Gas generators

quote:
Originally posted by winters remedy

I don't run my genny all night, I shut down before bed. But I even run my blowers while running generator. I have had people tell me blowers don't need to be running but I feel it is safer to run them.

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I think running the blowers is a good idea and I was under the impression that was SOP for an inboard gas generator. It sure can't hurt.
 
We cool the boat down and then turn it off. Or we heat the boat up and then turn it off. Calm nights can be very risky as the CO hangs around and can get drawn in by the AC. That's when our alarm tends to go off.
 
done overnights on the hook with the old 6.5 gasser and the detectors all on.

After the 6.5 died, rather than a serious repair, we invested in a diesel genny certified to operate in a gas environment.

Well worth the investment !

RWS
 
Must be gettin' close to spring.

My 2 cents. BillyIII is the overkill KING of all things boating. If you follow 1/2 of his standards, you will be OK.

IF you are swinging on the hook, your gennie is always downwind. Positive vent of the bilge is a good thing. I have been looking for a 120 blower for overnights because they are quieter and do not require a "step through" for power; i.e. blower to battery to charger to gennie vs. blower to gennie.

Raft ups are another animal. If I still have Saint Max when the Westerbeke goes, I am replacing it with a diesel or a low CO 1800 RPM unit.

Or maybe a Honda on the platform. That should get some sparks flying! :D
 
I'm reading for the n'th year the horrid problems with generators. How is it I spend several years at sea amongst diesel and jet fuel powered generators with nary a crew member getting ill.

Maybe the BE crew should look at proper venting of exhaust gases.
 
This thread was about gas gennys not diesel and jet fuel gennys.
 
quote:
Originally posted by sbw1

This thread was about gas gennys not diesel and jet fuel gennys.

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You are correct. It was.

Diesel and jet fuel will cause nausea. Ill is ill. It's just that some ills cause death.

All I am saying is that a properly vented gasoline gennie can and are being run safely. Studies have been done on tragedies that occurred time and time again on houseboats. The issue has been addressed and the corrective measures are on record.

IIRC, the answer to that particular problem is an exhaust gas separator and a high dry stack exahaust.

I am not saying it will work on a cruiser, but it is a start.
 
quote:
Originally posted by KiDa

Or maybe a Honda on the platform. That should get some sparks flying! :D

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Oh man, here we go again! :-)

Nah, the OP is talking about a below decks factory(?) installed genny. With proper maintenance, care, and common sense, it should perform well and allow the crew to wake up each morning.

I'll also toss in that one can't have enough CO detectors for quite a number of reasons.
 
Listen to HOGAN about a neighbor's boat. I/We experienced this first hand...I rafted next to HOGAN who was next to Robyn's Nest, just for a quick cocktail shortly after sunset. I had no genny, both the other boats did. My cabin CO sounded (kids asleep inside with hatches open) so HOGAN turned off his genny. Minutes later, it sounded again so Robyn's Nest turned off his genny. There was barely any wind but I guess it was just enough to move the exhaust but not clear it.

THAT was lesson enough for me and the rest of the group. I'm glad I was able to experience it first hand in a safe environment (knowledgable boaters, adults awake, etc).

Besides, generator noise is annoying.
 
It is to HOT and humid where we boat. Temps are in the mid 90's at night and our boat don't have a lot of insulation. We turn off the a/c and the inside of the boat reaches outside temp. in just a couple hours.
We have 2 CO detectors on each side of the bed where our heads lay and one towards the back of the cabin, where any CO would enter. We also run the blower as long as any engine in running on our boat.
I have ran the generator all night and half the day for 10 straight days, several times since we bought the boat.
We have had CO detectors go off before during raft ups. Just opened windows and doors till it cleaned out. We never had CO alarms when anchored alonge.
 
I just spoke to a rep at MTI Industries that make SAFE-T-ALERT CO detectors and they recommend replacing the unit after 5 years. She said that they last "only so long". Mine is 7 so I will probably do that.
 
quote:
Originally posted by rduhon

It is to HOT and humid where we boat. Temps are in the mid 90's at night and our boat don't have a lot of insulation. We turn off the a/c and the inside of the boat reaches outside temp. in just a couple hours.
We have 2 CO detectors on each side of the bed where our heads lay and one towards the back of the cabin, where any CO would enter.
I have ran the generator all night and half the day , several times since we bought the boat.
We have had CO detectors go off before during raft ups. Just opened windows and doors till it cleaned out. We never had CO alarms when anchored alonge.

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Ditto for us.

I think there needs to be a distiction in this thread between properly installaed marine generators that are part of the boat and portable or aftermarket generators that usually run on the foredeck or swimplatform.

Our generator is factory installed. We replace our CO detectors every 4 yrs. On the hook my worries are 1%. If tied up in a large raftup or to a dock my concerns grow and we are definitely a bit more cautious as both senarios effect if the CO and exhaust paths are away from the boat.
 
The point is that there is more risk of a serious issue with a generator than without. The degree of risk varies with the type of equipment, the type of installation, the conditions present at the time of usage ( windy, calm ), the effectiveness of the maintenance program.

It is vitally important to recognize that there are risks. It is equally important to minimize them. You can minimize the risk with the use of CO detectors, fire detectors, an alert human watch, or simply avoid the risk in its entirety.

The decision rests on the shoulders of the Captain. There are desirable benefits with continuous usage of the generator. It is up to the Captain to determine of those benefits are justification for accepting the risks. Note that, other than not having a generator, you cannot remove the risk, only reduce it/manage it.

It is a command decision, and the variables that affect that decision will be different every time the decision is made.

Whichever you choose, please do everything in your power to keep all risks at an absolute minimum. Be safe. Be happy.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gene Johnson

I just spoke to a rep at MTI Industries that make SAFE-T-ALERT CO detectors and they recommend replacing the unit after 5 years. She said that they last "only so long". Mine is 7 so I will probably do that.

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I replaced my sensors at 4 seasons or 3 years.
In my case the failure mode was they would intermitantly alarm with no engines running and no one around. I belive it's beacuse the sensors like the human body collect CO over a period of time. So in my opinion mine failed the way I would want them too by alarming not playing dead or all is ok.
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by KiDa

Must be gettin' close to spring.

My 2 cents. BillyIII is the overkill KING of all things boating. If you follow 1/2 of his standards, you will be OK.

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quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

I replaced my sensors at 4 seasons or 3 years.
In my case the failure mode was they would intermitantly alarm with no engines running and no one around. I belive it's beacuse the sensors like the human body collect CO over a period of time. So in my opinion mine failed the way I would want them too by alarming not playing dead or all is ok.
Bill

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See! Told you! :D
 
quote:


In my case the failure mode was they would intermitantly alarm with no engines running and no one around. I belive it's beacuse the sensors like the human body collect CO over a period of time. So in my opinion mine failed the way I would want them too by alarming not playing dead or all is ok.

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Ours are hard wired to the batteries so if we are on the hook and one battery bank runs low they will also beep intermitantly, it's a good warning that you need to switch to the other bank to ensure proper protection. Where this plays a vital role, is even if your not running your generator, maybe someone else your rafted up to is and you still NEED them to be working.
 
We have had the alarm go off when no motors were running..plugged in at the dock. Seems like high humidity can sometimes set the alarms off. Also we put in a digital readout alarm. More information to make a decision on what action to take when an alarm goes off. I do beleive the sensors in the alarms do go bad. Seems like five years max. service life. My 2 cents.
 
Well after replacing the sensors no more false alarms. I followed the manufactures instructions. I have half of my Xintex wall mount units on the port side battery bank (2-31 series AGMs) and the 2 panel multi function alarms and one Xintex stand alone that also do CO on my house bank. So if I have a low voltage problem it would be isolated to one battery bank. I once sprayed some carpet cleaner near one of the Xintex units it failed and never ever worked again that was an expensive lesson.
Bill
 
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