Generator
 

Ok all you V20 lovers - show me your generator setups. Putting the last pieces of our project together and not liking our gen set location at present.


"Phoenix"
1976 V20 Cuddy O/B

We have a Honda EU2000 but I've only used it on the V 20 to charge the batteries when it's on the mooring. I have used the honda on larger boats for overnighting with the genset on the swim platform while it's running.

I had an old honda 500 watt, bout the size of a playmate cooler, that i kept in the fish box when we overnight camped. Ran lights at camp site and had 12 ft charging capability for boat. Not sure it it would revive a dead battery, thank goodness i never had to test it.

You want to be REALLY careful with a gasoline burning unit onboard, both faith respect to CO fumes and fire hazard. Swim platform sounds like a pretty good place for one while it’s running.

If I wanted 120V power under way or small amounts when anchored, I’d use an inverter and my battery power. I have two batteries and would isolate one. If I needed a generator, I’d use it ashore or as far outside the perimeter of the boat as possible - much preferable to pollute the environment a little than to burn up the boat or my family.

If you decide to carry one I recommend that you keep the fuel turned off at the gas tank except when it’s actually running and make sure the fuel line and carburetor are in very good condition.

X2. Well said Scook.

Personally, I've never seen the need for, or used a generator on any of my boats. I do have a small inverter, but I don't think I've ever used it. My coffee pot, coffee cup, radios, tiny TV, USB charger for my phone, etc., all run on 12V DC, so why use a generator?

Generator
 

Yes - absolutely good practice. I was just curious if I was the only V out there with a built in gen set - seems I may be.

Our initial placement and engineering was centered around efficient cooling and exhaust ducting (the most important concerns) - but we are addressing a ride issue that only occurs under the condition of solo operator under 200 lbs... adding tabs takes care of the problem; we were just curious if anyone else in the community had built-in sets and where they ended up installing them.

Our current setup is a 3.4k unit under the aft seating area to port as a partial offset to operator weight - sealed firewall compartment separates gen set from interior - fan assisted intake brings air from exterior through generator compartment and ducts cooling air and exhaust aft below the plane of the motor well... all-in-all an efficiently operating setup so far... still in testing though. We just wanted to see who else tackled this kind of a project. I tend to over-engineer things sometimes.

(Note: The why... our inverter will start the compressor for our climate control system - but the weight in batteries to use it even 1/2 an evening would have far exceeded the 100 lbs of our built in power station.

....aaaaaaaaand - we are known to take the "road less traveled" from time to time; the convenience of our own power station is extremely nice to have.

....aaaaaaaaand - I like to tinker. That's it. I think.)

So the main reason for the power is to run ac for the cuddy?

A/C for cuddy
 

Not exactly - well, that wasn't THE REASON for equipping, but that is the only difference functionally.

We'll occasionally take trips away from civilization and having our own power source just extends our available time. (Running comfort systems happens to be a great bonus.)

We actually run a modular full enclosure for the boat - 2x twin berths (v-berth and cockpit,) and optional 1x full berth (aft.)

Generator
 

My original post was out of curiosity more than anything. Until present day, when we needed (or wanted) a generator, we just brought a portable unit along.

I'm just curious if any other folks (besides us) have installed permanent systems in their rigs.

Well, you gotta post pics.

What type of ac unit do you use.

A/C Type
 

It's a portable heat pump a/c by haier that we did a bit of surgery on so it would aesthetically fit and still efficiently operate.

10,000 btu - 9.5 A @ 120 VAC (both heat and a/c modes)

We converted the control panel and display connections to standard network cable connections to facilitate remote mounting in an aesthetic location.

Will post pics as I am able... it works really great for a project that started as a couple hundred dollars and a what-if scenario.

I'll post pictures as I am able.

Cool (pun intended)

Fitting a marine genset into a V 20 would be a challenge. Not to say that it couldn't be done but would certainly take up some room. You would need a sea water intake with a strainer. Exhaust muffler and a blower with vents and hoses. Keep in mind that when installing the genset you want to make sure that it is serviceable with access to critical stuff like water pump,belts,etc.

I just changed the oil and filter and fuel filter on the genset in our 35' Bertram and there isn't a whole lot of room to work on it. My friend with a 35 Viking has it even worst with having to remove floor support to access everything.

We love the marine genset but even with it being a marine unit I wouldn't run it while we are sleeping. All it takes is a hose to fail and that genset is pumping water into the boat. We will run the AC before we go to sleep then use battery powered fans.

I would stick with the portable unit and run it on the swim platform. Install CO sensors and use it only while your awake. With the portable unit there is no belts,zincs,strainer,winterizing etc. I carry gas for the dingy on our Bertram every time we leave the dock and many boats still use portable tanks.

BTW our Honda EU 2000 would run a roof top RV AC no problem. I can't remember how large it was but it was pretty big (12k btu??).

Pictures (p.1)
 

These are the first pictures - the stripping of the plastic housings and extension of the control panel harness.

Let me know if they can't be viewed - I will have to study further attaching pictures.

Interesting!
How are you going to mount it? Maybe against the bulkhead going into the cuddy on the passenger side? However then it would exhaust the heat into your
cockpit enclosures. Looking forward to seeing how you go forward.

Wow! A V-20 with a genset and AC, that is very COOL...(pun intended as well).

I am excited to see more pics of the whole setup.