What is the best method to power some christmas lights on my boat.?

Question

I have a 26 foot cabin cruiser. Want to put a lot of christmas lights on outside for a parade. I don't have any generator. I was thinking of an inverter off my battery but, I will be running at over 1,000 lights.

Can I buy a very small generator like one used to power outdoor tools. I think I saw one once that was very small and like 100 dollars.

What is my best option. I don't have a permanet place to mount a generator. It would have to be sitting on swim platform as to keep fumes away from cabin.

Answer 1

if you have  a cabin cruiser is it safe to assume you are running and i/o engine or inboard engine? if so, you could always mount the small generator in the engine compartment and exhaust it out with the engine exhaust... just a thought... there is also conversion plug that can plug into a 12v plug ( lighter plug ) but you will be limited on the watts.. good luck!!

Answer 2

Small generator see what watts you need for the lights and double the out put of the generator>

Answer 3

watch your gas tank

Answer 4

I have decorated my boat for several lighted boat parades and we found that we needed at least a 2000 watt generator to light a few thousand mini lights. A 3500 watt generator was needed to light our most ambitious creation on a 30 ft boat. We used an extra muffler and mounted the generator on deck and lashed it to a stanchion.  Try to rent or borrow a generator that will provide more than enough for your planned light display. It may grow larger than you are planning. You can compute your needs if you know the total output of your light display.  

Typically 300 mini lites draw about 1 amp.

given the formula:

Amps=Watts/Volts

For example 110 watts/110 volts = 1 amp

You will need at least 120 watts per 300 lites to give a little headroom on the generator.

Have a fun time in the parade !!!

Answer 5

Buy a generator. You don't need a very big one to power christmas lights

Answer 6

Why not just rent one for the short period you need it, or you can try and find a load of 12v bulbs but I doubt your battery or alt would last very long. If you use the newer led type bulbs you might get away with an inverter

Answer 7

use a power inverter, christmas lights use very little power it should be fine for a couple of hours