Generator on Ranger 25

[Sea Jo]

Curious how loud are the generators? Where there located is it sound proofed? Would you be able to sleep with it running noise wise? Just wondering if a Honda 2000 in cockpit would be another option? In our truck camper we ordered an onan 2500 ,never use it because its too loud. If I had known it would have put money towards Honda.

 

[knotflying]

What are you using the generator for? A Honda may not run the air conditioner. I have a 27 and it will not run the A/C. Carried the Honda for 3 years on the boat and only used it to make it run once in a while. I finally took it off the boat. We have a solar panel and no generator and never seemed to have needed one.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

The Generator in our R27 sits inside an insulated housing. I think the gensets we have seem loader then they really are. Tonight I started ours, boat tied at dock, and walked two boat lengths away and the noise was minimal. However sitting in your boat the little engines do let you know they are running. It's not a good idea to run a generator over night, too many safety concerns.

Jim

 

[Levitation]

On my R25 (2009 model) a Honda EU2000i on the swim step runs the AC nicely (ymmv) and with the cabin door closed (well, it was hot outside) it is barely noticeable. It made for a leisurely cruise on the river in near 100 degree temps a delight.
At one point we stopped at a Hooters that has docks on the river, for lunch. The boat next to us was one of those go-fast open bow thingies and the couple chatted with us in the restaurant. As they left they stopped and looked at our boat with the Honda quietly putitng away - as they pulled away I could see the lady giving him a piece of her mind. I suspect a cabin boat is next on his agenda.

 

[Sea Jo]

We think we decided on a Ranger 25 ,so trying to decide when time comes what to order and what not to. Would like to order an air conditioner that will run off a Honda 2000.

 

[knotflying]

It seems to me putting a generator in after delivery will not be a big deal. You may want to get it without the generator. I see you are in Pensylvainia. When at the dock air conditioning in the summer is needed, but you can use shore power. On the hook with the hatches open and a fan blowing it is not bad. You should really check to see if the Honda will run the air conditioner. I tried with mine and the air conditioner would kick out. I heard that for some people the Honda works and for others it does not. Perhaps you could borrow one and try it before you go out and purchase it.
To sum it up I would buy the boat without the generator, try the boat out on the hook without using the air conditioner, if you see you need the air conditioner on the hook borrow a Honda to see if it will work for you, if it does not work for you do an after market install.

 

[Scuffy]

There seems to be a fair amount of generator haters on this site.
1. They say they cause boats to list to the generator side. Loading the boat to compensate for that corrects that.
2. What do I need one for, when the inverter can't handle the load, air conditioning while cruising or at anchor. There seems to be a fair amount of discussion about the inverters in general failing. Your generator is a backup when your inverter fails. We leave our inverter switch turned off. I think inverters are the main item that shorten battery life. We would just use a inverter in case of a generator failure.We do use a small separate 400 w inverter with a 6 way power strip for computers, recharging phones, camera batteries.
3.They are noisy. Well I would not fire it up for very long at a crowed anchorage to be considerate. We will start the generator while leaving an overnight spot once getting under way to make coffee and breakfast items. Having a propane stove and oven instead of the electric version seems to be a good idea.
4. They are expensive. Yes they are. Isn't boating in general a poor investment idea? After spending the amount of money on our boats the addition of a generator is not much of a jump. I like not having to deal with a lot of gas with the exception of a 2.5 hp Yamaha dink motor. I like the fact they run off diesel fuel. I would think there are times when people who don't have a generator have wish they did. It can't hurt resale. The new owner could remove it and sell it.
5. Maintenance. An oil change and a impellor change once a year is not the end of the world.
6. Giving up storage space. We have not seen this to be a problem. We still carry many items we really don't need.
I'm sure there are many items I missed. But we stand in the corner with the other pro generator folks.

 

[Irish Mist]

One advantage of a portable generator is being able to make power while " Boater Homing".. (Thanks Mr Favours for that term 🙂 ) we have quite a few friends back home leave their Honda runing all day on the bow of their boats while rafting together. Keeps batteries topped up and runs all day on a tank of fuel at idle.. And as mentioned the space saving. .........It is nice to just push a button and have lots of power , but for a fraction of the cost and weight the Honda is a good option... Provided it can do what you want it to .

 

[knotflying]

I rarely use my inverter, or have a generator. Like Scuffy, however instead of a generator, I start my engine ( this way I am not drawing battery power) in the morning, turn on my inverter and have enough power to use my percolator. I then have hot water after that from engine heat. Granted, I can't have air conditioning while underway or on the hook, but life is all about compromise. While underway we also will switch on the inverter if we want to use the microwave to heat something up or make more coffee.

 

[rick&sue]

We have an older R25 with AC and a Mase 2.5 generator. The generator has it's own enclosure and I added noise deadening material to the cockpit cover. In my opinion it is noisy. We cannot carry on a normal conversation in the cockpit with it running. The noise does not seem to transmit far, as was stated above - as you walk down the dock it is reasonably quiet. The Honda Eu2000 and 3000 is MUCH quieter. Honda makes a companion 2000 that you can run in parallel with another 2000 if the output from one is not enough. One must have Co detection in the living spaces if you have a gas engine generator running anywhere on the boat. There are aftermarket propane conversions for the Honda generators available too. The AC is also noisy! I will be attacking both with noise absorption materials this winter. Your best bet (even if it means traveling a distance) is to experience a newer boat with the generator and AC running so you can make a good decision.
Rick

 

[Sea Jo]

A lot of good points better to ask questions first take it all in and buy second. Knotflying like color on your boat. Daydreaming about your next boat keeps you motivated .

 

[Captain Steve]

I agree on the resale potential. Our 2009 25 came with AC and the generator. Other used 25s without them were less than 2K cheaper than ours. First owner pays heavily but the price point on a used Tug for the "joys" of AC and power generation is tolerable. This two items sold my wife on the purchase!