Cost of adding a generator and A/C
 

Does anybody know what it would cost to add a generator and/or A/C to a boat? Where can you buy a generator from? I'm just wondering if it's worth the hassle. I already have a portable Krusin Kool air conditioner. I was thinking that it would be nice to add a generator. And I might as well look into adding A/C while I'm at it.

I have a 5000 BTU unit in my 38' it works fine, It is a cruise air brand. I just bought a Honda generator 2000w portable it works great and will do the air too. Its very quiet also, I just set it on the swim platform and connect a line to the power input. I just have to keep the water heater off while running. I think the air installed was about 3500. It was "thrown in" to make the deal go when I bought the boat.

I installed a Mermaid Marine Air (I think it's a 5200 btu) unit on my boat. My particular installation wasn't as easy as other boats I've done, but generally speaking, it's not a bad job with a little planning. www.mmair.com is the web address. I installed an invertor to run the electrical system (including the air) while running up the lake.

Hey crazy horse, what size inverter did you use ? And it runs the air with no problem ? I assume it only works while the boat is running to keep bateries charged ? Thanks

it would have to be one hell of an inverter to run that many watts. Probably weighs as much as a generator...:)

cost........????
 

About 5-7 MPH.....

In my 28', I run a 5000 BTU MarineAir "Cabin Mate" unit on a 2000 watt inverter. The A/C and the inverter each weigh about 40 pounds. I also installed two Group 31 house power batteries that weigh about 90 pounds apiece, but they will keep it going for about 1 1/2 hours with the engine off.

While a decent A/C system (depending on the size) will set you back about $2k-$3k including installation (ductwork, etc.), the genny could get a bit more salty, especially if you do not already have a 110AC wiring system in place. Good names are Kohler and Westerbeke. Figure more like $5k properly installed.

I do have shore power, so that will help a little.

Raypanic - do you bring a gas can with you? I thought that those gens only ran for about 4 - 5 hours on a tank full.

I am more interested in having the generator installed since I already have the portable a/c unit.

Check out the following links. Never bought anything from them, but they have some of the best prices I've found.
http://www.mabru.net/
http://www.genairsystems.com/fsair.htm
Gary

I'm running a 3500 watt invertor and I run it off the existing batteries. The Mermaid air unit only draws a few amps (the website has all the specs for all the units) so while I'm running the engines I'm golden. The batteries run the boat for a couple hours when the engines are off. I'll look up the website for the invertors when I get home from work.

yeah, the 5000 Mermaid unit pulls less than 700 watts when running (compressor startup surge runs more till it is all going). The whole kit runs around $1,500 for the pieces.

A 1500 watt inverter with the Mermaid running will pull in the neighborhood of 60 amps. A group 29 battery is around 90 amp-hours meaning that one battery will run the AC for an hour and a half. Two grp 29s will run the AC for 3 hours, but will not leave enough juice to start the motors back up.

The Mermaid unit weighs less than 40# including all the stuff in the kit. A 1500 watt inverter will weigh around 20#.

You'd probably want to add a third battery, just for starting your motors. Your two "house" batteries could be wired to the same position on your switch ("A") and the starter batt could be ("B"). If both house batts were deep cycles then it won't hurt them to run low before recharging (the fishermen around here use rebuilt Hester Deep Cycle batteries for $35 each direct from the mfr - they claim they last as long as the $80 Interstates and such).

This is what I have been considering.

The 2000 watt Honda is a sweet generator, but you can't run it in an enclosed engine compartment. It won't cool properly and will not vent exhaust properly. For this reason, it can't be used when underway. I am thinking the inverter plus one batt is the best p[tion since you get three full hours of AC (actually more if you figure that the compressor will not run continuously if you keep the door and hatches closed).