There has been a lot of talk on forums about solar vs wind. I have updated both with the best I can and still find I struggle with my power needs but can just get by. On a wide beamed boat such as a Cat solar will most of the time have your battery's full with options to use 240v inverted power to power breadmakers and even watermakers!
i have been using my Honda 2kva genorator while on anchor to run my fan heater on cold nights. (I know toughen up) the way I look at it if you got it or want it you should have it!
anyway my problem is just one Honda 2 kva won't start up my ships inbuilt ducted reverse cycle Aircon system once I leave shore power.
And as I'm planning to head tropical I have been seeking answers. I toyed around with fitting a permanent ship genset but as I'm on a tight budget I'm now looking at purchasing a second Honda and connect them parallel with . http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-Parallel-Cables-EU1000i-EU2000i-ON-SALE-/201655416922
Which states I will then have 4 kva genset just by spending $1500 and I assume the 4kw will fire my Aircon as well as having ample power anytime I need it! Can also get the fitting that will allow fuel to run from auxiliary tanks into the genset. 8 hours running would consume about 10 litres per night. Problem solved yes?
The problem is the starting wattage on some 240v electric motors. The answer is to go 3 phase but that is not the cheap answer. The fact that there are cables available to connect two Hondas to start campers AC units really says it all and is probably the best route. You also get a back up generator! For the rest of the ship it will be a matter of utilizing more efficient low voltage items and keeping up with the new battery technology and solar. Reducing as much as possible those mechanical things that are inefficient, electric motors, hard drives etc.
Investigate other methods of circulating air other than AC.
Ramona I'm suggesting using the two generators just to run the Aircon and perhaps the battery charger on hot nights when the trade winds drop. During the days I will be out on the water with work or it blows 15 to 25 SE most days so hatches will be open and wind and solar efficient.. my only power chewer is my fridge , freezer and big screen tv. If I got rid of that I could last months on my battery bank and a small array of solar.
Maybe get a smaller aircon and just condition a small cabin. Anyway I am not sure what is worse-the heat or the noise of a gen set.
Once I close the storm boards and zip down the cockpit awning I can't hear the genset i wonder having the 2 would make it louder or just hum at the same decibels? I sleep in the bow can hardly here it.
I hate to be a party-pooper, but you can't just connect the two 240VAC generators in parallel.
What I meant for air circulation on still nights was the "air conditioning" systems used in Arab cities where they use vertical towers to create drafts. It would mean some research on designs and then stitching up a unit in sail cloth. Unit like this attached to a deck hatch and hauled vertical might be the answer.
I wonder how Honda synchronize their generators at zero phase angle. Connecting ac out of phase gives spectacular fireworks.
Misting fans are quite good at cooling things down and don't dry the air like A/C.
My current tub has a 6.5KvA genny. My next boat likely won't and I don't know how I am going to cope 
Anybody that is against the fossil fuel burning, vibration causing, noise making, fumes creating piece of equipment, has never had one 
Select to expand quotesouthace said..
Which states I will then have 4 kva genset just by spending $1500 and I assume the 4kw will fire my Aircon as well as having ample power anytime I need it!
Southace, most of the yachts I have been looking at lately that have aircon, have gensets in the 4 KvA range. So if you can hook up two portables up as you described, I reckon you'd be ok power wise.
Saw this at the boat show last year. Seemed to give a reasonable output for its size.
transcool.info/
Evaporative aircon is not the most effective and I would prefer to stick with refrigerated aircon.
my unit is getting quite old about 10 years. Aparently some new models will run on 1x Honda 2 kva.
house hold split systems we had on my old work boat would run 1 unit with one 2kva honda but I don't have the room for a split system.
maybe I will just look into replacing my ducted refrigerated unit.
Select to expand quoteRamona said..
The problem is the starting wattage on some 240v electric motors. The answer is to go 3 phase but that is not the cheap answer. The fact that there are cables available to connect two Hondas to start campers AC units really says it all and is probably the best route. You also get a back up generator! For the rest of the ship it will be a matter of utilizing more efficient low voltage items and keeping up with the new battery technology and solar. Reducing as much as possible those mechanical things that are inefficient, electric motors, hard drives etc.
Investigate other methods of circulating air other than AC.
But this a120v acand will only give full output for .30min then derate to 3/4 of full output.
Select to expand quotesouthace said..
Once I close the storm boards and zip down the cockpit awning I can't hear the genset i wonder having the 2 would make it louder or just hum at the same decibels? I sleep in the bow can hardly here it.
Two hours per day running my genny is well worth my 38L Engel and my 8 hours a day of 13 or so 'free to air' tv channels @ 60 watts/hour.
ACE, I'm assuming that you are trying to boot the a/c compressor with the Hondas governor turned off. That is, when the a/c switches itself on the generator was already running flat out (a full 1600 watts) eco-throttle turned off.
Something to think about.....whenever I use the windlass, IF my gen is in eco mode, and just ticking over running the freezer for example, withinin a few seconds of pulling 900 watts with the windlass the genny trips...because the instantaneous load req'd by the windlass, say a momentary surge of much more than the rated 900, actually is greater than the 1600 available. So to use the windlass, genny running flat out @1600w. When anchor is docked only then can I actuate the eco throttle and the gen settles down to its' desired speed.
IS IT POSSIBLE, that your Honda WILL in fact boot your a/c if running flat out prior to the a/c booting? Maybe just honda one will do the booting job.
Is it possible that even with 2 Hondas delivering 3,200 watts, they need to be running flat out because the induction load of the compressor is greater than the juice available WHEN @idle speed.
If you already know all this then sorry for the ramble.
Been on the hook for six years running gennies and have made every mistake in the book, mechanic or not.
If you want to talk pm me and I'll give you my mob #
Cheers.
Funny man! I'm in the process of ordering a new cruiseair aircon as my Aqua cool aircon has given up the ghost!
Select to expand quoteHG02 said..
Installing your tides marine sail track
Well I won't be taking my mast down to fit it! Hopefuly 47 feet is enough it will be disaster if I ordered it too short!
Select to expand quotesouthace said..HG02 said..
Installing your tides marine sail track
Well I won't be taking my mast down to fit it! Hopefuly 47 feet is enough it will be disaster if I ordered it too short!
it can be fitted while the mast is erect Id lube it just the same
