Portable generators.
 

My ac only pulls 700W
I was thinking HondaEU1000i
Would a larger unit like the 2000I be quieter because it wont have to idle up as much to supply 700W ?

You will not regret the Honda 2000. Your AC may pull 700w but it could take 1200 at startup.

kinda pulls 15 amps at starting and my 1000 is not enough... i would guess 2000 is the key

7.5 amps at start up , so 900watts .
2000 would be better in that case .

I run a 2000 portable. My AC rips 35 amps at startup. On my cruiser 16,000 BTU would pull 60+ amps at startup. I ran a HF Predator 3500, best generator inverter I have ever owned. It now supplies power to my 40'x50' pole barn.

I have owned many Honda 2000's over the years (maybe 15?) and they are great generators. I needed one fast this past summer and bought a Harbor Freight Predator. I still like the Honda better, but the Predator is damn good for 1/2 the money.

Buy the Honda 3000. It’s super quiet and will run 12 hours on a tank full. My younger brother has one he uses on his trawler that probably has 10 thousand hours plus on it and has never missed a beat.

The 2000 is great but will only give you 6 hours on a tankful running a window shaker.

I have been doing some research and it seems the internal guts for most of these are the same.
I was thinking :

Mostly because it has cool colors lol

I don`t want anything too heavy or expensive.
I`d only use it sparingly to cool the cabin while on water or maybe an overnight on the water once or twice.

The 3000 gets pretty heavy. I'd opt for the Predator 2000if you want a good generator at a good price. Keep in mind, 2000 is surge (with Honda also), running watts is 1600.

Gotcha I didn’t see you were looking for a generator for the boat. The convenience of the Honda or a Yamaha is unmatched . If you buy a Chinese unit buy the extended warranty as you will need it if you’re going to use it much. The Honda will outlive you and probably your kids.

I am not a fan of Chinese products but having bought several items from HF I have to say the (at least initial) quality is superb. The 3" trash pump I have sits for 364 days out of the year but never fails to start ON THE FIRST PULL when it is time to do pool work. A couple of years ago I got a 6500 watt Predator generator and have been very impressed with it as well, starts first pull, has a lot of nice features one wouldn't expect perhaps on a "Chinese" product. There are lots of YouTube videos comparing the smaller, portable generators with Honda as the benchmark and in many cases, the Predator out-performs the Honda. My experiences at least have given me a new respect for these products.

I have the same 3" trash pump and I added a 10 gallon auxiliary tank. I have run it 24/7 for weeks and it just keeps pumping. It was the best $1000 pump that I could have hoped for. On another note the Harbor Freight Icon series of tools are pretty damn good also.

getting a carbureted engine to start on the first pull has nothing to do with quality

it is only about how rich it can run given the emissions regulations

Really like our Predator 3500 instead if using the loud Onan onboard our Motorhome. The MC Metal works extended run fuel tank makes it's even better! I've used the Hondas in the past and they are great but just can't justify the cost, you can buy multiple predators for the money.

Just not sure how you will safely store and use a portable on your boat? There's a few cruisers in our area that use portable but they are all ghetto trash lol. The onboard generator on our cruiser is amazing, quiet and efficient. Why not install one permanently?

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d62e13f732.jpg

I used a Honda 2000 on my Formula 382 many years ago. Worked well. Stored it strapped down in the engine compartment but used it strapped on the swim-platform (only when anchored and swinging in the wind). It ran a 7,000 BTU AC unit easily but would surge hard at start-up. I wouldn't bother with the 1,000. 20 years ago the Predators weren't available but I'd seriously consider one of them today.

The cost .. on board are what $10k plus? .. my budget is $1000 lol

I could run it on the swim platform or cut one exhaust hole and run exhaust overboard like a onboard unit ..

Found these parts :
https://www.suremarineservice.com/He...hsdoXcNvRkWWL8

Exhaust kit :
add vibration pads this this mount
https://fittingdesignsco.com/product...nt-truck-mount

I think it would work .

Which one would be louder the Honda or the Predator?

Most if not all newer suitcase generators use a low oil quantity sensor and need to sit on a level surface to run (swim platform level??). Also newer portable generators have a CO sensor that cause headaches since they can trip easily (and shutdown generator), too easily in some instances. CO sensor is difficult to defeat by design. There may be a few left overs gensets w/o the CO sensor but they are getting hard to find. When using on the boat, need to have a stand-alone CO alarm in the cabin for sure.

If a china brand genset, most come with a crappy Torch brand spark plug. If so, replace with a NGK and throw the Torch brand plug in the trash. Honda and Yamaha are definitely the best brands. As far as the Chinese gensets go, I've had good luck with Champion 2500's (39 lbs), they also have pretty good lifetime tech support. WEN is made in the same factory as the Champion and pretty much the same thing. Predator seems to be OK and if you have a Harbor Freight around, they are a convenient option.

Start-up current may be an issue with A/C. Most inductive loads (like compressors) can draw 3 to 5 times the running wattage during start-up.They make clamp-on ammeters with a dedicated "inrush" feature that's designed to capture the peak current draw at start-up. A meter with just a "MAX" button won't capture the peak current since it's such a short duration event.. Another option would be to rent a genset you think is sufficient and try it out. Yet another option is installing a soft-start on the A/C which will drop the start-up current significantly, but they are ~$350.

I have a Honda 2000 in my Cat that is mounted/places between the engines. Using a ratchet tie down strap for quick takeouts. Using the through hull stainless tubing exhaust with a 12-14" tall loop to prevent any reversion with a stainless tubing connector if I want to take it to the beach or dock. EZ to start and silent when the engine hatch cover is closed. I don't have A/C but but it runs everything else with reserve. If 2000 watts is not enough There is the Companion 2000 unit to add for higher demand. It is a simple few wire hookup. Never had to use it though, got it on the other boat for the battery charger, it can work independently.


Got the Predator 4500 for the house backup and one for the race trailer. Was $750 each when purchased last year. Works great for the race trailer that has A/C it is louder than the Honda but not by much. It has electric remote start so would not even have to open the boat engine hatch. It is like 4 times the size of the 2000 Honda and weights 110# compared to 45# each for the Hondas.


My choice for the boat is the Honda. For everything else is the Predator. Honda $1000 each, Can get the Predator with the 25% coupon for $750.

zz28zz, thanx for that info.. I`m in hvac so I got all that power/ hard start covered .

LakeBoat4.
Pretty much what I wanna do.. where did you put the exhaust relative to the water line ?
Any vibrations that you can feel while it`s running .
I have tons of space in this cat, lots of room in front of the engines too . Finding a spot shouldn`t be a problem.

The exhaust outlet is on the transom about 6-8 inches below the waterline. No real noise except for the bubbling sound. The stainless loop goes up about a foot over the exhaust outlet on the generator.then down to the transom fitting below the waterline this keeps it cool as well. The generator is mounted on a fiberglass cover that is over the batteries and pumps which absorbs any vibration that the rubber feet on the honda doesn't.It all works Great. You do need to chock the Honda to get it to start on the first pull.the carb is not electronic.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3b2b28fe80.jpg
Not my boat but done the same way
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...07e5efd8a7.jpg
This is my boat without the Generator, Using it at the dock. You can see the exhaust tube

I have a 9 kw diesel generator on my trawler and it’s great at anchor when you’re running the house with 3 a/c units a full size fridge/freezer and indirect stove top along with the water heater and washing machine. Gotta turn off the water heater to run the dryer.

But at night when I’m only running the forward stateroom a/c and the frig/freezer I am only using 1000-1500 watts after startup. Generator still burns 1/2 -3/4 gallon an hour where I can get the Honda 3000 to idle a 10 hour night on 2 gallons with none of the noise or vibration of my diesel generator.

Its up on my top back deck where it can’t asphyxiate us and is so quiet you can’t even hear it on the lower deck.

That exhaust tube runs through the transom unwaterjacketed ?

I am pretty certain that I would not want my insurance company knowing that you are putting a non Coast Guard rated anything under the hatch. It does not seem like a good idea.

You the insurance Man, You know installation code. WTF? Inlighten this Dumb Ass.


Guess it is not OK to refuel the generator on the boat ether. Is it even OK to have a portable generator on a boat at all even on the swim platform?


Guys blow up boats from fuel vapors but I have never heard it was pertaining to a Honda generator installation for that or a fire hazard to begin with. You want to water jacket the exhaust tube , go for it.


Been around boats for years. There are many things that "maybe asked" about a Honda but this does work and for more than a few years for more than a few of us. The reason is that the bullhead fitting acts as a cooler that is subject to the ambient water outside the hull. Don't what to get the coast guard involved as this boat has never seen a coast. Besidesides this boat is only inland lake use never seen the CG on the waters I boat in.

They sell Silicone exhaust kits .. maybe the exhaust isn`t so hot?

There was a guy that mounted his Honda EU2000i in the bilge of his 37AT. He would crack the engine hatch, and had welded an exhaust to a through-hull setup.
I have an EU2000i, and even though I rarely use it, I don't see selling it. It's too handy. I used it on my 37AT on the swim platform as Russ described above.

Dan, I often run my Honda 2K inverter generator for power outages, and it's a work horse.

I run it on the throttled option 99%.of the time. When a fridge or freezer starts up when it's already loaded up, the rpm kicks up for a bit to compensate, then dies down again.

I couldn't imagine the 1K W system. Motor startup for an A/C may even affect the rpm even as the solo load.

The 2K unit is just a reliable workhorse that sips fuel, while having some backup wattage if you need it.

Wow, that was pretty aggressive! I was just pointing out some challenges that may come from it. Whether the Coast Guard will ever inspect or not, following thier rules at least gives a better chance of being safe on your boat. Here are just a few of the horrible reasons to run it in your bilge.

Not CG Certified
You would be a "test pilot" with the exhaust as Honda says no extensions
Even if you exhausted it, what is the plan with the gas fumes that comes out of the fuel filler vent
When it comes to fueling, how do you do it while keeping both the gas and the vapors out of the bilge
One of the reasons it is not CG certified is that it is not spark protected. Sparks can do bad things in the bilge.
If there is a problem of any kind, your insurance company will not pay out unless you defraud them- many policies require following GC rules
My friends and family are more important than taking the cheap way out
Mounting them on the bow pulpit or the swim platform is definitely a safer means

"Been doing it for years" works great.....until it doesn't! The risk/reward is not worth it, at least in my opinion.

Carry on...........

Soft Start
 

Here's an example of what I was referring to. There are other manufs.
https://www.microair.net/collections...e-soft-starter

They make a bigger version for home A/C units. They mainly get used when powering home (with non-inverter AC compressor) off a larger portable genset.

Agree to disagree with all that .
I`m still doing it, Hope that helps

Nothing really to disagree with, you are just willing to take the risk for you and those onboard.

Met a guy w a 29 Outlaw several yrs ago from Tx that mounted a small Honda in the bilge of his boat. Plumbed out the side. Very quiet. And Nice an Cool in cabin.
I was impressed.

usa

He`s probably not alive anymore. RIP :angry-smiley-038:

I bet that bilge was tight ... I have room for hours, in front of engines there`s a nice spot .
Not sure how I survived installing that secondary fuel pump , I spilled a lot of gas in the bilge ..


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...979e7f1c25.jpg

I don't recall if it was in a 36 or 40 etc. but I've seen a small portable Honda mounted in the back on one side in the area where the bilge blowers and p/s junction lines etc. all are.

My 50 had a portable generator mounted in the right sponson in front of the bathroom.

Was there a separate tank or fill for it somewhere?