Generator - Maxum Boat Owners Club

cj · 05-20-2012, 05:24 PM

Hello all, I would like to take along my Honda 2000 gen this summer for some extended camping trips and was wondering if anyone stores/carries it in the engine compartment?
cheers

seapuppy · 05-21-2012, 04:34 AM

cj....the gen. is gas propelled...with that said...gasoline is present...having a gas engine other than what's in your engine bay is bad news....very little gas can become explosive real quickly...I'd recommend NOT carrying it in the engine bay with gas in the tank....now if you can remove the gas and seal up the tank..then ok...but do not carry the genny in the engine bay......Gen+gas+engine = boom!!!

SP

biggerseagar · 05-21-2012, 01:59 PM

I'll second that thought! Best place is either tied down in the cockpit or on the ski platform. That is also where I would run with also a co detector on the boat in the cabin. If your cords are long enough leave the genny on the shore. Have fun:-)

Roger

cj · 05-21-2012, 06:49 PM

...yes, thanks guys, I agree, that is my feeling as well, but thought I'd post the question and see who would chime in and admit to doing it......... I have read of others storing it there.

ss3964spd · 05-21-2012, 07:45 PM

I'm not sure I'd have a problem with storing it in the engine compartment, so long as I could store it in a more or less up right position and be able to lash it down.

The fuel system on those little gen sets are pretty simple. The tank, the cap - which seals tightly, small hose to the carb, and the carb. No fuel pump(s), extra filters or water separators, no multiple feet of fuel hose/lines, no multitude of fuel fittings/connections, and certainly no multi-gallon fuel tank.

How many boats have permantely installed gasoline gensets installed, AND run, in the engine bay?

Dan

seapuppy · 05-21-2012, 08:24 PM

"How many boats have permantely installed gasoline gensets installed, AND run, in the engine bay?"

mine is but it's a sealed unit designed in a box and for use IN an engine bay.

...those little honda's are not designed to be in an engine bay..the problem is does the fuel tank have a vent..if so..that vent COULD vent enough fumes and fuel into the engine bay to cause an explosion...

SP

capav8r · 05-21-2012, 10:23 PM

Wouldn't the carb's float be subject to bouncing while under way and overfilling the bowl which could lead to a fuel spill? It seems like the risk of a fuel spill in the bilge would be way too high. Has anyone seen a boat burn? Man, they go up fast!!

seapuppy · 05-21-2012, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capav8r

Wouldn't the carb's float be subject to bouncing while under way and overfilling the bowl which could lead to a fuel spill? It seems like the risk of a fuel spill in the bilge would be way too high. Has anyone seen a boat burn? Man, they go up fast!!

I've seen explode before......not good for someone wanting to take a hearing test the next day!!!

SP

pipe dream · 05-21-2012, 11:31 PM

what if the generator had a propane conversion and the propane tank was removed before storing in the engine compartment.

seapuppy · 05-21-2012, 11:50 PM

I think that would be ok.....take the bottle off and store that in the boot of the transom locker and you should be good...

SP

shrew · 05-22-2012, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capav8r

Wouldn't the carb's float be subject to bouncing while under way and overfilling the bowl which could lead to a fuel spill? It seems like the risk of a fuel spill in the bilge would be way too high. Has anyone seen a boat burn? Man, they go up fast!!

To my knowledge the OFF switch also shuts off the fuel to prevent this from occurring.

ss3964spd · 05-22-2012, 05:12 PM

Thanks for bringing forth some points I didn't see regarding the tank vent and the carb float bowl, although I'm not certain the carb on those little gens actually have a float bowl.

Steve, I don't have any hands on experience with on-board gen sets but if the unit inhales air from the engine compartment like the main engines do then I don't see how they can be completely sealed. It would have to have openings/vents in the enclosure wouldn't it? Those same vents/openings would allow fumes to escape the enclosure and settle in the bilge.

Interesting discussion.

Dan

ss3964spd · 05-22-2012, 05:14 PM

Good point Shrew - forgot that there is a fuel cut off switch. My Honda lawn mower has one.

capav8r · 05-23-2012, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrew

To my knowledge the OFF switch also shuts off the fuel to prevent this from occurring.

So, turning the run switch to off also activates a solenoid valve in the fuel line? I didn't know that. I figured you could close a manual fuel shut off valve, but that would leave the possibilty of forgetting to shut it off.

Cymru · 05-24-2012, 01:42 AM

Talking about a fuel tank on the genny, could you not feed it from the main gas tank? Put a Y fitting on the fuel line and use one to feed the generator? Much the same as a gas tank works on an outboard?

It's best to have the genny have it's own pickup, fuel line, and filter system..

SP