Honda Generator

Stee6043 said:
Ha. It would be really fantastic if he were to use that thread for the next 10 years to chronicle anything that might happen to fall out of functional status on his boat(s). Would make for a great read!
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Maybe he'll chime in and give you the last 2 years history. I'm pretty sure his wallet is still smoking. :rolleyes:
 
Seahorse, what they are not saying is....You can do it but to most members of this site, its a really bad idea. There is just too much that can go wrong and it can kill you and your family. You would be much better off finding space for a few golf cart batteries and install a good inverter. You are not going to run AC but where you live you don't need it and I doubt you have it. Remember, you only have to forget something one time for disaster to strike.
 
Please consider this - Running portable generator on swim platform or any location on a boat. Not tied to the boat's bonding system. Wired into some of the boat's circuits. There is a fault somewhere and current leakage into the boat's grounding and bonding system. Will not trip breaker as not an integrated component of the boat's electrical system. Someone wet or climbing out of the water touches the generator's frame. The potential is too great for someone to really get hurt.
Think carefully about this and if you really want a portable genset then have a professional marine electrician properly set it up and get it tied in.
 
hmmm makes sense thx skibum
 
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Thanks guys for this info. No intension of running the geny while people are swimming off the swim grid that would be stupid. My only thought was morning and evening meals. I don't understand what "boats bonding system" means but by plugging the geny into the shore power connection wouldn't that tie into the boat's electrical system with built in safety's?

We use a portable geny (bigger) when dry camping and this is standard procedure for most campers. We run the normal appliances and the AC on occasion. On the boat obviously one has to be mindful of the fact that we are surrounded by water and the inherent risk. As far as CO with the boat at anchor what I am wondering is can you have a situation where the boat will swing with the tide but could have wind blowing from the opposite direction - towards the boat. Is that possible?

I know the consensus is not to do this but is there anyone out there (besides skibum) that does? Your experience would be helpful.
 
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Sitting here thinking about this and just wondering about boats with built in genys. I get the fact that the exhaust is vented outside the boat but in the same way a geny on the swim grid could have exhaust blow back into the boat could that not happen to a boat with a built in geny?
 
skibum said:
I've often wondered that. The best explanation I can think of is that it is humane, foolproof, and cost effective. Therefore it is immediately disqualified from consideration by any government entity.
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makes sense:)
 
To oversimplify, as I am not an electrician: a portable placed on the bow, the deck, the swim platform, etc. isn't grounded or ignition proof. The shore connection solely allows the generator to power the boat's systems.

A built in marine genny is supposed to be ignition proof and typically is grounded.

As to exhaust, yes, built in marine gasoline gennies also pose CO risk. This is why some members will never run one while people are sleeping, while anchored both bow and stern, and in some other conditions.

In our crew, three boats use portables regularly, including running them overnight/while people are sleeping. The rest have built in units and also sometimes run them overnight. (Our built in is dead or we'd be using it, too--when it's 90 degrees at midnight, it's a must.)

First Mate's parents had a malfunction with their built in genny, as well as their hardwired alarm, but thankfully his dad recognized he was feeling groggy before anything worse happened. After repairing the genny and hardwired detector, they added portable CO detectors for good measure.

Keep on researching--read some industry/professional sites, look into ABYC standards, and make the best educated decision you can.
 
Well you guys talked me out of getting a genny. Thanks for saving me a boat buck.
 
Seahorse said:
I know the consensus is not to do this but is there anyone out there (besides skibum) that does? Your experience would be helpful.
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OK, I'll bite. :)

Yes, I use a honda generator while I'm on the hook at Block Island. Lots of people do. If you're taking a dinghy ride around the anchorage in Block Island, you'd think honda genny's are standard equipment on all boats, because at least 3/4 boats have them. Seriously.

Running them on the bow seems to be the most common option. There's usually a stiff breeze at Block and I point the genny exhaust off to the side. I NEVER run it while anyone's sleeping or at night. That's just stupid. I usually just run it during the day when we're not even on the boat (like at the beach). I do it to keep the batteries charged, ice maker doing it's thing, etc. What's great about the honda is that a gallon of gas goes a long way... like 8-10 hours. When we get back to the boat, I usually turn it off so I don't have to listen to the hum.

When the admiral (wife) needs more power for AC, or stove, or running multiple things at the same time, I'll fire up the big diesel genny. But that's loud, smelly and burns a lot of fuel, so that's why the Honda is my #1 choice.

I will now prepare myself to get ridiculed. :)
 
Your factory mounted diesel generator costs too much to run and makes too much noise? So you haul around gasoline on a diesel boat and run a portable generator……..Really?

I swore I was not going to participate in another discussion on this, but I cannot let with go with only 1/4 the caution needed. The risks are far more than just CO:

Carbon Monoxide

Is simple to grasp, breathe it in a confined space and you don’t wake up. Permanently mounted marine generators have their exhausts plumbed to exit at or very near the waterline and away from closed occupied spaces.


Uncontained Fuel System Vents

The fuel systems on Honda and other portable generators are vented to the atmosphere and their carburetors have a bowl drain that releases fuel inside the generator case. That means where you run it, store it or put it under way will have gasoline fumes released in the area and if the bowl drain leaks, you have raw fuel spilled and an explosive liquid in the compartment with the generator.


Lack of ignition protection on electrical devices

The electrical components on portables are not ignition protected like marine generator electrical components are. This means you could easily have an arc or spark anytime contact opens or closes or whenever something is plugged in ot disconnected.


Lack of Continuous Grounding

Portable generators pose an additional shock hazard since the portable is not grounded to the boat or to a shore side ground. Likely not a problem with a drill or power tool, but if you connect it to your boat's AC system, you have essentially disconnected the green wire.

The Honda iU series generators are investors. An inverter drives both line and neutral so it is possible to have voltage between neutral and ground. With ground bonded the the boat's bonding system, which mean to the water, this means a shock hazard may exist that normally would not. Anyone who ignores all the above risks and insists on using a portable generator should use a very good, sensitive multi-meter to throughly prove out the electrical system. That the reverse polarity light is lit is clear indication of a potential problem.

The USCG governs only boat manufacturers and the manufacturers voluntarily subscribe to ABYC guidelines, so there is no "law" against using portable generators on boats. However, both the USCG and ABYC say using portable generators on boat is a bad idea and regularly caution boaters against it.

In spite of the fact that Honda’s advertising says that boating is a popular use of their generators, They have not addressed the grounding, gas fume and ignition protection issues and those risks do indeed exist.

If you are one of those who jumped on the CO train and the relatively few deaths attributed to CO, you are not fully considering all the risks of using portable generators on a boat. While accidents may be rare, you do substantially increase your risk of becoming a "statistic" when using a portable generator on a boat.......you put your family unnecessarily at risk when you do.

If you want to test my superficial risk theory, try this: Tell your wife you are buying a portable generator for the boat because it is cheaper and you don’t think the risk of your family not waking up one day was sufficient to require spending the extra money. Also tell her you didn’t bother to consider anything but CO and that you are not ignoring the risks if fire, shock and explosion to your wife and kids.


Let us know how the dog house sleeps……………
 
Place it on an inner tube and float it 20 feet behind the boat...........and use the power cord as your line to secure it to the boat.

"Trust me"
 
Some dire warnings here. Checked my SR manual again just to make sure there was nothing there re portable genys - nothing. CO detectors have a finite life. What's the life span for the SR CO detectors? Nothing in the manual. I'll add a couple more - just to be on the safe side. Honda doesn't seem to have a problem with it - they even make a nice Sunbrela blue "Honda Marine" cover for them. I'm going to test with the boat on the trailer in the back yard - see if I can make a cup of coffee without killing myself. More news at eleven.
 
It's a given that deaths from portable generators do occur whether by CO poisoning or explosions. However, with that being said there is absolutely no Federal or State regulations regarding the use of portable generators on a boat. Not even from the USCG, the authority on all things boating. The reason is simple...there just aren't enough deaths occurring to raise any red flags with these regulatory agencies.

I'm more likely to die riding my bicycle in Florida than I am from running a portable generator on my bow. I'm aware there are risks associated with riding a bike so I wear a helmet, use my headlamp and wear reflective clothing when riding at night. I drive defensively and keep my head on a swivel. So far, I've been able to avoid the danger.

The same logic should apply to the generator on your bow. Exercise caution, run it only when necessary, have the proper CO detectors installed and purchase additional detectors. Keep it out of the bilge, secure your electric cords, check it for fuel leaks before use. There are ways to minimize the risks associated.

I've posted the 2016 USCG Recreational boating statistics below for injuries, accidents and death.
 

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NorCal Boater said:
I don't understand why people come on this site, ask for advice, don't hear what they want to hear and do what they want anyway. Oh well....

Next topic?
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The OP didn't post, "I'm going to use a portable genny on the swim platform, any problems with that?" and then say, "Screw you" to anyone discouraging it. The OP asked if anyone had experience with this setup, people responded with experience and opinions, and people are making their own decisions based on that input. Seahorse is choosing yes, Winch1995 is choosing no, and I'm sure others who have read but not posted have gained valuable insight about this always controversial topic.

IIRC from my relatively short time in this forum, you're not typically a fan of excessive regulations, so until and unless you wish there to be an industry ban on portable generators in marine applications, keep advocating your position. My money says you'll continue to influence some people to avoid the risk instead of minimizing/accepting.
 
trflgrl said:
The OP didn't post, "I'm going to use a portable genny on the swim platform, any problems with that?" and then say, "Screw you" to anyone discouraging it. The OP asked if anyone had experience with this setup, people responded with experience and opinions, and people are making their own decisions based on that input. Seahorse is choosing yes, Winch1995 is choosing no, and I'm sure others who have read but not posted have gained valuable insight about this always controversial topic.

IIRC from my relatively short time in this forum, you're not typically a fan of excessive regulations, so until and unless you wish there to be an industry ban on portable generators in marine applications, keep advocating your position. My money says you'll continue to influence some people to avoid the risk instead of minimizing/accepting.
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Because you are, as you said, relatively new to the forum you probably are unaware of the number of newbies or guest that have come on and asked advice or opinions from long-time knowledgeable and experienced boaters and then state that they were going to do it their way, anyway. Maybe its the age difference (I'm in my 60s), the wisdom and experience level (I got my first boat at 15) but it's difficult for me to watch people make potentially disastrous mistakes that can be avoided. And yes, I understand we learn from mistakes, how do you think I gained my knowledge. I understand there are thousands that use portable generators on their boats. There are also people that die doing it. In large numbers? Apparently not. But how do you tell your wife, who's child just died from CO poisoning while taking a nap with the Honda running that you thought it was OK because "only a few died"? As I've gotten older and lost family and friends I've realized how precious life really is.

For what Seahorse wants to use the Genny for I think I would install 2-4 6 volt golf cart batteries and a Xantrex 1800 or 2000 watt inverter. He could probably do it for the cost of the generator and it would be loads safer. I've done that on my old '89 340da. I ran the fridge, TV and blue ray player on 2 golf carts.

As for my views on rules and regulations I feel there are too many as it is. Some are good, others, meh.... That subject gets much deeper than should be on this platform. Be happy to discuss it over a beer sometime tho....
 
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