Generators

[2000 Elisa's Ring SR 24]

I just purchased a 1992 Sea Ray 370 Express Cruiser to replace my 240 Sundancer. I have never had a generator before and the person who surveyed my boat said to never run the generator while anchored out for the night with or without others tied up to you. Is this true? The boat is equipped with a CO detector.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Generators

It's not the CO on the boat you need to worry about, it's the CO that accumulates around the boat just above the water. Kills people every year at lake Powell here is AZ.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Generators

most people i know purchase boats with generators for this very reason. co detector mounted low in the cabin is necessary. i don't see why you couldn't run it at night, unless you are very paranoid.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Generators

I see people run them all the time. however a bit of common sense and meticulous genset maint is mandatory. as is a working CO detector.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Generators

Sorry, Matttt and rodbolt are absolutely correct. I was talking about actually being in the water swimming with the gen set running

 

[imported_scott_m]

Re: Generators

I absolutely refuse to sleep at night with a gasoline genset running - different story with diesel. However, that being said - at anchor - by yourself, on a single anchor - you'd probably be Ok and the breeze should carry the fumes away from you. However, if you're on two anchors, or rafted up with several boats - absolute NO NO.

 

[Patrico]

Re: Generators

Suppose if you want power (anchor light) at night time or VHF etc.,then so be it but weigh up the pros and cons about doing so. Take every valid precaution people think necessary.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Generators

If you anchor from the bow only, the bow will head into the wind and carry any exhaust gasses (and CO) away from the cabin. Be sure you have a working marine CO detector in the cabin.<br /><br />There's no reason to run the generator overnight unless you need it for air conditioning. Anchor lights, radio, etc. should work fine on battery power. In MD, you can run the AC enough to cool the cabin before you go to sleep and then cut it off. It should stay cool enough for the rest of the night.

 

[KRS]

Re: Generators

Originally posted by Patrico:<br /> Suppose if you want power (anchor light) at night time or VHF etc.,then so be it but weigh up the pros and cons about doing so. Take every valid precaution people think necessary.

Properly functioning batteries should handle this task, gen not needed at night for this purpose.

 

[Patrico]

Re: Generators

Yes azfyrfyter63 - Normally the case. But if he wants a generator and he wants it for a reason, only he knows or possibly afraid to run aux batteries down for some reason we're missing.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Generators

Just a comment - but if lights are the issue switch to LED bulbs. Lasts forever on a battery.

 

[2000 Elisa's Ring SR 24]

Re: Generators

That same generator talked about went out on me this weekend. It was running for about 2 hrs, we started the engines to come home and 10 minutes in it stopped. We you go and try to start it will run for about 10-11 sec. then shut off. If you try and restart right away it won't even run, wait 15 minutes, same thing 10-11 sec. then stops. I think it is the fuel pump?? any suggestions??