Putting a Portable Generator on a Mac?

[OverEasy]

Hi All!

With Winter settling in, cockpit temperatures plummeting into negative numbers, as the bow struggles to point into bitter winds howling through ice encased rigging, snow accumulating in mast high drifts on the foredeck, and daylight only a weak glimmer on the southern horizon it’s time to pause for a moment while hauling firewood back on a toboggan to the log cabin and grab hold of the distance hope of a future season of warmth 🏝 , sunshine and water in liquid form (if such a thing actually still exists)…..to contemplate what Mac Mods one would like to have accomplished should that distant vision of Summer become a reality.






One of the mods we are attempting is the addition of an AC shore power connection and shipboard AC Electrical Interface & Control Panel.
In working through the needs for a separate AC box, circuit breakers, galvanic isolators, hull mounted shore power connectors and possibly new cables one aspect still in need of research is that of a portable onboard AC generator and where to put it?

While this is a new to me item I figure that it isn’t the first time someone has done this.
Never one to turn down the experiences of others, good ideas, considerations or good advice of others (before attempting to reinvent a wheel 🛞 that already exists ) I’d like to take the opportunity to solicit the members of our forum who may have already done this, or are also contemplating this, Mod for their opinions, advice, suggestions, cautions and experiences.

A) What portable generator did you/would you select?
B) How did/would you interface to it electrically?
C) Where/How did/would you mount it?
D) What did you like/dislike about using your generator operationally?
E) Can you share any photos or diagrams of what you did or plan to do?
—-> Note: Pictures of good and bad examples you may have come across would also be appreciated!

Best Regards
Over Easy

[kmclemore]

My thoughts…

A) What portable generator did you/would you select?

Honda Eu1000i - very light and quiet.

B) How did/would you interface to it electrically?

I just used it to charge the batteries… produces 10A @ 12V

C) Where/How did/would you mount it?

It fits neatly under the captain’s seat, on a thick foam rubber kneeling pad. Strapped it down with a bungee.

D) What did you like/dislike about using your generator operationally?

Even as quiet as it is, and with the thick pad, the whole boat is like a huge drum so it’s still pretty noisy.

E) Can you share any photos or diagrams of what you did or plan to do?

Not presently as the boat is being serviced.

[Russ]

I don't have a genset but some thoughts, opinions and what I've heard.



A) What portable generator did you/would you select?
Honda is the king. More expensive for a reason. The 1000w is probably enough for most. My bet is your induction stove is near this amount. If you want to run A/C, I'd probably buy the 2000w version.
There are some quiet knockoffs (eg: Yamaha) but Honda is still king.

B) How did/would you interface to it electrically?
I've seen all kinds of methods. Plug the shore power cable into it. Just an extension cord (for boats without shore power hookups)

C) Where/How did/would you mount it?
If it fits under the helm seat, this seems like a good location.
I've seen people "mount" it on rubber feet on top of the motor.
I've seen it suspended on bungies from the bow pulpit (reduces vibration)
I've even heard of placing it in a dinghy behind the boat (probably reduces noise but not necessarily safe)
One captain hauled it up on a halyard above the deck.

The location should consider CO exhaust and ventilation. Especially if you are going to sleep with the thing on. I believe a CO detector should be a must.

D) What did you like/dislike about using your generator operationally?
The biggest complaint is always noise.
Second is cheaper (eg:Harbor Freight) models that are hard to start and heavy.


E) Can you share any photos or diagrams of what you did or plan to do?

Lot's of posts on this topic if you do some searching.

viewtopic.php?t=26260
viewtopic.php?t=15060
viewtopic.php?t=18737
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... hp?t=24562
viewtopic.php?t=23364

[rsvpasap]

A. Honda EU2000i. I've had the generator maybe 10 years and have run it for at least 2,000 hours. I change the oil every 50 hours of use and from time to time add Sea Foam to the fuel. I carry a spare carburetor because I'm sure I'll eventually need to change that, in part due to the abuse the generator has taken for a decade in the marine environment, but I've been lucky so far.

B. I use a short extension cord and an adapter to connect the generator to the shorepower inlet. The EU2000i powers the boats ProNautic 1250P (50A) charger without kicking out of quiet "eco mode." I do also sometimes use it to power the microwave, air fryer, dehumidifier, etc. via the shore power outlets inside the boat, but since these things will run from the batteries/inverter, I don't necessarily start the generator every time I want to use an appliance.

C. I put the generator on the floor of the cockpit. I welded an adapter onto the generators exhaust/muffler and use an insulated hose to direct the exhaust out of the back of the boat. Keeping it on the floorboard of the cockpit helps control the noise for other boats.

D. I like the Honda generator and used it as my primary charging source away from the dock for years. Nonetheless, I recently added 550W of solar panels and did not use the generator at all this summer, returning to it again in the late autumn when the rain and snow began. I also have an Efoy 80 which can silently charge the batteries at night in situations where shorepower is not available and running the Honda generator would be inappropriate.

E.

[Be Free]

How and where to use the generator is one of the projects I'm working on during this extended trip. I'm not quite as far along as some of you but I came to the some of the same conclusions.

Like rsvpasap I'm using a shore power connection with an adapter to connect to the generator. My generator is a WEN 2250. I've only been using it to keep the house batteries charged while I'm at anchor and it's done a great job so far.

Like Highlander, I plan to put it under the seat but I have not built a platform or strapping for it yet so I'm just putting it up on the port seat in the cockpit when I run it. The noise is not too bad.

I like the idea of extending the exhaust. What piping did you use?

[rsvpasap]

Shieldsflex 2 wet exhaust hose.

[Be Free]

Thank you

[Ixneigh]

I’ve had both the Honda eu 1000/2000, plus a Yamaha of around 1200 watts, plus a few Chinese 200 dollar ones, plus a wonkeyso called bush charger made in the UK which provided dc only power. The Honda 1000 sucked the least, because it was the lightest. One has to move this junk around on a small boat. Getting it out from under the table, or in the head compartment, or wherever, out into the cockpit was still not easy for me. So, I didn’t use it very much. I have 200 watts of solar, and a lot of sun in my location. It was only on cloudy days I really needed it. And given that my boat is only wired for 12 volts, its ten amp charging circuit wasn’t that great. I made myself a version of the 12 volt bush charger which was lighter and smaller than the one I had before, which itself was an attempt at the lightest possible engine driven charger. Mine is powered by a Chinese mini 4 stroke weed eater engine, connected to a 20 amp tractor alternator. It’s not quiet and it’s not pretty, but it is the lightest possible solution given current technology. I’m very happy with it. It cost me about 300 in parts, and has been in service for several yeasts.

[kenfyoozed]

Shieldsflex 2 wet exhaust hose.

How quite is the exhaust with the hose attached?

[OverEasy]

Hi Ixneigh!

Like your charger setup!
Sort of along the lines of an old PopUlar Science / Popular Mechanics home charger based on an old push mower…
Take the blade off, put on a pulley and belt then mount an alternator and auto charge controller/ regulator.
That was for the Sixties version of an emergency generator DIY that you could store under the work bench and then wheel out when needed to top off a 12 volt battery set for lighting.

YOURS is a substantial up grade and cleaner product by far!!!

Best Regards
Over Easy

[rsvpasap]

Kenfyoozed, using the hose seems to have only a minor impact on sound, maybe 10%. Recently I changed the oil, gave it some fresh non-ethanol gasoline, and ran the generator in the cockpit while I did some unrelated work on the dock next to the boat. I was struck again by the fact that the generator is really surprisingly quiet.

[kenfyoozed]

Kenfyoozed, using the hose seems to have only a minor impact on sound, maybe 10%. Recently I changed the oil, gave it some fresh non-ethanol gasoline, and ran the generator in the cockpit while I did some unrelated work on the dock next to the boat. I was struck again by the fact that the generator is really surprisingly quiet.

do you think the generator itself is quiet? or does the hose help?

[rsvpasap]

Despite being 10 years old with heavy use, the Honda EU2000i still seems very quiet compared to other generators. The hose doesn't seem to have much impact upon sound volume one way or the other.

[KiwiMac26m]

Hi

I use 120w solar to charge my 100ahr lithium battery with a 2000kw generator to top up when needed, fortunatly i dont need to run the generator at all, saying that i use LPG for cooking and hot water showers.

benifits of living in a sub tropical climate



Ika rere

[OverEasy]

Hi All!

The responses, experiences and suggestions are really appreciated!

Seems Ike the 2000 watt capacity generators are a common choice.
That would handle just about any of our anticipated electrical needs while cruising…enough to power a portable A/C, an induction cooktop, a cabin heater, the battery charger…. Etc…

The Honda EU2000i seems to get high marks for being reliable and quiet.
The size is right to store under the aft cockpit seat.
Ensuring that the exhaust is directed away is a great idea that always needs mentioning, but the addition of the flexible exhaust hose is rather brilliant!

To manage the generator vibration noise conduction into the cabin with the addition of a foam padding for noise isolation (or some sort of elastic suspension system is kind of interesting).

The actual generated acoustics while operating is pretty much function of the engine mass…generally heavier = quieter …. And MORE RPM = MORE NOISE… so being able to minimize engine run time by utilizing a Solar array to help keep the batteries topped up and an inverter to run the small draw appliances. Seem like at least 100 watts of Solar is a good starting point (and allowing for potential expansion). There are a variety of inverter sizes and types….as we will be adding a microwave we’re thinking ? that maybe a full sine wave would be better than a modified sine waveinverter ????

As we have our A/C unit rigged on our Port side as well as our VHF Radio, batteries, AC battery charger and DC Control Box it would seem somewhat appropriate to place the AC power inlet and control box on the same side of the aft cabin ….. (gonna have to balance out the boat )… we’re looking at a 30 amp two phase 230 VAC type connection..one leg for the A/C or cabin heater circuit and the other for the galley use… at least when having shore power.. when on the generator it’s gonna be one circuit or the other but not both at the same time

At least with all the DC stuff and radio on the port side it keeps the Starboard cabin clean electrically for the magnetic compass to be located…

Thank you for the help!!!
Now we’ve got to get this incorporated into our modification plans

Best Regards
Over Easy