Question:

Adapting a Domestic Genset to a boat?

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I'm contemplating adapting a domestic petrol genset 3KVA to my boat. The marine gensets just cost to much.

I have tons of engine room space and anticipate only needing to turn it on a couple of times a week. Saves running the main engines to charge the batteries.

My idea is to purchase an inexpensive key start unit duct fresh air to an automotive electric radiator fan and pipe the exhaust through to a marine extraction fan and out the side of the boat.

Since the engines are 4 stroke air cooled I believe it should be adequate for keeping the thing cool.

I have a carbon monoxide alarm already in case there is an exhaust leak....

Does anybody see any fundamental problems with what I'm planning to do and has anybody else done or contemplated the same...

I know the marine gensets are purpose built but in my case it's for occasional use and I can do the whole thing for under $500 vs $3k and up for a marine unit. There's the incentive.

All ideas, criticisms, warnings welcome...

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4 ANSWERS


  1. You will have to build a custom exhaust for it and a forced air cooler on it. It is not impossible you can even get a heat exchanger to pass water around it to cool it.


  2. Yea I want to do the same thing, I was thinking to get one of those honda 5hp generators, and hook a fan up to it. Or you could just use a little petrol motor and hook it up to a generator? Probobly easier to do the latter, and of course run a fan over the fins for cooling.

  3. Done it. But we had ours in the aft lazarette with the exhaust merely venting via a bronze skin fitting out the side of the hull with no problems. We didn't use any fans and just kept the hatch open when the genny was in use. Noise was an issue as the marine sets are fully insulated hence the price

  4. Capt, have you thought about getting one of the small portable generators(that's refereed to as a hand held)that Honda makes?It's real good for keeping your batteries charged and is small an light weight.I have had one for about 15 years and have used it from the construction sites to lighting lights at night for nite fishing powering refrigarator when power is out and never a problem with it.Just a thought

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