Honda Generators

[mike]

I have a generator in the garage... I think it's a Coleman. The thing is just so damn loud, even if I'm across the street at my neighbor's house when it's running in my garage, the noise is extremely annoying (actually, that's how this particular generator came to be in my possession... a friend/co-worker owned it, but she hated the noise so much she didn't want to ever use it... so she gave it to me).

I've read all the interesting discussions here regarding the super-quiet Honda and Yamaha generators, and was finally able to see one in person this weekend. I was anchored in a cove with plenty of other boats, with 2 cruisers anchored about 100ft. away from me (a little close especially considering the Mac's tendency to sail around at anchor, but it was fine since I was using bow and stern anchors to keep me in place, and any shift in wind would only put these other boats further away from me).

Anyway, one of them started up a Honda generator (2000 watt model, I believe) in the evening, and let it run all night... with the wind, and my own cabin fans running, I didn't hear it at first, and was only aware of it because I observed them on the swim platform pouring gas into it and pulling the starter rope. Later that night, I was relaxing up on deck and could clearly hear the generator running.

I guess this is where it could become very subjective, but the noise was not offensive to me in the least. It was not the obnoxious teeth-rattling noise of the generators I and my neighbors own, but rather a gentle "purring" sound that did not bother me at all. Once back down below, I could no longer hear it.

I know there are some purists out there who believe that any noise at all while at anchor is an unforgiveable breech of etiquette, but I can't imagine anyone getting worked up over the very modest sounds coming from this little unit. I'd imagine that if I hadn't been so close to this boat, I wouldn't have heard it at all.

--Mike

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[richandlori]

One of those Honda's is on my "Get" list, but I am having trouble seeing why anyone would need it running all night, but for airconditioning. I would just run mine for an hr of so during the day and that would be all I would need. I don't think I would ever run it at night at anchor, UNLESS I was the ONLY boat around. As a boater, I try and go out of my way to not be intrusive on other boaters and try to "lead by example"....the problem is most people can't see or think past themselves these days...

Rich

[BK]

I have had the Honda 1000 model for about 5 years now. It has an econo switch for 500 watts. I have bought everything you can think of below 1000watts to run on it including 600watt micro(900watt surge when starting), hair dryer, 2 cup perk coffee maker, color TV. I do not think you need the 2000 watt heavier model as everything you need is available below 1000watt.
An A/C could be run at a marina with hook ups as most of them require 2500watts.

[richandlori]

See Mod Here

I have installed a combination Smoke/CO detector from Home Depot for about $40. With my entire family sleeping on the boat, SAFTEY is my main concern and for the cost, a CO/smoke detector is as important as a PFD for those sleeping aboard.

Rich

[mike]

One of those Honda's is on my "Get" list, but I am having trouble seeing why anyone would need it running all night, but for airconditioning. I would just run mine for an hr of so during the day and that would be all I would need.

Maybe they were running an air conditioner, but the generator was running at a steady speed the whole time... I would have thought I'd hear some ups and downs in speed as the AC cycled off and on every now and then.

Perhaps they just have a REALLY crappy DC system on their boat and needed AC to run fans and stuff.

I'm thinking about getting one of these Hondas myself, and I would only run it for a while in the evening to use a microwave for dinner and to charge the batteries. Unless, of course, I eventually install an air conditioner!

--Mike

[DLT]

CO is heavier than air, right? So, why wouldn't you mount the CO detector lower?

[Catigale]

CO is heavier than air, right? So, why wouldn't you mount the CO detector lower?

CO is MW 12+16 = 28 amu

Air is roughly:

0.8 x 28 for Nitrogen
0.2 x 32 for oxygen
(Urban areas add ozone correction)

which calculates to roughly 28.8 amu

So CO is Slightly less dense, but from a safety standpoint the Admiral (credentialed CIH) tells me it is managed my assuming it mixes with air well rather than settling..so you could mount it up or down as you see fit.

[richandlori]

CO IS heavier than air.....so in a ideal world the smoke detector would be at the cabin top and the CO down low, but this is a combination unit so I am in a bit of a quandry.

When I installed the unit, I was thinking more of smoke, but damn it...your right, I do want the CO aspect lower.........so what to do....?

I may move the unit DOWN thinking that CO will KILL us first before the smoke ever gets us, as is the case in most house fires..

Thoughts/ideas/concerne....all welcome.

Rich

[Tom Spohn]

The Endless Breeze listed above is an awsome fan. It is a little cheaper at an RV supply house such as Camping World:

Endless Breeze

[mike]

I brought home a Honda EU2000i today... the noisy (but more powerful) Coleman will be sold. I told my friend/co-worker (the one who gave me the Coleman because it was too loud for her) about the Honda, and she promptly handed me her credit card and asked me to order one for her. We ended up going to the local Honda dealer instead so that we could see it up close. We both bought one.

We'll use it a few times a year on the boat for battery charging and microwaving during trips, and (probably more often) at home during power outtages.

--Mike