So now we agree on that part. Thanks.


You keep making blanket statements regarding EVERY diesel generator and EVERY diesel engine, which on the basis of that alone, makes it incorrect. I know you're trying very hard to impress everyone with your knowledge, but a blanket statement will blow your argument every time.

As far as I can check, I find DONZIJAPAN's info to be spot on, as is his advice.

Well, we agree that you can marinize the alternator end of a generator, and the starter and alternator on the engine side of it are the issues now. Seems odd to me that EVERY diesel engine is incapable of being equipped with marine style starters and alternators. I can guarantee they're out there, but don't really care enough to look as the whole premise is silly. There are OEM boat manufacturers that offer gas propulsion packages with diesel generators. Guess they don't know what they're doing.

Which manufacturers?

Exhaust fumes from either can kill you. I'd go with a small Westerbeke gas genset...and multiple CO detectors.

My 2000 38 SS TG, 2000 42 Sonic, 2003 37 A.T., 2004 43 Nortech, 2007 43 Nortech but that was diesel engines as well as generator, and lastly my 2008 43 Nortech. I guess they all have no clue what they are doing.

Im going to check my boat to see how many CO detecters are in the boat..Thanks Guys.

Thanks for the article, very informative. Here is a blurb from that article:

Sleeping On Board Most CO fatalities occur to occupants sleeping on board with gas generators running. My advice is to regard sleeping with a generator running as very dangerous unless you have a high degree of certitude that the exhaust system is absolutely secure, and that you have a CO monitor that is certified operational.

Again like DONZI Japan, give me a reason, not some lip service. Educate me, SHOW ME ARTICLES..I have no problems with that, I learn every day. Ive been on here since OCT 2000, Ive seen alot of smack talk over the years. Good, bad or indifferent, Donzi joined last month, has 83 posts and Ive read the majority of them. I like to know whom Im talking with, it would be nice to gain some credibility by both of you filling out some more of your information. or LET US KNOW WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING SO THAT WE ALL MIGHT BE ABLE TO LEARN FROM THIS THREAD. Thanks Jeff

The Nortech with diesels obviously doesn't count. The current Nortech, I thought, was the one the YOU added the genset to? I haven't seen a factory option for diesel gensets from Sonic, don't know what the other brands are from your abbreviations.

This is not a 2 second article, you have to put it together from the rules and regulations. I'm guessing it's because not many people would ever even think to do this.

I'll try to explain in basic language. you can look up the laws if you feel like it.

Your boat has to comply to Federal law (183.401), because it has at least one gas engine installed inside the boat. That law (183.410 specifically) points to SAE J1171, which is the international specification regulating marine starters/alternators/etc. and spark protection for gas engines.

Now, look up a diesel alternator, starter, etc. I did a quick google of one for a Yanmar (I'm pretty sure the engine mase uses?). here is the link... http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=115711F

Add all that up, and you can see what we're trying to say. And, the worst part is even if you managed to find a J1171 compliant set, the most important thing is that you (and future owners) always get J1171 compliant parts to go on it, which will be no where as easy to find for diesels.

FWIW: I didn't/don't mean to sound like a jerk with all this... it just is what it is...

SS TG = Single Step Top Gun, AT = Active Thunder.