A Build Challenge for the Creative!!

[jmhatchett]

Ok so the motivation behind this thread is an on board generator to power the boats stereo and all amps while sitting and/or driving.

I have a buddy that runs a Honda Eu 2000 generator to power his entire sound system and not deplete the batteries, he has it set up to run the amps and the stereo completely on the generator. I love the idea as he will go through about a gallon of gas on a full day and not have to replace batteries or build up his battery bank in order to be loud ALL DAY. He doesnt have any of the downsides of a battery powered system.. i.e. the power draw and depletion of the batteries over time, the decision of how many batteries and where to put them, having to (from time to time) turn the boat on to charge the batteries, etc.

So here comes the challenge... I love his set up, but he has the generator sitting in the front bow area. I am interested in doing the conversion and putting a generator in mine, but i would like to see some creative ideas of how to hide it and keep the exhaust from the generator from being in the cabin area or around the passengers.

[boardman74]

Thats easy. Just buy a gen set intended for boats. It will have a muffler and exhaust that exits below the waterline just like the engine. Its about 7-10X the cost of the little honda portable. I have seen people mount the portables on the swim platform.

I have owned large cruisers most of my adult life. Trying to install a portable into a compartment is a bad idea and is also illegal.

[Bruizza]

I mean I understand the hassle of batteries etc.. but seems like for what you are going to spend along with the time to custom fab this thing into your boat you could get some high end charge tank batteries and solve this problem just as easily. how many watts are you running?

[Timmy!]

Also, think about what you are really doing. A Eu2000 is a 2,000 watt generator that costs $1,000+. How many watts are you running? If you are running more than 2,000, all you are doing is preventing the inevitable - charging the batteries! You could buy 4 to 5 good batteries for that amount.

[kx250frider617]

The nice thing about a generator is its a power source in the middle of no where. Batteries only last so long. If you do the built in route, I would put it under the passenger side seat, keep it away from any possible moister.

I recently idled out boat in a christmas parade, all decorated in light with the stereo blaring. I actually drained my batteries because the alt was barely charging them at idle. I forgot to bring my generator. I did have a huge inverter for the lights though.

[boatwakes]

If you run a portable generator... I still don't believe people do this but ... you run the risk of CO poisoning, boat fire, non marine blah blah blah, there are 1 million reasons not to do it but the biggest is your life. Buy better batteries (AGM), get a 100+amp output alternator and adjust your voltage regulator accordingly. If you honestly feel the need to put one onboard, buy a marine genset and beware of the exhaust routing (below the water line will fill your exhaust then your engine with water) and install it correctly.

[boardman74]

Your boats exhaust routing exits below the water line, does it fill with water because mine doesn't! I have also had multiple large cruisers with marine gen sets factory installed, they also had exhaust that exited the boat below the water line. Those engines also did not fill with water. Am I missing something? Mostly all inboards have exhaust below the waterline at rest, I don't think any of those engines fill with water.

[Timmy!]

Most boats exhaust into the water. Even an I/O is in the water unless it has a captains call on it or something.

[boardman74]

Exactly, but according to boatwakes they will fill with water. So then why doesn't mine fill with water?