Generator -vs- inverter?

[PhilfromOhio]

I have recently purchased an older 32' Uniflite Flybridge Cruiser. 1969. Needs a little elbow grease
and some tlc. There is an inverter that needs to be installed, however I was thinking of purchasing a small
carry on generator to simply run the shore power while I am camped out away from the Marina,
How big or how much wattage/Vltge willl need? or how big of a generator
will I need. It has your basic fresh water pump, small galley stove and fridge, and a few other components.

 

[Lone Duck]

Re: Generator -vs- inverter?

Read the tags on your electric motors . They will tell you the start up amps & watts needed to run them. Then choose a gen/ inverter with a little extra .

 

[agallant80]

Re: Generator -vs- inverter?

I do the portable generator thing. The small carry on ones only come so big. Ryobi 2200 or Honda Eu20001. I would spend the extra money on the honda. With that said 32 may have some power hungry equipment on it that a portable may not cover. It will be give and take. on my 25 foot I can run the AC and battery charger but not the AC battery charger and water heater.

What do you want to power on the hook?

I am assuming you have read up on the dangers of portable generators and are OK with the risk....

What ever you do buy some extra C0 detectors.

 

[PhilfromOhio]

Re: Generator -vs- inverter?

Right, I will have to inspect the power requirements for the boat itself. I was thinking of the Honda 3000i generator/inverter.
I feel confident that it should cover all the needs I have. This boat does not have a water heater. Just AC, Fridge, stove and fresh water pump, and battery charger.. There is also a microwave, and tv/cd player. I was planning ov leaving it out on the swim platform in the evenings or out of the way on the bow? I will certainly buy the co detectors.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Generator -vs- inverter?

3000 is pretty big. From what I have read it's much louder than the 2000. How old is the actual system and how many btu?

You may want to look in to a kill o watt meter. Run that while you are on shore power and you will know exactly how much power you are drawing.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Generator -vs- inverter?

why not look into an actual marine genny.... If you shop around you may find a used one for the same money as the honda or possibly even less and they are safer, MUCH less likely to be stolen and you don't have to mess with moving it around.....

 

[PhilfromOhio]

Re: Generator -vs- inverter?

Yes I have been thinking of perhaps installing a marine genny, as I have found a few on-line for sale that are sheaper, and I could tie in directly to the boats fuel supply. My only concern is venting the exhaust. This Uniflite has loads of room under the floor in the back of the boat. I think it actually might not be that big of an issue, I just don't like the idea of putting and holes in the boat. any suggestion on how to vent the exhaust?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Generator -vs- inverter?

the exhaust is combined with the cooling water so it's low temp and just forget worrying about drilling the hole.... It's ONLY an issue until the hole saw breaks through and you see daylight... at that instant you stop sweating and start grinning..... BTDT more than once... NOT a big deal... There are already all sorts of holes drilled into your boat and the guys doing it at the factory were a LOT less carefull than you are gonna be. Use a good bronze or stainless thruhull and the proper marine exhaust hose along with a water lift muffler and you won't regret it.

As a bonus you can run it while underway as long as you use the correct water pickup for the cooling water and it can't fall off the swim platform into the drink.

 

[PhilfromOhio]

Re: Generator -vs- inverter?

Well I think you may have me convinced. I haven't done that much research on the marine genny. I will look into it and think I may
definitely lean that way. I agree, I don't like putting holes in the boat, but know that I will take more care than the factory would.
Thanks so much for all the prof. advice. I'll post the pics when I get the project finished. Right now this area of the Northern Chesapeake is nearly froze from end to end, so no working on the boat for another month.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Generator -vs- inverter?

.....deleted....

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Generator -vs- inverter?

Really all about power management unless you want to run everything all the time, at the same time.

For sizing: Honda Generators - Wattage estimation guide


and noise

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[Jonezin1]

1975 uniflite 28' sport sedan

I recently picked up a 28 ft Uniflite sport sedan
where in the hell is the converter, I plugged in the shore power and nothing at the fuse box
shore breakers are on but I'm not getting anything to my outlets nothing when I'm under way.

I can't find a manual or a diagram, I contacted the manufacturer and they are not producing any more manuals or provided any help.

I really appreciate some help,
​​​​​​​plus I want to replace it with a pure slin unit.