[C320-list] Generators

[resloat]

Herb-You need to consider the start up amperage needed (inductive loading) 
to start the motors for the AC to determine the wattage of generator needed. 
Once you get through the inductive loading pead and the motors are up and 
running, they require a lot less amperage.  Check out the Honda site which 
has inductive loading guidelines for various types of electrical motors to 
see what spec is needed for your AC.  I assume your AC is a 120 volt system. 
You will need to get the hp and amps requirements from your AC motors or 
your owners manual.  Also, if you want to run computers you need some 
specific sine wave patterns that the Honda site documents.   Sometimes you 
can cheat and use a smaller wattage generator and get away with it, but you 
risk generator cut out or damage to the AC motors having insufficient amps 
to start up.

>From what I have seen on the market and from C320 chat, you could pick up a 
fairly high wattage (2000 watts) light weight Honda or equivalent generator 
for a little over $1000.  They are elegant, light weight, pricy machines 
(compared to the $450 Wal-Mart offering having 2000 watts, but weighting 90 
lbs.) and really quiet.  I have one for my basement sump pump and if ever 
needed can be run in an outdoor sheltered location.  The problem, is they 
have 4 cycle gas engines so you need to deal with safely storing gasoline 
and the generator with a quart or more of gasoline.  I don't think you would 
pass a Coast Guard inspection with a gallon can of gasoline stored anywhere 
below deck in anything but an approved gasoline tank like in a power fuel 
tank.

Bob Sloat
S/V Savannah 894 (2002)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <hcreech at comcast.net>
To: "C320-List" <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2012 6:42 PM
Subject: [C320-list] Generators


> Hate to bring this subject up again but need advice. My wife loves to 
> anchor out, but we only have a limited window due to the hot humid 
> Baltimore summers. I am considering adding a diesel generator to my 99' 
> boat, but it has to run all systems including my 16k BTU Cruise Air. I 
> know that all the previous discussions dealt with portable generators that 
> were not capable of running AC. Has anyone on the list installed one or 
> does anyone have a recommendation? I always thought that an installed 
> generator was about 16K, a budget breaker, but I think they have come down 
> in price. Any advise appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Herb Creech
> Cloud Chaser 606
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