Inverter Generator For Boat

[_CanAsian_]

Hey, im new to this forum stuff and bought a boat last summer and love it and trying to get ready for this summer. Ive heard you can power all of your electronics on your boat through a shore cable and an inverter generator. Is this true?? If so how many watt inverter generator would i need for my 24 foot bayliner ciera 2450? And which inverter generator is best for my needs? I will be running just lights, stereo, and want to keep the battery charged. Does the inverter generator charge the batteries in the boat too? And also i would possibly want to run a small portable a/c off of it sometimes. Thank you!



:canada::fish2:BoatLife:fish2::canada:

 

[NYBo]

Re: Inverter Generator For Boat

Welcome to iboats!:welcome:

I think what you're trying to describe is an on-board charger to keep the batteries topped off when you're hooked up to shore power. There are many threads on this subject here: Electrical, Electronics, Audio and Trolling Motors

You would run the air conditioner directly from shore power.

An inverter takes 12v DC and turns it into 120v AC. It's not practical to run something with the current draw of a portable air conditioner using batteries and an inverter.

 

[QC]

Re: Inverter Generator For Boat

An inverter, and a generator are two different items. An inverter takes your existing DC battery power and makes it into AC power so you can run things like a Coffee Pot that was intended for 120 volts off of the existing 12 volts that you have. I would bet that you already have an Inverter. And yes, a generator will charge your batteries along with allow you to run 120 volt appliances without using battery power. If it is sized correctly, then yes, you can run a small AC unit. If your load is 2 kW, then you need at least a 2 kW generator. All very simplified, but basically the story.

Welcome aboard

Edit: Simul post

 

[NYBo]

Re: Inverter Generator For Boat

Re-reading the original post, I think QC is correct: You are talking about a generator to hook up through your shore power cable and electrical system. The Honda 2 kW unit is highly rated. You do need to be careful about the exhaust from the genny. Carbon monoxide is not to be trifled with; many strap it to the swim platform.

 

[rbh]

Re: Inverter Generator For Boat

Welcome-
As the guys have already said watch out for the exhaust gasses.
This Honda Canada , seems to be the generator of choice for light applications, if your boat has a battery charger in it that is hooked through the power coupler on the side of the boat, it will charge the batteries using the internal wiring.
Remember to add the amount of watts that your appliances will be using, battery charger (AC-DC peak draw), coffee maker, toaster ETC.
As you can see in the generators info there is a max draw and a continuous draw, your appliances should not be used in the max draw for long or the generator will burn out.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Inverter Generator For Boat

I have done much research on this.

An Inverter Generator will idle at different speeds depending on load a normal generator will be ideling at full speed.

Like others said watch for CO, never sleep with it on, never put in the cockpit, never put on the bow (boat points in to wind, wind passes CO to cockpit) Swim platform is safest place

Add a CO detector to cockpit and another one to the cabin

Close cabin when running

1,000W for normal loads, you will need 2,000W if you plan on running AC. You will not be able to have everything on with the generator so pick what you want to use IE it will trip the breaker if you have A/C on, Stove on, and microwavw at the same time

You will need one of these:
Amazon.com: Marinco Marine Electrical Shore Power Pigtail Adapter, Yellow: Sports & Outdoors

Never store generator or gas in locker.

Honda eu1000i and eu2000i are the best you can get. eu1000i will set you back about $799 eu2000i will set you back $1000. I don't have $1000 for a 2000w generator so I am going to get this later this week:
2200-Watt Digital Inverter Generator-RYI2200 at The Home Depot
They have it at my local homedepot, I played with it the other day good reviews, good size, i can carry it and the price is only $699

Many people use a generator on a boat and have no issues, watch out for the CO and like I said before NEVER SLEEP WITH IT ON. Have two CO detectors below and one in the cockpit and always have the cabin door and hatches shut when using. There will be people who tell you if you use a portable generator on a boat you are going to die and go to the 7th circle of hell and there are people who say it works just fine and is safe, you will have to decide what is best for you.

Hope this helps. h

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Inverter Generator For Boat

I have done much research on this.

An Inverter Generator will idle at different speeds depending on load a normal generator will be ideling at full speed.

To go along with that, inverter based generators are better for electronics. With a regular generator, the voltage can swing every time something is plugged in. The RPM's of the motor directly control the output voltage and frequency. An inverter based generator drives what is more or less a standard automotive alternator, which in turn powers a 12v inverter. (inverter based generators are also smaller, lighter, and easier of fuel, but more expensive.) Inverter based generators are pickier about big inductive loads though, they aren't going to start a big electric motor as well as a standard generator. (ie, air conditioning)

As to which is best, the honda's are nice but expensive. I personally am VERY happy with my generac 2200 watt inverter generator. Basically same size, weight, shape, and noise output as the honda's, just a couple hundred cheaper. (you can't parallel the generacs, other than that they are virtually identical.)

I take mine camping in the RV, it rides behind the driver seat and takes up very little room. I'll usually use it for extended running when I don't want the Onan RV generator chugging away, as the generac is MUCH quieter. It will power everything except the roof AC.

 

[_CanAsian_]

Re: Inverter Generator For Boat

What im trying to do is avoid paying for water and electricity at my marina which is $900-1000 more per season and instead spending that money on a inverter generator. Im wondering if i buy a 2000i honda inverter generator if i can then plug the generator into my boat through a shore cable adapter? And by doing this will i have all the same options as hooking up shore power? Is this generator enough to power a small portable a/c and music and lights at the same time? Will my batteries in my boat die still if i do this? im not sure if i have a charger in it. Is this honda 2000i generator quiet enough to have it running without bothering my neighbours at the marina? Im thinking by having this generator i can save lots of money on the electricity and water bill at my marina and i can bring it on the boat for day trips when we park at a sandbar all day and play music and toss the football or frizbee. And for POTTAHAWK!!:rockon:
And I can also use it for other things like camping or construction etc. Im just trying to have everything ready for spring. I want to star purchasing everything now. Thank you all!!

:canada::fish2:_CanAsian_:fish2::canada:

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Inverter Generator For Boat

It's pretty quiet but probably not quiet enough for that... most marinas have rules against anything sitting on the dock and in a marina you have boats in all directions so there is bound to be someone downwind getting poisoned by your carbon monoxide...
If you use it only 30 days/year at a cost of say $20/day (don't forget oil changes) you are still looking at $600 and that is for very limited usage.... I don't see you saving much if any unless you spend very little time using it.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Inverter Generator For Boat

Is this generator enough to power a small portable a/c and music and lights at the same time?

Technically, yes its enough to power it, IF you can get the A/C started, which I highly doubt. I know in my RV, my 2200 watt generac doesn't stand a chance at powering the roof A/C unit. The conventional 4500 watt generator lugs down when the A/C starts but it handles it fairly well. (again, that is the difference between an inverter and conventional generator, inverters do not like starting motors!)