I'm considering purchasing a portable generate for my sailboat. I'm considering a Honda EU2000i companion that I can plug my 30 amp cord into. I'd like the generator to charge my batteries when I'm sailing or at anchor, via my inverter/charger. Any thoughts on this option for keeping the batteries topped off? What options are others using for portable generators.
Portable Generator
1 - 20 of 27 Posts
Joined
·
5,111 Posts
The Honda 2000 is obviously the most popular choice these days... It might help to know what sort of boat we're talking about, what your power requirements are, and so forth... And, as this unfortunate subject arises frequently, you might want to have a look thru the "Similar Threads" listed below...
Now, I realize these things are here to stay, and I'm no longer surprised to hear them being run in otherwise peaceful anchorages from the Bahamas, to Maine... But, seriously, running one of these freakin' things while UNDER SAIL ???
Damn, talk about Spoiling the Mood...
Joined
·
1,842 Posts
Here ya go even has 12v built in for charging Inverter Generator - 4.7HP, 2500W Inverter Generator
Jon, I agree with you most of the time, but some folks have to charge their batteries. So, should they sail with the engine running, or drop sails and motor, or sail and run a small generator. Actually, I would rather sail and run the small gen. I don't see the problem.Now, I realize these things are here to stay, and I'm no longer surprised to hear them being run in otherwise peaceful anchorages from the Bahamas, to Maine... But, seriously, running one of these freakin' things while UNDER SAIL ???
Damn, talk about Spoiling the Mood...
Marc
Joined
·
5,111 Posts
Yeah, running that thing to charge via DC @ 8 amps, that's efficient, alright...
Well, we don't know what sort of boat we have here, or the type of sailing/cruising being done, so... But I have to charge my batteries just like anyone else, just seems to me there are better options...
I'll admit, I'm overly cranky about the proliferation of these things... I suppose I just wonder how people do without them before they became so popular...
To each his own, but if I had no other means of charging the batts, I'd still be inclined to run the engine for doing so... No fussing with gasoline, having to protect the unit from the elements, the risks inherent with carbon monoxide, etc...
You make a good point, however... all things being equal, I suppose I would much prefer if folks ran these generators when they were under sail, rather than after having arrived in an anchorage
Joined
·
5,689 Posts
I've delivered a couple of boats that used Honda generators for battery charging (AC to battery charger, not the DC output). It was a messy, smelly, unpleasant evolution while underway. I'd rather have used the space for extra diesel and run the main.
Probably depends on the boat. On my catamaran with outboards, with engines raised, and the gen. sitting on the aft quarter in the slipstream, it works quite well.
Marc
Joined
·
5,689 Posts
Definitely depends on the boat. On a Passport 40 with an enclosure it's just unpleasant.
On a boat with outboards the calculus changes. You have big gasoline storage anyway and a fuel line to your main tanks is practical. You just have to worry about keeping the generator reasonably dry and avoid exhaust gas in the cockpit and in the boat.
Joined
·
778 Posts
If I have to share the anchorage with that, I'd just as soon he run the generator while he's under sail so maybe I don't have to endure his generator whilst sharing the anchorage, yes?
Joined
·
5,111 Posts
Yup, that information could be useful...
Assuming a single 50 amp charger, the Honda 2000 should certainly be up to the task. There's a thread now on this subject over on Cruising Anarchy, and Evans Starzinger finds his EU1000 to be adequate for use with a Sterling charger, but I don't know how he does it...
I have a Honda 1000 aboard for emergency use, but I'm really starting to wonder why I bother. I have NEVER had to use it aboard the boat, in fact the only use it has ever seen was at my home in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, when my neighborhood was without power for 20 days. If I am gonna bother with carrying one of these things, I really should have gone with the 2000. But that additional size on a boat as small as mine, it makes all the difference, as I just happen to have a perfect spot the 1000 fits very neatly into...
In testing, I've tried to get the Honda to run my older Heart Interface Freedom 1000 inverter/charger, and it really struggles. The initial surge will shut down the generator immediately. Even after dialing down the 'Power Share' setting to a very modest percentage, it barely handles it (I'm guessing my older style Heart Interface is a pretty inefficient unit, by today's standards) The only way I could get it to work, was to run it for a bit using the 12V cords to the battery, in an attempt to get them 'up to speed', so to speak... But, having to use that thing as a routine means of charging, I think I'd probably quit sailing, instead...
but, as long as I have the damn thing, if anyone has any magic bullet solutions, I'm all ears...
If I didn't need it this summer, however, I seriously doubt I ever will, and I think the smartest thing for me to do is to put the thing on eBay...
Joined
·
1,842 Posts
Also puts out 25amps at 120 volts will run a 50 amp output battery charger still Iwould rather use solar for battery chargingYeah, running that thing to charge via DC @ 8 amps, that's efficient, alright...
Well, we don't know what sort of boat we have here, or the type of sailing/cruising being done, so... But I have to charge my batteries just like anyone else, just seems to me there are better options...
??? You talkin' about the Honda EU2000i ???
It is rated at 2000 watts (16.7 amps @ 120VAC) and it will run a 75 amp battery charger just fine.
No argument about the preference for solar power....if you've got the real estate for the panels and a good MPPT controller, that's surely the way to go. No messy stuff, no additional cost, no noise, no maintenance and at least a 20-year service life. What's not to like about that?
Bill
Joined
·
8,474 Posts
Here's the win/win, IMO. Instead of spending $1100+ for the honda genny, spend $400 on 120 watts of solar panels, and $600 on a Champion generator.
Amazon.com: Champion Power Equipment 73536i 2,000 Watt 4-Stroke Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator (CARB Compliant): Home [email protected]@[email protected]@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/[email protected]@[email protected]@51zsD6x-aqL
Your solar will keep your batteries chharged up silently and handle all of your regular onboard needs- computers, lighting, etc. Your generator is used infrequently, to run tools, etc, when needed. Champion generators are the Samsung TV or the Hyundai automobile of the generator world- damn near as good as the honda benchmark with a better ROI on your money. ... money that you have put into solar panels so you don't have to run the generator as often, which will increase longevity, thus increasing ROI...
Amazon.com: Champion Power Equipment 73536i 2,000 Watt 4-Stroke Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator (CARB Compliant): Home [email protected]@[email protected]@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/[email protected]@[email protected]@51zsD6x-aqL
Your solar will keep your batteries chharged up silently and handle all of your regular onboard needs- computers, lighting, etc. Your generator is used infrequently, to run tools, etc, when needed. Champion generators are the Samsung TV or the Hyundai automobile of the generator world- damn near as good as the honda benchmark with a better ROI on your money. ... money that you have put into solar panels so you don't have to run the generator as often, which will increase longevity, thus increasing ROI...
Joined
·
1,842 Posts
Actually bil I was referring to the 2500 watt unit from harbor freight Inverter Generator - 4.7HP, 2500W Inverter Generator rob
Joined
·
7,861 Posts
Actually it is slightly less than 21 amps @ 120 volts.
Joined
·
1,169 Posts
Ach, here we go yet again.
The 1000 generators will charge a house bank ONLY if there's a properly sized shorepower charger installed. This will depend on how big your house bank is and what it is: i.e., AGM or FLA. If you have a 10A shorepower charger, almost nothing will help, except being plugged in at a dock!
If you have a BIG house bank and a MEASLY charger, no generator will help.
The 2000 will be big enough to run your water heater, the 1000 won't. Why? 'Cuz the 1500 watt heater element is too big for the 1000 to handle.
Almost ALL Harbor Freight electrical stuff is TRASH.
Go from there, 'cuz that's the summary from the past 20years of experience.
Oh, yeah, there's the whole "companion" vs "regular" Honda discussion.
Look at the Honda website and find out the simple answer: the Companion model has the 30A output built in for a simple connection to your shorepower inlet.
The 1000 generators will charge a house bank ONLY if there's a properly sized shorepower charger installed. This will depend on how big your house bank is and what it is: i.e., AGM or FLA. If you have a 10A shorepower charger, almost nothing will help, except being plugged in at a dock!
If you have a BIG house bank and a MEASLY charger, no generator will help.
The 2000 will be big enough to run your water heater, the 1000 won't. Why? 'Cuz the 1500 watt heater element is too big for the 1000 to handle.
Almost ALL Harbor Freight electrical stuff is TRASH.
Go from there, 'cuz that's the summary from the past 20years of experience.
Oh, yeah, there's the whole "companion" vs "regular" Honda discussion.
Look at the Honda website and find out the simple answer: the Companion model has the 30A output built in for a simple connection to your shorepower inlet.
Joined
·
1,061 Posts
Irwin Citation 34
Honda EU2000i ($999.99 with free shipping)
New solar panel
We love the combination. Just did 36 days down the coast of Maine and back. And I never worried about the batteries. On occasion (three wet storm days in a row) we even hit the breaker for the Hot Water heater for HOT showers.
Rik and Linda
Honda EU2000i ($999.99 with free shipping)
New solar panel
We love the combination. Just did 36 days down the coast of Maine and back. And I never worried about the batteries. On occasion (three wet storm days in a row) we even hit the breaker for the Hot Water heater for HOT showers.
Rik and Linda
Joined
·
29 Posts
Where you usually sail has a huge impact on the practicality of solar power to charge batteries. In the Pacific Northwest, solar is useful for at most 3 months of the year --- while the sailing season is 12 months. Hence the practicality of a generator and a 3-Stage Smart charger.
1 - 20 of 27 Posts
Join the discussion
Join now to ask and comment!