Powering air conditioner from portable generator on R23

J

joelcop

Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2018
Messages
14
Fluid Motion Model
C-242 C
Hull Identification Number
fmlt2309f819
Vessel Name
Nosail
Does anyone if a Honda 2000 (or other brand) generator will power the a/c on my R23?
 
What size unit do you have? I have a 6000 btu unit on my 21 and the Honda 2000 does just fine.
 
I DO!! I run the Harbor Freight $449 2000 W gen. Went for the 2 yr extended warranty, just in case. Mind the gauge of the extension cord you use. look for 14 gauge or better. I use this 6' 10/3 cord. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071X ... UTF8&psc=1
I can run the AC + battery charger, but nothing else, turn off the AC, and I can run everything but.
There are posts on here ref. 2000w gen not running the AC. I did a test at the dock with a 14g cord, and the AC ran fine. Tried with an 18g cord and the AC would shut down. It's all about the extension cord you use. It has to be able to carry the load for the AC to work.
 
Tony:
What are you using to attach that 6 foot cord to the 30 amp outlet on the boat?
Are you using the supplied long 30 amp cord with a 30 to 15 adapter or something shorter?
 
One of these https://www.westmarine.com/buy/marinco- ... ecordNum=8 (Mines like 30 years old, but still works)
The aforementioned 6' extension cord plugged into the generator, the above adapter plugged into the extension cord, marine end into the boat.
You could go the other way around, plug the adapter into the gen, then use your ship to shore power cord. That's way too much cord laying around. That's why I run the 6' extension cord.
 
Our R-23 would not recognize a power source when we used our portable generator. Fabricating a Shorting Device to Neutral and Ground was an elegant solution (see our photo album). We fabricated a Yamaha outboard specific fuel fitting to tap into main fuel tank; this allows the use of same fuel line as kicker and avoids having to carrying spare fuel and maximizes safety. Using a shorter main Power Cable (than factory) is less cumbersome,lighter, and easier to stow.
George
 
I never had any problems, basic plug n play. I see others that received a reverse polarity light, and now your story, while using a 2000w generator. Maybe it's my el cheapo Harbor Freight generator that's doing the trick! :roll:
 
Well, I couldn't resist the prime day deal on a 2200 watt Westinghouse inverter generator. (Sorry Harbor Freight).
Does anyone have any pictures of how they secured it to the swim platform? Or should I drill holes and just mount a few padeyes?
Any ideas on how to make it a little more weatherproof for when it's exposed back there and an unexpected shower comes along?
Best way to drain the fuel tank/carburetor so gas doesn't sit in the carb after running?
 
I'm not familiar with the 2200 watt Westinghouse, but I have to drain the fuel tank by tipping the generator over a can. Once that's done I run the generator until it runs dry. your owners manual might have more insight.
I found a cover on Amazon, but can't use it if the gen is running.
What does the 2200 watt Westinghouse weight?
 
joelcop":3vn8e10s said:
Well, I couldn't resist the prime day deal on a 2200 watt Westinghouse inverter generator. (Sorry Harbor Freight).
Does anyone have any pictures of how they secured it to the swim platform? Or should I drill holes and just mount a few padeyes?
Any ideas on how to make it a little more weatherproof for when it's exposed back there and an unexpected shower comes along?
Best way to drain the fuel tank/carburetor so gas doesn't sit in the carb after running?
Click to expand...
If I may offer a suggestion, before you run the genny, remove the spark plug and coat the threads with anti-sieze. Since the cylinder head is aluminum and the spark plug is steel, and it's in a salt water environment, it's not a question of if, but when it's going to corrode.

As for gas, I'd recommend using ethanol free gas treated with Startron or the equivalent. Shouldn't be as great a need to drain it back at the dock, but it's still worthwhile to turn off the petcock while it's running to run all the gas out of the carb. Just my 2 cents.
 
The generator weight is 43 lbs.
It doesn't have a separate petcock to turn off fuel and let the carb run dry. That's why I was asking about draining fuel.
I guess fuel treatment and a short run once a month will work. Thanks for the tip about the anti- seize.
 
If there’s enough hose between the tank and carb you could always add the petcock.
 
For those of you who use a portable power generator to run the Air Conditioner on an R-23, do you use it for cooling while the boat is in motion or just at anchor? I would think that it would be fine, if it were tied down in a secure fashion. But just wondering if the generator kept running OK when the boat leaned a little in a turn?
 
We use a Honda EU2200IC 2200-Watt generator. What's nice is, the outlet on the generator is the same as our shore power cord - no adapter needed.

Runs everything fine.
 
Joelcop, Selkie has a locking RV generator box installed on the port swim platform. Measure carefully when ordering and installing so that the door passes the handrail. Use the 3M stuff around your bolts under the swim platform (not the super permanent kind I can’t recall the name of. Someone can help with the correct product name, I’m sure). Selkie’s came from rvgeneratorbox.com but there are other vendors. It’s not cheap but a new Honda generator was darn near ruined within several weeks unprotected.
 
I made an aluminum tray with 2 inch sides and three inch legs to give me 5 inches of safety from backwash while the Honda generator is on the swim platform. I also purchased a set of the generator feet from Honda to put on the tray to reduce vibrations. When not running the generator I keep the Honda cover on the generator to keep the salt air off. I also spray the inside of the generator with a CRC product to help stop corrosion. The generator is secured to the swim platform with two SS inch worms that are through bolted into the wall just above the base of the platform and a small SS ratchet strap. I run it and leave it there as long as traveling in calm seas. I also made an aluminum exhaust pipe that uses an SS hose clamp that lets me direct the exhaust away from the boat. This works very well for us.
KKRCRACE
 
KKRCRACE":3of5kqvt said:
I made an aluminum tray with 2 inch sides and three inch legs to give me 5 inches of safety from backwash while the Honda generator is on the swim platform. I also purchased a set of the generator feet from Honda to put on the tray to reduce vibrations. When not running the generator I keep the Honda cover on the generator to keep the salt air off. I also spray the inside of the generator with a CRC product to help stop corrosion. The generator is secured to the swim platform with two SS inch worms that are through bolted into the wall just above the base of the platform and a small SS ratchet strap. I run it and leave it there as long as traveling in calm seas. I also made an aluminum exhaust pipe that uses an SS hose clamp that lets me direct the exhaust away from the boat. This works very well for us.
KKRCRACE
Click to expand...

Photos?
 
I don’t know how to post photos in my album so I could email them to you if you like. I just need your email.
KKRCRACE.
 
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