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Subject: Re: TWL: To Gen or not to Gen
From: Arild Jensen (elnav@XXX.XXX)
Date: Fri Aug 23 2002 - 00:43:36 EDT
Mark wrote:
> I've always been shocked by the prices of the DC gensets, and the
> price is probably a big part of why they are not popular. I've
> been considering the development of a small DC genset, powered by
> a 3.5 hp Honda air cooled gas engine, direct-coupled
> (rubber-spider coupler) to a small-frame high-output alternator
> (about 100A hot output). The Honda OHV engine is legendary for
> quietness (relatively speaking) and long life. This small genset
> could be stored in a deck locker with the outboard gas, or even
> permanantly installed in a deck locker, if desired.
REPLY
Mark is not the only one shocked at the price. Include me in that category.
If you deduct the list price of the alternator, regulator and the custom made adaptor
bracket, plate or whatever you are still left with a hefty price for a marine diesel
engine. However, much of that cost is due to the cost of marinizing an industrial
block to conform to all the relevant UL, ABYC, CSA and CE standards we as a
society insist on to cover our collective butts in case something goes wrong.
If you are ingenious, handy with tools and don't mind improvising and really don't
care if there is warranty included then yes it is easy to make something like that at a
much lower price.
Leaving the unit on deck together with the gasoline fuel supply is a big improvement
in safety. The estehetics of the installation I leave up to individual interpretation.
The minute you add water cooling, a wet exhaust, noise supression and dampening
the cost escalates drastically.
> I suppose this gadget would most appeal to sailors who can't
> justify the cost of a diesel genset. I believe that such a DC
> genset could be assembled and sold for under $1000, less if I
> ever got any volume going. I'd like to know if y'all think there
> would be a market for such a device, and any features you think
> it should have.
REPLY
I suspect the reason DC gensets are not so popular as yet is due to a widespread
lack of knowledge on the part of the boating public generally.
My first boat, an old wooden twin diesel cruiser built in 1936 came equipped with a
gasoline driven DC generrator (not an alternator). Rated output 500 watts.
Even so it was effective and remained in service until I removed it in 1969.
You can hardly call the cconcept new or modern.
However, the North American consumer penchant for more power in all applications
certainly has a lot to do with it.
People generally are not accustomed to thinking in terms of energy conservation.
I believe the concept wil grow in popularity and we will see more suppliers like Jack
Rabbit marine, Ample Power and fresh start-ups like Cruising Equipment Co was to
begin with.
The concept will not become mainstream until our society as a whole has a drastic
change in values and perceptions. Meanwhile those of us with a slightly different
viewpoint will continue to blaze new trails in technology applications. :-))))
cheers
Arild
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