Generator-grounding-zincs

Jeff and Julie · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 12:21 pm Post subject: Generator-grounding-zincs

Forgive me if this question has been asked and answered. I have searched many generator threads and either can't find it, or don't understand!
We just picked up a Honda EU2000i generator and will be plugging in to our shore power connection on our boat. I just finished reading something on the web where a boat owner discovered that their boat was eating through zincs at a rather fast rate and they traced it back to their Honda generator. Something about the floating grounding wires needing to be changed inside the generator??
Has anyone experienced anything like this? I thought we could just plug into our shore power and that was it??
We are really hoping to be able to get to some of the marine state parks over the fall and winter and really need the generator for that!

Thanks!
Julie

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 3:21 pm Post subject:

That is exactly how I use my Honda 2000. And I think also Pat. I have not noticed any noticeable degradation of the zincs.

SEA3PO · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 4:57 pm Post subject:

I have not purchased our generator yet....but was looking at the 1k unit because of it's size..... I see most of you'all have the 2k unit... is that because you have a referigerator ? or electric heat ??

Joel
SEA3PO

tsturm · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 5:21 pm Post subject:

Jeff and Julie · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 5:52 pm Post subject:

David,
Thank you for the reply!! Sounds like we are good to go.

Joel,
We do have a fridge on our boat. We also wanted to make sure we could use it at home to power the fridge, freezer, space heater, etc. I tried it out yesterday and it worked great! We were without power for 5 days last year and don't want to do that again!

Julie

journey on · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 9:50 pm Post subject:

OK, I'll mention what I think is right regarding stray currents, and anybody can correct me.

The zincs are there to be sacrificed due to stray currents through the boats green chassis ground (not the white return wire.) Now, if you're plugging an isolated generator which has a chassis ground, return and power (green, white and black,) there is no way for any stray chassis ground current to go through the zincs. First there should be no currents through the chassis (or the GFI will blow,) second stray currents are DC currents and C-Dory put a galvanic isolator in the green line (at least in our C-25.) Third, the generator is not connected to the marina grounding system.

If anyone has a better explanation, please post it.

We bought the Honda 1000 (actually ~750 watts,) and it works great with a 40 amp battery charger AND the refridg. Haven't found a microwave that it will drive but with the wallis and butane stove we don't need another thing on board.

Boris

thataway · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:08 pm Post subject:

Those of us who have the 2000 Watt Honda's have larger air conditioners. Also the water heater will not run on the 1000 watt units. I have a 2000 watt on the Tom Cat, and it runs the 8300 BTU roof AC unit, plus a 20 amp battery charger. Or the water heater.

I have a 1000 watt Honda for the CD 25--it runs the Artic King 5,000 BTU air conditioning unit. It will not run the .95 amp microwave. It will run a 30 amp battery charger.

When you use the Honda, it does have a floating ground. If you use it occasionally I don't see a problem with the zincs. But the reversed polarity light will come on dimly, because of this "problem". The generator works fine. The same will happen if you use an inverter thru the same circuit--the "reversed polarity" light will come on. If you isolate the inverter circuit--there will be no problem.

SEA3PO · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 2:40 pm Post subject:

Yes, Good point.... I just have lights, a battery charger and basic radio stuff... nothing that would take much power....were just afraid of anchoring in a cove some night....leaving the lights on or the radio on and having a dead battery in the morning..... (I have two and always could jump one) Plus we like to stay for two or three days in one spot...would be nice not to have to worry about our battery charge.... so I think the little 1K unit will do just fine for us. I think I will go with the Yamaha unit....

Joel
SEA3PO

thataway · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 3:28 pm Post subject:

Most folks keep an extra battery aboard--even a small one--in case that they run down the starting battery.(which should not happen, since it needs to be switched off when you anchor). You can buy a garden tractor battery for $40--which will start the engine--it will cost you about $600 for the generator. You also have to have a substantial battery charger. The generators usually put out 8 amps 12 volt DC--to be at all effecient you would like to have a 20 to 40 amp battery charger. Running a 1 kw generator to put out 8 amps, is relatively in effecient....and takes a long time to charge up batteries, if they are low.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:13 pm Post subject:

I've got a case of electrical overkill in m y CD-22, but certainly not worried about coming up short on mobile electrons:

25 amp alternator on main motor

4 group 27 deep cycle batteries for 12 volt system

Vector 40 amp battery charger powered by shore power wired to group 27's

Honda 1000i generator wired to shore power for auxillary

2000 watt inverter

emergency battery/start pack/backup in helm foot locker wired to shore power system to charge...defuinitel;y overkill, but handy to jump start someone else.

Joe.

oldgrowth · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:20 am Post subject:

Joel - Bob is right about the 1K generators being slow charging run down batteries. I have the Yamaha 1K generator and like it very much. It is a little lighter, a little quieter and has a little higher sustained output than the Honda. I don’t know if the Honda is the same but you have to turn off economy mode on the generator to charge the batteries. It is easy to carry a small 25 amp battery charger that you can plug into the generator for a faster battery charge.
________
Dave

Dora~Jean · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:35 am Post subject:

Joel, it sounds like your energy needs are similar to mine, no microwave or other real power-hungry devices on board. Although we do enjoy a DVD movie once in awhile at night (seems the only time I can find to enjoy a movie -- certainly can't at home, too many chores!).

I have a 30 Watt solar panel, it works great to replenish 15-20 amp hours during the day when I stay in one spot 2 or more days. Cheaper than a generator, no room needed for storage (stores under front bunk cushion), no fumes, gas, well you get the picture. Just a thought!

Adeline · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 2:36 am Post subject:

SEA3PO · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 11:43 am Post subject:

That's a neat little microwave.... it would not take much to remove that worthless ice box (first thing to go on my boat) and build it in to the boat...you might also put a shelf above or below it... I built 3 nice drawers in the place where mine went.....best thing was I built the drawers as deep as I could so I take advantage of all the space between the front and the hull...

Joel
SEA3PO

thataway · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 3:22 pm Post subject:

I just replaced my old (20 years) microwave which was on the Tom Cat--with a 600 watt one, which looks identical (WalMart for $33)--it uses max of 934 watts on 120 volts. I haven't tried it on my Honda 1000 (which happens to be in Calif)--but it will run fine on a 1000 watt inverter.

The lower the power output of the microwave, the longer it will take to heat the material--the half pint is 400 watts, most of the "automatic" microwaves are at least 700 watts OUTPUT. The input on 120 volts is often 15% higher than the "output")