Running a portable generator at an angle of heel

[peterchech]

After this disaster my family has decided to pool for a small portable generator, 1000w or so. We are choosing between the Honda 1000 and the Yamaha 1000, both selling for about $800 right now online. There are cheaper portable inverter type units, even one by Hyundai, but I believe in buying good quality that will last a long time and these are two brands I trust. I imagine finding parts for the honda in the long term will be easier, but the yamaha is slightly more fuel efficient at low loads.



Does anyone have experience with operating either of these generators at an angle of heel? I figure if we buy one it might as well double as a battery charger when I go out cruising, maybe even use it to run the tiny A/C fridge I have installed on my boat when on the hook.

[chef2sail]

No way

First of all the Honda 100 is not worth it and wont run much. The 2000 is much better

Running the genrator while sailing would be dangerous IMHO. Gas, burns. exhaust just to name a few things and totally unecessary.

I have a Honda eu2000

[JimMcGee]

Where do you put your generator when running at anchor to make sure the exhaust doesn't get into the cabin?

[Geoff54]

As an aside, Honda and Yamaha have very different parts philosophies, or at least they did in their powersports divisions a few years ago.

Honda parts are more expensive but that allows them to keep producing them for much longer after they become obsolete. Yamaha parts are less expensive but they will stop stocking them once demand falls beyond a certain point.

Which approach is better depends on your perspective.

[Ferretchaser]

I have a 2200 Honda powered inverter genny and only use it while on the hook or tied up in a slip. Can't use the shore power you have here as my stuff runns on 240v AC single phase. I would not use it while sailing as the oil in the sump would run to one side and leave the thing without lubrication. If you want a porta genny that you can use on the tilt, get a two stroke.

ATB

Michael

[Cbarg]

I have a honda 2000eui that I use at anchor and offshore to charge battery's when the sailing is good on the overnight run's. The boat is center cockpit with the gen mounted and secured on the aft deck. It's been used for the last 6 years with no problem, better than running the big engine just to keep the battery's up.

[RichH]

Id suggest the Honda eu2000 for its history or reliability over any other offering.

Do careful price comparisons vs. multitudinous 'dealers', including internet sources, as the prices (and taxes, plus shipping) will make a BIG difference.
A 2000w generator will 'run' most household 'load' such as heater, lighting, refrigerator .... but not all at the same time because of the 'starting torque' requirements of 'motors'. This leaves only well pumps and other 220v components/requirements not able to be supplied.
The 1000w, simply doesnt have enough 'umpf' and the 2000w will be mostly 'above automatic idle'. You really dont want to be running such equipment 'flat out', as this 'kills them quick'.

[PorFin]

Just to pile on:

Spend the extra green on the 2 kw Honda. We've got the eu200, and haven't regretted the purchase.

As for location, most of the time we run it hanging from one of our dinghy davits. That gets it out of the way, and I can lower it so that the exhaust is below our caprail (we've got about 5' of freeboard.) That takes care of the majority of the CO threat, and also lowers the (already) low running noise to an almost ignorable level.

[mitchbrown]

I have an EU1000 and my dock neighbor has 2000. the 1000 is an excelent unit as well as is the 2000 the 1000 is much quiter than the 2000, probably half as much noise. It is much lighter and smaller and that may be an issue if you need to stow it onboard. Mine fits nicely in a lazeret. The one thing you should know about the inverter generators is they split the voltage between the neutral and hot wire so depending on what you plan to run you may need to modify the output. I can tell you how if you are interested.

[peterchech]

The 1000 weighs 27 lbs, and is small enough to pull in and out of my cockpit lazarettes easily (small 25' boat). The 2000 weighs double that, and must be bigger too. Doesn't cost much more though...

What can't I run with the 1000? Boat wise, I only really need to charge the batteries and possibly run the fridge, though even that I prob wouldn't bother with. I could even probably run a small 5000 but ac unit no?

House wise, the 1000 can power a fridge and some cfl lights couldn't it? Is it really that incapable?

Is 2000 watts really worth hauling all that extra weight and bulk?