There are plenty of other options that are cheaper, but nothing close to as good. I don't think any of them will allow you to run them while sailing, but at anchor should be fine.
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Portable Generator
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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...
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
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
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...
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...
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.
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