Adding a generator?

[M9.9]

Re: Adding a generator?

you would need a PTO.

in order for a genny to turn from a main motor.....it would have to actually be connected to the motor......

the movement of the motor against the non movement of a genny would throw any belt attached to it....

kinda like mounting an alternator on a firewall of a car....and using a belt off the crank to turn it....
the belt will come off

Yes, I can see where your coming from. I would suppose, as others have mentioned, there would most certainly be a spark problem if mounted below deck. How 'bout take the generator and find an island somewhere to recharge--lol

Looking into other methods outside of motor mods to charge, there is a 6+ amp/hr solar panel c/w a regulator that could be mounted on a bimini top; went further and searched for a water driven generator that would sit in the water at the transom..not a heck of alot of success there either. I think, for me a least, the panel idea may have merrit.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Adding a generator?

6 amps at 12v converts to about 1/2 amp at 110v..... pretty useless

edit: comes out to 72 watts so you COULD power a regular light bulb but only when you least need it with direct sunlight...LOL

 

[M9.9]

Re: Adding a generator?

6 amps at 12v converts to about 1/2 amp at 110v..... pretty useless

edit: comes out to 72 watts so you COULD power a regular light bulb but only when you least need it with direct sunlight...LOL

Yeh it would be, I was refering to battery recharge.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Adding a generator?

Redline made a 12vdc motor to 115vac generator that were virtually silent and approx 10" round x 20" long . They would only run when a 115v load was on and yes the driving motor had brushes so sparking prevented it being mounted in engine compartment but was still the best option . It took large 12 wires and charging amps from alternators were increased or larger capacitie batts or seperate ones with isolated with diode . Hooked one in engine compartment in cooler with 12dc relay that when it sensed load and 12v motor came on a seperate 12v bilge blower with the hoses hooked up to cup holders with a bunch of holes in bottom for cooling ventalation . saw one on craigs list and brought back memories but was 800.00 used. It put out about 20amp AC output . Money was not object for the guy I put one in for as coffee at 6am is just as valuable . Google Redline to see one as I still kick my self for not buying the one . I worked at Electric Motor apparatus shop when I was younger and bought one of these new at cost and had mounted on fender well under truck hood . It would run a small table saw / 8" hand saw too . Sweet and felt safe installing in boat as it was as marine grade as possible sitting on board in bottom of old steel sided coleman cooler .With a will of coffee there is a way safely . or could be mounted in less flamable area .

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Adding a generator?

seems to me that an inverter would do the same thing more safely, better, cheaper, in a smaller space, and likely more efficiently.
or am I missing something?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Adding a generator?

+1^^^

converting electrical energy to mechanical energy is 80-90% efficient. less if your using brushes. converting back is between 90-94% as well, so best you can get is about 70% efficient with a rig like that. an inverter will be in the mid 80's to 90's AND be USCG approved.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Adding a generator?

It was for a I/O houseboat and every now and then when they would pack a small dorm size fridge or freezer or run small power tools or inductive motor loads because of starting currents it would take out the inverters . We tried up to 2000 watt ones that didn't hold up but they are probaly made better today . The Redline is still aboard .It was put in early 80's .

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Adding a generator?

"early 80's"... that's what I was missing.....
BTW from your description of the installation, It sounds like, although it has obviously not blown up, the venting plan may be flawed..... If I understood correctly the cooler it is in is forcibly vented overboard with a blower but the bottom of the cooler intakes air from the bilge. If that's the case, any explosive fumes in the bilge will be drawn into the cooler and if set off would set off the rest of the bilge instantly....
Not trying to bust ur chops, just something that you MIGHT want to consider since it sounds like you still have at least some sort of connection with the boat or owners.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Adding a generator?

Cooler lid was closed and latched and we used inline bilge blower w hoses up to motor doghouse cup holders that we drilled holes in . If I had to do again i would just mount to floor and carpet over and use register vents to make safer or Coast guard approved

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Adding a generator?

gotcha... sounded like there were "holes drilled in the bottom (of the cooler) for ventilation" with exhaust hoses to cup holders
intake and exhaust hoses are a different story.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Adding a generator?

In 30 yrs the one I saw on craigslist brought back memorys as the one on my trucks inner fender wall was smaller and red haven't seen or looked for one since . Top of cooler had hoses hooked to up to cup holders cooling and fresh air to cool MG set as !2dc motor had sparkihg brushes but only ran as something turned on or was pluged in . Hoses had SS clamps .True sine wave 60 hz+-1/2 no noise as switching inverters to mess with radio ,electronics . took at least 60 watt load before it turned on .

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Adding a generator?

Lots of talk about batteries, but OP, you mentioned your cooling unit. It will draw a lot of power. What are the specs (amp draw) for your cooling unit?

BTW, you also mentioned a deasel generator. Without converting one, they are not ignitiion protected either.

 

[Don S]

Re: Adding a generator?

Just like heating, forget inverters. To use an inverter you need LOTS of batteries and battery power. Plus a big inverter (NOT cheap) then you have to be able to charge them with your engine and with that many batteries, you can't find a big enough alternator. Even if you could, it takes horse power to run big alternators for battery charging, plus you need HP to actually get the boat on plane.

If you want to have an air conditioner on a small boat (yes, 24' is small) then you need shore power and only go out when it's cool.
Or you get a Marine gas generator and install it and the 120V system properly. There is no in between, nor cheap way around it.
Even marine 12V air conditions takes a lot of amperage, aka lots of batteries and need to charge.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Adding a generator?

Agreed

Try to pick a generator that uses the same fuel as your main engine. 1 less pile of hoses & fuel tank.
The inverter will be below decks & confined........Lots of inverters may NOT have " spark protection " on some cooling fans, relays or switches. They surely may keep tripping out ( spark protected circuit breaker ? ) if too hot in the engine room during the summer and running the main engine at WOT for long periods.

The engine room is a tough place for anythng to live in.

Rich

 

[M9.9]

Re: Adding a generator?

Hi all, seems to me no matter how you look at it, it will require engine power of one type or another to mechanically drive the generator. I have a small 1100 watt gen run by the usual small 4 cycle 3hp gas engine. I have seen a small outboard converted to drive an ac generator, and yes it was an eye-sore. But it worked and it was a emergency kicker too.

No matter how I look at it, fumes will be a concern especially if moored. I suppose hydraulic drives may be used to run it off an inboard, but who wants to run an inboard while moored to keep the aircon on. So, I feel it all comes down to having aircon while on the move and if that's what you want, why not go to an after market compressor type, assuming there is such a thing that allows for remote (above deck) mounting of electrical relays? Good luck.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Adding a generator?

Is there any auto AC compressor set ups that can be used on boats as the guy wants cooling while sleeping ? Oh wait have to leave engine running /idleing all night is not what I can sleep with .

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Adding a generator?

The O/P said nothing about A/C and gave up on the idea 24 posts ago...... are you asking something for yourself now jimbo?

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Adding a generator?

Me thinks there is a LARGE market for AC & central heat in non equipped boats.


PLEASE GUYS.................Lets not join the other DIY people who are brain dead or dead. OR Accidently injured & killed others. These jobs are not like DIYING a Bimini top.

Rich