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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Advice needed

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raulpou
Navigator

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144 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/29/2006 : 21:50:08

Hello all,

I am looking at a generator for my sailboat. That said, I am looking at buying either the Honda eu2000i or the mcculloch version. These are almost identical 2000 watt peak generators. Where I need advice for is if it will move a cruisair 4800 BTU hatch a/c. Anyone have any experience? Tried it? Or just know how to calculate if it can handle it?

Any help would be great!!!!!!

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2006 : 22:37:45

raulpou,

Last year or so, I got a Honda EU-2000i specifically to power a small window A/C (and fridge, and PC, and a couple lights) during power outages. I'm very, very pleased with it.

It's nearly silent, and incredibly fuel efficient.

I plan to bring it along on sailing trips any longer than a few days to power my battery charger. Considering the price of a tiny window A/C unit, I'm tempted to drag one of those along too!

An interesting feature of the Honda and Yamaha inverter based generators is that a pair of them can be connected in parallel to produce twice the current if needed for a heavy electrical load.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2006 : 22:47:10

We just purchased a 1700 Subaru Robin inverter generator.
Amazed at how quiet it is, starts easy and is luggable.
About the size of a medium sized suitcase.
It is intended to run the mermaid a/c unit we buy next month.
Not wanting to lug it about onboard, we've been looking at where to store/use it. First test was on the port side cockpit obs seat.
Sat there fine with the exhaust pointing overboard. We figure that whenever it's in use we'll be pointing into wind and exhaust will flow astern.
Still, we plan on installing a carbon monoxide detector. Considered putting a flexible exhaust pipe over the stern for safety.

The only issue with it 'sitting' on the seat is vibration, the whole cabin drones with the vibes from the generator. So now looking at how to suspend it somehow on antivibe mounts or heavy bungees.
Ideally it would be on a platform off the stern, vibes would also be a problem there too but the suspension would also work.

The noise from the engine is very little, but the vibes are a real issue. I'm sure we can figure out some dampening method.

Paul

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5932 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2006 : 06:51:33

If you set it on a thin foam rubber exercise mat, would that dampen the vibrations?

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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2006 : 06:56:57

Not sure if the foam rubber would do it. We'll try it.
So far we have only had the geni running while on the trailer, and that may contribute to the vibes, ie. no dampening. We're hoping to go out for 3 full days mid april unless there is a delay due to the keel repair, we'll take the geni with us then and try it out.

So far concepts are:
.. heavy rubber bungees supported by the seat rails.
.. foam matting beneath the generator
.. float it in a dinghy off the stern

Oh, we decided against the cruise aire unit, it's hefty to move around the boat and eats a lot of cabin space when not in use on the hatch. The mermaid unit is going to built into the stbd cabin locker just fwd of the galley, air out will be via a vent behind the galley and then upwards towards the cabin top and finally exhausting towards the main cabin area.
Obviously requires a lot more prep than using the cruise aire, but our biggest contention is limiting the stuff we have to move around. We go out for 3 days minimum, clothing, food, water, garbage, and all the neccessary safety stuff can become a real pain if you have to move something to get to something else.
So we are putting the ac in the stbd locker, converting the port locker to a cold box and converting the under stove area to a storage place for dry foods and cooking stuff.

Paul

Edited by - britinusa on 03/30/2006 07:04:17

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2006 : 08:53:36

Honda and Yamaha generators are hard to beat for quality. Side benefit to these generators is the ability to run electronics off the output.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.