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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

where to put a generator?

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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/22/2006 : 20:21:33

The admiral has insisted that we install an A/C unit in the boat before summer heat arrives.
Done lots of research, cannot find a really low wattage AC unit, the best we have found so far is from mermaid marine (saw them at the boat show amongst many others) But it still requires lots-o-watts, typically around 1.2kw starting and 640w normal running.

So, we have to have a generator if we want to use this unit on the water (away from the slip) unless we install a really long extension cord!

That ac unit is around $1400+installation bits-n-pieces.
I found a generator [url="http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SILENT-1000-WATT-1-KW-GAS-GENERATOR-W-AC-DC-OUTLET_W0QQitemZ7593070409QQcategoryZ106437QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting"]on ebay[/url] for under $300 (inc shipping).
That's a 1kw gen, so a bit on the light side for startup of the AC unit.

We could buy a larger generator and a cheaper home ac unit and funnel the air out of the boat.

In both cases, the issue would appear to be the generator.
Where the heck could it go?
Hang it off a pole?

Anyone got a genertor on board?

Paul

Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.

Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2006 : 20:39:13

Contact Oscar.
Air Conditioning on the hook is a lot to ask of any sailboat.
House Boats are nice.

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2006 : 20:52:52

Saw a thread somewhere, don't remember where, but the owner made a platform that attached to the bottom rung of the swim ladder, when up, with wire cables. He put his Honda generator on it when on the hook so no fumes and very little noise.

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2006 : 21:05:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by frog0911
 Saw a thread somewhere, don't remember where, but the owner made a platform that attached to the bottom rung of the swim ladder, when up, with wire cables. He put his Honda generator on it when on the hook so no fumes and very little noise.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I think this is what Jerry is talking about:

The photo is from a Hunter 25.5 ... check out the owner's website ... he has made a lot of really neat mods to his boat, and there are some cool photos of the trip he took off the Florida coast ... not to mention, he has a really hot looking girlfriend, too

[url="http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/display.tpl?folder=73245517131&fno=17"]Hunter 25.5 mods[/url]

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coldducks
Captain

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USA
342 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2006 : 21:30:14

what about an inverter. we have one that can handle a heater, tv, coffee pot and hair dryer.

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2006 : 21:43:51

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT buy a cheap generator. The noise will drive you insane.

The inverter model gensets are the wave of the future. They will throttle back to only put out the power they need. Robin makes a nice 1700 watt model that looks perfect.

http://www.robinsubaru.com/generators/class.lasso?Class=Portable-Inverter

It is not cheap.....but should be very quiet.

Tom.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2006 : 21:57:28

Wow! it never ceases to amaze me the responses from folks on this forum.
The links, pics and respnoses nail it!

A quick calc will dump the invertor option.
5.5amps at 115 v = 632w = 52amps at 12v. I would need power cables about 1/2" thick and enough battery to put a hole in the hull!

The swim ladder option looks very doable, and the generator is not one that I had found online, will have to find out the cost.

there is even a dealer that is literally a 5 min walk away from my home! This is way cool! (forgive the pun)

thanks guys.

Paul

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coldducks
Captain

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USA
342 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2006 : 22:11:17

never saw any 1/2 inch power cables, and never blew a hole in the boat. has worked fine for 5 years.

Edited by - coldducks on 02/22/2006 22:27:15

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2006 : 22:32:28

Coldducks,
I wish we could run it from the batteries, but the max load that would be pulled from the batteries is a big issue.
We have a 2nd, 90Ahr battery, and are nowhere near the capacity to drive a 600+watt ac unit for more than a few minutes using an inverter.

BTW, we always go out for at least 2 nights as it is quite an effort to put the mast up and down for a 1 day sail. So hanging off the hook is a popular pastime of ours

Last year (our first year of ownership) we nearly suffered heatstroke several times between June and October. So the ac is very practical.

You'll all be welcome to come-aboard if you are nearby when our ac is pumping cooooooool air below! Anything to increase the number of days onboard. BYOB.

I know that a few others have put ac in their 25/250, in florida it's a big thing.

Paul

Edited by - on

coldducks
Captain

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USA
342 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2006 : 22:39:51

and fewer have installed an inverter. good luck on finding what you need, i am sure you will figure it out.

Edited by - coldducks on 02/22/2006 22:41:52

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2006 : 22:51:38

That's the one Buzz. Just could not remember were.

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2006 : 11:48:03

Paul,

Garhauer makes a bracket designed to attach to the stancions which is used carry a kayak. I believe its capable of carrying up to 80 lbs. I was going to adapt it to my C25 to carry a 12 gallon fuel tank off the stern and over the rudder. It should work for a generator, or any other storage need, as well.

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conchjoe
Deckhand

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USA
7 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2006 : 15:55:40

Paul,
Let me relate my experience with onboard AC for whatever it's worth. I purchased a water cooled unit marketed under the name of Krusin Kool for my previous sailboat when I lived in Key West. The AC unit weighed about 50 lbs, and was encased in a Samsonite suitcase with typical wheels and put out 7000 btu. It had a hose with quick disconnects and pump which you put over the side. The unit required 5.5 amps (120v) running and 20 amp startup. I had 2 group 29 flooded batteries and a Honda 1000eu generator which produced 1000 watts (900 watts continuous), not enough for the AC startup. The 1000 weighs about 27 lbs, and the next size up produces 2000 watts and weighs about 50 lbs, still not enough amps for startup. Therefore, I used an inverter for the compressor and fed the pump directly to the generator thereby reducing the load on the batteries; it reduced it to about a 4 amp draw (120v). I fed the batteries from the onboard charger and the builtin charger in the Honda 1000eu. This contraption worked ok (sortof) during the hot months of July and August in the Keys. The problems encountered were mainly with the chargers and the batteries. If a charger or a contact failed or malfunctioned, the deep cycle batteries drained very quickly. The other problem is with the way the modern deep cycle, smart chargers function. Theses chargers sense the battery condition/voltage and regulate the current which charges the battery in stages (bulk, acceptance and float). Since the AC is drawing down very quickly, the charger is cycling and not always putting out necessary current to continuously keep up with the draw. The (my) end result was depleted batteries the next morning. (Note that 4 amps at 120v is more than 40 amps at 12v.)

When I purchased the Catalina 250wb in Sarasota, I kept the AC and the Honda generator, but I only use the AC when I have shore power even though I now have double the battery capacity. The Krusin Kool unit fits between the companionway steps and the head bulkhead, which is dead space. I remove the AC from the boat during fall, winter and spring and bring it back onboard during the summer. It is just as portable as a medium size suitcase full of clothes.

I note that some of the other owners have described AC units which are designed for 12v systems and appear to draw less amps; however, it still appears that they are drawing down many amps.

My admiral does not sail nor does she set foot on small boats, otherwise I suspect I would have a bank of 10 batteries and a Honda 3000 generator to power the AC. Lucky me.

I hope some of this is helpful and good luck.

Conchjoe

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