Generator use while underway.

[pcator]

Does anyone use a generator while underway on a regular basis? I am planning a trip to the St. Johns river, Fl in late June and know it could be pretty warm and was wonder if anyone uses generator for A/C while underway?

[Sea Wolf]

pcator-

I have used my Honda EU 1000i underway on my CD-22 Cruiser, setting it on the cooler which itsef is placed at the back of the cockpit. I use it like this to recharge my batteries after trolling for a few hours or more with my (main) engine mounted trolling motor.

I've not had any trouble with this arrangement, and I've been very careful to note any fumes, though you can't count on smelling them.

I do employ a carbon monoxide detector in the cabin, too.

What one has to be aware of, in addition to all the carbon monoxide dangers, is the "station wagon effect".

This is where an open rear window (door on the boat) pulls in air from the rear of the vehicle because of the lower pressure back there due to the vehicle's shape traveling through the wind.

You have two choices to deal with this:

One is to open all windows and hatches so the flow is into the cabin and then out the back door.

The second is to simply shut the back door to block any incoming air, and then get some positive ventilation with windows and hatches.

Only experimentation will tell you which one works with your boat, but be sure to understand that the airflow through the cabin changes constantly with the angle of the wind's variation to the boat. A light ribbon tell-tale hung in the doorway would be a partial indicator of the airflow there.

I do think it is possible to run the generator with the boat underway, but extreme care must be taken.

Running the generator on the swim step may not be an option due to the sea conditions, and the in-cockpit positioning should have the generator up high enough that the exhaust vent is as higher than the gunnels as well as as near the edges of the boat as feasible as well. My positioning (as noted above) blows the exhaust out over the engine well to help clear it aft.

In your case, you're probably going to be running the generator to power the A/C, so you will have a closed cabin. Be sure to have some positive fresh air inlet and not be sucking air in past the cabin door.

What type of A/C arrangement do you have?

I'm sure some will disagree with parts or all of this!

Joe.

[Jeff Brigner]

[joeC]

I use mine all summer while underway to keep the AC online. Have used for 100 mile trips offshore the 3000 Honda does not care. It sits on the baitwell and I attach it to the rails with 2 straps so it can not fall. There is a CO monitor in the cabin which alarms sometimes if it goes off I just open the front window and back door to air the cabin.
Joe

[pcator]

Joe

I have a roof top A/C unit. Also have 3 CO2 detecters in the cabin and V-berth. One is DC, the others Batteries.

Jeff

I would be interested in a cooler rack for the 25. Do you know what it would look like and how much we are looking at? I would like one that will break down so that I can use the swim step when needed.

Thanks everyone for the input.

Patrick

[Jeff Brigner]

Patrick
This is one on a 22 delivered by Wefings. It looks like it would break down. I lifted this picture from the album of Ashley Lynn in the delivery album. I will e-mail them and see if we can get some info on this. If so I don't see why the bracket couldn't be modified to fit a 25. This is another pic from the cockpit

[Jeff Brigner]

ShiRoz just got his rack intstalled. It looks good but doesn't look like you could take it out. It definitely looks sturdy enough.

[Bluecrab]

I've run my Honda for 8-10 hours at a stretch while underway with no problems. This is typically at survey speeds, around 6 knots or less. I strap it on top of the starboard lazarette. It doesn't appear to have suffered from spray and we've not had an issue with fumes. Picture here.

[thataway]

I would only run the generator when going slowly on the Tom Cat (less than 7 knots). Looking at the photos which Jeff supplied, it appears that SS pipe and standard top fittings can be used to make this type of rack--and it would not be expensive. The SS pipe could be easily removed with quick release fittings. I'll probably make one when the cockpit floor is finished. (We had rain yesterday, so the glass didn't go down--it will be glassed today, then the finish has to be done.)

One might want to put a piece of Starboard on the top of the rack for the generator, and one could put straps on to hold the generator in place.

I agree that at slow speeds or in calm water that one could use the generator on the CD 22 lazaratte hatch.

Although the Honda, has a plastic cover, I would really be concerned about the spray. I have an 800 watt Honda--about 30 years old now and it has over 150,000 sea miles, where I have lugged it around. Still runs well, but some rust on the case and exhaust etc. I never used it in direct spray etc.

[Byrdman]

Jeff: Give brother Mike a call on a stainless guy local. He just had his radar arch made, great price, great work. I think with a couple of pics, a few folks looking at it thinking at the same time, something can be done.

[Mike]

hi ya'll
the guy patrick is talking about is in Lavergne, Tn. his name is Todd Box and his phone is 615-287-9980 and his fax is 615-287-9985. EXCELLENT aluminum work did my arch in three days time and it was around $450.00 deliverd and fits the contour of Gypsie's roof line perfectly. Todd came out and messured on tuesday and i had it in hand thursday did i say 3 days never could keep up with days
c u later
mike

[wthattny]

I just read most of this bulletin about CO and I suggest everyone else read it also. There are many ways, apparently, of building up toxic levels of CO. Seems to me the generator exhaust should be outside the boat and below the gunwales at all times.

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/coboating/pdfs/ntlcaselisting.pdf

- Bill -

[Doryman]

I wonder how feasible it would be to construct an underwater exhaust for a generator on the swim step (not for use while under way.) Some kind of a one-way valve? I suppose if it were easy to do someone would have done so already.

Warren

[oldgrowth]

Warren – be careful about exhausting your gen set under water. It may create too much back pressure and cause premature failure of the generator.
________
Dave

[Hunkydory]