Honda 1000 Generator, to recharge dual batts

*Jeff Barnett* · 09-11-2007, 05:05 AM

Hi folks, I am looking for a solution to be able to run my boat on DC (most acc. are DC Stereo TV etc..) I Just purchased a dual 10amp marine battery charger. I was thinking of getting a small (really small in size) Honda generator to fit down in the engine bay, area, perhaps forward of one of the batterys, and it's main use would be to power the battery charger. So at a mooring in Catalina I can run it to recharge the batts, the little Honda 1000 runs for 15 hours (so they say). would this be safe? has anyone done this type of setup?

Thanks

***ShabahZ250*** · 09-11-2007, 03:19 PM

I personally wouldn't use a setup like this. With any gas engine, you run the risk of Carbon Monoxide, and in an enclosed space like a boat, especially if you'd be sleeping in the cuddy, I'd be concerned about CO. In fact, that was the very first upgrade I did was install a CO detector. It actually has gone off a few times, (it has a high sensitivity that detects even the smallest amount of CO, before it hits dangerous levels) and clears when you open the hatch and turn the fan on.

What I recommend is if you're running a dual battery setup, use one battery specifically for your items you want to run. Save one battery for the startup the next morning. Or, get a powerpack system. It's got AC to run your charger, and it's also got a jump box built in just in case.

I have this one
Xantrex 400 Plus

**Boatcrazy** · 09-12-2007, 01:49 AM

Jeff

I agree with ShabahZ250 in regards to the CO problem but have heard of other people charging their house batteries with a small portable Honda generator. There is even a boat for sale on Ebay right now that has the exact setup. I have attached pictures.

Good luck
Steve

***MariahMan*** · 09-12-2007, 02:30 AM

Larger yachts have generators installed i believe. I would think that, if the generator is installed properly, there should be no CO problems. Assuming the generator has an exhaust pipe coming out of it (not just a hole in the side) you could add some exhaust pipe to it to route the exhaust through the hull of the boat. A CO detector would still be a good idea to have.

Just my thoughts. You could check coast guard regulations on installing a generator and what they advise on the installation.

*Jeff Barnett* · 09-12-2007, 10:00 PM

So If I buy the battery/inverter thing Chris has, I could plug my battery charger into it, connect it to my battery via the recharge thing, and then end up with a homemade "Flux Capacitor" A power source that never dies!!! Just kidding this would not work, but in theory, it's kinda funny, it's making 110 volts ac inverter power off it's 12 volt battery. you take the AC from the inverter, power the battery charger for the boat, take 12 volts off the boat batterys to recharge the inverter, never ending power,

It's like nuclear power!!! Hmm which one would die first... Oh and don't "cross the streams"