Generators vs. Inverters

[bakerjoa]

Hello All,

I need boaters expertise on how to power our A/C, microwave, stove, etc. off shore. I'm sure there are people out there that anchor for a weekend w/o shore power. We thought generator in engine compartment with extra ventilation. However, we have heard too dangerous. Some say use an inverters but what kind of batteries are we going to need. I'm looking for ideas, suggestions, experience at setting up a boat that is capable this. Thanks to anyone that may help!!

 

[haskindm]

Re: Generators vs. Inverters

Properly installed a generator will not be dangerous. A generator is probably your only option if you want to use A/C. You would need a huge battery pack to power an A/C unit for any length of time. Add up the wattage of everything that you wish to run on a generator or inverter to determine the size of the inverter or generator that you will need. For example, a microwave usually draws about 1000 to 1200 watts. The inverter manufacturer will then tell you the amp/hour of the battery that you will need to supply that power and how long it will last. A rough example would be a 1200 watt microwave would draw 10 amps at 120-volts and 100 amps at 12-volts. A 400 amp/hour battery would power this through an inverter for about 4 hours, less the loss of efficiency by going through the inverter. You will also note that you will need some massive cables to handle the high amperage loads at 12-volts. Spend your money on having a properly sized generator correctly and safely installed. Either way, this will not be a cheap proposition. Unless you wish to spend many nights on the hook, or do without some electrical conveniences, you may find that marinas with electrical hookups are a pretty good deal.

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: Generators vs. Inverters

Do a search for the Honda EU2000i inverter generator. Might be one solution for you. Keep in mind the possible safety risks involved, like CO. We use it on our cruiser.

 

[haskindm]

Re: Generators vs. Inverters

Do a search for the Honda EU2000i inverter generator. Might be one solution for you. Keep in mind the possible safety risks involved, like CO. We use it on our cruiser.

Keep in mind that is only a 2000-watt unit. 2000 watts does not go far when you start talking about running A/C units and electric cooking equipment. It would be perfect for running some entertainment equipment, computer, etc. but not heavy appliances. Most motor-homes with generators are equipped with 4000 to 5000 watt units. Nothing wrong with this unit, just don't expect a 2000 watt unit to replace a power plant. If you can keep your wattage down, it will do a fine job.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Generators vs. Inverters

I've been your route. I've had inverters, used generators and now I have a dock with shore power. Unless you can find a marine generator, that is the only route you will be able to go to power everything on your boat. If we decide to spend the night out on the lake, I use an onboard inverter. I only use it to supply power to my lights, tv, and dvd player. I use 3 deep cycle batteries for that purpose. For cooking, I use the alcohol stove or the grill that I have mounted on my back deck rail. My fridge works on shore power, but when unhooked from it, it automatically switches to 12 volt DC. For cooling,,,,,,,we open the bow hatch and windows. If that doesn't cool us down, then we jump in the water to cool off. Nothing like night time skinny dipping

Eventually, I plan to install an air conditioner compressor to run off the boat engine while underway and use the inverter to run the blower. Good luck on your adventure and welcome aboard iboats .............SS

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: Generators vs. Inverters

Keep in mind that is only a 2000-watt unit. 2000 watts does not go far when you start talking about running A/C units and electric cooking equipment. It would be perfect for running some entertainment equipment, computer, etc. but not heavy appliances. Most motor-homes with generators are equipped with 4000 to 5000 watt units. Nothing wrong with this unit, just don't expect a 2000 watt unit to replace a power plant. If you can keep your wattage down, it will do a fine job.

Our Honda EU2000i runs our cruiser 5k Marine Air unit with no issues and is within the limits of the A/C and generator. You have to do "grid management" Either A/C only or no A/C and everything else microwave, battery charger and refrigerator.

 

[bakerjoa]

Re: Generators vs. Inverters

How did you install the generator?

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: Generators vs. Inverters

It's not installed, it's attached on the ski platform when we are anchored. They are very small. Keep in mind they ARE NOT for use in the engine compartment for various reasons, ignition protected, no cooling and exhaust gas (CO). You will need an adaptor for the shore power and socket on the generator to work (west marine has those). Also it would be a good idea to add another CO detector in your cabin. They are very efficient on Eco-Throttle mode it runs up to 15 Hr on 1 gal. of fuel. Honda also makes a marine cover for them.

 

[bakerjoa]

Re: Generators vs. Inverters

Thank you all for the valuable information!! Happy Boating

 

[winbasic]

Re: Generators vs. Inverters

Hello All,

I need boaters expertise on how to power our A/C, microwave, stove, etc. off shore. I'm sure there are people out there that anchor for a weekend w/o shore power. We thought generator in engine compartment with extra ventilation. However, we have heard too dangerous. Some say use an inverters but what kind of batteries are we going to need. I'm looking for ideas, suggestions, experience at setting up a boat that is capable this. Thanks to anyone that may help!!

We use a combination of both battery power and generator. We have a Honda eu10i which is enough to run our 900watt microwave and a 1000 watt kettle, both 240volt. As both are used for only a short time, the generator certainly revs for the duration and we can't use both together - its either the kettle or the microwave. We also use it to top up the batteries and for the TV/DVD. We've also got a 1500 watt inverter which we use if we only want to quickly 'nuke' something in the microwave or if its really early in the morning and I don't want to wake anyone by having the generator run. Aside from that, the other gear on the boat is 12volt.

The other benefit of the generator is if you find your house batteries are flat, you've got an alternate source of power. We've found a couple of times where the batteries have been less than full due to people unplugging the power cord.

The combination of both plenty of battery capacity and a small generator seems to work ok. We could have used a bigger generator but I figured that I only needed something that would run the largest drawing item on the boat - which was the kettle or microave. It sits on our swim deck and when we're underway, I put it in the boot. At 12kg, its easy enough to carry on/off the boat when required.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Generators vs. Inverters

When you size the generator remember that devices with motors like AC, refrigerators, etc. draw a lot of power on start up. So every time they cycle on there is a big draw.

You need to size the generator to account for that.