Run both A/C units off generator?

Someday*

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 8, 2021
Messages
214
Fluid Motion Model
C-30 CB
Hull Identification Number
2909
Non-Fluid Motion Model
Yellowfin 24
Vessel Name
Scotian
Have the genset 3.5kw generator on a 2022 R29
 
I have no problem running both of mine on a C302 with a Honda 3200 Portable Inverter GenSet….Not sure if BTU’s (watts) are the same on your boat….I think mine are either 12K or 16K in salon and 5KBtu in berth if I remember correctly….Largest power pull on mine when checking with meter is the A/C cooling water pump…The compressors when starting barely challenge the eco rpms of the Honda, but the cooling water pump ramps rpms up in a significant way and then settles back down…Of course the starting draw is larger than the running draw….
When I tried to run both or either single A/C on a Honda 2200 the cooling water pump would start and then turn off after about 10 seconds even with a soft start plugged into Gen Set…
Also, I am able to run both air conditioners from a EchoFlow Pro 3600W, but runtime is only estimated at 3-4 hours..
I do have a 5.0 Westerbeke Gas GenSet in the boat, but will not sleep with that running the A/Cs at night….At first I thought after I installed Gas Detectors in bilge, then CO2 detectors all over the cabin and bilge I would have a comfort to sleep at night with the Westerbeke running, but then I decided not to do that anyway….Considering removing the Westerbeke gas and installing a diesel genset while setting a deisel fuel tank in the area where the storage boxes are under the cockpit floor. (I have duel gas outboards)
 
I have no problem running both of mine on a C302 with a Honda 3200 Portable Inverter GenSet….Not sure if BTU’s (watts) are the same on your boat….I think mine are either 12K or 16K in salon and 5KBtu in berth if I remember correctly….Largest power pull on mine when checking with meter is the A/C cooling water pump…The compressors when starting barely challenge the eco rpms of the Honda, but the cooling water pump ramps rpms up in a significant way and then settles back down…Of course the starting draw is larger than the running draw….
When I tried to run both or either single A/C on a Honda 2200 the cooling water pump would start and then turn off after about 10 seconds even with a soft start plugged into Gen Set…
Also, I am able to run both air conditioners from a EchoFlow Pro 3600W, but runtime is only estimated at 3-4 hours..
I do have a 5.0 Westerbeke Gas GenSet in the boat, but will not sleep with that running the A/Cs at night….At first I thought after I installed Gas Detectors in bilge, then CO2 detectors all over the cabin and bilge I would have a comfort to sleep at night with the Westerbeke running, but then I decided not to do that anyway….Considering removing the Westerbeke gas and installing a diesel genset while setting a deisel fuel tank in the area where the storage boxes are under the cockpit floor. (I have duel gas outboards)
Thank you.
The rear A/C unit is a 10k and I believe the front A/C unit is smaller so if my (non electrician) math is correct I should be able to run both.
I ran them both for about 1/2 an hour yesterday and they seemed to work fine. The load current gauge with both A/C units on read "20 amperes"

(The reason I ask is the broker/dealer we went through when we bought the tug new said you "couldn't run both a/c units on generator, or couldn't for long"?)
 
Thank you.
The rear A/C unit is a 10k and I believe the front A/C unit is smaller so if my (non electrician) math is correct I should be able to run both.
I ran them both for about 1/2 an hour yesterday and they seemed to work fine. The load current gauge with both A/C units on read "20 amperes"

(The reason I ask is the broker/dealer we went through when we bought the tug new said you "couldn't run both a/c units on generator, or couldn't for long"?)
For correct reference, I Looked up the size of the A/C units in 2019 C302…..Salon is 16KW and V Berth is 12KW…..So if my math is right, about 13-14 ”running” not “starting” amps for the 16KW including the cooling water pump….about 1560 running watts….those numbers match photos I have of the EchoFlow display when I first tried it….
 
Cutwater 302
Westerbeke 5.0 finally removed!
445 # removed from stern! Weighed it all! Genset, plus plumbing/exhaust/wiring/mounting plates/fuel connections/spares/etc!

Wife & I tackled the job ourselves after “pros” told us the fiberglass floor behind center hatch would have to be cut and repaired to extract Genset! Not a chance!
We removed exhaust, Fuel injection rail, covers, and any thing else we could to lighten it & reduce dimensions so it would tilt to fit out opening!

Two 6 hour days job! Plus a forklift to lift it off boat on third day!

Hole shot is noticeably quicker! Time to plane improved and won’t fall off plane until 3600-3700 rpm compared to previous 4100 rpm!
Lenco AutoGlide uses about 14% less trim tab deflection to maintain pitch!
Love the boat even more with the most labor intensive, troublesome piece of equipment (anchor?) gone!
And did I mention the access to the stern bilge area??? Soooo much more better! 🙂
Happy Captain here!
 
We live in Florida and have a 2019 R-29 CB with the 3.5 Next Gen, which has over 700 hours on it, which is close to what we have on the engine. The generator generally performs well and powers the air conditioners for comfortable cruising. However, with both A/C’s running it randomly shuts down. This is likely due to outside temperature, bilge temperature, and temperature of the water running through the heat exchanger. Using the thruster while the generator is on and powering the air conditioner can also cause it to shut down due to the added load. Running both air conditioners nonstop on generator isn’t always reliable, but we can manage and get by. If you are anchored overnight, run only the salon A/C and it will cool the forward berthing area just fine. When I consider what I paid for my Ranger Tug, and what I get out of it, it is a great value.
 
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