larger charger/inverter. This should give me the power to run the stereo all day and run the A/C for short periods. I would still need a small portable generator (like the Honda EU2000i ) for overnighting.

Lots to think about... :rolleyes:

Re: Portable Generators
 

$1700 w/ installation kit

Re: Portable Generators
 

Honda without question. !!!

I have one for my 4-wheeler trailer and it out performs anything out there.

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I ran the Eu2000 on my Baja 38 Specail and it did fine. I have sold quite a few 2000's to boaters as we are located in Clearwater. We have been able to get a 10,000 btu unit to run on a 2000 but it was a new a/c unit. On and older boat with a 10,000 btu unit it would not start it up. If you go with the smaller a/c units, you will only need to get a splitter for a standard 110 outlet from someone like West Marine that has a 30 amp twist on the other end to hook to your shore power connection and it will work fine. I just hooked the adapter to my shore power cable and plugged it righth in to the generator.

Re: Portable Generators
 

Subaru Robin makes some killer inverters also. Quality wise they will stand right up there with the Honda's, and beat most of the others. We use there generators in our rental fleet along with Yamah's, and if my customers can't kill em....

Re: Portable Generators
 

This post is EXACTLY what I've decided to do. We overnight 5-10 nights a summer and hope to increase that a little. I still ponder an inverter but would need an extra battery or 2. The Honda is 50-60 lbs I can leave at the dock on the days I really don't need the thing. A local boater was able to get me a little better deal on the AC with the installation kit. (I thought Boaters World had them with the kit for $1500.00recently)

Good Luck, your considering all the options, just pick the one that suits YOUR needs.

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West Marine has the 5000 BTU "Cool Mate" for $1499. The Zepher is exactly the same, but I can get it for $1200.

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Seems like a good price even if it doesn't include the installation kit. I think the install kit is another $200.00.

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Both include the complete install kit.

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I have the honda 2000, and it runs my 7k marine air, fridge, and battery charger. 1 gallon of gas lasts 7+ hours running all of the above.

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We have the Honda eu2000 you will be very happy with it, I would say borrow one and see if it will start up your AC. Also i would not considr teh eu200 bulky its like carring a 5 gallon can of gas. :drink:

WILL

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I picked up one of these, about $650 2600w max, 2300w continous, 60#, and VERY quite!

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I ordered a honda eu2000 yesterday from mayberrys for $899 no tax and shipping included. It should work for my 7k btu a/c.

I also ordered the hour meter for an extra $50

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How are you securing the units to the swim platforms? Mine is a tube type, small cargo strap?

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Could have saved a few bucks over Mayberrys if you had contacted me.

Keith

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Keith, What Kind Of Rate For This Eu2000 And Is It Truly Safe To Run Off The Back Of The Boat For Overnighting. I Have Heard Several Horror Stories Of Carbon Monoxide. I Have Detectors But Just Wanted Your Safe Input. By The Way My 38zx Has Shore Power, Frig, Micro, Tv/vcr, And Ac/heat. My Frig And Tv/stereo Run On Dc But If I Had To Zap Something In The Micro In A Cove, Could This Size Gen. Handle The Power. Thanks Again.

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hammer01,
I a sending a pm

Keith

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I put mine on the bow and just run a line through the handle from cleat to cleat.

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Clay,

I have a Honda eu2000i that will run my MarineAir VCP-10K unit with no problem, even on eco-mode. I'm here on Lake Travis if you want to plug it in and see if it'll crank up yours. It'll also run my fridge and charger at the same time.

I strap it to the swim platform and run an adaptor right into the shore power. The boat thinks its at the dock. I have a couple of CO detectors and they never even see a whif as long as we're anchored bow into the wind.

I'm up at Dutchmans (now Easy Street). We're out almost every weekend weather permitting if you want to give it a try.

-Dave
'00 Donzi Z275 cruiser w/7.4L B3 (possibly for sale at a *very* good price if I trade up)

Re: Portable Generators
 

Thanks, Dave. I don't have an A/C unit (yet), so I don't need a generator right now. However, if you sell your boat, I would be interested in buying your Honda Eu2000i. :)