[C38] Diesel Generator

Sat Apr 18 14:39:13 EDT 2009

Hi Bill,

Sorry for the delay.  I am way behind in reading my email and just today saw your's.

If you have an inverter controlled Honda EU2000, you already have a very quiet genset.  Mine has a Honda engine but it is not inverter controlled and runs 3,600 rpm all the time so it's noisy load or no load.

The box is constructed from 1/2" plywood and lined with lead lined foam acoustic insulation.  Then the inside is lined with light gage aluminum.  I welded a 3/4" female nipple to the muffler so I can screw in a typical lawnmower muffler to further quiet the engine.

Since these pictures were taken, I've fabricated a baffled intake to the engine cooling vent hole which really helped quiet it down.  All three air intakes are separate and directly fed from the outside.  These include the carb, engine cooling and generator cooling.  There are two hot outlets, the muffler exit and a large vent on the bottom for venting the engine and generator section heated air.  The hot air from the bottom is directed to the rear where it hits the back of the cockpit backrest and is angled up.  This reduces noise also.

By putting the genset on the helm seat, it keeps the genset as far as possible from the cabin, downwind at anchor, and a great seat for the helmsman.  I remove the outboard tank from the genset and replace it with a throwable cushion for a really great helms seat.  I have a rope that attaches to the genset that connects to the toe rails to keep it in place.

The two pictures of the lid are from both sides.  I wanted to show the aluminum liner protecting the lead/foam insulation.  The slot in the top is to allow the lid to be easily removed and replaced and still having quick access to the starter cord.  I rigged a remote lever mounted on the front to operate the choke.  Also, on one side is an electric button to kill the ignition.  There is also a screw out marine type port on the side for easy oil changing.

Good luck,
TomTroncalli

----- Original Message ----- 
From: William Knowles 
To: Catalina 38 Listserve
Sent: 3/30/2009 9:50:57 PM 
Subject: Re: [C38] Diesel Generator

Hi Tom,
I bought a honda gen at the boat show, would like to see photos of your install. Sounds like the perfect fix for the honda.

Thanks Bill Knowles
flying goose

whk1965 at gmail.com

2009/3/30 Max Soto <maxsoto at gmail.com>

Hi Tom,

I definitely want to go with a permanent installed Marine generator in order to run my air conditioning at anchor. You did a hell of a job with your sound shield and thanks a lot for you input!! This way will be a lot cheaper tan the price of a marine gen, but if I want it to be permanent, I think this will be the right option......

Anybody on the list have installed a diesel gen on their boats?? 

Any toughts will be appreciated.

Regards,
Max Soto
C38 #198 ESTANCIA
Puntarenas, Costa Rica

2009/3/30 Tom T. <tdtron at earthlink.net>

Hi Max,

You may not want to duplicate what I did.  Instead of buying  diesel genset, I used a 3kw air cooled generator.  I through away the frame and gas tank and put the motor/generator in a sound enclosure.  It was a very big job but I use the genset enclosure as a helm seat also.  The genset over the helm seat is very quiet in the cabin, being as far as you can get from us and still be on the boat.  The stern area is also downwind from us.

The sound enclosure and additional muffler make the genset almost totally quiet.  You can't hear it from the cabin when it is running.  We lost no storage space and gained an elevated helm seat but it was an enormous job making the sound enclosure.  It is made from 1/2" plywood, lined with lead backed foam sound deadening material and finally covered by aluminum sheeting on the interior.  The enclosure is vented on the bottom for hot air exiting of the engine and generator portions of the genset.  The intakes for the carb, engine cooling and generator cooling are all separate from the ends of the enclosure.

I have tested the internal temps on a hot day with the genset running at full load and it never gets over about 15f above ambient temperatures inside.  The muffler is wrapped in heat wrap cloth to insulate it from adding heat inside the enclosure.

The genset runs on a 6 gal gasoline tank when in use but I have a cushion to cover the genset instead of the gas tank when used as a helm seat.  The rope starter is led through a slot in the lid so it can be cranked without lifting the lid.  The choke is accessed from a lever on the front.  I also installed an engine kill switch on the outside of the enclosure so you can crank and stop the genset without lifting the gas tank or lid.

Since these pictures were taken, I have put a deflector and grill over the engine intake which made it even quieter.

I looked at several diesel gensets before I took this route.  We have an inverter on board so even in winter when we don't carry the genset we still have 120v service.  I use the genset on my other lake boat as well since the genset is portable.  The sound enclosure is heavy but you would be amazed at how quiet we tamed this beast.  My remedy isn't exactly a match for a good diesel genset but it was cheaper, portable, lighter, doesn't rob any storage space, and it gives us a high helm seat making it much more enjoyable from the helm seat with the fantastic view using it.  I have a small block and tackle on the backstay to lift the genset to access the rear locker. I can lift the genset one handed with this arrangement.

Sorry I couldn't help you on a diesel genset but I did want to answer your question.

If you are an idiot like me and decide to go this route, I will be glad to give your more information and photos.

Good luck.
Tom Troncalli

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Max Soto 
To: tdtron at earthlink.net;Catalina 38 Listserve
Sent: 3/30/2009 4:58:13 PM 
Subject: Re: [C38] Measurement request

Hi Tom, 

What kind of gen set are you using?? I'm planning to install a diesel gen but haven't decide wich one yet..
-- 
Max Soto
C38 #198 ESTANCIA
Puntarenas, Costa Rica

2009/3/30 Tom T. <tdtron at earthlink.net>

Here is a picture of our microwave and air conditioner. I hope it comes through.  They are in the navigation station foot well.  This area was essentially useless so we used it for the microwave and air conditioner.  The water pump for the air conditioner is under the quarter berth where it is easy to service and quiet.

The microwave works from a transfer switch which allows us to use it with shore power, genset, or inverter.

The location of the microwave under the navigation station is also very convenient to the galley.

Tom Troncalli
Renata hull #95

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Joseph Launie 
To: Catalina 38 Listserve
Sent: 3/30/2009 3:29:03 PM 
Subject: Re: [C38] Measurement request

Charles,
    On Macavity we installed a small microwave in the galley by inserting it in the bulkhead with the oven extending into the locker. We installed it in the aft cabin side, above the fridge. I am going to the boat this wekend and will send a picture. Joe Launie/Macavity 

Charles wrote: 
I am thinking of installing a microwave oven on the port-side shelf just forward of the galley.  I am about 700 miles from my boat, so I was wondering if someone a bit closer could send me the shelf measurement (height and depth)? 
Why a microwave?  We drink a lot of tea,  noodles, an soup and I have the inverter capacity to run a 700 watt microwave. Microwave dimensions are:  18" wide,  11 5/8 high, 13 1/2 deep. 

Thanks, 
Charles Finn 
Mighty Quinn,  #114 
Great Lakes 

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